Trivial Pursuit 31

The film 'XY', released in 1952, is the story of lovers 'X' (a Ballet Dancer, played by Actress Rehana) and 'Y' (a Bandit, played by Actor Ranjan).

The film XY's plot revolves around 'X' (Rehana) who dreams of killing a man called Taishi, who had killed her parents. When the villain dies, she transfers her vengeful energies on to the man’s son. The story involves a fortune­teller, Chiang, who only surfaces publicly one day per year. The other key figure is her lover, the Bandit 'Y' (Ranjan), who eventually falls in with her plans.

The story was by Ramanand Sagar and C. Ramchandra composed the music.

P.L. Santoshi (Raj Kumar Santoshi's father), Produced and Directed, and also wrote the Dialogues and Lyrics for the movie. Sadhona Bose, the fusion danseuse, performed in a lead role.

The film was based on the modern dance ballet's that Sadhona Bose had been associated with on stage. 'XY' was one of the first films experimenting with jazz and Latin American rhythms by P.L. Santoshi’s regular composer, C. Ramchandra.

The movie's soundtrack is famous for what some consider to be one of Lata ji’s greatest song : “Tum kya jaano tumhari yaad mein hum kitna roye.”

Other Classic songs include 'Yeh khilti kali koi lai… Haan dai taka lai' (Lata and C. Ramchandra), in a kind of question-answer mode using a fast-paced chorus, Y’s number 'Aae baba yeh hansi baba, yeh khushi baba' (Lata) and her duet with 'Y', 'Itne mein parde se kahin jo chham se tera aana ho' (Lata and Kishore Kumar).

This film was the first victim of the Central Government's power to overrule the Censor Board - an action enabled by the Indian Cinematograph Act passed that year. The film, initially given a U (Universal Viewing) certificate, was subsequently banned on account of its "low moral tone" and also because it "throws the glamour of romance and heroism over criminal characters, treats sacred subjects irreverently and is, in consequence, opposed to the interests of public decency and morality". The ban was later revoked, but the controversy predictably spelt doom for the film's commercial prospects.

The temporary ban on this film sent Rehana’s career (one of the top heroines of late 40's and early 50's) on a sharp decline. She was reduced to B-grade films like Hazaar Raatein (1953), Samrat (1954) etc. and then as a second lead in films like Dhola Maru (1956) and Delhi Darbaar (1956). She migrated to Pakistan in 1955, but wasn’t able to make her mark even there.


Additional Trivia :

* Legend has it that Lyricist/Director P. L. Santoshi, who Directed this film, was so infatuated with Rehana, that one cold night he spent the entire night outside her door. Rehana did not reciprocate his feelings. The disheartened and dishevelled Santoshi went home and penned one of his most memorable songs based on this experience – “Tum kya jaano, tumhari yaad mein hum kitna roye, hum kitna roye” , one of the finest Thumri's sung by Lata ji.

* The movie title is mentioned in the song ‘Mere Jeevan Saathi' from K. Balachander's 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981).

Identify 'XY', an orientalist fantasy with one of the most peculiar film titles ever used in Hindi Cinema.


( Pic : Rehana, in a poster of 'XY' )