Whenever we talk about supernatural Hindi movies based on reincarnation, two movies are always standing out in my mind - haunting, eerie, and B&W Bimal Roy’s Madhumati (1958), and chilly, spooky, and colorful Chetan Anand’s Kudrat (1981). Both movies have suspense story, amazing star cast, foggy hilly backdrop, spell bounded music, and eternal theme of romantic love. Once you done watching both films, it will leave everlasting effect on your mind.
Even though both are my favorites, the question is why Madhumati is best in this genre. What so special about it? Answer is - Great Bimalda and his art of filmmaking. He has made string of amazing movies like - Parineeta, Do Beegha Zameen, Madhumati, Devdas, Sujata, and Bandini. He was master of film making craft and as Dilip Kumar says - a living film school.
Story
On receiving a telegram from his wife Radha (Vyjayantimala), Davendra (Dilip Kumar) hastily drives down to the stations to receive her. Due to heavy rains and a landslide he is forced to take shelter in an abandoned palace along with his doctor friend. Inside the ruined haveli, Davendra begins to think that he has been there before. He talks of a picture on the wall and the old keeper affirms there was one. The doctor ascribes it all to the worried mind of Davendra.
But no, later same night, Davendra lured by haunting voice to the basement, there he comes across a painting supposedly made by himself. Yes, he had come here before, but not as Davendra but as Anand, a Manager of the Estate - in his previous life. He hypnotically remembers his previous life and that kicks off magical world of Madhumati.
Anand (Dilip Kumar) arrives in the village surrounded by mountains as manager to work for Urganaryan (Pran) in royal timber estate. He immediately falls in love with this world of forest, mountains, and rivers. Anand is also a painter, while sketching one day comes across Madhumati (Vyjayantimala) the daughter of Pahan, the banished King of the hill folks. Anand falls instantly in love with Madhumati’s enchanting beauty.
As Madumati and Anand’s love prospers, Urganaryan plans for trapping Madhumati in his castle. Sent away by deceitful Urganaryan, Anand returns to discover that Madhumati has disappeared. Anand search for her only to discover Urganaryan had kidnapped her. In the confrontation that follows, Anand has beaten within an inch of his life. After recovering, he wanders the countryside where he meets another young woman – Madhavi (Vyjayantimala), who resembles Madhumati in every way. What follows blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural as Madhumati comes back and take her revenge.
Analysis
From the first scene, Bimalda will absorb you in the beautiful, magical world of Madhumati. Spooky external shots of haveli, never-ending mountain ranges, and serpent like trails and valleys, foggy forest and mountains, and many more. Some of my most favorites shots are - First, when Madhumati takes Anand to her house, she points out her house in the valley from one of trail on top of mountain. Her house looks tiny surrounded by forest. You just feel, it will be long walk for Anand. Second, Ariel shot of village from the top of mountain where Madhumati and Anand visiting their ancestors Samadhi’s. You can see beautiful lights in village along with surrounded hills and farms.
One of best part of the movie was, the way Hrishikesh Mukherjee - editor handled the suspense. What happened to Madhumati when she was in castle in that night? Did she raped, disappeared, ran away, suicide, or killed? When Madhumati fears her entrapment in palace, she runs out of room. Now, camera moves outside and there be an exterior shot of her running into the trapped corridor. This conveys that she is ultimately trapped and will be raped or die. Bimal Roy cut the shot at this point. As a viewer, you have no idea what happened to her. Bimalda takes rest of the half an hour to tell you real story in the climax about what happened in that night.
Madhumati is simply unforgettable. Many Scenes will stay with you forever. Some of are - Anand and Madhumati’s rendezvous and their silly conversation, Madhumati attacked by Ugranarayan and how she evades him, How Ugranarayan entraps Madhumati in castle, How Madhumati takes her revenge, When Anand and Madhavi meets first time while Anand was drawing Madhumati’s picture and many more.
My favorite sequence of the movie is most heart pounding. Even though I have seen this movie many times, my heart throbs whenever Anand enters Madhumati’s hut while her father is sleeping right next to door. Bimalda builds tension when Anand enters into house, passes by her father, walks into her room and vows Madhumati to never leave him alone again in hills, her father’s search for intruder, and releases tension when Anand promise to Madhumati’s father to marry her is brilliantly executed. Just brilliant!!!
Salil Chaudhary’s music is one of biggest strength of the movie - Aaja Re Pardesi, Suhana Safar Aur Yeh Mausam Haseen, Zulmi Sang Aankh Ladi, Dil Tadap Tadap Ke, Ghadi Ghadi Mora Dil Dhadke, Daiyya Re Daiyya Re (Chad Gayo Paapi Bichua), and Toote Hue Khwabon Ne are all time classics. It has amazing mixture of haunting, mischievous, melodious unforgettable score. Lata Mangeshkar sings my most favorite song of the movie, in her mischievous voice - Zulmi Sang Aankh Ladi.
Madhumati belongs to one of Hindi cinema’s finest actress – Vyjayantimala. She has excelled in this legendary role of Madhumati. Dilip Kumar is a legend in Indian cinema and by watching this movie you will know why.
Is Madhumati became folklore or fairy tale?
Even though Madhumati is based on reincarnation and fictitious story, its premise in majestic mountains, hilly slopes, and forests leave you enchanted just like folklore or fairy tales.
Madhumati is just like main protagonist in fairy tales, is blessed with purity, beauty, and nature’s friendship. No one understands those hilly paths better than her. Look at the scene how she evades Ugranarayan even though she is running barefoot and Ugranarayan riding on horse. She runs like dear around from one section of jungle to other section with ease. You can feel like jungle is in love with her. Look at scene when birds are attempt to warn her when she in danger from Ugranarayan and restlessly flying out of the woods as she is chased by Ugranarayan.
Madhumati is just like main protagonist in folklore tales, is innocent (her naive theory about how sun sets behind western mountains and goes into caves and how it travels back to eastern end of mountains through secret path under earth and rises again), and smart (Can tell time by looking at the shadow of trees reflecting over a rock, knows when rain might be coming by looking at ants going in a certain direction).
Conclusion
Madhumati is one of the biggest commercial hits and falls in genre of supernatural ghost story. This is one of rare B&W movie, which can appeal to 21st century generation because of its treatment and theme. Please do yourself one favor; watch this black and white gem. It will not disappoint you. A must see as an avid Indian cinema fan.