Police Public

As I reviewed and recommended, Knives Out a 2019 Murder Mystery Movie earlier this week. It came a crossed my mind another old classic 1990 Murder Mystery movie from Bollywood, Police Public. The film possess the ability to indulge its audience through its story telling which is investigative in nature. A CBI officer Jagmohan Azaad played by Raj Kumar Sahb has his own style to play this kind of roles supported well by Naseeruddin Shah as Senior Inspector Maha Singh Garhwal

Police Public is the story of Inspector Shahnawaz Khan (Kabir Bedi) who investigates a murder case that has no eye witness. Later on, however, he is transferred to a next town by the clever industrialist Mr. Sharma (Prem Chopra) and his politician friend Mr. Tiwari. Replacing Shahnawaz Khan is inspector Maha Singh Garhwal (Naseeruddin Shah) who is known for twisting the case the other way round by accepting bribe from Sharma and his friends. But by the many attempts of Shyam and Mr. Ram Swarup of high officials a CBI officer Jagmohan Azad is sent to the area in order to investigate on the crime. However, the officer suspect a foul play between Sharma and his friends and decides to investigate more. On the evidence that he found it was proved that Sharma and his friends were involved in the murder case. The inspector even gathers a piece of evidence that will prove Sharma and his friends guilty and shed some light on the case.

Police Public review :

The legendary Raj Kumar Saahab is known for his hard hitting dialogue delivery and enigmatic screen presence, particularly in films like 'Waqt' (1965), 'Saudagar' (1991) and 'Tirangaa' (1993). Not many people are aware of this 1990 movie called Police Public where the veteran star shone in the role of a CBI officer out to solve a seemingly difficult murder mystery...Oh yeah!

Police Public was a decent box office earner in its time completing a 10 week run at the Minerva cinema, Mumbai where it premiered but is largely forgotten today.

Supposedly inspired from a Malayalam film I haven't seen, the film revolved around the murder of Karuna (the pretty Poonam Dhillon mostly posing as a corpse) whose affluent in- laws (Prem Chopra and co) are trying to pass off as a depression induced suicide.

Corrupt cop Mahaad Singh Gadhwal (Naseeruddin Shah, efficient as ever) helps the crooks till the case is handed over to CBI officer Jagmohan Azad (Raj Kumar).

Reema Lagoo had a small but an interesting role of a sexy seductive maid servant Dulaari whom Mahaad Singh takes a fancy for. This is a film she signed before Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989) after which she got typecast as the new age mom.

The confrontation scene between Raj Kumar and Naseer is superbly executed (the one upmanship shaayari, specially) and the build-up to the climax is interesting as well as intriguing. As for the whodunit part, it turns out to be someone least expected though a better actor was needed for that role. Seriously, man!!

Still, Police Public is worth a watch in these times when the whodunit genre is fast disappearing in Bollywood.

Just one sincere advice : Fast forward all those speed breaker songs (Ram Laxman at his atrocious worst) which appear at regular intervals.

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.

Police Public is an excellent suspense thriller with excellent star casts to its credit. But I must say, Raaj Kumar stole this show. Every scene with him in it was worth watching. Amazing dialogue delivery coupled with extraordinary body language and expressive eyes makes Raaj Kumar one of the loved stars in Bollywood. The movie made me miss him and his hey days. Wish he was still alive. The rest of the casts are also equally supportive. Prem Chopra and Ajit Vachani are their usual self. Naseeruddin Shah and Kabir Bedi are competitive enough. Poonam Dhillon is good too. The plot moves in a fast pace but too many songs and unwanted comedy scenes slow the proceedings towards the post-interval portions. The movie keeps the viewer guessing till the end. Esmayeel Shroff does an excellent job of keeping the viewer engrossed with a murder mystery. Police Public is a change from the usual masala movies of 1990 and is definitely worth a watch. Don't miss it or you will regret!!!! I give it 9/10.

Average... does not do full justice to the original where Mammu kaaka is brilliant