Literary Latitude

Introduction

Angoor, a 1982 Hindi-language comedic masterpiece directed by Gulzar, is a remake of the 1963 Bengali film Bhranti Bilas. Both films are adaptations of Shakespeare’s play The Comedy of Errors. The film revolves around two sets of identical twins separated at birth, leading to a series of hilarious misadventures and mistaken identities when they reunite as adults. This adaptation skilfully translates the essence of Shakespeare’s classic into an Indian context, incorporating elements of Indian culture and humour while retaining the core comedic structure of the original play.   

Plot Summary

The film opens with Raj Tilak (Utpal Dutt) and his wife (Shammi), a couple with identical twin sons. Raj Tilak, in his unique logic, decides to name both sons Ashok, believing that since they look the same, their names should also be identical. During a trip, they come across another set of abandoned identical twins, whom they adopt and name Bahadur. Fate deals a cruel hand when an accident separates the family, leaving each parent with one Ashok and one Bahadur.   

Years pass, and Ashok 1 (Sanjeev Kumar) grows up in Dinakpur with Bahadur 1 (Deven Verma) under the care of Gangaprasad, who sheltered them after Raj Tilak’s death. Ashok 1 marries Sudha (Moushumi Chatterjee), Gangaprasad’s daughter, while Bahadur 1 marries their housemaid, Prema (Aruna Irani). They share a home with Sudha’s younger sister, Tanu (Deepti Naval).   

Meanwhile, Ashok 2 and Bahadur 2 (also played by Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Verma) are raised by their mother. Ashok 2 develops a passion for detective novels, which fuels his overactive imagination and paranoia. Bahadur 2, like his twin, is a loyal companion but has a weakness for bhang.   

Ashok 2 and Bahadur 2 arrive in Dinakpur to purchase grape orchards, a transaction that sets the stage for the film’s title, “Angoor,” and the ensuing comedic chaos. Ashok 2, carrying a substantial amount of cash for the deal, becomes convinced that a gang is after his money due to a series of coincidental encounters. He develops a code language with Bahadur 2, adding another layer of humor to their interactions. For instance, he instructs Bahadur 2 to only open their hotel room door if he sings a specific line from the song “Preetam aan milo.”   

Simultaneously, Ashok 1 faces troubles at home. Sudha suspects him of having an affair with a woman named Alka and constantly demands a diamond necklace as a token of his fidelity. Ashok 1 orders the necklace from the jeweler Chhedilal (C.S. Dubey), but his employee Mansoor (Yunus Parvez) delays its completion, further fueling Sudha’s suspicions.   

The arrival of the second set of twins in Dinakpur triggers a cascade of hilarious events rooted in mistaken identities. Sudha mistakes Ashok 2 for Ashok 1, leading to a barrage of accusations and confusion. Bahadur 2 is mistaken for Bahadur 1 by Prema, adding to the chaotic mix-up. The twins’ interactions with the jeweller, the taxi driver, and the police inspector further amplify the comedic mayhem. Ashok 2’s paranoia and his misinterpretation of everyday events as part of a grand conspiracy against him provide a constant source of amusement.   

The confusion escalates, leading to a series of farcical situations involving wrongful accusations, near-seductions, and even the arrest of one of the Ashoks. The film cleverly utilizes slapstick humour, witty dialogues, and the characters’ eccentric personalities to keep the audience entertained.

Eventually, the truth unravels, and both sets of twins come face to face. The mistaken identities are resolved, leading to a joyous reunion of the long-lost families. The film concludes on a heart-warming note, with all misunderstandings cleared and relationships restored.

Key Characters

Character	Actor	Description
Ashok 1	Sanjeev Kumar	One of the twin brothers, married to Sudha.
Ashok 2	Sanjeev Kumar	The other twin brother, an avid reader of detective novels.
Bahadur 1	Deven Verma	One of the twin servants, married to Prema.
Bahadur 2	Deven Verma	The other twin servant, with a fondness for bhang.
Sudha	Moushumi Chatterjee	Ashok 1’s wife, suspicious and demanding.
Tanu	Deepti Naval	Sudha’s younger sister.
Prema	Aruna Irani	Bahadur 1’s wife, the housemaid.
Raj Tilak	Utpal Dutt	The father of the Ashok twins.
Mrs. Tilak	Shammi	The mother of the Ashok twins.
Chhedilal	C.S. Dubey	The jeweler.
Mansoor	Yunus Parvez	Chedilal’s employee.

Export to Sheets

Angoor and The Comedy of Errors

While Angoor faithfully adapts the core premise of Shakespeare’s The Comedy of Errors, Gulzar makes several significant changes to create a uniquely Indian film:

• Setting and Language: The film is set in India, with the characters speaking Hindi. This shift in setting and language immediately grounds the story in an Indian context, making it more relatable to the audience.   
• Removal of Slavery: The concept of slavery from the original play is replaced with a more socially acceptable master-servant relationship. This change reflects the social and cultural values of India, where slavery was not prevalent in the same way as it was in Shakespeare’s time.   
• Modernization: The film incorporates modern technologies like cars and telephones, reflecting the time of its creation. This modernization helps to bridge the gap between the 16th-century setting of the original play and the 20th-century audience of the film.   
• Cultural Elements: The film includes elements of Indian culture, such as temples, traditional clothing, and social customs. These elements add authenticity and richness to the film’s portrayal of Indian society.   
• Character Development: Gulzar provides more depth to the female characters, giving them more agency and prominence in the story. This change reflects a more modern sensibility and allows for a greater exploration of female perspectives within the comedic narrative.   

Behind the Scenes

Interestingly, Moushumi Chatterjee was pregnant with her second daughter during the filming of Angoor. This real-life event necessitated some adjustments in the cinematography, with many scenes being shot as long shots to accommodate her pregnancy.   

Conclusion

Angoor is a brilliant adaptation of The Comedy of Errors, successfully capturing the spirit of the original play while adding its own unique flavour. The film’s humour is timeless, stemming from the classic trope of mistaken identities and the chaotic situations that arise. Gulzar’s masterful direction, combined with the stellar performances of the cast, particularly Sanjeev Kumar and Deven Verma in their double roles, makes Angoor a truly enjoyable and memorable cinematic experience. The film’s all-star cast, including veteran actors like Utpal Dutt and Shammi, further enhances its appeal and contributes to its enduring popularity.   

Further Analysis

The film’s success lies in its ability to seamlessly blend Shakespearean comedy with Indian sensibilities. Gulzar’s unique comedic style, characterized by witty dialogues, subtle humour, and a keen observation of human behaviour, shines through in Angoor. The film’s humour is not just slapstick; it also draws from the characters’ personalities, their interactions, and the ironies of the situations they find themselves in.   

Furthermore, Angoor offers subtle commentary on Indian society and culture. The film touches upon themes of class differences, social expectations, and the complexities of relationships within a traditional Indian family. These themes are woven into the comedic narrative, adding depth and resonance to the film.   

Gulzar’s careful attention to detail, from the witty dialogues to the nuanced performances, ensures that the film remains faithful to its source material while also appealing to a contemporary Indian audience. The film’s exploration of themes like identity, relationships, and social dynamics adds depth to the comedic narrative, making it a truly enriching cinematic experience.