Kala Pani

Kala Pani (1958) : Brief Review -

Raj Khosla's super-dark world of injustice lit up by Dev Anand and Madhubala's cute chemistry. It wasn't a long time ago when we saw Ranbir Kapoor being ready to do anything for his father in Animal (2023), including having two women in his life. The same was done by Dev Anand back in the late 1950s. Of course, both films differ a lot, but this thing was similar in both films. It isn't just about these two films, but I/you can recall the same son-and-father formula in many Bollywood movies made over the year. I don't remember any such Old Hollywood flicks, but just one or two from the late 30s where a similar idea was seen. Khosla's film tells the story of Karan (Dev Anand), who learns about his jailed father after years. When he goes to meet him, he learns that he was innocent and was framed for the murder he did not commit. Now, Amar's only mission in life is to find proof to prove his father's innocence. During his Hyderabad visit, he falls in love with a female journalist, Asha (Madhubala), and such acute chemistry these two have formed, I can't tell you. One of the cutest chemistries in their individual filmography, I believe. Amar also pretends to be in love with the prostitute, Kishori, who has evidence that can prove his father's innocence. The screenplay for the same is highly impressive, as the narrative keeps unfolding new incidents every half-hour. What slows it down are the songs. Too lengthy and slow. Also, the film is too dark. I couldn't see faces in some scenes; I don't know if it was a print issue or what. Dev Anand looked solid, and Madhubala is breathtaking. Nalini Jaywant steals the show in her unconventional role. Raj Khosla has done a brilliant job of making a dramatic thriller with a slight touch of social awakening against injustice. Though the latter part isn't well explored, the former makes this film a very good affair.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Being an admirer of cinema world and Dev Anand sir too I would like to say that this film definitely worth anyone's time as it prompted a very fresh story back then in late 50s and by looking at the condition of Bollywood right now it could be said that it mainly relies on masala action film but when cinema used to be the only source of entertainment for masses Raj kosla and Dev Anand sir tried to focus the attention of the people towards the fabricated system of law which is indeed a aandha(blind) A very brave attempt The script could have been more thrilling and more about how the protagonist is going to gather all the evidence had shown in more intriguing way

Based on A J Cronin's novel "Beyond This place", this film is about a young man who goes to great lengths in the tireless pursuit for justice.

This young man is played superbly by Devanand(which won him the Filmfare award). He was aided by Madhubala who plays her role gracefully . The story starts crisply and is interspersed occasionally by songs and comic moments. It is towards the last that the story starts feeling disjointed. The songs are a delight to listen to. "Hum Bekhudi Mein Tujko" and "Accha jee main hari" are a few notable ones to watch out for.

Irrespective of its few flaws, this film is a must watch.

Raj Khosla, Guru Dutt's assistant, who had already made a mark with "Milap" and "C.I.D", showed his command over the medium with this film. His acknowledged forte in the picturisation of songs, along with such masters like Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy and Vijay Anand, was witnessed in the scene with two songs, wherein Nalini Jaywant first sings "Najar laagi raja tore bangle par", almost immediately followed by Rafi's evergreen number "Ham bekhudi mein tumko pukaare chale gaye". The three characters forming the love triangle, played by Dev Anand, Madhubala and Nalini Jaywant, gave excellent performances. Dev and Nalini won the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards from Filmfare in this movie. The film had a lovable musical score, with numbers "Dil laga ke kadar gayi pyare", "Jab naame mohabbat leke kisi nadaan ne daman phailaya", sung by Asha Bhosle being other very good numbers apart from the two mentioned above. The romantic interludes between Dev Anand and Madhubala, including the duet "Achha ji main haari, chalo maan jaao na", are the highlights of the film. The dance song "Dil wale, ab teri gali tak aa pahunche" is a lovely number, excelled only later by Burman da's "Jewel Thief" number "Hothon pe aisi baat main daba ke chali aayi".

And Dev and Nalini Jaywant. This was a classic tale of a young man who discovers his father has been sentenced to life imprisonment (Kala Pani) for a murder he did not commit, and vows to get justice for his family. There is a mysterious murderer, a secret that has been hidden for 15 years, a conniving lawyer, a self-less (most Chandramukhi like, in fact better than Vyjayanthi) prostitute, a newspaper reporter (a beautiful and talented woman in the 1950s? GASP!) who falls for our hero, and their quest for the truth. I loved this story. Madhubala as the reporter and Nalini Jaywant as the fallen woman were excellent. Dev was Dev - irrepressible and charming as hell. There was a trio of comedians - but Mukri as the Shayar and Agha as the hotel waiter were never slapstick, rather they were necessary to move the story along. Music was soulful - Sachin Burman created some great tunes. Notable were Achcha ji main Haari Chalo Maan Jaao Naa, Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukare Chale Gaye, Nazar Laagi Raja tore bangle par. This one is worth watching and keeping. Navketan pictures (Dev Anand production) knew how to make good films.