Bombai Ka Babu’ explored controversial themes like incest
The film starred Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen in complex roles
Raj Khosla directed the film with nuanced finesse, creating a masterpiece
As part of our ‘Retro Review’ series on Hindi films from the past, we revisit ‘Bombai Ka Babu’, a classic that flirted with many controversial themes, including incest, and redefined the concept of crime and punishment.
Suchitra Sen was an actress of exceptional versatility, embodying an extraordinary blend of innate talent and artistic insight. Her on-screen presence was a mesmerizing mix of gravitas and charm, punctuated by a smile that could captivate audiences instantly. She was not just an actress; she was an institution in herself, a master of the craft who could delve into any character’s complexities with impeccable finesse.
Was Dev Anand just another Bombay superstar with a king-size ego? Superstar he certainly was, probably the first, and one who never lost his passion for cinema till his last breath. But he was also the most caring, down-to-earth and courteous filmstar the industry has ever seen. It was his lack of ego that set him apart from his many high-strung colleagues. And surprisingly, his lack of ego is the personal quality he doesn’t bring out in his quite racy autobiography ‘Romancing with Life’. In literature, as in films, he knew how to underplay.
