Kala Pani (1958 film)


Kala Pani is a 1958 Hindi thriller movie, produced by Dev Anand for Navketan Films and directed by Raj Khosla. The movie is a remake of the 1955 Bengali film Sabar Upaarey which itself was based on A.J. Cronin's 1953 novel Beyond This Place. The film stars Dev Anand, Madhubala, Nalini Jaywant, Bir Sakuja and Agha. The film's music is by Sachin Dev Burman, and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
The movie won two Filmfare awards including Filmfare Best Actor Award and Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Cast

Synopsis

Karan comes to know that his father Shankarlal, is in jail. Also, that his mother has been pretending from his childhood that his father has died. On meeting his father, Karan comes to know that he has been jailed for a murder that he did not commit. Karan sets out to gather proof of his father's innocence so that he can get the case reopened, filed against him, and get him freed.
Karan comes to meet one of the witnesses who had spoken for his father in the court, who tells him about the investigating officer, Inspector Mehta.
Karan stays as a paying guest, of which Asha is the owner. Asha is also a journalist.
From Inspector Mehta, Karan comes to know about other witnesses - Kishori and Jumman. The Inspector confesses that although he smelt a rat, he was silenced by the prosecutor Jaswant Rai. Inspector Mehta also tells Karan that he overheard Kishori and Jumman speaking of a letter, and that this might prove to be a mighty proof of Shankarlal's innocence.
Karan goes about to woo Kishori, so that he can get the letters possessed by her. In the meantime, romantic feelings develop between Karan and Asha.
Karan also approaches Jaswant Rai as to how he can reopen the case to prove his father's innocence. He also asks if it will be enough if he can get the letter from Kishori. The prosecutor tells him to get the letter first, so that he can see what to make out of it.
The prosecutor turns out to be a villain. He warns Sardari Lal, the person who actually committed the murder, that Karan is after the letter that Kishori possesses. Sardari Lal, in turn, asks Jumman to warn Kishori about this. Kishori confronts Karan saying that he cheated her, that he was showing false love to her. But Karan answers back, that one who is the cause for jailing his innocent father cannot complain to him of lying to her. Kishori, upon knowing the truth, repents and gives the letter to Karan.
An overjoyed Karan shows the letter to the prosecutor, only to see Jaswant Rai burn the letter. Karan realizes that the prosecutor was also involved in the plot. He starts a protest against the prosecutor outside his house, but gets arrested by the police.
Asha tries to help him by printing about the prosecutor in the newspaper she works for. However, she is stopped by her editor, who says that she does not have proof to print anything against him.
Kishori comes to know of this. She comes to Karan, now carrying the original letter. Karan submits this to get the case against his father reopened. The prosecutor Jaswant Rai admits his crime. And the story ends with Shankarlal coming out of the prison.

Soundtrack

The songs of the film are composed by Sachin Dev Burman and lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Movie song list is as follows:
SongSinger
"Hum Bekhudi Mein Tumko Pukaare Chale Gaye"Mohammed Rafi
"Achchha Ji Main Haari Chalo Maan Jaao Na"Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
"Dilwale Ab Teri Gali Tak Aa Pahunche"Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
"Nazar Laagi Raja Tore Bangle Par"Asha Bhosle
"Jab Naam-E-Mohabbat Leke"Asha Bhosle
"Dil Lagaake Kadar Gayi Pyaare"Asha Bhosle

Technical specs