Starcast: Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, Nirupa Roy, Shakti Kapoor, Amjad Khan, Bindu, Asrani, Shoma Anand, Pran and Kader Khan. Special Appearance:...
Starcast: Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, Nirupa Roy, Shakti Kapoor, Amjad Khan, Bindu, Asrani, Shoma Anand, Pran and Kader Khan. Special Appearance: Dimple Kapadia
Direction: K Bapaiah
Music: Bappi Lahiri
Pataal Bhairavi, a
swashbuckling fantasy film, is a remake of the iconic 1951 Telugu film Pathala
Bhairavi. Directed by K. Bapaiah and produced by Krishna under Padmalaya
Studios, the film stars Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, Pran, Amjad Khan, and Kader
Khan, with music composed by Bappi Lahiri. Released 40 years ago on May 3, 1885,
this romantic action fantasy blends mythology, adventure, and romance,
characteristic of the 1980s Bollywood masala genre. It can be safely said that
it has some similarity with the classic Arabian Nights story of Aladdin. Though
it was a superhit at the box office that time yet it's rarely discussed these
days. Nonetheless, it remains a nostalgic piece for fans of 80s Bollywood, with
the dialogue "Aam Phatt" gaining particular popularity among children
for its quirky and memorable delivery.
Storyline
Set in the kingdom of
Ujjain, Pataal Bhairavi follows Ramu (Jeetendra), a brave gardener who falls in
love with Princess Indumati (Jaya Prada). The king, Raja Vijay Singh (Pran),
disapproves of their romance at the insistence of his second wife ( Bindu) and
her nephew Hulchul due to Ramu’s modest background and challenges him to amass
wealth equal to the kingdom’s to win Indumati’s hand. Enter Mantrik Husair
(Kader Khan), a scheming wizard who offers to help Ramu achieve wealth by
acquiring the powerful Pataal Bhairavi statuette, which grants its holder’s
wishes. However, Husair’s true intent is to sacrifice Ramu to the goddess
Pataal Bhairavi ( Shoma Anand) to enhance his own magical powers. When Ramu
uncovers the plot, he kills Husair, only for the magician to be resurrected.
Husair kidnaps Indumati, prompting Ramu, aided by his loyal sidekick Hanuman,
to embark on a daring rescue mission. The narrative unfolds with magical
elements, including a cursed goddess, a magical shawl that makes anyone
invisible, and magic shoes, culminating in Ramu defeating Husair and returning
to Ujjain to marry Indumati. The story, while engaging, adheres to a
predictable 80s masala template, with a mix of romance, action, and fantasy
that sounds improbable but is thoroughly entertaining.
Direction and Other
Technical Departments
K. Bapaiah’s direction in
Pataal Bhairavi is very nice, but there is nothing novel about it, it relies
heavily on the tried-and-tested tropes of 80s Bollywood. The film’s pacing
suffers from an average screenplay, unlike the original Telugu film, which was more
to the point and fast paced. Cinematography captures the vibrant sets and
costumes typical of fantasy films, but it lacks the finesse seen in more
technically accomplished films of the era. The production design, handled by
Padmalaya Studios, creates a fantastical world with underground caves and royal
palaces especially magenta coloured lair of Husair looks impressive. Editing is
functional but occasionally choppy, particularly in action sequences, which
feel repetitive. Special effects, such as the transformation of the cursed
goddess and magical artifacts, were good for the time, but now look dated.
Overall, the technical departments deliver a competent but unremarkable
presentation, aligning with the film’s modest ambitions.
Music
The music, composed by
Bappi Lahiri, is a highlight of Pataal Bhairavi, offering a mix of catchy and
melodious tracks that resonate with the film’s fantastical tone. Songs like
“Jhoom jhoom ke naacho tum” and “Mehman Nazar Ki Ban Ja” are evergreen hits, while
the first song the underrated "Jhanak jhanak jiya" and Salma Agha's
spirited rendition "Chumma chumma" feature vibrant orchestration. The
soundtrack has a mix of sprightly and soulful renditions by Lata Mangeshkar,
Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Anup Ghoshal and Salma Agha. The lyrics by Indeevar, while not groundbreaking, complement the romantic and lighthearted theme,
making the songs memorable. The background score enhances the film’s action and
fantasy sequences, though it occasionally leans into excess of percussion beats, typical of Lahiri’s style. The music stands out as one of the stronger
elements, providing an emotional and energetic backbone to the narrative.
Performances
The ensemble cast
delivers performances that range from commendable to formulaic. Jeetendra as
Ramu brings his characteristic charm and energy, excelling in action and
romantic scenes, though his role offers little depth. Jaya Prada shines as
Indumati, portraying the princess with grace and emotional nuance, particularly
in scenes of defiance against Husair. Kader Khan’s portrayal of the villainous
Mantrik Husair is a standout, blending menace with theatrical flair, and his
delivery of the iconic “Aam Phatt” dialogue became a cultural phenomenon,
especially among children who mimicked it playfully. Amjad Khan and Shakti
Kapoor provide solid support as comic characters, with Khan’s over-the-top
antics adding comic relief. Pran, as Raja Vijay Singh, lends gravitas, though
his screen time is limited. Dimple Kapadia and Shoma Anand in their characters
of celestial goddesses look gorgeous . Supporting actors like Asrani, Bindu,
and Nirupa Roy fulfill their roles adequately, but the performances, while
decent, are nothing extraordinary.
Conclusion
Pataal Bhairavi is
a quintessential 80s Bollywood masala film that delivers a mix of fantasy,
romance, and action but falls a little short of its potential due to its over-the-top execution. While the storyline is engaging and is rooted in Indian mythology,
K. Bapaiah’s direction and the technical departments offer little to
distinguish the film from its contemporaries. Bappi Lahiri’s music and the
cast’s performances, particularly Kader Khan’s memorable villainy and the
iconic “Aam Phatt” dialogue, provide moments of charm and nostalgia. Though not
a cinematic masterpiece, the film remains an enjoyable and eminently watchable
relic of its time, appealing to fans of retro Bollywood and those who cherish
its vibrant music and quirky dialogues. For a one-time viewing, Pataal Bhairavi
still offers enough entertainment to adults and children alike.
By Ayushmaan Mitra
No comments