For many introduced to Hindi cinema, the movie Guide serves as a pivotal experience. Stepping away from predictable narratives, Guide challenged conventional Bollywood norms, especially for viewers accustomed to simpler storylines. Heroes in Hindi films, even those portrayed by the iconic Dev Anand in earlier roles known for their shades of grey, traditionally adhered to certain moral boundaries, particularly concerning relationships and marriage. Heroines, regardless of forced marriages or past loves, were expected to uphold their marital vows. The concept of a heroine leaving her husband to live with another man was largely unheard of in mainstream Hindi cinema of that era.
Similarly, the demise of a hero was a rare and impactful event. Much like watching Anand, experiencing Guide for the first time evokes a similar disbelief at the protagonist’s fate. The film defied expectations, leaving a lasting impression due to its unconventional narrative and poignant ending.
Later, studying R.K. Narayan’s novel, The Guide, provided further insight, yet the film adaptation still held surprises. While both the book, a Sahitya Kala Akademi Award winner, and the film garnered significant acclaim, celebrating over five decades since its release, they offer distinct interpretations of the same core story. Guide the film has been extensively analyzed and debated. Despite personal preferences, the film’s cultural significance and impact are undeniable, prompting curiosity even in those who may not initially connect with it beyond its celebrated music and Waheeda Rehman’s captivating dance.
Guide, The Film: Perspectives, a collection of thirteen essays and a quiz, delves into various facets of this cinematic masterpiece. Some essays meticulously examine specific elements, like Antara Nanda Mondal’s analysis of the song Wahaan Kaun Hai Tera… Life in a Nutshell, or Ajay Kanagat’s focus on Kaanton Se Kheench Ke Ye Aanchal: Women’s Emancipation, highlighting women’s themes through song. Kalpana Swamy’s essay, The Confluence of Conflicting Perspectives, explores the interconnectedness of Mose chhal kiye jaaye and Kya se kya ho gaya, two songs reflecting contrasting yet related emotional states within the film’s narrative.
Other contributors offer broader perspectives, dissecting the film’s powerful dialogues or comparing it to Narayan’s original novel. Sundeep Pahwa’s essay acknowledges Vijay Anand’s multifaceted role as director, screenwriter, and dialogue writer, highlighting his comprehensive contribution to the film’s creation.
Manek Premchand’s The Story of a Tourist Guide Turned Dance Impresario Turned Swami and Lata Jagtiani’s Guide: A Perspective offer comprehensive introductions to the film, providing context about Navketan’s adaptation of Narayan’s novel, the less successful English version, and a detailed synopsis. Jagtiani’s essay stands out for its insightful analysis of characters, motivations, and symbolism, offering a fresh perspective and earning praise as a highlight of the collection. Its placement early in the book may also contribute to its strong initial impact.
As the collection progresses, thematic overlaps become apparent, with recurring quotes, lyrics, and motifs. However, each writer brings a unique interpretation and perspective, maintaining reader engagement.
Deepa Buty’s creative essay, The Sojourn of a Soul, interprets the songs of Guide through the lens of navrasas, the nine emotions central to Indian art forms. She analyzes each song’s lyrics, music, presentation, and placement within the film, demonstrating their contribution to the overarching narrative and emotional resonance.
Dharmakirthi’s Shailendra’s Lyrical Narrative focuses on the lyrical depth of Shailendra’s songwriting for Guide, revealing the nuances and poetic brilliance embedded within the film’s soundtrack, a cornerstone of Hindi film music history.
Monica Kar’s The Power of the Spoken Word examines the dialogues of Guide, drawing parallels to principles of effective film dialogue established by Warner Bros. script analysts. She demonstrates how Vijay Anand’s dialogue writing and use of silence exemplify these standards, contributing to the film’s dramatic impact and character development.
Dr. Pisharoty Chandran’s Les Acteurs Principaux: The Key Players & Their Personas with Psyche and Myth as Spicy Fillings, provides a unique psychoanalytic perspective. As a psychiatrist, Dr. Chandran analyzes the characters of Rosie and Raju, venturing into spirituality towards the essay’s conclusion, but primarily offering an unprecedented interpretation of Guide through psychological lenses.
Despite initial reservations about Guide, reading these essays sparked a renewed interest in revisiting the film. They highlighted previously unnoticed nuances and symbolism, such as the snake motif and Bhanu Athaiya’s strategic use of color in Waheeda Rehman’s costumes across different scenes and songs, adding layers of meaning to the visual storytelling.
The writing quality across the collection is generally high, although minor editing improvements could be made in a few instances. Vijay Kumar’s A Spiritual Odyssey, positioned later in the book, inadvertently repeats some points already covered, lessening its impact. Additionally, Sundeep Pahwa’s mention of Guide‘s supposed Oscar nomination is inaccurate; it was India’s official entry but not a nominee.
The omission of a powerful stanza from the song Wahaan kaun hai tera, specifically:
Tune toh sabko raah bataayi, tu apni manzil kyon bhoola? Suljhaake, raja, auron ki uljhan, kyon kachche dhaagon mein jhoola? Kyon naache sapera, Musafir, jaayega kahaan?
is also noteworthy. Dharmakirthi praises the stanza’s ‘masterstroke’ quality and its relevance to Raju’s journey, yet the collection lacks explanation or questioning of its absence from the film.
These minor points aside, Guide, The Film: Perspectives is an insightful and engaging collection. While it may not fundamentally alter one’s overall opinion of Guide, it effectively illuminates previously unseen dimensions and nuances. For enthusiasts of Guide and classic Hindi cinema, this book is highly recommended, offering a deeper appreciation for this landmark film.
