'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' - Shakespeare asserted centuries back. A quote to quoted forever by men and women alike. And I believe it is true. Lal Patthar (red stone) is the story underscoring the immortality of this quote only.
Lal Patthar (1971) belongs to the king of a former princely state in Bengal whose family is said to be hit by the curse of a woman raped by his licentious father. The king Kumar Bahadur (Raj Kumar) does not marry because of this curse but maintains a concubine Madhuri (Hema Malini) who is the lady of the house for all practical purposes but not his legal wife. She could not gain literacy or learn music or otherwise mould herself according to his wish. Yet, their life is going on smoothly until Kumar Bahadur spots a much younger damsel meeting the criteria to become his wife. She is a poor girl Sumita (Rakhee) who has to marry him because of his alcoholic and irresponsible father instead of marrying her childhood love, Shekhar (Vinod Mehra) who was studying abroad at that time.
The real twist in the story arrives with the womanly jealousy of Madhuri showing its ugly form. Kumar Bahadur does not discard Madhuri and tries to do justice to both his legal wife as well as the woman practically in his life for years. But Madhuri creates suspicion in his heart regarding the relationship of Shekhar and Sumita. The spark generated by Madhuri's jealousy breaks out in the form of a wildfire and burns everything. Everything ! The tragic climax takes place in Fatehpuri Sikri (Agra).
Sushil Majumdar has picturized the story of Prashant Chaudhary and the screenplay of Nabendu Ghosh in the most impressive manner and made a memorable classic for sure. The story takes a few minutes in taking off but thereafter it is so engrossing that you keep on watching, holding your breath till the very climax which shakes you like anything. The second half of the movie is much speedier than the first one and the climax is highly thoughtful and imaginative and deserves tons of accolades.
The movie scores in every department - the milieu, the costumes, the art direction, the locations, the colour-combinations in various scenes, the editing, the production value, just everything ! Raj Kumar has given a very mature performance in this mature role, sans all the theatricals he is better known for. Rakhee and Vinod Mehra have also delivered praiseworthy performances. But the show-stealer is Hema Malini, the screen-goddess who ruled bollywood for over a decade. In the role having gray shades, she has given the performance of her lifetime. Simply brilliant ! Shankar-Jaikishan has given excellent and memorable music, composing the beautiful lyrics of Dev Kohli, Hasrat Jaipuri and Neeraj having high literary value. Unke Khayaal Aaye To Aate Chale Gaye (Rafi) and Geet Gaata Hoon Main Gungunaata Hoon Main (Kishore) are timeless classics. Sooni Sooni Saans Ke Sitar Par (Asha) and Re Mann Sur Mein Ga (Manna Dey and Asha) are not far behind. In the climax, a Ghazal - Ruke Ruke Se Kadam Ruk Ke Baar Baar Chale comes to ears through the background. It's the same Ghazal which got included in Gulzar's movie - Mausam (1975) later on with a different composition prepared by Madan Mohan for Lata's voice.
Any movie buff who wants to see a classic movie with a dark storyline should not miss it. It is definitely one of the most underrated classic movies of bollywood. A highly laudable cine-product indeed.
Lal Patthar (1971) belongs to the king of a former princely state in Bengal whose family is said to be hit by the curse of a woman raped by his licentious father. The king Kumar Bahadur (Raj Kumar) does not marry because of this curse but maintains a concubine Madhuri (Hema Malini) who is the lady of the house for all practical purposes but not his legal wife. She could not gain literacy or learn music or otherwise mould herself according to his wish. Yet, their life is going on smoothly until Kumar Bahadur spots a much younger damsel meeting the criteria to become his wife. She is a poor girl Sumita (Rakhee) who has to marry him because of his alcoholic and irresponsible father instead of marrying her childhood love, Shekhar (Vinod Mehra) who was studying abroad at that time.
The real twist in the story arrives with the womanly jealousy of Madhuri showing its ugly form. Kumar Bahadur does not discard Madhuri and tries to do justice to both his legal wife as well as the woman practically in his life for years. But Madhuri creates suspicion in his heart regarding the relationship of Shekhar and Sumita. The spark generated by Madhuri's jealousy breaks out in the form of a wildfire and burns everything. Everything ! The tragic climax takes place in Fatehpuri Sikri (Agra).
Sushil Majumdar has picturized the story of Prashant Chaudhary and the screenplay of Nabendu Ghosh in the most impressive manner and made a memorable classic for sure. The story takes a few minutes in taking off but thereafter it is so engrossing that you keep on watching, holding your breath till the very climax which shakes you like anything. The second half of the movie is much speedier than the first one and the climax is highly thoughtful and imaginative and deserves tons of accolades.
The movie scores in every department - the milieu, the costumes, the art direction, the locations, the colour-combinations in various scenes, the editing, the production value, just everything ! Raj Kumar has given a very mature performance in this mature role, sans all the theatricals he is better known for. Rakhee and Vinod Mehra have also delivered praiseworthy performances. But the show-stealer is Hema Malini, the screen-goddess who ruled bollywood for over a decade. In the role having gray shades, she has given the performance of her lifetime. Simply brilliant ! Shankar-Jaikishan has given excellent and memorable music, composing the beautiful lyrics of Dev Kohli, Hasrat Jaipuri and Neeraj having high literary value. Unke Khayaal Aaye To Aate Chale Gaye (Rafi) and Geet Gaata Hoon Main Gungunaata Hoon Main (Kishore) are timeless classics. Sooni Sooni Saans Ke Sitar Par (Asha) and Re Mann Sur Mein Ga (Manna Dey and Asha) are not far behind. In the climax, a Ghazal - Ruke Ruke Se Kadam Ruk Ke Baar Baar Chale comes to ears through the background. It's the same Ghazal which got included in Gulzar's movie - Mausam (1975) later on with a different composition prepared by Madan Mohan for Lata's voice.
Any movie buff who wants to see a classic movie with a dark storyline should not miss it. It is definitely one of the most underrated classic movies of bollywood. A highly laudable cine-product indeed.