Akshay Shah Reviews BENAAM (Hindi, 1974)

Akshay Shah Reviews BENAAM (Hindi, 1974)



Amitabh Bachchan’s career no doubt spiralled to dizzying heights of stardom after ZANJEER happened in 1973, and the face of Bombay cinema changed forever with the introduction of the “angry young man”. However aside from Bachchan’s “angry young man” films, he also worked on some overlooked and underrated thrillers. GEHRI CHAAL (1973) was one of them, and BENAAM (1974) was the other one. A taut, suspenseful and terrific thriller which keeps the viewers glued to their edge of their seats.
The plot is quiet simple by today’s standards, however given the movie is 34 years it’s certainly a cut above the rest of the thrillers made at the time. While driving to a party Amit Srivastav (Amitabh Bachchan) and his wife Sheela (Moushumi Chatterjee) watch a man getting stabbed. Amit stops to help the man, and even takes him to a nearby hospital. The man is Mr. Verma, a reporter, about to expose an influential and wealthy person. A few days later, Amit starts to receive telephone calls from a man, warning them, and asking them for information Mr. Verma had with him. Amit does not know about this information, and decides to keep it to himself. Strange incidents strange troubling the couple, And then Amit and Sheela's son, Rajoo (Master Bunty) disappears. Who is the mysterious man? And what is his terrible secret?


Narendra Bedi’s story is a novel experience for a number of reasons. Firstly, the movie never reveals the face of the killer or his motives right until the very end. Secondly, he allows enough time for us to develop a rapport with the characters and creates perfect ambience for the chaos that follows. The screenplay is splendid! The first half really sets the scenes of a normal happy family. The events that start occurring after the murder are well place keeping the viewer on tenterhooks. From the point where Rajoo is kidnapped till the very end it’s a nail-biting ride to the finish mark. The only downfall is that the motivation of the killer comes across as way too simply.


As a director Narendra Bedi does a fine job. What I really loved about BENAAM is the manner in which he introduces us to his characters, and allows us to take a peek in to their lives. The fun-loving sexual chemistry between a married couple has been superbly captured, and he eases the tension in to the proceedings until it reaches melting point. His direction is seamless as he juxtaposes both halves of the movie together with conviction. Just note the scene where Bachchan agrees to meet the mystery man in public and the police is there undercover, thrillng stuff!
The performances in the movie are top-notch!


This is a Amitabh Bachchan performance that is seriously over-looked. Bachchan is completely natural in the first half, and plays the part of a “everyday common man” with complete conviction (much like Devgan in BHOOT). The second half features some knockout sequences. Witness the scene where he loses his cool at the police after his son is kidnapped or the scene where he goes in to hospital with cyanide to visit the wounded man. As I said before, a completely over-looked performance!
This is the second film I’ve found Moushmi Chatterjee an absolute delight, the first being ANGOOR. As a traditional housewife she is cute, sexy and funny all in one and plays out the mischievous parts rather well sharing superb chemistry with Bachchan. Even her emotional scenes are bang-on.


The supporting cast is apt. Satyen Kapoo is fantastic in a meaty role and hits all the right notes. Iftekar is reliable as ever. Madan Puri is excellent. Shubha Khote plays her comic part well. Prem Chopra (with his voice dubbed over by the voice of the ever powerful Kader Khan who has also penned the dialogues) is good. Infact a large part of the suspenseful moments in the movie work because Khan’s voice is so powerful (like PHONE BOOTH where the voice of the caller was crucial, this also applies here).


The movie only has two songs, and neither of them are love songs, or songs where there is dancing around the trees etc. The first is a dance number with the gorgeous Helen looking her stunning best. And the second is a song sung at an event at a crucial moment in the climax.

Technically the movie is good for it’s time and still bears a crisp look.



All up BENAAM is definetly a film to re-visit. It’s an engaging and thrilling thriller which still plays out rather well.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10.0

A.Shah