Seeta aur Geeta (1972)

सीता और गीता

If the word "romp" didn't exist before Seeta aur Geeta, it would have been coined to describe this fun, cute film.  It's an age-old plot - twins separated at birth, mistaken identity, wacky hijinks ensue.  What makes it stand out is its spunky, adorable star, Hema Malini. 

Hema plays the dual roles of Seeta and Geeta.  The demure Seeta lives in Cinderella-like circumstances, raised by a horrible aunt who steals her trust allowance from her and treats her with unspeakable cruelty.  Geeta is a feisty, fiery gypsy girl who makes her living performing acrobatics for street audiences.  When they accidentally trade places, Geeta falls in love with a high-class doctor (Sanjeev Kumar) and turns the tables on Seeta's greedy aunt.  Meanwhile Seeta falls in love with Geeta's erstwhile street-performing partner (Dharmendra) and helps him appreciate the virtues of clean living.  When the vicious brother of Seeta's awful aunt learns of the switcheroo, though, he sets a trap for her, setting up the film's climax.

Confused?  It's not as much fun to explain as it is to watch.  After a slow start, Seeta aur Geeta explodes into a delightfully silly wild ride, whose highlights are the frequent moments when Hema kicks ass and takes names.  Most of the film's generous running time is devoted to the adorably unlikely pairing of Sanjeev's upright doctor with Hema's feisty, unpolished Geeta avatar.  It was an odd choice to give Sanjeev Kumar two romantic songs with Hema ("Hawaa ke saath saath" and "Koi ladki mujhe kal raat"), while giving none to Dharmendra and Hema, a real-life couple who share such sparkling chemistry in most of their films together.  Sanjeev is an extremely talented actor (he was brilliant in Silsila, for example) but a bit peculiar and nerdy as a romantic lead.  Still, the pairing the doctor and Geeta is cute and sweet and great fun to watch.  And by the end of the film, it does seem that some of Geeta's mischief has rubbed off on her demure sister - the film's delightful closing sequence suggests that the girls continue to take advantage of their mistaken-identity potential in some fairly naughty ways.    

The songs don't represent R.D. Burman's best work but they are good enough, and it some spots they contribute to the fun.  The best songs are "Zindagi hai khel" (in which Hema and Dharmendra perform their acrobat act for an appreciative crowd) and "Maine sharab pi hai" (in which Hema feigns drunkenness in order to - well, I don't want to spoil the story).

Interesting note: all of the film's principals - Hema, Dharmendra, Sanjeev, even R.D. Burman, scriptwriting pair Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, and director Ramesh Sippy reunited a few years later to create (with Amitabh Bachchan's help) one of the biggest Bollywood mega-hit classics of all time and one of GOAT's favorite films, Sholay.

Comments

[Beth]

Yes yes yes. I just watched this the other day and I couldn't think what I wanted to say about it. But you covered it. And good call on Sanjeev Kumar, who kinda bugged me here, even though I know he was supposed to be a little bit dull.

[carla]

I'm glad you liked it, Beth. I am finding that *Seeta aur Geeta* improves with repeat viewings, and it may someday earn itself a promotion to the "GOAT's favorites category." I *never* get tired of watching "Haan ji haan maine sharab pi hai."

[mansoor]

please some one tell me how can I buy some of the films (art films)and where?
regards

[pranami]

hi......
i love seeta aur geeta film

[sabina]

seeta aur geeta is my most memorable movie iv ever watched it just reminds of my past life and gets me rocking

[carla]

sabina - your past life sounds like something I want to hear about! :)

[HemaAsha]

'Seeta aur Geeta' was the first Bollywood film that I watched many years ago, and, coincidentally, it has remained my favorite out of the millions of films that I've watched throughout my "entrance" into the wonderful world of Hindi cinema. Aside from my all time favorite couple (Hema and Dharmendra) being a part of this wonder, amazing plot and exquisite number song numbers were also evident. Songs such as "Zindagi hai khel", "Hawa ke saath saath", and, in my opinion, the most notorious song of the entire film, "Haan ji haan maine sharab pee hai" were just an addition to this gem of a film. Hema was her absolute best and her character of Geeta has remained my all time favorite role on her for all my life. Manorama, the mean aunt, was just a treat for the eye. I couldn't imagine anybody else taking her position in this role. Hema and Dharmendra+amazing plot+fantastic songs=THE PERFECT FILM!

[Maria]

I work as a translator (English/Swedish) and have stumbled upon this movie. I need to know whether the kind wheelchair bound grandmother is a maternal or paternal grandmother. Does anyone know this? I'd appreciate the help.

[Omar Rawoot]

Seeta aur Geeta was truly a pleasure to watch. It was one of many double roles-from Ram aur Shaam, Jaise ko Taisa, Suchcha Juhta, Jigri Dost and many more. Seeta aur Geeta was funny. Hema was the star of the movie. It also highlighted the multi talented Sanjeev Kumar. Who also proposed to Hema but was defeated by co-star Dharmendra. Great songs by Asha, Kishore, Lata and Manna Dey. Still fun to watch after 38 years.

[Hans Meier]

Nice, tight review of a remarkable film (as always). From my limited overview, it is one of few Hindi movies where ladies are the main actors and in control. Malini was simply unstoppable here.

[carla]

Thanks for the comments, folks. I've been thinking for a while now that it's time to haul this movie out for a rewatch. The hot mess that was *Chaalbaaz* has only made that feeling stronger. :)

[Deepa Thejendra]

Yeh Movie to Ek Masterpiece Hai! But i still have a doubt....Who exactly marries Seeta and Geeta in the movie?