An action hero has to have a macho mobile with him. So, it is no surprise that the action hero, Sunny Deol, drives a battered but tough looking pick-up in his hit (and debut) movie Betaab. Released in 1983, the entry of the tough, albeit battered pick-up – a Toyota Scout of the 60s, happens when the action hero is shown talking to his mother. They are living on a farm that is a world away from habitation. Neither the hero nor his mother are aware that they are about to experience a world of change. The entry of the heroine, Amrita Singh, coincides with the arrival of the hero and his Scout at the station. The hero has come here to drop his mother at the station. Unable to find a transport to her destination, the heroine and her friends are offered a lift in his pick-up by the hero. The heroine turns down the offer looking at the battered Scout. Her friends agree but are left with no choice but to follow her rich friend who finds the Scout too down market. Tired of walking, each of the heroine’s friends climb into the vehicle, and much to the chagrin of the heroine. Finally the heroine relents, and the story proceeds.
The Scout plays an important role in bringing the hero and heroine together. It more than proves itself to be a tough creature in the hands of the hero. Once when the snobbish Amrita tries to push the Scout off the hill, it survives the assault. In the movie, the Scout always plays the faithful steed for the action hero, time and again, and scene after scene, helping the hero to win the girl. Unless watched closely it is difficult to identify the pick-up Sunny is driving in the movie. Over the Scout, which is of Japanese make, it is easy to mistake the pick-up for an American make.
Toyota Scout was produced between 1954 and 1989. Till 1968, it shared its platform with Toyota Dyna, a medium-duty cab over truck. Sold at Toyota Japanese dealerships called Toyopet, it was pitted against the Nissan junior. The Scout in Betaab is a second generation model. It is also the most popular of the scout models ever made. Completely restyled, the single cab pick-up was powered by a 48 hp, 1.5-litre, diesel engine. It could be also had with a 2-litre Type R engine. If the twin headlights set into a large grille attract, it is the positioning of the parking lights at either corner of the bonnet as the design highlight of this vehicle. It is a body on frame construction. Front suspension is independent, and consists of coil springs. Rear suspension is made of leaf springs. Measuring 4,286 mm to 4,690 mm in length and 1,690 mm in width, the Scout was instrumental in consolidating the image of Sunny Deol, firmly implanting him in the Indian film industry as the action hero. The Scout deserves an applause for the support it extended so that
the action hero could rise higher.
