Amar Bhoopali (1952) :
Brief Review -
An Immortal Masterpiece by V. Shantaram. The Bestest Musical, Historical Biographical and Cultural Phenomena ever happened in Indian Cinema. Pure Gold! The Amar word in its Title means Immortal and that's what this film is. Marathi Cinema made iconic film like Sant Tukaram (1936) which led to cultural awareness in Marathi region but after that there wasn't any film anytime soon doing the same until Amar Bhoopali came after 15 years. The next year, Acharya Atre made another Iconic Film 'Shyamchi Aai' and these three films truly defined Marathi Cinema on National and Global Level. Amar Bhoopali is based on life of Honajirao, a poet and shahir during Peshwa time. Talking anything about the story would spoil all the fun, let be surprise and fresh as it was for me. If i had known about Honaji's life already then may be i wouldn't have liked it this much. Can one song really define entire narrative and meaning of the film? The answer is No of course. But Amar Bhoopali is an exception and probably the only one ever happened. That 'Ghanashyam Sundara' drives the entire film in parts and as the film goes ahead we realise that the song is being completed. What a mind-blowing idea it was. The film has great performances, fine writing, brilliant screenplay everything is terrific but Direction, Music, Lyrics and Singing are on another level. This is perhaps the greatest Music album i have ever heard in Marathi cinema and to some extent in Indian cinema, too. It drops diamond in every word, every line they sing. Above all it has historical events set in correct dramatic orders and the patriotic touch is just marvellous. I don't have words to describe immortal magic of the music and this hasn't happened to me while watching those 1500+ classics i have seen till date. Amar Bhoopali is just not an Immortal Masterpiece Film but also a cultural transition from the Golden Maratha History which must be treasured forever. In short, A MUST SEE but only if you know and understand Marathi language because the vocabulary is just superlative and extraordinary.
RATING - 9/10*
