Madhumati

Here's a brooding and heated melodrama, that seems to me (as an non- Indian, English person) to have taken some great lines from myth and legend and put them all into a romantic drama that transcends time.

Having bought director Bimal Roy's 'Devdas' and played that, I found that I'd recorded Mudhumati from Film 4 years ago, but had never got round to playing it - what better time than now to do so?

I loved the multilayers of humour, the darker, sinister sides, the romance, the beauty and the love shown for the landscape and even the singing and dancing, which I have to admit, had always put me off 'Bollywood' films, before. Though long, over 3 hours with ad breaks, it was always compelling and ticked so many boxes that make for a really good film.

The on-screen quality, though, was a different matter, though, so bad were the white blemishes, it looked like it was sleeting on occasion! Sound was poor, too. One does get used to this, at least a bit, though and would probably lose some of its mysticism if it were a perfect digitally restored version, though I might actually buy such a disc, if one was released here and at a keen price.

Most reviewers forget that they are watching a movie made in India in 1958 and that too in black and white. To see it with FX-laden tinted glasses would be do do a disservice to the makers and the actors. regardless of the overall delivery of the film. Though even today ( and i must have seen this movie 10 times already ) you shudder at the thought of Pran in the empty large house, you creep at the surreal lighting, you rejoice at the music and its uplifting raw tribal rhythm, and how you wish you had the panache of Dilip Kumar or the grace of a Madhubala. The plot keeps you in your grip while the music and the acting are a feast for your senses. So should you see it ? - if you appreciate good cinema, this is a treat. But remember it belongs to a time, when films, like people used to take their time to unfold and once open would invite you into their arms and never let you go. As a tribute to the masters and a tongue in cheek to Bollywoods plagiarist accusations - the recent Blockbuster of 2007, OM Shanti OM, has lifted its Climax totally from this film. Go Check.

Dilip Kumar is Anand, a man who is rushing to the train station to meet his wife and kid. On the way his car breaks down and he has to seek shelter in a dilapidated mansion. There he begins to have memories from a past life and remember and retells his life as Deven an accountant for the rich and cruel Ugra Narayan (Pran). Deven meets the shy village belle Madhumati and a romance grows. But there is past bad blood between Madhumati's father and Ugra Narayan. Ugra Narayan's nefarious plans involve separating the two lovers and the outcome is dire. Deven is devastated until he meets a girl who resembles his Madhumati. Who is she? What role will she play in his life? Will Madhumati and Deven be united in this or a future life? The movies weaves a beautiful tale of the past and the present and has a twist on the reincarnation story.

I was never a huge fan of Dilip Kumar but here he is stunning. Exceptionally good looking, understated in both the romance and the sadness but never wooden. Vyjayanthi as Madhumati uses the finger to the lip and wide eyes to convey her innocence and it does work to a certain degree. But in her other personas she is fabulous, and can she dance!! Johnny Walker is kind of annoying, but strangely enough he is the only actor who won an award in this film! Pran is the quintessential villain in the era when a villain was needed in every film. He plays the bad man quite well and with a certain emotional depth - he first invites Deven as a friend but is spurned and you are left to wonder if he and the story could have taken a different trajectory had his offer of friendship been accepted.

The direction is superb. Bimal Roy tells the tragic tale of Madhumati in a very matter of fact way that still manages to engage the viewers' emotions - the moody way the mountains are shot with a mist enveloping the tragic lovers, the shadows and light in the forests, the precipice that immediately tells you bad things will happen. Hrishikesh Mukherjee edited the film, Rajinder Singh Bedi and Ritwik Ghatak wrote the story and dialogs - this is an assemblage of talents that delivers the goods in an exceptional way.

A discussion on Madhumati is not complete without talk of the songs. Shailendra wrote the lyrics and Salil Chowdhary composed the music. The movie almost begins with that mother of all road songs Suhana Safar Aur ye Mausam Haseen. Then, in a very unusual twist, as it ends there is the start of another number - the haunting Aaja re Pardesi! There is the folksy Daiyya re Daiyya re Chadh Gayo Paapi Bichua (you might laugh at the lyric subtitles - they do not get the point) and the stage number where the scorpion is imagined! Then there are the peppy Dil Tadap Tadap Ke and the Zulmi sang Aankh Ladi, the soulful and sad Toote hue Khwabon Nein. Each song is a gem and the soundtrack is worth buying.

This is a fine golden oldie, worth many a repeat watch.

A love story spanning previous lives and that too amidst hilly areas. Its spooky. Here a young man remembers his past life as an honest job holder who loves the village girl. And who was envied by his employer. That triggers the various events of jealousy, misunderstanding and mysteries. Love which was separated at previous lives finally gets united in the present. That is the point of optimism. The songs are memorable and stands as classic standard still today. Dilip Kumar is an outstanding performer. He is perfect as the matured and gripping guy with positivity at heart.

There are flaws also like (1) sudden appearance of similar faced village girl without any prior reference. (2)The 2nd half of script seems heavy with subplots than 1st. (3) The narrative flow changes.

By 1950s standard it deserves an 8. An interesting movie with spooky thrilling theme but is optimistic. And also rewatchable. A full 76/100.

The movie Madhumati was made for lovers everywhere. It portrayed the saying "love never dies" perfectly and the actors, Dilip Kumar and Vijantymala were the perfect couple in this love story. There was just the right amount of romance and tragedy shown in this movie with a very interesting twist towards the end. The songs were amazing and they fit the movie perfectly. My favourite one was "toote hoi khabo ne." To top it off, Johnny Walker gave a wonderful performance that added much needed comedy to this film. I cannot think of any scene that i disliked, the directors did a wonderful job making sure that the movie was always interesting.

I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes romance.