FilmIndia (1946)

FILM INDIA January, 1946 Recruit Sushil Chandra of 2 Malaviya Rd., George Town, Allahabad, has carefully studied the art of acting and wants just a trial. with Bimbisar, the King of Magadha, who meets her in disguise. Pali's attitude enrages Abhayaraj who, invoking the aid of an old law, declares Pali to be a public woman as her beauty and talent only help to inflame the hearts of the people of Vaishali and cause strife in the state. On the night of her marriage with the disguised Bimbisar, Pali is informed of her doom as a public woman. At this stage Bimbisar's identity is revealed and we hear some strange philosophy of a married woman justifying her becoming a public woman on the grounds of patriotism rather than remaining married to an enemy. After this unconvincing philosophy Pali, who is pregnant, goes to the place where public women usually go and there she entertains one and all except Abhayaraj. The world comes to a stop now till Pali gets a child. The great danger with which Vaishali was threatened also bides its time till Pali's son is grown up and is able to speak some philosophical dialogues. Things gradually reach a climax in which a bogus war takes place and ultimately when Pali faces Bimbisar, things are suddenly and automatically adjusted after a philosophic lecture by the little son of Pali. If that brat had been born earlier we would not have been bored so long. TECHNICALLY BEAUTIFUL Technically the picture is beautifully framed, almost every second shot hav ing been taken with great care. The photography, though inclined to be shadowy on the whole, is exceptionally good in parts. The sound recording, however, is not so happy. The sets overcrowd the picture and make the story a secondary affair. They also contribute to the general boredom by their frequent appearance. Too much of setting grandeur always tires the eyes. Some of the songs are welltuned and well written. The dialogues are hardly appropriate and effective. At places some of them are just incorrect. The dance compositions of Shirin Vaiifdar are just too amateurish for words. Recruit Chandur S. Advani of Rolson Road, Karachi, is 5'-8" and speaks Hindustani. He is strong enough to stand all the strain of film acting. Nandlal's direction of the picture has not made any provision for action or drama. Both are, therefore, completely missing from the picture. Nandlal has directed the sets and the property very well and seems to have completely forgotten the story and its characters. SABITA FAILS AGAIN From the players Badriprasad in the role of a guru gives a good performance in a very tiny ro'e. So does Sankatha in another tiny role and also Gulab. A good performance was expected from Jeevan in the role of "Abhayaraj". But he fails by indulging in Rasputin-like grimaces which do not impress. Prem Adib acts "Bimbisar" and apart from not looking a king he fails to do justice to the role. Imagine the well-rounded, soft Prem as a great conqueror. Jagdish spoils the picture with his funny mannerisms and his familiar way of delivering the dialogues, though in looks he fits the role of "Mahamantri". Sabita Devi is supposed to be staging a come-back in this picture. Seeing her performance we are of the opinion that she shouldn't have taken the pains. She looks old and past the stage to play the leads. Her dialogue-diction insults the ears and her supposedly graceful actions are at best a disgrace. She doesn't act at all and when she starts dancing it becomes difficult to suppress a laughter. She is still making faces and eyes the old Sagar way, probably labouring under the belief that it is all that the screen needs. This artiste has failed complete'y and it will be a mercy if she retires from the screen, instead of making a greater fool of herself in future. The others in the picture are just of no account. In fine, 'Amrapali' proves a terribly boring experience and the audience does not keep this a secret. The picture is a serious risk to those exhibitors who book pictures by giving minimum guarantees. This picture must fail at the box-offices because it has no entertainment at all. Recruit K. Motilal of Wood Street, Karachi, is a graduate with leanings towards acting. He is 5*-o" without fhocs,