The Big Banners club
1978 saw a release from production house giants like R K Films, Navketan and Rajshri Productions.
Raj Kapoor's Satyam Shivam Sundaram came in with a great deal of hype. For starters, it was a RK film. Secondly, it showed Zeenat Aman as a village belle; you'd seldom spot in real life, with a penchant for bare, minimal clothing. Her sizzling scenes and lip lock with Kapoor's younger bro, Shashi raised a hue and cry with the Censor board. Eventually, this 'Adults only' affair went overboard with its certified status and is best remembered for its hot, explosive heroine and Laxmikant Pyarelal's soulful tunes.
Evergreen Dev Anand's Des Pardes revolved around the overseas lure of the common man leading him into trouble. It isn't exactly one of his best works as director or actor but it marks the entry of his petite discovery Tina Munim into films.
Rajshris' revamped Eric Segal's Love Story into a desi Aankhiyon Ke Jharoke Se. Sachin and newcomer Ranjeeta dazzled the screen with their freshness. Ravindra Jain's melodious score was quite a hit as well. As an aside, Jain is also behind the music of Rajshris' soon-to-released, Vivah.
Jain also scored the popular shower number, Thande thande pani se nahana for B R Chopra's tickling comedy, Pati Patni Aur Woh, starring Sanjeev Kumar, Vidya Sinha and Ranjeeta. Unlike the 2006 kerchief caper, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehnaa, Chopra's film was a teasing take at infidelity.
Shalimar, an East-meets-West collaboration was touted to be the Next Best Thing. But its damp squib performance left its lead Dharmendra and many other sorely disappointed.
Technically, Mukta Arts was yet to come in picture. But Subhash Ghai's follow up to Kalicharan -- Vishwanath, starring a livewire Shatrughan Sinha -- lived up to the expectations. The seeds of a budding showman were sown. Subsequent years and films like Hero, Karma and Ram Lakhan would establish this possibility into reality.
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