Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974)

To me, this movie is perfection.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

I was expecting more from a movie that was such a blockbuster and winner of several filmfare awards. Notwithstanding the amazing suspension of disbelief requirement, contrived song sequences and coincidences that were considered staple of Indian films of that time, the plot themes are so mixed up on purpose to get full 'masala' that you have a potpourri of a love triangle, family drama of a joint family, patriotism, secularism, and a social and political commentary - all of which are half baked and poorly done. This film was made in 1974 when youth unemployment and poverty were big issues. Indira Gandhi had won the previous general elections in 1971 on a 'Garibi Hatao' or 'Banish Poverty' manifesto, and then failed to deliver on these fronts because of her continued socialist/crypto-communist agenda. Yet, and most disappointingly and dishonestly, the film blames all evils on dhoti clad lalas and banias, while absolving the political leadership by explicitly relaying Indira Gandhi's 15th Aug broadcast, showing Vote Congress graffiti and singing paeans to socialism. Actually I have lost a lot of respect for the cinema going public of India of those times and for Manoj Kumar as well after watching this silly film. Even my favorite singer Mukesh sounded off-key in all songs.

Manoj Kumar an actor who is mostly known for his patriotic films be it UPKAR(1967) or the later released KRANTI(1981)Here he showcases the problems of basic Indians gauged by the title Roti Kapda aur makaan. The film showcases almost everything in the almost 3 hrs run timeThe film has a nice story and it's brilliantly handled by Manoj Kumar who has also written the script, screenplay and edited the film.There are several brilliant scenes like the spat between Amitabh and Manoj initially, Manoj Kumar-Zeenat Aman track, Manoj-Mousumi track and then the twist in the tale(interval) The second half focuses more on the consequences of Manoj's decision The twists in the tale are well handled, the film does tend to drag with too many songs but the storytelling is perfectThough on the flipside, there is an overdose of Manoj Kumar which is anyway predicted afterall he is in every other department but even actingwise he is in every frame, every song.etc other characters do get a bit lesser developmentThe film does tend to get surreal at times like in the climax Amitabh performing stunts with a bike with just one hand( as his one hand gets chopped off) Direction by Manoj Kumar is brilliant, several scenes are well handled This ranks amongst his best works Music by LP is fantastic, all songs are best but my fav is Main Na Bhulunga 2 by Mukesh and Lata, Aur Nahin is perfectly placed and rendered by Mahendra and so is Mehngai Maar Gayi All songs are brilliantly picturisedAmongst actors Manoj Kumar hams his way through the role, He used to have one style approach that of a self pity shrug and he carries it throughout Amitabh perhaps signed this film before Zanjeer as this is rare to see him play second fiddle, but he does a great job as usual Zeenat Aman does a good job in her role Mousumi excels in her part, Shashi Kapoor does a good job too This is the first film starring Amitabh and Shashi amongst rest,Prem Nath is likable while Madan Puri is excellent and so is Aruna Irani and the rest

Along with Kranti definitely one of Manoj Kumars best movies. And also on e of the best movies ever made in India. Also this is the first movie that co starred the later hit jodi of Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi kapoor (not counting the movie Bombay Talkies in which Shashi was the leading man and Amitabh an extra whos scene had been cut from the movie). A great cast compromsing of Manoj Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Moushumi Chatterjee, Dheeraj Kumar, Madan Puri, Kamini Kaushal, Raza Murad, Aruna Irani, Manmohan and many many others. The story has a few subplots which are done very well. Though Amitabh Bachchan has a supporting role of maybe 50 to 60 minutes max, he is the scenestealer! As usual! The role portryed by premNath was written for and offered to Pran who turned it down because he had just played a similar role in Amitabh's Zanjeer. Manoj Kumar could not handle this and never offered Pran another role again.The songs are all good but the best of the lot is actually Main Na Bhoolunga (part 2).

If compared with other Indian commercial films, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan does not have much flow.I'm not sure about the status and the financial conditions of the Indian singers at the present time. But this film indicates that, during the 70's, even the best singers would get nowhere with their talents. In this film, Manuj Kumar is a singer with a legendry voice (Mukesh), yet he has neither fame nor money.If talented singers did make a good living out their arts in India during the 70's, then this is perhaps the film's big flaw.But overall, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan is probably one of Bollywood's few films that actually makes sense.The direction, acting and story line are superb. The songs are related to the story, and are always inspiring to listen to.Most Bollywood's films are hardly watch able, but it will be a pleasure to watch this one more than twice.