FERRARI KI SAWAARI
One of the most visible indicators of upward social mobility has been the car in front of the gate of an individual and off and on Hindi cinema has used it as a metaphor to underline the differences, aspirations, hopes and tribulations of the individuals in our society. Among the films in the past which used car as the central theme was CHALTI KA NAAM GAADI.
The latest edition in this category is FERRARI KI SAWAARI which is the offering from Vidhu Vinod Chopra after stupendously successful film 3 IDIOTS. Critics may carp that after such a successful film Vidhu Vinod Chopra took Sharman Joshi to make his new film, but that is how he is. FERRARI KI SAWARI is an aspirational film as it is the story of a father who is on a quest to fulfill the desire of his son to ride a Ferrari and how he has to fight the system to be able to do it.
KHUDDAR
KHUDDAR and AKELA: It indeed is an incredibly long journey by Hindi cinema by using the prop of a four-wheeler as one of the central characters to underline fascination of a man with his machine. Big B has had his share of his fascination for his four-wheelers. It was manifest for the first time in KHUDDAR where he had a battered old version of a Fiat car which used to talk with him and was his friend, philosopher and guide. Second time was when Big B drove a Beetle car in AKELA which was named as Ram Pyaari and he had a song with the car as well, sung by Sudesh Bhonsle- 'Chal Chal re chal meri Ram Pyari'.
TARZAN THE WONDER CAR
TARZAN THE WONDER CAR: This film tried to underline the importance a car has in the life of a young boy and how his world view forms around the car that he has always dreamt about. The film starred Vatsal Seth, Ajay Devgn and Ayesha Takia.
TA RA RUM PUM
TA RA RUM PUM: This was Yash Raj Films first offering where a car was in focus. Saif Ali Khan played the role of a car racer who, on account of circumstances had to become a taxi driver. Rani Mukerji was the female interest in the film.
DO DOONI CHAAR
DO DOONI CHAAR: It was a film that really caught the imagination of the middle class as it underlined the struggle and tribulation of a family, a normal middle class family, who wishes to graduate from a two wheeler to a four wheeler but is not able to do it on account of financial constraints. Rishi Kapoor along with Neetu Singh gave one of the finest performances in his acting career.
APRADH
APRADH: Feroz Khan was the original star in Hindi cinema who was fascinated with cars and made a whole film on the race circuit and brought to the Hindi cinema for the first time the excitement associated with car racing. He also was the man who had the guts to blow off a new Mercedes car in QURBANI, a feat never repeated again.
MERE DAD KI MARUTI
MERE DAD KI MARUTI: Yash Raj Films latest offering starring Saqeeb Saleem is the story set in Chandigarh where a son steals his dad's Maruti to impress his girlfriend. It is a comedy film. One only hopes that films on cars would continue to be made to let the audience dream about the love affair with the four wheelers.
