Mahmood, the most successful comic artist in the history of Hindi cinema, whom distributors insisted to be given a separate individual track in a film despite presence of many big stars, had to deal with a tough personal life unfortunately. And not many know about the versatile actor’s unique film titled EK BAAP CHHE BETE (1978), inspired from his own life story featuring his six sons as suggested by its title and the American wife Tracy playing their respective characters.
Written (story) and directed by the legend himself, the film begins with the words “True Life of Mahmood In A Filmic Way”, boldly showcasing the veteran’s flirting nature resulting in severe personal losses giving an important social message to the audience. And it certainly needs a lot of courage and insight to accept that publically in a project featuring his six grown up sons and wife.
The film has Mausami Chatterjee playing the role of his first wife Madhu and Mrs. Tracy Mahmood herself playing the second (American) wife gracefully (the mother of his two youngest kids). Mahmood’s sons Masood Ali aka Pucky Ali, Maqsood Ali aka Lucky Ali, Maqdoom Ali aka Macky Ali, Masoom Ali, Mansoor Ali and Manzoor Ali play the six brothers in the family who were also seen in films like Kunwara Baap (Macky - 1974), Yehi Hai Zindagi (Lucky – 1977) and Hamare Tumhare (Masood, Lucky - 1979). Later Lucky Ali made a name for himself in the Indi-pop scene of the late 90s and Macky was also seen in a hit song video “Yaaron Sab Dua Karo” sung by Ram Shankar.
With its soundtrack composed by Rajesh Roshan and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri & Mrs. Tracy Mahmood, EK BAAP CHHE BETE has fine songs such as “Ghadi Milan Ki Aayi”, “Daddy Don’t Go” and more sung by Kishore Kumar, Sulakshana Pandit and all kids. In addition it also has a track sung by Mahmood towards the end with the opening lines “Buddhi Teri Chaal Buddhi" along with Sulakshna Pandit, Vijeyta Pandit and Lucky Ali.
Another exciting feature of the film is the long list of entertaining cameos in it by renowned artists like Jaya Bhaduri, Kishore Kumar, I. S. Johar, Keshto Mukherjee, Yogeeta Bali, Shobha Khote, Bindu, Mukri, Mohan Choti, Jr. Mehmood and Nutan in a surprisingly modern avatar.
Produced by Ashok Shinde, though the film might not be rated as a well made attempt looking into the life of a once highly successful film-star father of six sons, EK BAAP CHHE BETE still remains a well intentioned project that makes you meet a different Mahmood willing to accept his mistakes of life honestly, ending on a thoughtful note addressing all the husbands saying,
“The End.......... BUT Be Faithful To Your Wife”
Indeed a very sincere and courageous effort from the legendary artist Mahmood.
Cheers!
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