FilmIndia (1939)

Round tlte Tc own MOTHER INDIA Released Thru: India Cine Pictues Ltd. — Story: Mohanlal G. Dave Direction : Gun jal — Photography : Rustom Irani — Recording: Jehangir Munshi — Music: Ram GopaJ — Cast: Sharifa, Pramilla, Sushila. Suraiya, Laxmi, W. M. Khan. Ashik Hussein and Gulam Mahomed.— Released at: Royal Opera House, Bombay. — Date of Release: 21st January 1939. "The hand that rocks the cradlr ruies the world." On this theme the entire story is constructed and It is pretty well done, maintaining inteiest to the last minute. Besides being entertaining the picture has a forceful instruction to give to the world. The Story: Sabita was a zamindar's daughter. On the eve of her marriage with Mahendra Mazumdar. her father is arrested for printing forged notes. This crime he had committed to enable himself to give a big dowry to his future son-in-law. But he is found out only a minute before the wedding and the scandal scares away Mahendra who refuses to marry Sabita. In the confusion that follows, Niranjan, a friend of Mahendra. however volunteers to marry Sabita. Years pass and Sabita and Niranjan have a child of their own. Sabita proves herself a model mother to her son and a model wife to her husband who is working on the railways. Mahendra who has by then become a big railway official visits Haripur where Niranjan Is stationed for duty. A little misunderstanding on the part of Maya— Mahendra's wife — causes the dismissal of Niranjan. Niranjan and Sabita now struggle through starvation and unemployment, till one day after a frightful quarrel, Niranjan goes away leaving Sabita and Nandkumar their little child, to the mercy of the winds. Just at this time Kailash a neighbour, thoroughly fed up with his own wife, leaves his daughter in the care of Sabita and presents Sabita with a sewing machine. This machine becomes the sole support of Sabita's future existence. Through years she toils, till one day her son, Nandkumar. becomes a barrister and Bindu, Kailash's daughter, becomes an attractive grown up maiden. Here modernity steps In and inspite of the wishes of his mother, Nandkumar decides to marry Nalini, the daughter of Mahendra. Nalini is a heartless flirt who demands physical mating before her wedding. But Nandkumar The late Mr. Abdulla Fazalbhoy due to whose generosity the Abdulla Fazalbhoy Technical Institute is rendering such excellent service to the industry. refuses. On one of such outdoors gambols, a cocoanut falls on the head of Nandkumar and he loses his sight. Nalini chucks over the blind man, but Bindu in the guise of a nurse steps in to nurse Nandkumar. Very soon five thousand rupees are required to restore the sight of Nandkumar with the radium treatment. Sabita the old mother manages to get this money from Mahendra, but is soon arrested and sent to gaol. There is a fine climax, In which ^Nandkumar gets his eyes back in the arms of Bindu, meets his mother in jail and finds his father also. Nalini commits a murder and then kills herself. Acting: Sharifa as Sabita, the maiden, the wife and the mother all at once gives a thrilling performance making an indelible impression on the mind. Through numerous emotional situations sne portrays her role with a superb artistry that calls for big praise. Sushila as Bindu is coy and comely. She gives a great promise of being a top liner some day Gulam Mahomed as Mahendra hasn't much to do, but in a couple of scenes which he gets to himself, he beats the others hollow, w. M. Khan as Niranjan did try to do something but his frontier diction delivered throu-h the teeth made soft words fee hard. Pramila as Nalini proved utterly unconvincing. Her ungainly figure presented in a swimmin* costume looked revolting on the screen. This fact was particularly signnlcant owing to the otherwise elevating atmosphere of the Picture. Suraiya as Maya the zarmndar's wife, has improved a lot. She is more natural in her work and speech and should prove a good type In certain character roles. Ashiq Hussein was good in parts. As Nandkumar he sincerely tried to do his best. Of course he has his limitations. Production: Well directed In parts by Gunjal, the picture is packed with situations which, though they look incidental, have a psychological significance. The story which is clever, has helped the director a lot. The cine-colour process has not proved so satisfactory, barring some stray shots with accidental brilliance. The Photography should have been better. Same goes for the sound which is at places carelessly recorded. Music and dialogues are quite satisfactory. Points of Appeal: Passing through numerous pathetic sequences, the picture delivers a beautiful message. laved through and not merely acted, by Sharifa, Mother India" has certainly H°StPKntS °f "commendation Th br°Ught Praise he high and the low in the country. By all means, see it. 35