It's raining cats and dogs. Thundering and lightening compete. Men in raincoats explore a haunted house. As if on cue, Aayega aanewala (Mahal) and Kahin deep jale (Bees Saal Baad) begin to play in the background. Ominous voices loom large in the dark corners of the eerie apartment. Flying hats, beastly mannequins making roaring sounds and dancing skeletons are added attractions.
Under normal circumstances, the two guys would take out a cross or chant the Hanuman Chalisa. But when the men involved are Mehmood and RD Burman, it's no surprise that they will find time to prepare tea, make conversation and even do a rumba samba, while the ghoul wonders if he's lost his touch.
Brace yourself for entertainment unlimited in Mehmood's directorial debut, Bhoot Bungla. Released in 1965, this suspense-horror-comic thriller refuses to go out of style, even 40 years later.
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The black-and-white suspense involves the mysterious murder of a man in the opening sequence. His wife flees from the mansion to save the life of her baby. Decades later, the besieged mansion witnesses two more killings. This time, it's the heroine Rekha's (Tanuja) father and his crazy younger brother. She comes to her city apartment under the care of her uncle to escape the ghosts (pun intended) of her past.
During a singing competition, she bumps into Youth Club leader and good Samaritan, Mohan (Mehmood) and his band of boy scouts. Initially, she doesn't approve of their playful lifestyle only to realise that there is more to them than meets the eye. When an unidentified caller threatens Rekha with her life, she seeks Mohan's help. The latter and his club swear to solve the mystery behind the series of calls and, of course, the haunted mansion.
Bhoot Bungla's charm works on many counts. It introduces an air of tension periodically, only to crack you up with Mehmood's priceless antics. There is a sequence in the movie where he dolls up as a woman attending a job interview. His cute blunt cut wig, fluttering eyelashes, Elizabeth Taylor-esque pout and body-hugging dress only aid his fabulous impersonation of Ms Come-on-baby-light-my-fire.
The pièce de résistance of the caper is indisputably Mehmood and R D Burman's midnight rendezvous at the bungalow in question. Burman, who began his career with Mehmood's Chhote Nawab, was convinced into doing a memorable cameo in the film. He plays Tocky the classic equivalent of Jughead Jones (for being a foodie) and Chuckie Finister (for being a chicken) put together. On being confronted by his mates, Tocky takes a break from sandwiches to reluctantly join Mohan on his mission impossible. Oh, and you have to watch the man prepare instant tea. Even the Marx Brothers would be proud of this one.
One can learn a lot of moves from Bhoot Bangla. The 60s brand of twist, rumba samba and cha cha cha all find a place in the smashing soundtrack dished out by RD. Aao twist kare, Kahan aake yeh hum phas gaye, Pyar karta ja and O mere pyaar aaja are timeless melodies in their own right. The background score is as innovative as it gets, what with Mehmood at the helm. The man twists his tongue to come up with rib-tickling sound effects. Being silly has never felt better.
In an applause-worthy debut as director, the actor and producer displays his keen sense of script, comic timing and ability to draw the impulsive best from his actors. Whether it's Tanuja -- who, by the way, looks lovely in her Audrey Hepburn inspired look jolting in disbelief and terror or the chilling appearances from junior artists playing toothy gardeners or creepy maids, every character makes his or her presence felt.
So, if you want a movie that does wonders for your weekend, Bhoot Bungla is the one to pick. You will have a hard time keeping a straight face, I promise.