FilmIndia (Feb-Dec 1949)

OLR REVIEW Gemini's "Nishan" Draws Huge Crowds! Bhanumati Attracts Attention! Producer-director S. S. Vasan of Madras, who stormed the box-oftices with his mammoth picture "Chandralekha"' and set fire to the ambitions of other producers by collecting over 20 million i2 crores ) rupees, has now given us a second box-office hit in "Nishan", the Hindustani version of "The Corsican Brothers", a novel by Alexandre Dumas. In comparison with "Chandralekha , "Nishan" is a modest picture in spectacle but "Nishan" has more speed and action than "Chandralekha". ".Nishan" is also a better knit picture with the vein of the story constantly in view and not lost in a circus or a spectacular dance. Having decided to film a famous novel the producer hasn't worried much about changing any sequences and with the usual additions of songs and dances. "Nishan'" could be said to be quite a good screen adaptation of the original work. RURITANIAN ROM INCE! It is the u»ual Kuritanian story with two feudal lords at loggerbead*. One of them, Zorawar Singh kills Ithe other, Mahendra Singb. and burns down his palace. But a loyal family doctor saves the twins of Mahendra Singh. One of these twins lis looked after by a friend while tbe other is brought up in the forest by Madho Singh, a faithful servant of the family. The city twin is called \ ijay Singh, while his forest counterpart is called Vikram Singh. They look alike as twins usually do but the |city-bred boy is more patient and (cultured while the other fellow is more primitive and violent. They become 21 and the doctor •brings them together and tells them 'to avenge the murder of their father. The boys take the usual oath and from that day onwards Zorawar Singh becomes a marked man. To make the story a romantic triangle, a girl named Bhanumati is |now introduced. Vijay falls In love MSH A \ Producers: Gemini Pictures Language: Hindustani Dialogue & Songs: Pandit Indra Music: Rajeshwar Rao & B. Kalla Photograph) : Kamal Ghosh ludiography: C. E. Biggs 1 ast: Bhanumati, Ranjan, .Nagendra Rao, J. S. Caeshyap, Maya Bannerjee. Mani etc. Released At : Royal Opera House, Bombay Date of Release: 21st October 1949 Directed By S. S. V A S A N with her and she reciprocates his love. Vikram also feels the same way about the girl while Zorawar Singh wauls to mam her by book or by crook. W ith the girl tossed between the twins and Zorawar Singh, a lot ol thrilling drama is created on the screen, till at the end Zorawar manages to kill Vikram but is himself killed by Vijay. It ends well. GOOD DIRECTION The picture is smartly produced being good in photography and recording. The sword and dagger fights are very well taken and both Hanjan and Nagendra Rao give a good account of themselves. The illusion of twin acting by the same artiste is well maintained in camera and action. The dances are well presented with young and attractive girls who are not a disgrace to their sex. The dances ha\e in addition some theme and school. A couple of tunes are attractive and the music generally is quite suitable for a story of this type and so are the love songs sung by Bhanumati and attractively tuned by Balkrishna Kalla. The dialogue of Pandit Indra is short and pointed and fits the lips of the Tamilian characters very well. Vasan has done a good job of direction, especially in maintaining a fast tempo for the story. SHE HAS "IT" From the players Bhanumati attracts attention. Though she is not beautiful, she has yet a sex-appeal which she uses very effectively in her romantic sequences with Ranjan. The song at the piano, which is incidentally beautifully begun, reveals this girl's talent for some natural flirting. Bhanumati plays her role very well. She has that illusive "it". Another one with an unsympathetic face for a hero is Ranjan. \\ ith thick lips, big bulging eyes and short curled-up wig. Ranjan could be said to have Negroid looks. But the boy is extremely active and has talent for acting. He plays the twins, Vijay and Vikram. and despite his rugged Negroid looks does his job well. Nagendra Rao who plays Zorawar Singh gives a good performance. His photogenic value would improve a lot if he gets his upper front teeth removed and new ones put in to suit bis short upper lip. J. S. Casshyap, a versatile film man, gives a fine stoic performance as the doctor of the story. He almost lives his role of a loyal family doctor. Maya Bannerjee makes many ugly faces as the mistress of Zorawar Singh and fails miserably. V. P. S. Mani who plays Himmat. the henchman of Zorawar does a good job in a straight role. The rest are just the rest. In fine. "Nishan" is a good entertainer for women and children and with Gemini's trade name well established, it is bound to become another box-office hit. This picture is a good money-spinner. GREY DUST Makes you forget the sugar shortage in the country. 49