Although the main theme of this film was a by-word in Indian cinema,superior direction by Roy and acting by Kumar and Vyjantimala plus the haunting music and lyrics contrived to make this the ultimate movie of its kind. It has its flaws.The comedy apart from Walker is unasked for.As the tragic lovers Dilip KUmar and Vyjantimala never acted better together.An enduring masterpiece which never ceases to amaze.I have seen it countless times but still marvel at it.Pran and Jayant are also in good form and the photography is excellent.Alesson for the modern times,making maximum use of natural scenes to show feelings,moods and the fallacy of man.Few directors could have surpassed Bimal Roy.
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iftikharkhokher4 February 2008
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Here's a brooding and heated melodrama, that seems to me (as an non- Indian, English person) to have taken some great lines from myth and legend and put them all into a romantic drama that transcends time.
Having bought director Bimal Roy's 'Devdas' and played that, I found that I'd recorded Mudhumati from Film 4 years ago, but had never got round to playing it - what better time than now to do so?
I loved the multilayers of humour, the darker, sinister sides, the romance, the beauty and the love shown for the landscape and even the singing and dancing, which I have to admit, had always put me off 'Bollywood' films, before. Though long, over 3 hours with ad breaks, it was always compelling and ticked so many boxes that make for a really good film.
The on-screen quality, though, was a different matter, though, so bad were the white blemishes, it looked like it was sleeting on occasion! Sound was poor, too. One does get used to this, at least a bit, though and would probably lose some of its mysticism if it were a perfect digitally restored version, though I might actually buy such a disc, if one was released here and at a keen price. -
WorldMovie9926 September 2021A love story spanning previous lives and that too amidst hilly areas. Its spooky. Here a young man remembers his past life as an honest job holder who loves the village girl. And who was envied by his employer. That triggers the various events of jealousy, misunderstanding and mysteries. Love which was separated at previous lives finally gets united in the present. That is the point of optimism. The songs are memorable and stands as classic standard still today. Dilip Kumar is an outstanding performer. He is perfect as the matured and gripping guy with positivity at heart.
There are flaws also like (1) sudden appearance of similar faced village girl without any prior reference. (2)The 2nd half of script seems heavy with subplots than 1st. (3) The narrative flow changes.
By 1950s standard it deserves an 8. An interesting movie with spooky thrilling theme but is optimistic. And also rewatchable. A full 76/100. -
grayal-19 April 2006Simply beauty. Vaijyanthimala is simply exceptional as a village girl. deals efficiently with human relationship and love. Great movie 10/10 one of the top movies of Indian cinema. I saw a previous comment about excessive length and I disagree with that. it is a well made film with not a single dull moment. The songs are the main strength of the movie are and are all time classics. Ask an Indian about "Dil tadap tadap ke kah raha hai" or "julmi sang aankh lagi" and the first thing in mind is the word madhumati! Like most Indian movies there is a feel good ending that some how dampens the strong emotional affect of the tragedy in the movie. But thats what is the Indian cinema is most known for: it may be tragedy but when you come out of the cinema it feels good.
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HeadleyLamarr26 September 2007Dilip Kumar is Anand, a man who is rushing to the train station to meet his wife and kid. On the way his car breaks down and he has to seek shelter in a dilapidated mansion. There he begins to have memories from a past life and remember and retells his life as Deven an accountant for the rich and cruel Ugra Narayan (Pran). Deven meets the shy village belle Madhumati and a romance grows. But there is past bad blood between Madhumati's father and Ugra Narayan. Ugra Narayan's nefarious plans involve separating the two lovers and the outcome is dire. Deven is devastated until he meets a girl who resembles his Madhumati. Who is she? What role will she play in his life? Will Madhumati and Deven be united in this or a future life? The movies weaves a beautiful tale of the past and the present and has a twist on the reincarnation story.
I was never a huge fan of Dilip Kumar but here he is stunning. Exceptionally good looking, understated in both the romance and the sadness but never wooden. Vyjayanthi as Madhumati uses the finger to the lip and wide eyes to convey her innocence and it does work to a certain degree. But in her other personas she is fabulous, and can she dance!! Johnny Walker is kind of annoying, but strangely enough he is the only actor who won an award in this film! Pran is the quintessential villain in the era when a villain was needed in every film. He plays the bad man quite well and with a certain emotional depth - he first invites Deven as a friend but is spurned and you are left to wonder if he and the story could have taken a different trajectory had his offer of friendship been accepted.
The direction is superb. Bimal Roy tells the tragic tale of Madhumati in a very matter of fact way that still manages to engage the viewers' emotions - the moody way the mountains are shot with a mist enveloping the tragic lovers, the shadows and light in the forests, the precipice that immediately tells you bad things will happen. Hrishikesh Mukherjee edited the film, Rajinder Singh Bedi and Ritwik Ghatak wrote the story and dialogs - this is an assemblage of talents that delivers the goods in an exceptional way.
A discussion on Madhumati is not complete without talk of the songs. Shailendra wrote the lyrics and Salil Chowdhary composed the music. The movie almost begins with that mother of all road songs Suhana Safar Aur ye Mausam Haseen. Then, in a very unusual twist, as it ends there is the start of another number - the haunting Aaja re Pardesi! There is the folksy Daiyya re Daiyya re Chadh Gayo Paapi Bichua (you might laugh at the lyric subtitles - they do not get the point) and the stage number where the scorpion is imagined! Then there are the peppy Dil Tadap Tadap Ke and the Zulmi sang Aankh Ladi, the soulful and sad Toote hue Khwabon Nein. Each song is a gem and the soundtrack is worth buying.
This is a fine golden oldie, worth many a repeat watch. -
sandeep-rathod11 February 2008Most reviewers forget that they are watching a movie made in India in 1958 and that too in black and white. To see it with FX-laden tinted glasses would be do do a disservice to the makers and the actors. regardless of the overall delivery of the film. Though even today ( and i must have seen this movie 10 times already ) you shudder at the thought of Pran in the empty large house, you creep at the surreal lighting, you rejoice at the music and its uplifting raw tribal rhythm, and how you wish you had the panache of Dilip Kumar or the grace of a Madhubala. The plot keeps you in your grip while the music and the acting are a feast for your senses. So should you see it ? - if you appreciate good cinema, this is a treat. But remember it belongs to a time, when films, like people used to take their time to unfold and once open would invite you into their arms and never let you go. As a tribute to the masters and a tongue in cheek to Bollywoods plagiarist accusations - the recent Blockbuster of 2007, OM Shanti OM, has lifted its Climax totally from this film. Go Check.
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kiran_dulku-115 September 2006The movie Madhumati was made for lovers everywhere. It portrayed the saying "love never dies" perfectly and the actors, Dilip Kumar and Vijantymala were the perfect couple in this love story. There was just the right amount of romance and tragedy shown in this movie with a very interesting twist towards the end. The songs were amazing and they fit the movie perfectly. My favourite one was "toote hoi khabo ne." To top it off, Johnny Walker gave a wonderful performance that added much needed comedy to this film. I cannot think of any scene that i disliked, the directors did a wonderful job making sure that the movie was always interesting.
I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who likes romance. -
malik-1425 February 2005Tinged with whimsy, 'Madhumati' is a primeval tale of reincarnation, with retribution and eternal love. Bimal Roy, a poet of light and shadow, draws you in with sheer lyricism. Cinema here is more than just the telling of a story.
On a stormy night, Devendra (Dilip Kumar) and his friend (Tarun Bose), who are on their way to railway station, take shelter in a creepy and deserted mansion. Exploring the house, Devendra finds a painting of its former owner, Raja Ugaranarayan, and feels he has painted the portrait.
This cues a flashback to his previous life as Anand, when he worked as a foreman on a timber plantation, owned by Raja Ugaranarayan (Pran).In the hauntingly beautiful jungle, he sees Madhumati (Vyjantimala), a beautiful village belle, and falls for her elemental appeal.
Initially her father, the Pan Raja (Jayant) disapproves of their relationship, but when Anand vows to marry her, everything works well. But, the wicked Ugarnarayan casts his evil eye on Madhumati. When Pan Raja goes to the city, Ugaranarayan arranges for Anand to visit a nearby village. And then the news of Anand's accident reaches Madhumati, and she rushes to the mansion, little knowing that this is a plan to trap her
'Madhumati' won 9 Filmfare Awards.
(Best Art DirectorSudhendu Roy, Best CinematographerDilip Gupta
Best Dialogue WriterRajinder Singh Bedi, Best DirectorBimal Roy
Best EditorHrishikesh Mukherjee, Best FilmBimal Roy
Best Music DirectorSalil Choudhury, Best Playback Singer FemaleLata Mangeshkar For the song 'Aaja Re Pardesi,' Best Supporting ActorJohnny Walker)
Vyjantimala is excellent, and Dilip Kumar's convincing turn at befuddlement, earnestness and fascination anchors our belief in the events.
The story, punctuated by plenty of dark cloudbursts, sustains its suspense through complications that include a flashback within the flashback a train wreck in the frame story, and no less than three different embodiments of the heroine.The film deploys an eerily romantic atmosphere, enhanced by Salil Choudhury's background score and Hrishikesh Mukherjee's editing.
The imagery evokes passion, linking the beautiful Madhumati with nature and tribal cultures, beyond the grasp of capitalist appropriation. -
ravenus25 March 2006Madhumati is far short of a perfect film. it's main flaw, like with many Bollywood ventures, lies in its pacing. The narrative is stretched out too thin (although there are rumors that some additional convolutions of the plot's reincarnation themes were chopped off after it was felt that they would make the story confusing), there are an insane number of song-breaks (although the songs are crisp with lyrics bearing relevance to the film's theme) and apart from the prologue almost 2/3rds of the film is a conventional fairy-tale romance and tragedy theme. But in entirety it does have points of interest for the genre fan and is a good notch above uninspired mainstream Bolly product.
The film boasts some very effective scenes thanks to excellent editing and moody cinematography. Also a great performance from Dilip Kumar as the obsessed lover. -
cseabhi10 July 2021Madhumati is super special as it will always be remembered as film which was the source of inspiration of many films in Bollywood based on reincarnation. Films like Karz, Milan, Om Shanti Om are many others have been inspired from this one.
It can be definately called as Bimal Roy's best work.
The plot is one liner - Devinder(Dilip Kumar) is driving with his friend(Tarun Bose) on a stormy night and landslide blocks their path. They take shelter in an old mansion. Devinder finds the place familiar and upon seeing a painting, he begin remembering some memory from another life.
In another life, Devinder is Anand and worked as new manager of Shyamnagar Timber Estate, owned by Raja Ugaranarayan (Pran). He falls in lvoe with Madhumati (Vyjantimala) and they are in love. Then comes Raja Ugra Narain who also wants to separate two lovers. He in turn kills Madhumati. Anand is devasted, he meets a girl whoo resembles Madhumati. And now has a plan which can help confess Ugra Narain that he killed Madhumati.
Madhumati is a beautiful story of two past lives and how they are interlinked and all the twists and turn that takes places in the story. It also emphasis on the emotion that true love never dies and is immortal. Bimal Roy's suspense element are top notch and certain sequence will keep you glued to the screen. And the last half n hour of the movie is just brilliant.
Every element of the movie be it the village, the cinematography, the hills all of them are essential elements of the movie and carries the movie forward.
There is something in Dilip Kumar's performance which will haunt you even after you complete the movie. He is simply amazing as Anand. With such ease he plays the role of Anand and the detailing are just amazing.
Vyjantimala appears in a tripple role but is as convincing. She is Madhumati and not Vyjantimala. Such a transformation and realistic portrayal of the character is just fabolous.
Pran again as the villian is perfect.
The whole movie however will be of Dilip Kumar's and Vyjantimala's as both of them have given such a memorable performance.
Music of the movie is as important as the story. All the songs are timeless classic and the way they have been shot is just exceptional.
Madhumati is surely an important movie in the Hindi Film History. -
mohsinleghari300023 February 2005The movie is the story about a hilly village, Shyamnagar. One of the most important things in the movies of 50's and 60's was that they shown strong characters and each and every word that the characters spoke shown a sense of strength. Madhumati is no exception. The direction is excellent. Bimal Roy was on his road to be a legend after Madhumati. Dilip Kumar and Vijayantimala played another great roles after their success in Devdas. Music was another strength of the movie. The songs "Suhana Safar" and all others created history. Pran also played his role exceptionally well. The movie is recommended for everyone.
The main drawbacks of the movie were:
1. The scene in which Dilip Kumar saves a child from the horse of Pran was really poor. Dilip Kumar comes from a long way and it is shown that the child was very near to the coming horse, so it was totally impossible for someone to come from 200 meters and save a child.
2. The voice "Aaja Re Pardesi" of Vijayantimala that comes from the hills creates a sense of mystery in Dilip Kumar but there was nothing like that. In fact, it should have been shown like a girl singing in hills but it looks as if a spirit is singing.
3. When Pran invites Dilip Kumar to make his portrait, he refuses in less than a second, but he should have waited for at least two seconds. Then he says that he is busy but he was enjoying the scenery. So when Pran says that yes he is seeing how much busy he is, he does not show any kind of expression that may show that if Dilip Kumar is busy, and he has no time for making my portrait, then what is he doing there at the moment. -
AvinashPatalay9 July 2010Perhaps if not "the best" certainly one of the best from Bimalda's kitty. Way back in 1958 Bimalda managed to weave a intriguing and nail- biting suspense movie which is nothing short of creative genius. The black-and-white format actually works to the advantage of the storyline to give it an eerie feel.
♦ Dilip Kumar:: Honestly after watching "Madhumati" I could really appreciate Dilip Kumar's authority over the fine nuances of performance. The subtlety he effectively brings up on the screen deserves special mention. As Deven/ Anand he delivers a spot-on performance.
♦ Vyjayanthimala:: The actual protagonist of the movie. As Madhu she gets into the skin of the character without going overboard. The rest two characters Madhavi & Radha can be categorised as special appearances.
♦ Pran:: Now no wonder Dilip Kumar refused to work with Pran after Madhumati. If not stealing the thunder right under the nose, he gave a tough fight. As Ugra Narayan he ensures you hate him to no limits.
Rest of the star-cast was adequate. Music was integral to Madhumati. Had it not been Shailendra lyrics churned into haunting melodies by Salil Chowdhary, the movie would not have reached the cult status. Lata Mangeskar I am sure catapulted to dizzying heights after the success of the her numbers. Songs by Mukesh & Rafi are equally soulful.
Due credit is deserved for the story by Ritwik Ghatak who later on became a yard-stick in his own right. And of course Rajinder Singh Bedi who pens the dialogues.
No wonder Bimal Da held maximum number of Filmfare awards and held undisputed record for many decades. -
anandkc28 June 2000Bimal Roy's movies were invariable a tragedy. In this movie he tried to make a happy ending story. Music being the hallmark of his movie, takes the centerstage here too. The song 'suhana safar...' was put to get that romantic touch and happiness into the movie. But invariable that tinge of sadness is apparent.
Madhubala at her best and what to say of Dilip Kumar, better watch it. And for those non-Indian viewers, look for the song 'bichuva..' . -
Madhumati has a predictable storyline although some scenes were shocking. Many other old Bollywood movies had similar stories, although Madhumati may have been one of the first and hence still new for its time. The movie went into the supernatural realm to complete the story, and had odd coincidences. From a modern perspective it felt a bit slow.
I liked the portrayal of simple village life of historic India. There were beautiful scenic views of the countryside, but it's black and white. Songs were really nice and many of them have been popular for generations throughout India.
It's a simple movie, not intriguing like modern thrillers and mystery movies, but still enjoyable with the family. -
seansverma24 September 2021Simply brilliant music, direction and acting. Legendary.