Kala Pani

This wasn't as great film as it is made out to be. At least it doesn't seem to be as entertaining today. Which means Kala Pani is not timeless in the vein of some of Dev Anand classics like Jewel Thief and Guide.

From scene one, the film gets bang on point when Karan (Dev Anand) gets to know that his father, who he believed was dead all through life, was alive and sentenced to life imprisonment in Hyderabad jail. Karan immediately goes there to meet his father who pleads of being innocent and falsely implicated through fabricated evidence. Thereby starts Karan's attempts to study the 15 year old mystery, gather fresh evidence and reopen the case. One feels that the story is tight and focused on cracking the crime case.

But what starts as a crisp screenplay soon starts wandering into a slack love story (Madhubala's natural appeal is the only saving grace) and a more uninspiring courtesan track (played by Nalini Jaywant, Kajol's cousin maternal grandmother) with verbose shayaris and ghazals. The courtesan, Kishori had some secret letters that can serve evidence in favour of Karan's father so Karan is manipulating love with her to get hold of that proof. The fact that Kishori was a courtesan 15 years back and continues to be a charmer even now doesn't seem digestible.

After much time has been spent on these love tracks, the film gets back on solving the murder mystery but is handled very carelessly and conveniently. The flashback of the murder scene is never detailed properly. The actual murderer surfaces from nowhere and has no background account. The reason for him committing the crime is never revealed. And what the viewer actually looks forward as the most interesting episode in the film in the form of a courtroom drama in the climax (since the film is about Kala Pani – life imprisonment) is unfortunately merely rushed in just one scene. The lawyer abruptly confessing of his crime in the climax seems confusing – was he guilty or he intended to save the real murderer?

Can't comment on the authenticity of the adaptation since I haven't read the original source material – a novel 'Beyond This Place' written by A J Cronin which was subsequently directed as an English film 'Web of Evidence' by Jack Cardiff (which released after Kalapani).

Dev Anand's charm, Madhubala's beauty and S D Burman's songs like 'Acha Ji Main Haari Chalo Maan Jao Na' make you sit through the film.

• Gaurav Malani

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.

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.