Monday, June 22, 2009

Jhinder Bandi

Based on the novel of Saradindu, which is again based on Anthony Hope's "Prisoner of Zenda", Tapan Sinha directed this gripping drama of love, betrayal, lust and glory featuring Uttam Kumar, Tarun Kumar, Radhamohan Bhattacharjee, Dilip Roy, Arundhati Mukherjee, Sandhya Roy and surprising everybody with Soumitra Chatterjee cast as a villain for the 1st time. I'd bought the CD just last week and watched it just on the day following the one that saw the end of an era of classical music by the Sarod Maestro, Ali Akbar Khan who was coincidentally the music director of the film.
The story is peculiar yet the concept is remarkable. Sankar Singh, the would be king of Jhind (in Madhya Pradesh) was abducted before his coronation ceremony by his brother Udit and his ally the crooked Mayur Bahan. To prevent the cruel Udit to occupy the throne, the news is kept a secret and a trusted few are send throghout the country in search of Sankar Singh, who being a connoisseur of wine and women was a person to be easily lured to remotest of places. During this search one of the Royal guards spotted a Gauri Sankar Roy, a young man from Calcutta, who had remarkable similarity with Sankar Singh. Hearing about the complications that clouds Jhind, the adventurousGauri Sankar accompanies the Sardar to Jhind and there he was crowned the king much to the chagrin of the villains. The baffled Udit and Mayur Bahan devises several counter attacks to destroy Gauri Sankar. But thanks to his courage, Gauri Sankar manages to evade the dangers with the help of the diplomatic Sardar and Dewan and the brave Rudrarup. But problem of a different kind arises in the form of the queen Kasturibai of the neighouring kingdom Jharoa who is betrothed to Sankar. Gauri Sankar was here too forced to pass himself as Sankar during the engagement ceremony with Kasturibai and the dazzling personality of Gauri Sankar easily wins Kasturi's heart, who was more prepared to behold the disreputed Sankar Singh. But Gauri too finds himself leaning towards Kasturi and thus feels guilty of his weakness. Meanwhile the search of Sankar Singh continues and news of his wherabouts reach Gauri, Sardar and the rest. But this was the time Sardar reveals to Gauri a curious story that links his lineage to the Royal blood which proves him to be a deserving candidate for the throne. Thus it is left to be seen who actually gets to the throne and how the evil plans of Mayur Bahan is countered by Gauri.
The movie is fascinating watch and Soumitra as Mayur Bahan surpasses all the others in acting.

1 comment:

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