While I am VERY far from an expert on Indian films, I was lucky enough to have seen "Devdas" recently. It really helped me with "Kaagaz Ke Phool" because within "Kaagaz Ke Phool", the characters are actually making a version of "Devdas"--and, as the film progresses, the plot of "Kaagaz Ke Phool" begins to mirror that of "Devdas".
So, before talking about "Kaagaz Ke Phool", let me quickly summarize the plot of this other film. Devdas returns home to his parents home. One of the most happy people to see him is his neighbor Parvati--a girl that Devdas grew up with but who suddenly catches his eye. They wish to get married but his family insists that he cannot marry her--his family wants him to marry a richer lady. Devdas is a jerk and marries this other woman and immediately regrets it. Then, for most of the rest of the film he pines for Parvati and drinks himself to death. And, with his dying breath, he returns to see Parvati one last time...then he dies. It's a VERY depressing romantic film--and as I said above, the film eventually begins to mirror "Devdas".
"Kaagaz Ke Phool" begins with Suresh Singh already a very famous and successful Bollywood director. Despite his successes, though, he's sad and alone because his wife has left him and she took their daughter with her--and they now live with his snobbish parents and they often refuse to allow Surresh to see his daughter. He is sad but manages to suppress his feelings and keeps directing films.
One day, Suresh is caught in a rain storm and meets a nice young lady. He gives the woman (Shanti) his coat and thinks nothing more of it. However, when she returns the coat, he gets another look at her and realizes she looks perfect to play Parvati in his upcoming production of "Devdas". She ends up being wonderful in the film and she falls head over heels for Suresh. But, since he's still married and she might get in the way of a reunion with the daughter, Shanti drops out of films and disappears. However, at this point, Suresh is smitten with Shanti--and has tried (in vain) to get his daughter. So, he resorts to drink and soon becomes a has-been and severe alcoholic (sounds familiar?). And, by the end of the film, he manages to gather up the strength to come to see Shanti one last time...before the end (again, a total parallel to "Devdas").
All in all, this film is one of the better older Indian films I have seen. It's deeper and more introspective than most and gives an interesting behind the scenes look at their movie industry. It is also the nicest film I've seen from 1950s India when it comes to the film work--some of the scenes are really artistic and well composed. It also is sweet and exciting to watch--but makes much less sense if you haven't seen "Devdas". It's easy to find a copy of this other film, however, as they seem to have made a bazillion remakes of the movie! Well worth your time. Unfortunately, however, the print has LOUSY sound--so bear with it as you watch.
So, before talking about "Kaagaz Ke Phool", let me quickly summarize the plot of this other film. Devdas returns home to his parents home. One of the most happy people to see him is his neighbor Parvati--a girl that Devdas grew up with but who suddenly catches his eye. They wish to get married but his family insists that he cannot marry her--his family wants him to marry a richer lady. Devdas is a jerk and marries this other woman and immediately regrets it. Then, for most of the rest of the film he pines for Parvati and drinks himself to death. And, with his dying breath, he returns to see Parvati one last time...then he dies. It's a VERY depressing romantic film--and as I said above, the film eventually begins to mirror "Devdas".
"Kaagaz Ke Phool" begins with Suresh Singh already a very famous and successful Bollywood director. Despite his successes, though, he's sad and alone because his wife has left him and she took their daughter with her--and they now live with his snobbish parents and they often refuse to allow Surresh to see his daughter. He is sad but manages to suppress his feelings and keeps directing films.
One day, Suresh is caught in a rain storm and meets a nice young lady. He gives the woman (Shanti) his coat and thinks nothing more of it. However, when she returns the coat, he gets another look at her and realizes she looks perfect to play Parvati in his upcoming production of "Devdas". She ends up being wonderful in the film and she falls head over heels for Suresh. But, since he's still married and she might get in the way of a reunion with the daughter, Shanti drops out of films and disappears. However, at this point, Suresh is smitten with Shanti--and has tried (in vain) to get his daughter. So, he resorts to drink and soon becomes a has-been and severe alcoholic (sounds familiar?). And, by the end of the film, he manages to gather up the strength to come to see Shanti one last time...before the end (again, a total parallel to "Devdas").
All in all, this film is one of the better older Indian films I have seen. It's deeper and more introspective than most and gives an interesting behind the scenes look at their movie industry. It is also the nicest film I've seen from 1950s India when it comes to the film work--some of the scenes are really artistic and well composed. It also is sweet and exciting to watch--but makes much less sense if you haven't seen "Devdas". It's easy to find a copy of this other film, however, as they seem to have made a bazillion remakes of the movie! Well worth your time. Unfortunately, however, the print has LOUSY sound--so bear with it as you watch.