Ahsaas: Kooky film, cool t-shirts
Come for the starry cameos in this newcomer-led, little-known love story; stay for the fun fashion.
Though Surindara Suri’s Ahsaas (1979) remains fairly unknown, it was backed by the era’s leading producer, GP Sippy. Top stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Amjad Khan, Simmi, Shammi Kapoor, and Bindiya Goswami made friendly appearances in it.
The film is essentially a Bobby-inspired story of rebellious young lovers, warring families (whose idea of feuding consists of throwing casteist insults at each other—even as the film brushes it off with a predictable ‘we-didn’t mean-so’ disclaimer), friends who help the couple elope, and everything in between.
What makes Ahsaas briefly interesting is its amusingly amorous lead pair—newcomers Dina (also known as Dena Rondeau, daughter of ’40s star Ramola) and Parvez/ Pervez Masudi—and their trippy adventures toward sexual awakening, which include an extended sequence in which they run around a room chasing a baffled pigeon.
Ahsaas also has a strong ’70s urban India vibe to it. The influence of Western culture and aesthetics is most apparent in the film’s fashion—especially the range of fun and contemporary-looking t-shirts the hero and his best friend (a young Rakesh Bedi in his first major role) wear. Picking out some faves.
See. So very fun.
A better shot of Bedi’s The Wynners tee.
Bonus: Shirt prints that scream everyone dressed stylish in the ’70s.
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