FilmIndia (1940)

Our Review "Hindusthan Hamara" Suffers In Exploitation Padmadevi Brings Tears To The Eyes. Jamuna Sadly Mis-cast. TiH the last the story writer coulf not make up his mind whether he wanted the people to take this 'icture as a social story demand ing a better deal for the poor farmtrs or a patriotic theme inspiring the people to greater glory. In the songs, he says there is no land like India and in the prose he start? raving about the most cruel exploitation of the poor farmers. Betwren the two ends, a clumsy attempt has been made to give some dramc of poverty and some sob stuff >f unconvincing romance between 9 rich girl and a poor farmer All the things taken together maki; a very unconvincing hotch potch for an intellectual, though at place.' there are spots that might appeal to the lower classes. The story opens with Madhu an over ' t'ise poor farmer giving a moutr ful cf a socialism to the people w.io come to relieve him of his crop under one pretext or ether. He is unnecessarily shown as very hurt and vindictive and the audience not being able to share his intensity of feelings also feel a little hurt fcr not being taken into complete confidence of the circumstances. In such intense patches of speech and sequence the story travels frcm one bit to another, till Madhu goes to the Zamindar's house and there unwinds another long lecture cn Vecna, who waits patiently in the car and hears him out. The villain of the piece, Chunilai. comes suddenly and slaps Madhu. Madhu doesn't mind it and proceeds with his vehement lecture which not only bores his hearers but also the suffering audience. This lecture which begins in the very first sequence of the picture is repeated again and again till the last reel by which time the audience knows the whole thing by heart. Then we move to a little nonviolent romance between Veena and Madhu. Madhu is all along harassed by Chunilai the manager of the Zamindar. Bansi the sister of Madhu takes a great part against all the opposition activities and is perhaps the only one who impresses. Ths whole drama then runs over familiar ground and ends in a bit of chasing and shooting in which the villain dies. wi. The most objectionable part of the story is the character of the Zamindar. T'hakur, who is portrayed in psychologically contradictory lights. He is atence shown weak and strong, stupid and intelligent, clownish and dignified, loving and jnd'fferent. cowardly and bold. En HINDUSTHAN HAMARA Producers: Film Corporation of India Story: K. S. Daryani Dialogues: D. N. Madhok Songs: Ar:u Cast: Padma Devi. Jamuna. Nandrekar, Gope, Han Shivdasani etc. Released At: Novelty Talkies Date of Release: 26th Oct. '40 Director: RAM DARYANI short, something that can only happen in films. PADMA DEVI SHINES Forgetting for a while the incorrect development of this character, Gope has given a good performance, which was admirable in its restraint. But his make-up called for more consistency. Padma Devi as Bansi gave a sterling performance full of pathos and eloquence. Her words brought sympathy from the audience more because of the liquid pathos in hei tone than because of any inherent pathos in the situation. In light situations also she came out with Hying colours but one wondered why she had let her eye-brows go flying so often and so obviously everytime. Jamuna was clearly mis-cast. Her natural dignity and her great art could not be utilised properly for the half-hearted role that was as Jamuna. this excellent artiste was wrongly cast in "Hindusthan Hamara." signed to her. She however did her best under very difficult circumstances. Nandrekar. one of the most unherolike persons for a hero, took up the entire burden of the tale and acquitted himself most miserably. Lacking even the slightest trace of emotion on his face he vomitted out long, jawbreaking speeches without any grace or emotion or even without correct diction or pronunciation. While all the time he talked of starvation of the farmers, he himself looked so ever fed that his figure gave a straight lie to his words. Hari Shivdasani, as Chunilai the manager, was crude enough for the role and cc uld be said to have done well. BAD EXPLOITATION The picture had good songs, some well-written and all well sung. The photography was rather disappointing. The direction was weak and sketchy and fell much below the previous effort of Mr. Daryani. The story of the picture, however, has plenty of mass appeal and should go well in certain towns. In Bombay, the success of the picture suffered a lot because it was released in an unsuitable locality and at a theatre where second and subsequent runs are generally booked. The publicity of the picture was also most commonplace and inadequate to give the picture any chance of success. 45