In 1976, Martin Scorsese came up with Taxi
Driver, a movie that went on to be viewed as one of the best films ever. Starring
Robert De Niro, the movie garnered
tremendous critical acclaim and emerged as a cult classic. Over the years many
directors have been inspired by its style and the way it went about constructing
a psychological study of a man leading a life shrouded by disturbing elements,
or rather deconstructing the psychological state of disturbed man finding it
difficult to come to terms with his environs.
Closer home, a man called Irshaad made a movie titled Taxi Taxie, casting Amol Palekar in the lead as a taxi
driver operating in the metropolis of Mumbai. This movie that came out in 1977
seems to be clearly inspired by the English classic that released a year
before. However it must be said that it is the best sort of inspiration. The
director/writer has been influenced by the idea of his famous contemporary from
the west, and has created a completely different movie, completely different
narrative of his own, which is quite unique and interesting.
Amol Palekar, quite fondly given
the moniker ‘Hero’ by his fellow Mumbai Taxiwallahs, is an honest and diligent
worker who spends most of his time on the streets of Mumbai, helping various people
move around the city. However, he himself finds it difficult to navigate
through certain cobwebs in his mind, which keep pushing him back to his past.
His choice of being a taxi driver, despite being well qualified academically,
comes as an enigma to his old college friend who he runs into one day. He justifies
it by voicing the joys of being constantly with various passengers, who he
treats like fellow companions in the journey of life. The profession, thus, is
his way of parrying off any chances of falling prey to loneliness. There is
also a more romantic reason of him wanting to search for an old flame who he
hopes would run into him, if luck is on his side. Thus, all the time his eyes
keep searching for that familiar face while he drives through the good and bad
wonders of the city.
As a part of his routine, Hero
chances into a hapless (and kind) prostitute more than once, and forges a
friendly relationship with her. He also meets a struggling playback singer who
somehow reminds him of his flame who he wants to reconnect with quite badly.
There is also a kind Christian landlady with whom he shares a lovely bond. It
is through these relationships that Hero’s thoughts and conflicts are brought
to the fore wonderfully well.
The movie is quite atmospheric
and the city of Mumbai plays a crucial role in binding the narrative. Quite
like the recent Aamir Khan starrer Talaash,
a movie that also shares some other similarities with this thirty five year old
forgotten flick. People who have been to Mumbai will find it quite interesting
to see all their favourite places from ‘town area’ being given due prominence
in the film (without ever pushing the main context to the background). Some
deftly handled small touches can be appreciated after every few minutes, which
makes the film appear very technically sound in spite of the apparent low
budget.
The best thing about the movie is
that despite its very heavy subject and philosophical tone, it never comes
across as too much to take in. Some light-hearted moments are nicely done, and
some appear contrived today, but by and large it is an extremely fresh
screenplay which at least I have not seen replicated in (or replicated from)
any other Hindi movie. Apart from Amol Palekar and a stunningly beautiful and
assured Reena Roy, none of the
actors show much finesse. However the below average acting acumen of two of the
three leading ladies is not at all jarring, as Amol is in each and every frame
to balance proceedings.
The music is tuneful and
soothing, and surprisingly not overdone. But it is one of those Hindi movies
which do not need the crutches of super-hit songs to stand tall. The meat in the
concept and the surprisingly well written dialogues take care of almost
everything. Another point worth appreciating about the feature is that it never
meanders, even when its lead meanders in his realms of thoughts. In the hands
of a lesser director, the plot could have turned into a crime/mystery drama, (I
have seen some Hindi movies taking that route after showing a lot of promise in
the initial reels) but fortunately here the man in-charge sticks to the point.
Parting Note: Taxi Taxie is a very good Hindi film lost in
oblivion. Definitely an excellent watch even today.