Bees Saal Baad: Timeless mystery of an English babu, village belle, and desi ghost
This moment is one of many clever red herrings that make 'Bees Saal Baad' a haunting murder mystery - spellbinding even after six decades. Despite its simple plot, the film's moody lighting, inventive camera angles, eerie sound design, and enigmatic characters create a Gothic masterpiece that's impossible to look away from.advertisementAll these elements converge at the film's halfway mark to craft an unforgettable scene. As the clock strikes 9:30 - a chilling motif—the chandelier sways, a shadow glides past the haveli, and Lata Mangeshkar's haunting voice reverberates through the swamp. 'O, o, o, ooKahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil' her notes soar, blending with the slow rhythm of a flute and a snake charmer's pungi. A woman clutches her child and flees indoors; villagers huddled around a fire tremble in fear. Dressed in a suit and hat, Kumar pursues the eerie melody through the marsh. The camera darts from the marsh to a pair of anklets, white leather boots, jootis, crutches and a man with a false eye patch. 'What's your destiny? Come and find out,' Lata's voice soars through the chaos. It's a masterful fusion of melody, mystery, and artistry, with frames lit like a timeless painting. Watch it on a monsoon midnight, and the scene will make you go on a rewind spree.The Plot:The film begins with the rape and suicide of a village girl, whose vengeful spirit, villagers believe, targets every male in the zamindar family to avenge her tragedy. Kumar, the only surviving scion of the zamindars, returns to Chandangarh from abroad after 20 years - hence the title - to investigate the murders of three ancestors.advertisementUndeterred by warnings, Kumar pursues every clue and eerie sound through a treacherous marsh where the murders occurred. Meanwhile, he falls in love with Radha (Waheeda Rehman), the village hakeem's daughter.The mystery deepens with a cryptic doctor appearing at odd hours in a buggy, a man feigning disability, and another murder. Is a supernatural killer at large? Or is it one of the many characters with hidden motives? Will Kumar escape the curse, or is it his destiny? The resolution unfolds in the gripping climax. A Nod to Dracula, HolmesDirector Biren Nag, a former art director, frames the narrative as a piece of Gothic art, crafting a masterpiece with Hemant Kumar's haunting melodies. The influence of Western horror cinema is evident. Shots of a horse-drawn buggy cutting through foggy nights echo the shadowy lighting and dramatic visuals of Dracula (1931). The recurring marsh motif and animal sounds -horses whinnying, cats mowing, and bells on calves jangling—draw inspiration from the pastoral horror of The Hound of the Baskervilles, a Sherlock Holmes classic. 'Bees Saal Baad' pays homage to the horror zeitgeist of the black-and-white era.advertisementTighter editing could have elevated the film further. A crisper romantic subplot and the removal of Asit Sen's bumbling detective, with his grating sing-song voice, would have sharpened the drama. The climax, though gripping, feels slightly implausible. Yet, these are minor flaws.The film's music - Lata Mangeshkar's haunting 'Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil', and the playful 'Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke', and Hemant Kumar's timeless tracks like 'Zara Nazron Se Kah Do Ji' and 'Beqarar Karke Hamen Yun Na Jaiye' - more than compensates for any shortcomings. 'Kahin Deep' appears twice in the movie— a bonus that makes the film's track one of the greatest in Indian cinema.Ultimately, 'Bees Saal Baad' delivers a thrilling blend of mesmerising visuals, enigmatic characters, false alarms, red herrings, and jump scares, cementing its status as a Gothic classic that entertains even 60 saal baad.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
How to perfectly wear a Gopi dress this Janmashtami and channel your inner Radha rani
Janmashtami is tomorrow, August 16th, 2025. And with it comes the perfect excuse to dress up in the most graceful, vibrant attire inspired by Radha herself, the iconic Gopi dress. More than just clothing, it is a celebration of tradition, elegance, and devotion. Whether you are attending a temple event, joining a dance performance, or simply soaking in the festive spirit at home, knowing how to drape and style a Gopi dress flawlessly can take your look from pretty to divine. How to wear a perfect gopi dress on Janmasthami on your own? Start with a flowy skirt or repurpose a lightweight saree into a skirt. Opt for fabrics like georgette, chiffon, or cotton that flow beautifully and allow easy movement for dancing and festivities. Add a vibrant petticoat for extra volume, because more twirl means more charm. The wrap-and-tuck skirt method If using a saree, start by tucking one end firmly into your waist and wrap it around until you get a comfortable fit. Secure with a discreet pin to avoid mishaps. For ready-made skirts, choose one with a good flare to mimic that traditional Gopi silhouette. Dupatta draping for the Radha effect Do not simply throw your dupatta over your shoulder. Instead, tuck one end into your skirt at the waist, bring it diagonally across your torso, loop it behind your back, and drape it gracefully over the opposite shoulder. This gives a traditional yet flattering look, echoing classical temple styles. Playing with colours and details A Gopi outfit is all about vibrancy. Pair a royal blue skirt with a bright yellow dupatta for a Radha-inspired look, or try deep pink with green for a festive contrast. Embroidery, mirror work, or simple golden borders can instantly make the outfit stand out. Accessories that complete the look Add a kamarbandh to define your waist and wear traditional jewellery such as jhumkas, a matha-patti, and payals. Fresh jasmine flowers or gajra around a bun or braid will add a fragrant, graceful touch. Small details make all the difference in transforming your look from simple to divine. And most important, do not forget to do the gopi dots to cimplete the look. Quick style hacks Short on time? Pre-pleated skirts and stitched dupatta drapes are available online for a hassle-free yet elegant appearance. Just slip into your outfit, add jewellery, and you are ready to join the celebrations without a single pleat out of place. By following these steps, you will not just wear a Gopi dress, you will embody the poise, grace, and devotion of Radha herself this Janmashtami.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Varun Badola feels Saiyaara would have been a flop with Shah Rukh Khan in lead: ‘He will be too big for the film'
Actor Varun Badola, who has been getting plaudits for his role in the latest hit Saiyaara, has weighed in on whether films still need big stars to succeed. According to the actor, Saiyaara's success wouldn't have translated if Shah Rukh Khan had been in the lead instead of Ahaan Panday. He believes Shah Rukh's presence would have overshadowed the film itself. Varun Badola shared that one can't dismiss the role of stars entirely. Varun Badola opines Varun recently appeared on a YouTube podcast hosted by Nayandeep Rakshit, where he strongly disagreed with the idea that the success of Saiyaara proves that stars aren't necessary for a hit. He also noted that Jawan would have been a flop if Ahaan Panday had been in the lead instead of Shah Rukh. Varun said, 'People are saying that this film has proven that we don't need stars anymore. That's not true. Abhi tum Ahaan Panday ko utha ke Jawan mein daalo, Jawan flop ho jayegi. Shah Rukh ko Saiyaara mein daal do, Saiyaara flop ho jayegi (Try putting Ahaan Panday in Jawan, Jawan will flop. Put Shah Rukh in Saiyaara, and Saiyaara will flop). Shah Rukh will suddenly become too big for the film, and Ahaan will not have the personality to run Jawan.' During the conversation, he was also asked about how he thinks Ahaan's career will shape up. Varun refused to respond, mentioning that it would depend on his choices. He also spoke about the whole chatter around nepotism and the rise of content-driven cinema. Varun feels dismissing the role of stars entirely oversimplifies the equation, mentioning, 'It's about matching the right talent to the right story.'. About Saiyaara Directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara became a surprise blockbuster starring debutants Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda. It shattered records, grossing over ₹500 crore globally, becoming the highest-grossing Indian romantic film ever. The film tells the story of a struggling and troubled musician, Krissh Kapoor, who meets an aspiring journalist and a poet, Vaani Batra (played by Aneet Padda). As they work together, they fall in love with each other. Varun essayed role of Ahaan aka 'Krish Kapoor's father. The story shows whether they unite in the end. The film also stars Rajesh Kumar, Geeta Aggarwal, Alam Khan and Shann Groverr. The film was released on July 18.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
50 years later: Sholay's unstoppable pop culture ride
Sholay has been an important of the country's pop-culture. "Arre o Sambha, kitne remakes, ads, parodies, aur spoof hain?' Too many, Sardar. If you got the reference, you are a Sholay connoisseur; it would be unfair to call you just a fan. The Ramesh Sippy film, which ran for five consecutive years at Mumbai's Minerva Cinema after its release on August 15, 1975, is 50 years old now. Its iconic scenes and quotable dialogues, written by Salim-Javed, are deeply woven into India's pop culture fabric. Whether it is Jai-Veeru's yaarana or Thakur's hands being as deadly as a noose (ye haath nahi phaansi ka fanda hai), Basanti's titter-tatter (Yun ki, ye kaun bola?) or Gabbar's menacing 'Kab hai Holi?', there is a bevy of Sholay moments which TV shows, movies and ads have mined for clever and hilarious callbacks. Soorma Bhopali, Mausi, Kaalia and Sambha are the stuff of folklore. One of Hindi cinema's finest creations has birthed of numerous parodies and homages. Sholay lives on as a meme machine Just like films and ads, memes have borrowed liberally from Sholay, introducing the cult classic to a Gen Z audience that may have never watched it. The most viral of the lot being the iconic 'Yeh haath humein de de Thakur' dilaogue, with meme-makers inventing savage comebacks from Thakur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo The film's scenes and characters continue to serve as readymade comic strips, adaptable to everything from politics and cricket to heartbreak and Monday blues. Thakur and Gabbar have been the most popular Sholay characters for the memers. The visual grammar of Sholay has also made its way into lifestyle marketing. Several apparel and lifestyle brands have dabbled in Sholay-inspired graphics and slogans. Gabbar T-shirts, Ramgarh road-sign merch, and even pop-up cafés themed around the film have found traction in metros. In 2023, Coca-Cola India launched a limited-edition 'Basanti's Orange' retro can, a tribute to Hema Malini's iconic character, which sold out within days. In the same year, Bharti Airtel's #KitneAadmiThe Reels challenge saw over 12,000 user-generated videos in just 72 hours. Sholay: The marketing gold mine For decades, Sholay has echoed across radio jingles, billboards, TV commercials, and viral videos, celebrated through both loving tributes and tongue-in-cheek parodies. What draws viewers in is the magnetic presence of each protagonist, snappy dialogues, and the film's strikingly vivid sequences, which lyricist Prasoon Joshi once said 'make sense even if pulled out from the film.' Interestingly, while many rank Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) as their favourite character, it's Gabbar, played by Amjad Khan, who dominates the advertising world. 'Arey o Kaalia, gaanv se mere liye kya laaye re?' 'Yeh biscuit laaya hoon, Sardar.' The iconic Glucose-D biscuit ad gave Hindi cinema its first advertising icon – Gabbar Singh , the soft-voiced villain who ended up selling biscuits to children. Ad filmmaker Kailash Surendranath recalls tapping into the Sholay craze and turning Bollywood's most feared villain into a brand ambassador back in 1976. 'From being scary to being the face of a children's brand was really something. Gabbar's popularity contributed to the success of the ad,' he shares. Gabbar's biscuit ad was one of the most popular ads. Sunil Alagh, then Britannia's group product manager, had initial doubts – until his wife convinced him. As per The Economic Times, she told him, 'Children wanted to be Gabbar and not any hero,' adding that kids wouldn't even remember Amitabh, Dharmendra, or Sanjeev Kumar's dialogues. The bigger hurdle was convincing Amjad to appear in the commercial. 'In those days, doing an ad was beneath the dignity of actors... 'We do such big films, why should we do 'sabun-tel ki ad?'' shares Kailash. Amjad agreed to reprise Gabbar – on one condition – 'He said that if the press asks you about this ad, you must say I gave the money to charity and didn't keep it for myself.' The actor found it embarrassing to accept payment for the ad, so he donated the money. Mac Mohan and Viju Khote also returned as Sambha and Kaalia, respectively. Kailash even sourced the original props from JP Sippy Films and recreated the rugged backdrop at a stone quarry near Mumbai. The ad's script was written by Javed Akhtar and echoed the same dialect, attitude, and even sound effects from the film. The ad was a game-changer. 'It was a complete revolution in advertising. It is one of the most memorable ads, and after 50 years, people are still talking about it,' says Kailash. From Maggi to Clinic Plus, Alpenliebe to Bajaj, brands have gleefully borrowed from Sholay. In a 2005 Tetley Tea ad, Sambha refuses to cower before his Sardar, flipping Gabbar's trademark menace into domestic comedy. Goli, the vada pav food joint chain, used a famous dialogue 'Ab goli kha' for its promotions. In an internet advertisement for Orbit chewing gum made in 2011, animated versions of Gabbar and Thakur enact a hilarious altercation. Even government and public service campaigns have jumped on the bandwagon. In one voter awareness ad, a Thakur lookalike uses his mouth to stamp and drop a ballot into the box. UNICEF's Sampoorna Swachhta Abhiyan featured look-alikes of all four main protagonists to drive home its message. And in 2014, when Sholay was re-released in 3D, Amul ran a clever ad with Jai and Veeru back on the motorbike and sidecar, Basanti in tow - all wearing 3D glasses. Iss kahani mein action hai, emotion hai aur iske bohot saare remakes hain... There have been many reakes and parodies of Sholay. Sholay has long inspired parodies, spoofs, and reboots. From Ramgarh Ke Sholay (1991) to Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag (2007), filmmakers have reinterpreted the film for decades. There's a Bhojpuri version titled Gabbar Singh , starring Ravi Kishan and produced by Ekta Kapoor, and a comic spin-off Malwa ke Sholay , where Basanti marries Gabbar. Salman Khan once expressed interest in a reboot. 'If I had to remake any of their films, I would want to remake Sholay . I can play Jai and Veeru both, I can also play Gabbar,' he said in the documentary Angry Young Men , about Salim-Javed. And why not? As Veeru says, "Iss kahani mein action hai, emotion hai, tragedy hai.' Actor Sachin Pilgaonkar, who had a small role in the original, created a parody titled Chholay in 1998 for Star TV's Ek Do Teen . It featured Sumeet Raghavan as a duplicate Jai. ' Sholay is iconic—we've grown up watching it. It still draws fanfare and will remain relevant even in 2075. Every character is legendary, even Mausi, Sambha, and Soorma Bhopali,' says Sumeet. Even the kids got a slice of Sholay . In 2015, Cartoon Network's Pogo channel launched Sholay Adventures , an animated series featuring Jai and Veeru as two mischievous, golden-hearted eight-year-olds. Gabbar was reimagined as a tech-savvy supervillain plotting world domination with his intergalactic minions, while Thakur led a secret police agency named Sholay. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
