BAIJU BAWRA: 64 YEARS OLD
A musical revenge (Baiju Bawra)
I really like the way Ratan Kumar keeps saying Badla Badla whenever he hears Tansen's name. Though there is hardly any evilness about his angelic face, it is amusing to see this pint-sized boy work up enough anger and hatred in his entire persona.
So, Baiju meets up with Gauri, her father Mohan. Gauri (Baby Tabassum) rows travellers across the Yamuna everyday. The two children develop a strong bond and grow up to be lovers (sample the bouncy romantic duet Jhoole mein pawan ki aayi bahar sung by Mohd Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar). In Gauri's tender words and association, Baiju forgets his cause for revenge and he is busy sharpening his vocal skills while singing love paeans to Gauri, who has now grown up to a pretty village belle. It is awesome how young Meena Kumari looks. She is thin, very, very attractive and has a exuberant air about her. Bharat Bhushan isn't to bad himself. Carefully careless in his rustic gear, he sure has a chocolaty charm about him when he tries to melt Gauri with Tu Ganga ki mauj (Mohd Rafi). The two actors make for a handsome couple and their repartee is quite enjoyable indeed.