FilmIndia (1945)

OUR REVIEW "P. P. Bhishekam" Proves Utterly Disappointing ! Sekhar9s Masterly Art Wasted ! "P. P. Bhishekam", the combined effort of Gemini arid Rajarajeshwan, is inspired by one of the great stage hits, "Paduka" written by that wellknown Andhra dramatist, the late P. L. Narasimha Rao. The present picture is in essence a Telugu version o; the Hindustani "Bharat Milap" produced by Prakash Pictures, with the only difference that "P. P. Bhishe kam" is shades more crude and disappointing in dramatic values. That popular incident from Ramayana in which Kaikeya, the stepmother, compels King Dasharatha to send Ramchandra into wilderness with a view to crown her Bharata, is the theme of ture. Unfortunately the man made responsible for preparing screenplay, seems to have made an unholy mess of his job. "P. P. Bhishekam" as seen on the screen today is a crude and revolting production which will not contribute to the traditional reverence the devotional people have for Rama and the Ramayana. In this respect the director's work seems to call for the greatest censure. own this who son picwas the Throughout the picture he betrays a peculiar lack of imagination and not in one place has he used his opportunity with even the slightest suspicion cf intelligence. Some of the pointed and powerful dialogues in the original drama have been needlessly changed and some insipid verses have been added at inopportune moments. His direction looks most primitive with the result that the tempo of the drama has been hacked to pieces. Kaikeya's exhibition of temper, portrayed in cheap colours, is to say the least unqueenly and unconvincing. The director seemed to forget that Kaikeya was considered a good woman till she demanded the throne for her son goaded by jealousy. The portrayal of this character, therefore, should not have been pantomimical but subtly emotional. SEKHAR'S INIMITABLE ART There are innumerable mistakes in the picture and it would be waste of good paper to write a long epitaph on a stinking carcass. It is enough to say that "P. P. Bhishekam" is an utterly disappointing show with the solitary exception of Sekhar's art in settings and atmosphere. Dixit, Durga Khote and Mazhar Khan come together in "PhooP, a Famous Films release, which enjoys a great pre-release reputation. PADUKA PATTABHISHEKAM Producers: Language: Dialogues: Lyrics: Art: Music: Photograph) : Gemini and Rajarajeswari Telugu S. S. Sastry B. T. N. Chari A. K. Sekhar S. Pardhasarathi Kamal Ghosh Audiography: P. Rangarao Cast: Addanki Sriramamurty, C. S. R. Anjaneyulu, B. Kanakalingeswara Rao, Kannamba, Puspavalli, etc. Released At: Maruti, Bezwada Date of Release: 15th March '45 Director: KADARU NAGABUSHANAM With the Gemini resources behind him and none to stop him, Sekhar has excelled himself in giving to the picture a realistic atmosphere of rare art in the sets of the times. It is a pity that the photography could not bring out Sekhar's art more prominently. The music seems to have taken its inspiration from several Hindustani tunes, with the result that it has lost its local colour and become a cheap graft. From the players, B. K. Rao gives a pretty good performance as "Bharata" and so does P. Subba Rao in the thumb-nail role of "Guha". A. Sreeramamurthy is well-cast as "Dasharatha" but his performance suffers due to bad direction. Kannamba seems to have been exploited as the "sex-goods" in the picture, which exploitation takes away the traditional gravity from her role. Puspavalli as "Seeta" looks more built for comfort than for acting. She creates laughter instead of reverence. Anjaneyulu's "Rama" is on par with Prem Adib's role in "Bharat Milap". Both outrage our sacred sentiments with little mercy Well, as a motion picture "P. P. Bhishekam" is a stupid affair, but because more fools than intellectuals see our motion pictures and because there are deep mythological furrows in the average South Indian mind, it wouldn't be surprising if this picture also proves a money-maker. If nothing else, the rushing fools will at least see Sekhar's inimitable art and it is any day worth going some miles to see it. Printed by Baburao Patel at New Jack Printing Works, Ltd., 39, Sankli Street, Byculla, and Published by him tor " rilmindia " Publications Ltd., from 55, Phirozshah Mchta Road, Fort, Bombay. 47