‘Shakti’ was an ode to the flawed father-son relationship that Dilip Kumar and Big B brought to life

In a film touching almost 3hrs, Yusuf Khan is there from the beginning to the end, and remains imposing in each frame.

By Lopamudra Ghatak, ET Online | Updated: Jul 07, 2021, 06.15 PM IST

An essential father-son story, ‘Shakti’ shines, courtesy the on-screen bonding that Yusuf Saab manages to strike with the younger Bachchan. (B&W Image: Facebook/Amitabh Bachchan | Image on the right: PTI)

‘Shakti’ saw the light of day in October 1982. A Ramesh Sippy production, themed around the typical good-vs-evil plot on the surface, it had multiple layers to it. There is an upright cop who takes on the mafia - he is an incorruptible man in uniform who follows the rule book and puts duty first - before family and every familial relationship even at the cost of jeopardising the equation with his only son. This cop, who holds the plot together across three generations on screen, is the voice of sanity and reason.

The cop is Dilip Kumar. The son who carries the baggage of a (much) troubled childhood and adolescence where his father refuses to free a gangster in exchange for the child’s freedom is played by Amitabh Bachhan.

The expected cinematic consequences were (rightfully) conjured up to be combustible. After all, the casting was impeccable: Dilip Kumar, a master when it comes to method acting, sharing screen space with an angry young Bachchan who was riding high on the success of his Friday outings in ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Yaarana’, ‘Suhaag’ and ‘Naseeb’ among others. We get a Bachchan who is not the regular villain-beating hero - partly dark, partly brooding and normalises the flawed guy on screen with ease.

A Ramesh Sippy production, themed around the typical good-vs-evil plot on the surface, 'Shakti' had multiple layers to it. (Image: imdb)

It is Yusuf Khan who took the screen name of Dilip Kumar when he made a foray in films who binds this unconventional film together.

Unconventional, but why, you ask?

It is the early ‘80s, and even though the later Barjatya baraat of a post-liberalised India has not landed on screen and given us the secret behind happy families, the middle-class Indian parivaar still eats, prays and stays together. And in this milieu, a young Bachchan, carrying the scars of a troubled childhood, continues to feel let down by his father, channels his pent-up-over-years angst, rebels, and joins the same don that his father is trying to capture and put behind bars. The son protests, walks out of home, decides to move in with his singer girlfriend Roma, played by Smita Patil (who makes the first move of sorts and doesn’t shy away from inviting Bachchan for a cup of coffee - not tea, mind you! - while he is dropping her home after having saved her from a bunch of hoodlums).

Dilip Kumar: 'Tragedy King' On Screen Who Made Method Acting His Style

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Dilip Kumar a.k.a. Muhammad Yusuf Khan, was the first official Khan of Bollywood. The actor, producer and activist was often described as the 'ultimate method actor'. He debuted as an actor in the film 'Jwar Bhata' produced by Bombay Talkies, and his career spanned over six decades and over 65 films.

Known as the Tragedy King, and the first superstar of Bollywood, veteran actor Dilip Kumar is credited with bringing realism to film acting in the Indian subcontinent. Kumar was one of the biggest Indian movie stars, and a pioneer of method acting, predating Hollywood method actors such as Marlon Brando.

Rakhee Gulzar, who for so long has romanced the Big B on screen, is cast as his mother in an away-from-the-ordinary role. For the tough cop act that Kumar brings to life, she adds a soft charm as the wife who will always come second, and has to live with that knowledge (till she does on screen). ‘Cause Ashwini Kumar - the role essayed by Dilip Kumar - must always, and it’s non-negotiable, choose his job first over la familia.

Dilip Kumar lived and breathed the role of Ashwini, the policeman. His on-screen anxiety, anger and angst were almost perfect. The look in his eyes when he refused to free a gangster for the life of his son, the measured lines and the unspoken pain that he showed when the son he tried hard to protect strays on a path not in sync with his values, prove the gamut of emotions that he could put on display. In a film touching almost 3hrs, he is there from the beginning to the end, and remains imposing in each frame with his range of emotions - ego, pain, grief, love and conflict - crafted so well, and in just the right dose (not a decibel high, or a tilt of the head longer than necessary).

An essential father-son story, ‘Shakti’ shines, courtesy the on-screen bonding that Yusuf Saab, as he was fondly called by most of B-town, manages to strike with the younger Bachchan. The camaraderie is crackling, the personal touch he lends to the role with such elan makes one wonder that he would be a natural at parenting (he and wife Saira Banu had no children), and the overall finesse he lends to the character makes him a treat to watch.

It is perhaps this natural charm and chutzpah that Dilip Kumar exuded on screen that will remain his biggest draw, years from now, for generations ahead.

Dilip Kumar Laid To Rest With State Honours; SRK, Thackerays, Dharmendra Console Saira Banu

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India's screen icon the legendary Dilip Kumar passed away on Wednesday morning. The 98-year-old star, who had been unwell for sometime and undergoing treatment at Mumbai's Hinduja Hospital, was laid to rest with full state honours at the Juhu Qabarastan.

Born Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, and often known as the Nehruvian hero, Kumar was loved and respected across borders. The Padma Vibhushan awardee had also been feted with the Nishan-e-Imtiaz,Pakistan’s highest civilian award.

His demise saw Bollywood stars and politicians rush to his Pali Hill home to pay their final respects.

Kumar made his film debut with 'Jwar Bhata' in 1944, and appeared for a final time of the big screen in 'Qila' in 1998, 54 years later. His five-decade illustrious career included 'Mughal-e-Azam', 'Devdas', 'Naya Daur', 'Ram Aur Shyam', and 'Shakti' among several others.

(In Pic, clockwise from left: Dilip Kumar draped in the Tricolour; SRK with Saira Banu, Uddhav Thackeray and Dharmendra at the actor's home)