Guru Dutt’s iconic 1957 film Pyaasa is known for many things, among them the poetry of Sahir Ludhianvi’s lyrics. The song Jaane Woh Kaise in particular captured the thoughts of the poet-protagonist.
Ludhianvi could not have imagined how his lyrics, and SD Burman’s tune – sung poignantly for the film by Hemant Kumar – would be tweaked to ask an equally probing question almost 60 years later. Namely: Jaane Woh Kaise Log Hai Jinko Bank Se Cash Mila. Who are those people who were able to get cash from banks?
The latest demonetisation spoof, which is now part of a mini cottage industry on the internet, enumerates all the angst of waiting in queues for cash, only to not get any.
The song is not alone in asking this question. On Thursday, the Supreme Court posed a similar question, although phrased differently and without the music.
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