FilmIndia (Feb-Dec 1949)

OUR REVIEW "Pugree" Becomes A Popular Entertainer! Dixit Gives A Great Performance ! Producer P. N. Arora deserves congratulations for giving us a picture which is at once entertaining and instructive. Taking a topical theme of the present housing shortage and the inevitable " pugree " racket practised throughout the country, Arora has emphasized in " Pugree " quite a few home-truths about this all important national problem with gentle sarcasm punctuated by some natural humour. TRAMP AND PHILOSOPHER Seth Kalidas, described as a money-maniac, makes life at home unbearable both to his wife and his daughter, Koopa. The wife lives with her own parents while Roopa lives in her college hostel. That leaves Seth Kalidas's city mansion unoccupied whenever Kalidas goes to Mussoorie for a change of climate. During his absence from Bombay, Ramu Chacha, a tramp, philosopher and friend, enters the city mansion of Seth Kalidas by the backdoor and enjoys the luxury of the untenanted house, sharing it with his dog Chickoo. This is evidently Ramu Chacha's peculiar solution to the problem of Producer P. N. Arora deserves praise for giving us a different picture in " Pugree ". PUGREE Producers: AH India Pictures Language: Hindustani Screenplay: M. Sadiq Music: Gulam Mohamad Songs: S. Radayuni Dialogue: Azm Razidpuri Photography : Pandurang Naik Audiography : V. S. Gopalram Cast: Dixit, K a mini Kaushal, Wasti, Gope, Amar, Protima Devi, etc. Released At: Krishna, Rombay Date of Release: 31st December 1948 Di rected By AN ANT THAKUR housing shortage because when Seth Kalidas returns to Bombay, Ramu Chacha moves out to Mussoorie to occupy the other bungalow. Ramu is, of course, a neat and conscientious type and whenever he is in occupation of either of the two houses, he considers himself as a housekeeper and works for his board and lodging by looking after the house and not allowing even his dog to spoil or damage anything. The story opens with Ramu Chacha's annual occupation of Seth Kalidas's house in Bombay. He enters the house through the backyard and through a fan light and soon makes himself comfortable in Seth Kalidas's expensive clothes and lights one of the Seth's expensive cigars to soothe his nerves. Ramu makes full use of the over-full larder and manages to avoid detection whenever the Bhayya watchman makes his routine inspection visit. But this city season of Ramu Chacha was destined to be eventful. He soon collects Basant, an unemployed architect who has been thrown out of his humble digging by the manager of Seth Kalidas, and ac " Pugree " was Director Anant Thakur's maiden attempt at direction. He now promises a brilliant future. cepts him as a ward and guest in the house. They are, however, surprised when Roopa one day visits her father's house to collect her clothes. Not knowing who she is, they take her for another unfortunate soul and extend their hospitality to her. Roopa, intrigued at the idea, plays her part without revealing her true identity and soon becomes an active member of Ramu Chacha's temporary household. More people come in when Jaggu, a friend of Basant, arrives in the city with his wife, their child and his little sister and cannot find any place to live in. This entire family moves in to live under Ramu Chacha's patronage in Seth Kalidas's house. Trouble begins when Seth Kalidas suddenly returns to Bombay in search of his daughter who is reported missing. But Roopa meets him on the way and prepares him to play the role of a helpless tramp and join Ramu Chacha's hospitality kitchen. Much against his will Seth Kalidas agrees to do so. Roopa later brings her mother also on the scene. With this crowd in hand, the writer gives a number of gags which while being extremely entertaining also become philosophically instructive. In the end, Seth Kalidas is cured of his money-mania, Basant takes Roopa as his wife and Ramu Chacha moves on to Mussoorie without knowing that one of his erstwhile guests was the very man who owned the bungalows. 49