Prem Rog

This movie was way ahead of the times. It requires an immense amount of intellect to appreciate the undertones. Socialism, culture, love, abuse, feminism and self respect embroiled into one stunning movie. It swept the floor at the National Awards, with a powerhouse performance from Padmini, but equally great performance from Rishi. Problem is that Rishi acts so effortlessly that he makes it look easy and always gets overlooked by Awards.

The movie is directed to utter perfection, the songs, cinematography and script is second to none. They can't make anything like this again. My favourite scene is near the finale during the village power blackout and confrontation between Rishi & Shammi, the dialogue which turns all the lights back on still gives me goosebumps.

Manorama (Padmini Kolhapuri) is one of the best written characters of Hindi cinema. Raj Kapoor builds her character so beautifully that the viewer's heart breaks when disaster and grief befalls her. Not only her, all the other characters are written with intent and conviction. That is probably the reason why some big names of the Hindi film industry play those roles which hardly afford any screen time - the likes of Tanuja, Bindu and Nanda. Each character is well defined and have a role to play in the story.

The last half an hour of the films goes a bit too much into delivering social messages. In fact, the film editorializes throughout but that passes through because the character of Devdhar (Rishi Kapoor) is intended to be that of a forward thinking reformer. Staying on Rishi Kapoor, he is a calm and composed actor. He knows that he is second fiddle to Padmini Kolhapuri in this film but that does not stop him from being the natural actor that he is. As for Padmini Kolhapuri, this is easily the role of her lifetime.

Devdhar's love for Manorama is almost Sufi. The title track (Main Hoon Prem Rogi) is drenched in Sufi ethos. It stays throughout the film. My favorite song, however, is 'Ye Galiyaan Ye Chaubara' rendered flawlessly by Lata Mangeshkar.

Prem Rog is basically a social film, in keeping with the traditions of R.K Films. But it is the characterization of Manorama that makes it an important film to have come out of that production house.

A very interesting film about some of the not so nice traditional customs relating to caste and culture practised in parts of India. This film features some of the most beautiful song picturisation I have ever seen. The song in the tulip farms is a must to see. It brings alive the the passion and the love. The ending may have been a bit over the top, but this movie has an important social message. All in all a very good film...

Review By Kamal K

Very Powerful movie, i say..MUST watch.. No wonder why Rishi kapoor ji was a Heartthrob..Watching him is always a delight.. Beautiful story line.. And superb acting, Innocence of Rishi ji and Padmini ji stole the show.. I hv seen this movie multiple times.

Two things that stand out are Cinematography by Radhu Karmarkar, this is probably the most astounding Cinematography I have seen in an Indian movie other than "Sangam". Then there are the most gorgeous sets ever seen in an Indian Film (Rangaraj). This was one of the last movie's by the venerable Raj Kapoor, who wanted to paint a love story on a rich Canvas. His let down is the Cast, Rishi Kapoor was probably a better actor in his later years, here is a flop with no Screen presence, where as Padmini Kholapure is mediocre with very mechanical motion in her dance numbers. There are too many characters with too many lines and very few to make any impact. This is the only Raj Kapoor movie that I had to fast-wind ever. Other mainstay of his movies was the music by the Maestro's of melody, Shankar-Jaikishan, which is obviously lacking by their absence. The Raj Kapoor magic for some reason was lost in this otherwise a Cinematographical masterpiece and a Visual treat.