When Bimal Roy decided to try his hand at something different, a supernatural entertainer this time, he was scoffed at by the film Industry, coming after his earlier sensitive masterpieces like Do Bhiga Zameen (1953), Biraj Bahu (1954) and Devdas (1955). But Bimal Roy had a reason for this, none of his films made much money and he wanted to make a sure hit film with a time tested formula..
But when Bimal Roy released his latest film with such a conventional story the critics were silenced.The final film remains one of his most enduring cinematic efforts. In fact that very year Bimalda came up with another lightweight film again starring Dilip Kumar, Yahudi (1958), which incidentally was also a huge success at the box-office...And then he turned once again to films that had subjects that were close to his heart.He came up with Sujata , his most loved film, which i have reviewed earlier..
The story of Madhumati
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The story begins with Devendra(Dilip Kumar) , driving down a hilly road ,with his friend to the railway station to receive his wife and child .They meet with a minor accident, as there is a land slide, and are forced to spend the night at an old Haveli (Mansion) with a care taker .Even as he sets his eyes on the mansion, Devendra begins to feel that everything was familiar with the Place.As he goes round he spots a Portrait of a man and he begins to remember things that are unconnected to his life at present.As he delves deeper into his memory , he is able to recall flashbacks of his previous life, where the mansion had played a major role...Now he recounts his story to his friend and the caretaker of the mansion.
Anand( Dilip Kumar) as he was called in his previous birth, comes to Shyamnagar Timber Estate as a manager.As he wanders about the hill side sketching the enchanting hillsides, he meets a beautiful tribal girl Madhumati(Vyjayantimala) and falls in love with her.He wins over her father and they plan to get married.
Madhumati is being pursued by Ugranarayan(Pran) the Evil owner of the Timber estate who owns the Mansion.He watches the two lovers getting close and warns Anand not to have anything to do with the tribals. But Anand remains firm in his feelings for Madhumati, which angers Ugranarayan and he decides to take revenge on the lovers...
When he gets an opportunity, he sends Devendra away on work to a nearby city, with Devendra reluctantly, leaving after asking his aide Charandas(Johny walker) to take care of Madhumati.But Ugranarayan has planned before hand , knowing Charandas's weakness for drinks , to get him drunk and kidnap Madhumati.
My views about the film
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Madhumati has often been criticized as one of Bimal Roy's most lightweight films following the good old Hindi film formula in its choice of theme and contents. But one is amazed at Bimal Roys sheer skill as a filmmaker , that transcends above everything to give us an extremely engrossing tale of Intense love and Romance , Reincarnation and Revenge.
The film is further boosted by excellent performances alround, be it Dilip Kumar or Pran or Vyjayantimala, great cinematography, editing and above all its fantastic musical score by Composer Salil Choudhury.
Madhumati has all the right qualities of an eerie romantic film that hooks the viewer right from the beginning as Dilip Kumar takes shelter from the storm and enters the old Haveli and the atmosphere builds up straight away.
Bimal Roy is an expert at making his shots convey all the minute details.In the scene when Anand is trying to find the estate , he is on the top of a hill , he is out called by an unknown female voice not to go further as there is a sheer drop, and he looks around to see the fog slowly engulf him and hears the girl singing one of Latas most melodious haunting numbers ' Aajaa re pardesi- this scene is unforgettable, it remains in your memory forever.
The Romantic interludes between Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala is a treat to watch.One gets the feeling that they were actually involved with each other, such is the intensity with which it has been portrayed, and those superlative songs add to make it a memorable experience.
Dilip Kumar is no doubt the greatest actor ever, so one expects nothing but brilliance from him.In this film he is all of that and more.He has given his usual brilliant touch to the film.
But clearly the focus is on Vyjayantimala as Madhumati.Her looks and whispers 'Babuji' haunts one so...She , besides looking enchantingly beautiful, has some excellent dance numbers. Vyjayantimala was a trained Bharatanatyam and Classical dancer.Dilip Kumar after seeing her perform for the song 'Chad gayo paapi Bichuaa' is supposed to have remarked that she had lightning in her foot.She is truly amazing in this film.The film showcasing both her acting as well as dancing abilities and the dizzying success of the film, took Vyjayantimala to the highest rungs of stardom.
Pran in his villanious role particularly scores heavily as the lecherous estate owner , and established his status as perhaps the greatest villain ever to grace the Indian Screen after this film.
Johny Walker, as usual adds the comic touch and gets to sing the popular Rafi song 'Jungal mein mor naacha'- He was the only comedian , for whom some of the most popular songs were composed with a lot of care by the earlier music directors, such was his impact.
Above all the Jewel in the crown, the film's music -it is a total triumph for Salil Choudhury composing perhaps his best and most popular musical score ever. When the songs of Madhumati were composed, Salil Choudhury made sure that the tweeting of birds, the flight of an eagle, the background of the tribals singing, and the patter of rain were all included in the melody to give it the right touch.The film was extensively shot in Darjeeling and amidst the foothills of Himalayas in Assam..The black and white picturisation leaves one breathless.
Each song be it the haunting 'Aaja Re Pardesi'w which gets repeated a few times in the film, the folksy ' Chad gayo paapi Bichua' or ' Zulmi se Aankh Ladi' or the heart wrenching score by Rafi ' Toote Hue Khwabon ne ' or Mukesh's ' Suhana Safar aur yeh mausam haseen' or the sweet romantic ' Ghadi Ghadi Mera Dil Dhadke' or the teasing duet ' Dil Tadap Tadap ke Keh Raha Hai Aa Bhi Jaa ' or even the comic 'Jungle Mein Mor Naacha' picturised on Johny Walker is tuned to perfection.
In fact Lata Mangeshkar counts Aaja Re Pardesi from Madhumati as among her ten best songs ever. So also Rafi's 'Toote hue Khwabon ne' is one of the greatest sad songs ever picturised.
Madhumati won nine Filmfare Awards including The Best Film, The Best Director, The Best Music, Best Playback Male (Mukesh) and Best Playback Female (Lata Mangeshkar).
Fim Details
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Madhumati (1958)
Country: India
Language: Hindi
Color/BW: BW
Genre: Mystery, Romance
Runtime: 164 minutes
Enjoyed reading ..thanks a lot Kiran.
ReplyDeleteMadhumati holds a very very special place in my heart..I saw it when i was in school on a re-release. by then there were every kind of films around..Color, Cinema scope, 70 mm..but being the music buff i was, i went for this film.
The is one film, which i saw back to back..matinee followed by first show. :)
In one word, Bimal Da transports us to those places..and to those times. every single character has a set of qualities unique..and everyone has a story to tell..So much is left untold which fires up the imagination of the viewer..
One of the finest music contributions of Salil Da..It was a treat to watch every single song as they unravel the story...Who can forget that Babuji..babuji ??
And my heart went out to Dilip as he sings "Toote hue khwabon mein"...as he loiters aimlessly in the dark spaces, searching for solace..just listening to Rafi singing" Lout aao sad mere..Takrake sitaron se..Ujdi hui duniya ki..Sunsaan kinaron se.." gives me goose bumps..even as my eyes go misty..
If poignancy and love and character and destiny can be mixed with finest of music and photography and editing and direction..the result would be this film.
Oh..speaking of Bimal Da's perfection"" the song Suhana safar was shot in his backyard, the close up shots of Dilip ..where Bimal da grew cosmos flowers for the song !! Just goes to say what stuff the films were made of in those days..! Thanks a lot kiran for this fine review.