Kala Pani

About the film

Kala Pani (lit. 'Black Water'; transl. Solitary confinement) is a 1958 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film produced by Dev Anand for Navketan Films and directed by Raj Khosla. It is a remake of the 1955 Bengali film Sabar Uparey starring Uttam Kumar and Chabi Biswas which itself was based on A.J. Cronin's 1953 novel Beyond This Place.

The film's music is by S. D. Burman, and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Plot

Karan learns that his father Shankarlal, is in jail and that his mother has been pretending from his childhood that his father has died. On meeting his father, Karan learns that he has been jailed (colloquially referred to as "Kala Pani") 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 filed against him re-opened 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 and she is also a journalist.

Soundtrack

The songs of the film are composed by S. D. Burman and lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

Technical specs

Movie run time: 164 min (14 reels, 4380.89 m)

Release

Kala Pani was theatrically released on 9 May 1958, and critic reviews were mostly positive. Bhaichand Patel wrote, "Brilliant performances and songs are highlights of this film." He commented on the performances of lead actors: "The facile charm toned down, the mannerisms off-loaded, [Anand] brings intensity and conviction to his role. Madhubala is effervescent, especially in the song sequence "Accha Ji Main Haari". The film [also] has some fine acting by Nalini Jaywant."

Kala Pani was the 8th highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1958.

Awards

Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Nalini Jaywant

Key details