FilmIndia (1948)

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February, 1948 FILM INDIA SUSHILA RANI S SOMERSAULT From the players, Sushi'a Rani, who gave a stoic and dignified performance as Draupadi, does a complete romersault as Shyama, the milkmaid. No one ever suspected the usually calm and queenly Sushi'a Rani of playing a coquettish milkmaid in early parts. She sings, dances and flirts with an abandon that is at once artistic and romantic. Her histrionic genius is. however, revealed with great effect in the pathetic situations in the concluding reels of the story. With her superb emotional portrayal she moves the audience to tears and wins the sympathy of every one in the vast crowds. Sushi'a Rani, who is an highly accomplished musician, sines her sonss with perfect melody and rhythm in a voice which thrills the audience with its excellent timbre and natural sweetness. Next to Sushila Rani, Bipin Gupta, provides a great dramatic base to the story in the role of the Raja Saheb, the tyrant. Though this portrayal seems to have been purpose'v overdone and made stagy. Bipin Gupta's work remains a highlight of the picture. The writer lias put fiery words in his mouth which shake the nerves of of the audience. The man lives the role of the tyrant and proves his great histrionic art under strong A 'qawal' is the Muslim id-aa of festive music. Here is one reciting poems in "Nek Dil", a social story. David plays "Kallu", the devoted family servant with proverbial wisdom and patience. David eclipses a'l in his long charge-sheet during the climax and once again proves, after his classic portrayal of Shakuni. that he needs only Baburao Patel's strong direction to bring out the best in him. For the first time in his lona career, Trilok Kapoor looks and plays the hero effectively. Even his diction is more regulated and one can hear his words distinctly in "Gva'an". Trilok makes a good The usual love angle from "Bichhade Balam" a Ranjit picture team with Sushila Rani and one feels like having met a Rathod when he sees Trilok in "Gvalan". The surprise packet of the picture, however, is Sheikh Hassan. He plays Mohan and in doing so tickles the audience continuously by giving a completely successful and sympathetic portrayal. Madhuri, in the role of Sheela, plays her time honoured role superbly and provides the necessary dramatic contrast to the drama. Nagendra plays the village barber and a better one is difficult to imagine. Bikram Kapoor plays the heroine's father and looks a village milkman every inch. In fact every one plays so well and every little item is so carefully attended to that it is difficult to find faults with the picture and the portrayals which all again boils down to praising Baburao Patel — which is the only unpopular aspect in the eminently successful picture "Gvalan". Jealousies apart, let us for once state that Baburao Patel has done an exceptionally good job of "Gvalan" and tha picture entertains every second with a speed that is unusual on the Indian screen. (And I hope I am not pil oried for this review, which, incidentally, is what I honestly feel about this picture, in spite of Baburao's fame and fortune.) 45