Manmohan Desai was a filmmaker like no other in Bollywood. From stories and scripts that defied logic or common sense, the man could weave magic by inventing characters and situations with which people could identify as well as share their laughter and tears. Experts and critics, who decry his films as being mediocre or are confounded by their box office successes, conveniently overlook the fact that Desai painted emotions from the palette of life, making the common cinegoers instinctively bond with his larger-than-life creations.
The high brow intellectuals, who admonish Desai brand of cinema as escapist fare, generally fail to understand that for an over stressed and over burdened Indian society, his films not only provided the best means of entertainment but also a gigantic emotional catharsis. Ravaged by the horrors of Partition, most citizens of the post independent India needed an assurance in the sanctity of human relationships and Manmohan Desai's movies gave them not just hope and faith in human goodness but also a much needed relief from the rigours of everyday struggle. Indeed, his genius in spinning yarns about ordinary people brought him wide spread applause from every corner since he wooed and entertained audiences with a rich dose of romance, comedy, drama and action.
“Bluff Master” too is a comic entertainer from Desai's stable though it wasn't based on his patented lost and found formula. Despite all the ingredients that might seem absurd or illogical, the film arrests audiences of all ages just like his numerous other pot boilers that went on to become jubilees. Like his other films, this one too lacks credibility and abounds with usual cinematic clichés, yet there is never a dull moment in this ordinary tale of a boy and girl romance. What is even more surprising is that except for a couple of good songs, it has one of the worst musical scores for a Shammi Kapoor film and it is Desai's ingenuity alone that keeps the audience glued till the end!
Based on the premise that you can fool some people all the time, all folks some time but not everyone all the time, “Bluff Master” is the story of a do-gooder Ashok (ShammiKapoor), who resorts to bluffing to make ends meet. On becoming a news photographer through a farce, he lands into a soup by clicking the newspaper's proprietor Seema (Saira Banu) slapping an eve teaser but manages to save his job by weaving another lie of diabolical proportions. Soon after she falls in love with Ashok, his deceit is unravelled by Kumar (Pran) who is deviously plotting to obtain Seema's wealth with her uncle's support. But Ashok exposes their wicked designs and wins back his lady love with the blessings of his mother (Lalita Pawar).
For those who associate a Shammi Kapoor film with vintage music, Kalyanji Anandji's score is a big let down though lyrics by Rajendra Krishan are full of verve and meaning.
However, one must thank them for “Govina Ala Re” by Rafi which is a cult song of magnificent proportions till this day as also for another song “Husn Chala Kuch Aisee Chaal” which is a pleasant duet by Rafi and Lata. But what is inexplicable is as to why they chose Mukesh (“Socha Thaa Pyaar Hume Na Karenge”) and Hemant Kumar (“Ae Dil Ab Kahin Na Ja”) to sing for Shammi when the singers couldn't match his gyrations and expressions.
Acting by most actors is competent to pass the test though Lalita Pawar stands out in her brief role.
Camera work by N. Satyen and set designing by the legendary art director Sudhendu Roy are in tandem with one another, enhancing the visual appeal of a mundane story.
All in all, an enjoyable film whenever you wish to enjoy a laugh without taxing your brains.
