'Oonche Log' made a little buzz when it was released in 1985. Most of the performers were loosing their hold in the Indian film industry and were marred by the success of family dramas where actors like Jeetendtra, Sridevi, Jayaprada and alike were doing better than others. Astounded by the success of 'Nikaah', Salma Agha sought an opportunity to set atop her career in the tinsel town and playing the lead actress opposite yesteryear's superstar Rajesh Khanna was certainly a good chance for her. Alas, she couldn't redeem the opportunity and the film did poorly at the box office and all the cornerstones of hope director Brij Sadanah had put on 'Oonche Log' tumbled down recklessly. The flick, however, is remembered for some of the most beautiful songs composed by R.D. Burman. As far as the story is concerned, the film has surprising similarities with Dilip Kumar's 'Dil Diya Dard Liya' and a Pakistani 1983 flick 'Dehleez'. The film has no alien script, and uses the stereotyped 'Thakur-haveli' plot that almost became unpopular during the mid-80s in Bollywood. The film boasts on good locations and great songs and above all great performances by scheming uncle Pratap (Prem Chopra) haughty and arrogant young Thakur Maan (Danny) and finally Raju (Rajesh Khanna), who plays a simpleton literally drenched in love with Poonam (Salma Agha). Salma Agha as Poonam is a torture here and behaves like a newbie when it comes to acting. Pradeep Kumar as Thakur Vikram Singh is a bliss to the eyes and performs with an iron fist.
Vikram Singh (Pradeep Kumar) is coming to his home town when the car loses control and dashes against small huts. A woman is killed and leaves the young boy Raju an orphan. Vikram Singh brings Raju to his Haveli but his son Maan is obviously enraged to see a slum-dweller in his house. Maan's younger sister Poonam, however likes Raju and loves to spend time with him. Maan frequently beats Raju with a whip or anything he has access to. Troubled by his son's behavior, Vikram Singh sends Maan to a boarding school. Vikram Singh's step brother Pratap (Prem Chopra) is a tramp and frequents brothels and bars. Long ago Vikram Singh severed his relations with Pratap Singh but Pratap is after Vikram's wealth. One day after finding an opportunity, Pratap smothers Vikram with a pillow and kills him but little does he know that Raju has seen it all through a window. A horrified Raju can't gather courage to speak the truth. Pratap becomes caretaker of Vikram Singh's estate and calls Maan Singh back. Later, Pratap Singh labels Raju as the family's slave by marking him with a slapper (just like an animal).
Years later, Raju (Rajesh Khanna) is still the stable keeper at Maan Singh's (Danny) Haveli. Raju secretly loves Poonam (Salma Agha), and would do anything for her. Raju is still tormented, beaten, manhandled, whipped, and slapped by Maan Singh. Maan Singh would inflict severe injuries on Raju as he still hates him. Maan Singh is about to be married with Sonia (Priti Sapru), who doesn't really love the way Maan treats Raju. One day, encouraged by Sonia, Raju proposes Poonam. He is surprised to see that Poonam had loved Raju since childhood. Their owner-slave relation takes a romantic turn but unfortunately comes into Maan's knowledge. Maan severely beats Raju and drives him out of the house. On the way, Pratap Singh and his henchmen catch Raju. They beat him severely and leave him to die. Raju's body is discovered by a billionaire, who arranges for his treatment and later tells him that he is Raju's long lost grandfather Raibahadur Sahab (Pinchoo Kapoor). Now the tables have turned and Raju has the right chance to avenge his tortures.
As I said, the film failed to make it big in India and it may be because of the script which was outdated and wasn't good enough to attract viewers. Brij has shown his love to sadism by detailing violent acts. The songs are good and hummable. Salma Agha doesn't live up to one's expectations and is one of the prime reasons for the failure of this film. Priti Sapru has gone unnoticed and Deven Verma has well played his part of Mubarak Ali. The unattractive picture quality, bad script, platitude of dialogs and over-torture of Raju have undermined the film. It is just a miracle how Raju transforms to Raibahadur Rajdev Singh, an aristocratic, high-profile personality, after having lived the life of a slave, deprived of education. Danny has overacted at places and it looks that he and Prem Chopra don't have much to do than tormenting Raju, and spending their times either at racecourses or talking about 'aan baan and shaan', which seem too loud in the democratic atmosphere Indians are now living in. 'Oonche Log' should be watched with low expectations as this isn't a milestone at all.
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