Mr. Sampat

What a surprisingly good film this was, total tour-de-force. Written by the great R.K Narayan, the story is a hard-hitting satire on the newly independent Indian political system and the apathy of the society in general. Narayan's pen doesn't spare anyone, 'Swadeshi' netas, communist comrades, theater personnel, traders, the left over royalty. Even the general public is severely indicted! And any review of the film would be incomplete without mentioning the absolutely marvellous performance by Motilal, as Mr Sampat, a sleek, smooth operator who perhaps was way too real and deviously clever for 50s cinema. In any case, the movie itself is totally different from the established mould of 50s Bombay cinema. Others have done a decent job too. The satirical spirit even engulfs the song and dance sequences, some of which are equally biting as the rest of the plot. In conclusion, a must watch, especially considering the fact that it was made in 1952! and most of the plot still feels contemporary.