Kalyug

This Movie is a remarkable piece of work from Shyam Benegal. Influence of Mahabharata cannot be missed. Shashi Kapoor's screen presence is strong, Handsome man. No songs in an era when songs, music played major role was courageous on part of filmmakers. Not a surprise, owing to the strong performances and strong storyline, this film was awarded best film in 1981.

Now, this is what we call the power of cinema. I always have had a notion in my mind that movies should be a medium to showcase the raw potential of a director and the actors in an unstrung way, that is, whatever is shown on the screen is believable and can be related to. Kalyug breaks all fronts, and how! It's a new-age Mahabharata, India's ancient epic mythological book, and the characters are so vulnerably powerful in it. It's going to be years to come before any Indian director can possibly overshadow the sheer strength of this motion picture. Even Benegal can't strive to make this movie again as it possesses hardly any scope for improvement. Hats off to Shashi Kapoor and Anant Nag!

This is a good art film. Referenced from mythology, even names of the characters refer to the ancient times. Set in modern times its a conflict of personalities & emotions between two industrialist families.

The director is well know for his narrative style this ones no exception.

No song and dance here as well as no bollywood style gunfights. A nice intellectual film overall. If you like dance , music & action , this ones not for you.If you'd like to see the hero Karan (Shashi Kapoor) in fun loving films, check out "Do aur do paanch or Namak Halaal"

Kalyug review:

Besides working in mainstream blockbusters like 'Deewaar' (1975), 'Trishul' (1978) and 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' (1978), Shashi Kapoor also spearheaded the parallel cinema movement in the 80's. Some of the acclaimed off -beat films he produced were 'Junoon' (1978), '36 Chowringhee Lane' (1981) and 'Kalyug' (1981). Of these, I consider Kalyug directed by the legendary Shyam Benegal to be his best.

A contemporary take on the timeless epic 'Mahabharata', Kalyug transformed the Kaurava and Pandava princes in to warring business houses. Every character of Mahabharata finds a place in the contemporary setting and even episodes like the slaying of mighty Abhimanyu and Karna losing his life at the wheel is given a fantastic modern day twist.

Shashi Kapoor himself, plays Karna, the illegitimate brother on the wrong side of dharma only to fulfill his unflinching friendship towards Duryodhana (named Dhanraj here and played wonderfully by the ever reliable Victor Banerjee). As Karna, Kapoor is a class apart - sophisticated, suave with a tough exterior yet inertly vulnerable within. It's one of his career best performance.

Rekha was interestingly cast as the modern day Draupadi who hates her real husband Dharam Raj (Raj Babbar) but has an obvious attraction towards his younger brother Bharat (or Arjun). A young Reema Lagoo had a bed scene with her onscreen husband Balraj (Kulbhushan Kharbanda). Thankfully, there was no Draupadi 'vastraharan' in the new world and Benegal rightfully resisted the temptation.

I watched Kalyug on Doordarshan in the late '80s and was blown away with Benegal's interpretation of Mahabharat. The epic was playing as a tv serial at the same time on Doordarshan and so it was much easier to compare and appreciate the two...Good olè days those!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

This is India's greatest epic 'Mahabharata' adapted to the 'age of machines' (kalyug). Each character and situation is so well adapted and given a modern twist that if you didn't know you will appreciate the movie it as an intense modern drama.

The story of Kauravas, Pandavas and their epic battle has been brilliantly adapted to Business Rivalry of two families who like Kauravas and Pandavas are related as well. Karna dying at his wheels, Abhimanyu dying in the chakravuha, Krishna, Bhishma and his quandary, Draupadi vastra-haran everything is there albeit you will have to identify them yourself.

Excellent direction by Shayam Benegal and excellent performances by Shashi Kapoor, Victor Bannerjee, Anant Nag, Rekha, AK Hangal and Supriya Pathak.

Definitely one of the finest movies ever made in India.