Kaala Patthar Explained

Kaala Patthar
Director:Yash Chopra
Producer:Yash Chopra
Based On:Chasnala mining disaster
Starring:Shashi Kapoor
Amitabh Bachchan
Rakhee Gulzar
Shatrughan Sinha
Parveen Babi
Neetu Singh
Prem Chopra
Mac Mohan
Music:Songs:
Rajesh Roshan
Score:
Salil Chowdhury
Cinematography:Kay Gee
Editing:B. Mangeshkar
Distributor:Yash Raj Films
Trimurti Films
Released:[1]
Runtime:171 mins
Country:India
Language:Hindi

Kaala Patthar is a 1979 Indian Hindi-language action drama produced and directed by Yash Chopra, with a screenplay written by Salim–Javed. Based on the Chasnala mining disaster, it is the fourth collaboration between director Chopra and actors Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan, succeeding the films Deewaar (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Trishul (1978).[2]

The film was a box office hit and received several Filmfare Award nominations.[3] [4] Amitabh Bachchan was much appreciated for his portrayal of an ex-Navy captain turned coal mine worker.

Plot

Vijay Pal Singh is a disgraced Merchant Navy captain who is branded a coward, humiliated by society and disowned by his parents for abandoning his ship and risking the lives of over 300 passengers. Feeling guilty over his cowardice, he starts working as a coal miner to forget his past. He meets and becomes friends with Ravi, an engineer in charge of the mines. He also makes an enemy in another co-worker named Mangal who is an escaped convict working in the mines to avoid the police. Vijay's past comes to haunt him every time he tries to get some sleep. He sees Mangal causing trouble for the coal miners, Vijay tries to defend the miners against Mangal, there are a couple of fights between them and then one day Mangal is injured in an incident and Vijay carries him to Dr. Sudha's surgery and gives his own blood to save Mangal's life, they eventually become friends. The one person who supports Vijay is Dr. Sudha Sen, who tries to make Vijay face up to his past and move on. Ravi and Mangal have their own romances with Anita and Channo, respectively.

Seth Dhanraj is a greedy boss who makes life difficult for the coal miners by giving them poor equipment, less than sufficient medical supplies and lack of facilities, Vijay, Ravi, and Mangal come together to fight for justice against Dhanraj. Water floods the mines, endangering the lives of hundreds of workers trapped underground. Ravi, Vijay, and Mangal succeed in saving the miners, although Ravi injures his leg and Mangal dies.

Cast

ActorCharacter Notes
Shashi KapoorRavi MalhotraCoal Mine Engineer
Amitabh BachchanVijay Pal SinghEx-Merchant Navy captain/ Coal mine worker
Rakhee GulzarSudha SenDoctors
Shatrughan SinhaMangal SinghRunaway prisoner, coal mine worker
Parveen BabiAnitaPress reporter/photographer
Neetu SinghChannoBangle seller
Sanjeev KumarDoctor MathurGuest appearance
Poonam DhillonGuest appearance
Prem ChopraDhanraj PuriCoal mine owner
Parikshit SahniJaggaTruck driver
Yunus ParvezManeklal SaxenaChief Engineer
Manmohan KrishnaDhaba owner
Vikas AnandRam SinghSupervisor
Mac MohanRanaCoal mine workers
Sharat SaxenaDhanna
Mohan SherryShankar
Satyendra KapoorRaghunath
Gita SiddharthMrs Raghunath
Romesh SharmaVikram
Madan PuriVikram's Dad
IftekharMr. SinghRetd. Army person/Vijay's dad
Sudha ChopraMrs Singh
Jagdish RajPolice inspector
Suresh OberoiNaval Officers
Gautam Sarin

Soundtrack

The film score was composed by Salil Chowdhury and the music for the songs was composed by Rajesh Roshan with lyrics written by Sahir Ludhianvi

Awards and nominations

27th Filmfare Awards

Nominated

Notes and References

  1. http://www.yashrajfilms.com/movies/MovieIndividual.aspx?MovieID=9602b113-437e-491b-a5c6-4df4fc6d35a4 Kaala Patthar on Yash Raj Films
  2. Web site: Kaala Patthar (1979. }
  3. Web site: Legendary Director Yash Chopra Passes Away. 22 October 2012.
  4. Web site: Filmfare Awards (1980). IMDb. 2019-11-30.