A young man named Bharat, convicted for his involvement in a purposeful accident, is determined to turn his life around. He sets out to help twin sisters Madhu and Bela, whose lives were devastated by the same smuggler, Hiralal. With vastly different personalities, the sisters are struggling to rebuild. Can Bharat succeed in getting revenge against Hiralal while also protecting the sisters from his clutches?
One of the finest performances in Madhubala's career, followed by Mughal-e-Azam. Every second she is on-screen, Madhubala surprises the audience with her versatility. In her dual role, while Madhu's character is a typical Indian woman with no extraordinary qualities, Bela's character is a stark contrast, bringing uniqueness and entertainment to the plot. Visually, Madhubala is appealing as Madhu, but her portrayal of the emotional depth of the character was impressive. Her performance as Bela overshadowed her performance as Madhu, however. That character was well-written, well-played, and ahead of its time. It is puzzling that such a versatile performance did not receive at least a single nomination at the Filmfare Awards. Her comic timing, seductiveness, and facial expressions elevated Bela's character to a new level. Playing such a character and smoking on screen was ahead of its time and very brave for that era - kudos to Madhubala for it. Special mention should also be made of her ability to pull off both traditional and western attire with ease. Her dancing skills are also impressive in 'Aa Aa Meri Taal Par Naach'. Amongst the actors here she shared the screen with, Madhubala had stellar chemistry with each one of them. Bharat Bhushan, as Bharat, was a treat to watch. Despite having equal screen time with Madhubala, he failed to leave a lasting impression, primarily due to Madhubala's versatile performance. However, his charming looks and ethereal chemistry with Madhubala made it worth watching. Jayant, as Seth Hiralal, delivered an excellent performance. Although it may not have been extraordinary, it was consistently good, much like his usual villainous roles. Leela Chitnis, as Hiralal's wife, acted well and elevated the emotional aspects of the film. The actors who played the characters of Bela's love interest and Shekhar were equally impressive. Special mention should be made of Murad's strict role as an advocate - he brought a sense of authority to the part.
The movie is well-written and expertly directed by S. K. Prabhakar. He was able to coax exceptional performances from every member of the cast and crew. From start to finish, the storyline is engaging and never fails to captivate, keeping the audience enthralled from the very beginning to the very end. The characters in the film are well-developed, but special credit must be given to the two female characters, Madhu and Bela, in which they showcase women with distinct personalities and desires. The character of Bela is particularly noteworthy, with a strong and well-written portrayal that is ahead of its time. The sensual and humorous dialogues written for Bela bring the character to life, making Bela's character a standout aspect of the film. It's unfortunate that we don't have many films directed by S. K. Prabhakar. The movie begins as a crime drama with commercial elements, but it ultimately culminates in a powerful social message about the consequences of one's actions, emphasizing that it's impossible to hide from the negative repercussions of bad deeds.
The cinematography in 'Kal Hamara Hai' was decent, with some standout close-up shots of Madhubala as Bela. The camera work during the song 'Aa Aa Meri Taal Par Naach' is particularly impressive. While the overall choreography may not be exceptional, possibly due to the limited number of commercial tracks, the song 'Aa Aa Meri Taal Par Naach' featuring Madhubala shines with its expressive choreography, compensating for any absences. It would be a sin if I didn't appreciate the costume design in the film, as it is one of the key aspects of the movie. The costumes of Bela, in particular, were well-designed and ahead of their time, surpassing the attire of that generation. The western outfits, in particular, were perfectly suited to Madhubala and elevated her physical appearance.
I'm not familiar with Chitragupta's music, as this is my first exposure to a film whose music direction is by him. While I've only just discovered his work, I must admit that he has done a decent job with the soundtrack. Except for a couple of songs, most of the tracks are not commercially popular, and the film doesn't feature numerous songs. The background score is average and doesn't leave a lasting impression on me. However, the song "Aa Aa Meri Taal Par Naach" by Geeta Dutt plays a significant role in the soundtrack, bringing both commercial and entertainment value to the film. As an ardent fan of the combination of Geeta Dutt and Madhubala, I was particularly pleased to hear their collaboration. The title track, "Kal Hamara Hai," sung by Rafi sahab and Sudha Malhotra, has become an integral part of the storyline and adds significant depth to the narrative. Given the exceptional storyline by S. K. Prabhakar and Madhubala's outstanding performance, I didn't find the lack of commercially successful songs to be a major issue.
In conclusion, "Kal Hamara Hai" is an excellent crime-drama film that boasts an engaging storyline, a remarkable performance by Madhubala, and decent music. You can enjoy this film from start to finish without getting bored. If you are a fan of Madhubala, never miss watching this film !
