There are many reasons to watch the 1991 film Hum ("We" or "Us") - including the stellar cast featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Govinda, Danny Denzongpa and Anupam Kher.
Despite being somewhat "old-school" Bollywood, Hum is one of those films that stands the test of time. The story is complex and the actors do a great job of carrying the plot forward. There are number of memorable scenes - including one where Amitabh Bachchan and Kimi Katkar push their way through a shoulder-to-shoulder crowd to meet each other.
But one of the early scenes of the film is particularly unforgettable because of the dialogue, the delivery, and the perceived deeper meaning of the words. The repetition of the language in the scene makes it a chorus you won't soon forget. The humorous delivery keeps you entertained.
Set at a dockyard, the scene is referred to as either "Gandi Nali Ke Keede" or "Is Duniya Mein Do Tarah Ke Keede". An inebriated Tiger (Amitabh Bachchan) is trying to warn his friend Gonsalves (Romesh Sharma) that he faces future danger. Gonsalves is also the brother of Tiger's girlfriend Jumma (Kimi Katkar). When the drunk Tiger arrives at their houseboat, Jumma fusses and fights with Tiger over an earlier incident. Gonsalves manages to get Jumma under control before approaching Tiger to find out what he wants.
Gonsalves: What brings you here?
Tiger: Huh? Yes! I've to discuss something important with you. But your sister calls me an insect from the filthy gutters.
Let's go over there and speak peacefully. Let's go.
(Inside dock storage building)
Yes ... this is fine. This sister of yours ...
(Rolls off of storage barrel he is sitting on.)
Gonsalves: (Helps Tiger sit back on the barrel and regain his balance.) Be careful!
Tiger: Be seated. Your sister called me an insect from the filthy gutters.
Gonsalves: I'm sorry, friend, for what she said.
Tiger: What's there to feel sorry about? She said the correct thing. Actually, all of us are insects from the filthy gutters!
You know Gonsalves, there are two kinds of insects in this world.
One rises from the filth and dirt while the other rises from the filth of sin.
The insect from the dirt makes a person sick.
But the insect from the filth of sin makes the entire society sick.
The insecticide to kill the insect from the filth is available in the market.
But the insecticide to kill the insect from the filth of sin is yet to be manufactured.Gonsalves: You're neither filthy nor are you and insect. Tell me, what brings you here?
Tiger: Huh?
Gonsalves: What brings you here?
Tiger: Yes ... Oh, yes, my friend!
I forgot to tell you the important thing.
You see, I've come to warn you.
You better keep away from these people, these crooks.
Because all of them are insects from the filthy gutters.
(Tiger gets louder and more animated.)
There are two kinds of insects in the world.
One rises from the filth and dirt while the other rises from the filth of sin.
The insect from the dirt makes a person sick.
But the insect from the filth of sin makes the entire society sick.
The insecticide to kill the insect from the filth is available in the market.
But the insecticide to kill the insect from the filth of sin is yet to be manufactured.Gonsalves: Won't you proceed any further? (Calmly but imploringly.) What did you want to tell me? Tell me what you came here to tell me. Tell me that thing. I've understood the rest of it.
Tiger: (Laughs heartily.) While discussing about other things ... I just forgot to tell you the main thing. Okay, Gonsalves.
(Speaks in broken english)
I'll tell you, huh? This bloody ... you ... you be careful. That bloody cockroach from ... from gutter ... gutter cockroach is ...
Two type cockroach in the world.
Two type.
One from gutter.
One coming from society.
This gutter cockroach biting, man going sick.
Society cockroach biting, bloody whole society ...
Gutter cockroach, you put this a ... Flit, right?
And upside down dead cockroach.
But, my dear friend, this bloody society cockroach ... no Flit, no market, nothing.Gonsalves: Tiger.
Tiger: Yes?
Gonsalves: Please. I'm experiencing a headache.
Tiger: Shall I press your head for you?
Gonsalves: Not at all. First tell me. What did you want to tell me?
Tiger: That's what I was saying. Yes! Yes! Yes. That's what I was telling you! You'd better keep away from the crooks. All of them are insects from the filthy gutters.
There are two kinds of insects in the world ...
Gonsalves: ... There are two kinds of insects in the world.
Tiger: Yes.
Gonsalves: One rises from the filth and dirt ...
Tiger: Yes.
Gonsalves: ... while the other rises from the filth of sin.
The insect from the dirt makes a person sick.
But the insect from the filth of sin makes the entire society sick.
The insecticide to kill the insect from the filth is available in the market.
But the insecticide to kill the insect from the filth of sin is yet to be manufactured.Tiger: Yes, yes.
Gonsalves: So you'd come to tell me something. But I've understood what you wanted to tell me, my friend. I've understood that if I go to the police station tomorrow my life is in danger. But if I don't go to the police station tomorrow then every kid which is born here will become an insect from the filthy gutters.
The following video features the core of this scene. Whether you understand Hindi or not, enjoy the body language in the delivery of this dialogue:
If you liked this, check out our other Dialogues or Amitabh Bachchan posts.