New hues, old times
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‘Naya Daur’ is ready to hit the screens in a colourful new avatar. Vyjayantimala Bali, the heroine of the film, shares her thoughts about that era. ZIYA US SALAM
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Turns colour: Naya Daur
B.R. Chopra’s timeless classic ‘Naya Daur’ is getting a makeover. The 1957 black and white masterpiece that paired Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali is turning into colour so that it appeals to the new generation. Just like K. Asi
f’s ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ had done a few years ago. And Dev Anand’s ‘Hum Dono’ is likely to do the same later.
Film circles are abuzz with nostalgia donning the colours of contemporary life. So, you would expect the film’s heroine, the soft-spoken and bright-eyed Vyjayantimala to be very eager to see herself in green blouses and pink saris, dancing to O.P.Nayar’s Punjabi tuppa beats? Well, there is a little surprise in store.
Charm of b&w
“I am totally for black and white. I still prefer black and white. That has its own unique charm. Even ‘Devdas’ – Bimal Roy’s film in which she acted opposite Dilip Kumar – looks so dramatic in black and white. Not just films. I prefer my own pictures in black and white. Even my dance photos seem better.”
So, the heroine of ‘Naya Daur’ still prefers purana daur, the old times when life was less frenetic, when the onslaught of ‘professionalism’ had not diluted the values of personal rapport?
“Not quite. I will definitely watch the new version in colour out of curiosity. And it is not as if Ravi Chopra has not talked about the plans to turn the film into colour. I am very happy with the way the film has shaped up in colour too. A lot of sustained hard work has gone into it. Special care had to be taken of costumes. It needed minute detailing. Each frame had to be matched. It has been quite a tedious job. But to take the film to the new generation we have to speak in their language.”
So, she is happy making the compromise?
“It is not a compromise. It is just an attempt to take the film to a wider audience. The new generation loves good lyrics too. They love good music. Some channels keep playing my songs. ‘Naya Daur’ had some good music, in fact excellent music.”
Talking of music, was it not difficult even for an accomplished dancer like Vyjayantimala to tap toes to O.P.Nayar’s music that was very Punjabi in its ethos? Remember the film’s evergreen songs like ‘Ude Jab Jab Zulfe Teri’ and ‘Maang ke Saath Tumhara’?
“For me language has never been a problem. I have danced to Punjabi lyrics too, even Bhojpuri much before Bhojpuri cinema became so fashionable! It was actually great fun to work for B.R.Chopra. We shot the film in Bhopal and Bombay. It was a very well planned film. There were no delays in shooting. It was a start-to-finish shooting schedule. When I got this film offer, I could not say no. The film’s script was so strong, the subject of man and machine so contemporary. It struck a chord immediately. Then there was the opportunity to work with some artistes and a fine director.”
Proud of the film
The lady clearly is proud of the film. “I am happy. They talk of professionalism today. I was a professional back in the 1950s. I used to take acting very seriously. I took it like a job. I had to be on the sets on time. I had to learn my dialogue before reaching the sets. And then submit myself to the director. Unlike the later day artistes we never used to work on half a dozen films at the same time. I used to work on one or two films at the same time. I worked maximum with Dilip Sahab. The audiences used to like [us as a] pair. The response to ‘Naya Daur’ when it opened was terrific.”
Then the lady, who said good bye to films after her much loved ‘Amrapali’ failed to find favour with cinemagoers, has a little secret to share.
“That film was very close to my heart. It was perhaps my finest film. There were gorgeous costumes and wonderful dances. I had worked closely with Bhanu Athaiya for the costumes. Nothing was done in haste. I gave it all to the film. But why are we talking about it today?”
The box office failure clearly rankles. But it is time for ‘Naya Daur’ and the mention of the film brings a note of cheer to the veteran’s voice.
“The new generation loves colour, music and dances. ‘Naya Daur, slated to release shortly,’ has them all. In fact, I have been lucky with songs throughout my career. I have been involved with some great songs. Like ‘Ude Jab Jab…’ here. Or ‘Man Dole Mera Tan Dole’ in ‘Nagin’ or ‘Aaja re Pardesi’ and ‘Papi Bichua’ in ‘Madhumati’ or even the naughty ‘Buddha Mil Gaya’ in ‘Sangam’.”
Some things never change. Like the ear for good music, preference for nice lyrics. And a heart that many years later again longs to see ‘Naya Daur.’ Bring on the colours. Vyjayantimala Bali is interested too. “I am sure people will be interested even today. If the common man was not interested, the film would not have been such a huge hit!”
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