Pocket Maar

Plot

Roshan, a skilled pickpocket living in Bombay, leads a carefree life of crime until one fateful day when he steals money from a desperate man who subsequently commits suicide due to his financial ruin. Overcome with guilt and remorse, Roshan tracks down the man's family and discovers they are struggling to survive without the stolen money. He decides to reform his ways and anonymously help the family, taking on various jobs to earn money and repay his debt to society. However, his past as a criminal continues to haunt him as he tries to build a new life, leading to dramatic confrontations with both law enforcement and his former associates. The film explores themes of redemption, moral transformation, and the possibility of second chances in a society quick to judge.

Historical Background

Released in 1956, 'Pocket Maar' emerged during a transformative period in Indian cinema and society. The film was produced just nine years after India's independence, when the country was grappling with rapid urbanization and changing social dynamics. Bombay (now Mumbai) was experiencing massive population growth, leading to increased urban poverty and crime rates. The film reflected these social realities while also embodying the Nehruvian vision of social progress and moral regeneration. This period saw Bollywood transitioning from mythological and historical films to more contemporary, urban stories that addressed pressing social issues. The film's focus on individual redemption aligned with the broader national narrative of building a new, morally upright India after centuries of colonial rule.

Making Of

The making of 'Pocket Maar' involved extensive research into the world of petty crime in 1950s Bombay. Director Harnam Singh Rawail spent months studying police records and interviewing former criminals to ensure authenticity in the portrayal. Dev Anand, known for his method approach to acting, reportedly spent time observing actual pickpockets in crowded Bombay markets to understand their techniques and psychology. The film's production team built elaborate sets recreating the bustling streets of Bombay, including the famous Crawford Market area. The emotional climax scenes required multiple takes as both Dev Anand and Geeta Bali were deeply invested in their characters' emotional journeys. The film's cinematographer, V. Ratra, used innovative camera techniques to create a sense of claustrophobia in the street scenes, contrasting with more open framing during the redemption sequences.

Visual Style

The cinematography by V. Ratra employed a distinctive visual style that contrasted the dark, claustrophobic world of street crime with the brighter, more open spaces of moral redemption. The film used innovative camera movements in the pickpocketing sequences, creating tension through handheld techniques that were relatively new to Indian cinema. The urban landscapes of Bombay were captured with documentary-like realism, using natural lighting and location shooting to enhance authenticity. The visual transformation of Dev Anand's character was emphasized through careful lighting choices - shadowy and obscured during his criminal phase, gradually becoming more illuminated as he reforms. The film also made effective use of deep focus to capture the bustling city life, creating a sense of the protagonist's anonymity within the urban crowd.

Innovations

For its time, 'Pocket Maar' incorporated several technical innovations that set it apart from contemporary productions. The film's use of location shooting in actual Bombay streets was relatively uncommon in the 1950s, when most films were shot entirely on studio sets. The pickpocketing sequences employed innovative editing techniques, including quick cuts and close-ups that heightened the tension and excitement. The sound design was particularly noteworthy for its realistic portrayal of urban ambient sounds, creating an immersive experience of 1950s Bombay. The film also experimented with narrative structure, using flashback sequences to reveal the protagonist's backstory, a technique that was still evolving in Indian cinema at the time.

Music

The music for 'Pocket Maar' was composed by the legendary duo Shankar-Jaikishan, with lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. The soundtrack featured several memorable songs that became popular in their own right, including 'Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwala' and 'Aankhon Mein Kya Ji'. The music played a crucial role in the narrative, with songs used to express the protagonist's internal conflicts and emotional journey. The soundtrack blended traditional Indian melodies with Western influences, reflecting the urban setting of the film. The background score was particularly effective in building tension during the pickpocketing sequences and providing emotional depth during the redemption scenes. The music contributed significantly to the film's commercial success and remains popular among classic Bollywood music enthusiasts.

Memorable Scenes

• The opening pickpocketing sequence in the crowded Bombay market, showcasing Dev Anand's character's skill and the film's technical prowess
• The emotional confrontation scene where Dev Anand's character breaks down while confessing his crime to the victim's family
• The final redemption scene where he anonymously returns all the stolen money through a temple donation

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised 'Pocket Maar' for its bold narrative choice of focusing on a criminal's moral transformation rather than just the crime itself. The film was lauded for its realistic portrayal of urban life in Bombay and its refusal to romanticize crime. Dev Anand's performance was particularly highlighted as a departure from his usual charming persona, showcasing his range as an actor. Geeta Bali's naturalistic acting style was also widely appreciated. Modern film historians view 'Pocket Maar' as an important transitional film that helped establish the socially conscious urban crime drama as a significant genre in Bollywood. The film is often cited in academic discussions about the evolution of moral complexity in Indian popular cinema.

What Audiences Thought

The film was received positively by audiences who connected with its emotional core and moral message. Dev Anand's massive fan base embraced his more serious role, and the film's box office performance was considered respectable for its time. The story of redemption resonated with post-independence Indian audiences who were navigating their own social and moral transformations. The film's songs, particularly those picturized on Dev Anand and Geeta Bali, became popular and contributed to its commercial success. Audience feedback from the period indicated that many viewers appreciated the film's balanced approach - it neither glorified crime nor preached excessively, instead presenting a nuanced view of human fallibility and the possibility of change.

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