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Qatl (1986)

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Cheating or adultery in marriage has been an old theme in Hindi movies. Qatl is another movie in the same genre, directed by R.K. Nayyar. The movie is a tribute to Sanjeev Kumar who passed away before the movie’s release. He plays the blind protagonist effectively and raises the plot’s believability by a few notches. Presenting the review and remembering this great actor whose birthday falls on 9 July.

The Plot

Rakesh (Sanjeev Kumar), Rohini (Sarika) and Ranjit (Marc Zuber) are the principal characters, forming the pati, patni aur woh trio. Rohini is a poor girl who happens to meet Ranjit in a departmental store. She is about to be caught for shoplifting but Ranjit saves her (impressed by her beauty). He offers her a chance to become a drama heroine but she lacks the necessary acting skills. By chance, superstar Rakesh sees her and decides to train her to succeed as an actress.

The training starts and Rohini becomes a successful actress. Along the way, Rakesh and Rohini fall in love and get married. But their joy is short lived as Rakesh loses his eyesight while trying to save Rohini from a falling chandelier. Rohini as the dedicated better half quits the theater to take care of Rakesh.

Rakesh realises he is doing an injustice to Rohini’s talent and asks her to resume acting. She reluctantly agrees. She appoints a nurse Sita (Ranjeeta) to take care of Rakesh when she is away. Sita is the same nurse who was treating Rakesh in the hospital and he is happy to have a familiar companion for support.

They get on well and Rakesh becomes fairly independent to manage things without relying on others for support. And his “sixth” sense improves. But things are not as they seem. Through a coincidence, Rakesh becomes aware of Rohini’s affair with Ranjit and he is shattered.

The sad reality is revealed to him on Rohini’s birthday and he starts planning his revenge to teach both of them a lesson.

Rakesh’s anger is uncontrollable and he plans to murder Rohini and make Ranjit the prime suspect. No one will believe Rakesh is the murderer as he is blind. Is it possible for a blind man to plot a murder, travel alone and kill someone? Nah!

Well, Rakesh commits the murder (dressed as a Pathan) in Ranjit’s flat with Ranjit’s revolver. Ranjit is arrested. Enter Inspector Shatru (Shatrughan Sinha) who plays a bumbling police officer but with a knack of solving difficult cases. Shatru realises it has to be Rakesh who killed Rohini. And Sita seems to be involved somehow. What happens next is interesting to watch. The plot takes more twists and turns when Sita confesses the murder leading to the all important court scene. Saeed Jaffrey plays the judge.

Does Sita get convicted? Will Rakesh own up the murder? And does Ranjit walk away as a free man? The answers are revealed in a nail biting climax with a final twist!

The Music

Laxmikant Pyarelal have composed the music. The songs are not bad but don’t add to the story. The exception is the philosophical Kisi Ka Dil Jo Todega, sung by Anup Jalota and picturised on a roadside fakir (Ashok Kumar credited as Dada Muni in the titles!) The song appears in parts throughout the movie.

My Thoughts

Qatl is a well presented and directed movie and different from the regular fare. There are loopholes and too many coincidences to digest. But Sanjeev Kumar saves the day. While the blind man committing a murder may not sound very convincing, he manages to make it believable. Of special mention is the murder scene and climax. We get to see scenes from Naya Din Naya Raat, in flashback where a blind Rakesh is remembering the roles immortalised by him. Sarika, Marc Zuber and Ranjeeta are effective in their roles. Ameen Sayani appears in a short cameo.

Shatrughan Sinha manages to be funny without being too irritating. But I wonder if a serious inspector character would have made the investigation more impactful as he gets closer to the murderer.

While not a classic, Qatl manages to keep the viewer engaged till the end and Sanjeev Kumar leaves a lasting impression.

Singapore (1960)

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Singapore is a 1960 Hindi movie. It is an Indo Malaya production directed by Shakti Samanta. One of the first movies shot extensively outside India, the story is based totally in Singapore.

The Plot

Shyam (Shammi Kapoor) lives in India and is planning to sell his rubber estate in Singapore. His estate manager Ramesh (Gautam Mukherjee) is working on the details. Ramesh has found out that there is an old treasure hidden somewhere in the estate. He has written multiple times to Shyam but not received a response. He finally manages to speak to him and is about to share the information when he sees someone outside his cabin. The call is cut. Ramesh disappears and Shyam decides to visit Singapore to sort the matter himself.

We are introduced to Shobha (Shashikala) who was Ramesh’s friend and her cousin sister Lata (Padmini). Both are dancers in New India club owned by Lata’s uncle Shivdas (K.N. Singh). Shivdas seems to be a shady character and has an interest in Shyam’s rubber estate and the treasure. Cha Choo (Agha) who is working in Shyam’s Singapore office as secretary becomes his able(!) sidekick in the investigation.

Shyam also meets Maria, played by Malay actress Maria Menado who had sat beside him during the flight and later helps him in Singapore.

The first half is interesting. Shyam, along with Cha Choo hunt for the treasure map, cleverly hidden in a cigarette holder cum Vat 69 bottle by Ramesh. He befriends Lata and gets romantically involved with her. Shivdas arranges a picnic to the rubber estate hoping to find the treasure. But the story takes a twist here with Shivdas getting murdered and Shobha getting abducted by the gang who is after the treasure. It is revealed Ramesh is alive and held hostage by the same gang.

So, who is behind all this? The latter half of the movie gives the answers but not without Hindi movie staples including too many songs, disguises, car chases and a long-winded climax involving helicopters, a ship, boats, police jeeps and the unmasking of the villain.

The Music

Singapore had 8 songs composed by Shankar Jaikishan who were in their prime during this period with lyrics penned by Hasrat Jaipuri & Shailendra. But three of them are more memorable.

The title song by Mukesh is quite famous (Ye shehar bada albela) but somehow lacks the vibes of later songs like Love In Tokyo and An Evening in Paris. This seems a bit subdued in comparison.

Another song that stands out is Lata Mangeshkar singing for Maria Menado. The lyrics can be a catchline for Singapore tourism!!

 Dekho ji dekho sun lo ye baat, jeevan mein ek baar aana Singapore…

Its difficult to believe its Lata Mangeshkar singing, she sounds so different and the music is equally delightful.

And the third song is Rasa Sayang re picturised on Shammi Kapor and Helen, with both actors having lot of fun here. “Rasa Sayang He” is a well known traditional Malay song talking about the feeling of love.

My Thoughts

Shakti Samanta has given some all time great movies and this offering pales a bit in comparison. The film starts on a promising note but somehow falters. There are suspense elements like  the discovery of the map, Shivdas’s body’s disappearing and reappearing, entry of the masked villain. But somehow the plot points don’t add up seamlessly making the movie a tedious watch. The chemistry between Shammi Kapoor and Padmini is strikingly lacking and the romantic songs offer little help. Shammi Kapoor is most entertaining as he gets to be in various modes – romantic hero, investigator, disguised dancer and comedian. Wish the other characters too were used to their full potential.

Nevertheless, Singapore will be remembered for its outside India location and effort. Do watch if you need a glimpse of old, old Singapore!