The post-Deewaar dhamaka from the Yash Chopra-Amitabh Bachchan team, is regarded by many including writers Salim-Javed as a superior effort to the eminently lauded Deewaar.
Trishul is the story of a “najayaaz beta” and his revenge on his “najayaaz baap”. The confrontation sequences between Bachchan and Sanjeev Kumar are so taut, they make the audience forget the popcorn and swallow their samosas in one gulp. Chopra’s film spans several generations and moods. But it’s the Big B as the brooding archetype Vijay who towers above the well scripted plot. His relationship with Raakhee is so subtle, we almost miss the point of it. Shashi Kapoor, playing Sanjeev Kumar’s legitimate son, is more jovial and romantically inclined with the giggly Hema Malini. Khayyam’s superb song of motherly pride Tu Mere Saath Rahega Munne remains one of its kind. The film also marked the acting debut of Poonam Dhillon, whose Gapuchi Gapuchi Gam Gam with Sachin tickled a lot of youngsters.
Speaking exclusively on Trishul, Amitabh Bachchan recalls the intense script. “Trishul came from Yash Chopra right after Deewaar. The same team, same writer Salim-Javed, and the cast was also the same. Shashi and I were there, plus also some other brilliant actors like Haribhai (Sanjeev Kumar), Waheeda Rehmanji, Raakhee Gulzar, Hemaji… In spite of stars the screenplay didn’t get cluttered. Every actor’s presence was justified by the brilliant screenplay. I think Salim-Javed wrote a screenplay on a par with Deewaar if not better…very compact, very gripping.”
Where does he place Trishul in his oeuvre? “This is such an absurd question. How can I answer this? It is most definitely an important film in my career. I especially remember Lataji’s peerless rendition of Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics Tu mere saath rahega munne.”
