Qatl | Murder And Murderer | The Critique

Qatl is a not-so-popular movie which can make you think that why didn’t this click. It is easily one of the better thrillers made in Bollywood. It has the Alfred Hitchcock feel and boasts of a fine performances by a seasoned Sanjeev Kumar and an impressive Shatrughan Sinha. Rated at 7.4 by 10 on IMDB, Qatl is a treat for all cine buffs.

Rakesh (Sanjeev Kumar) is a blind rich man. He loves his wife Rohini (Sarika) a lot. However, unsatisfied by a blind husband, she reaches out to his best friend Ranjeet and it converts into an intimate relationship. Rakesh’s nurse Sita, played by a subtle Ranjeetha, comes to know about the affair. It disturbs her and she feels very bad for Rakesh who is a very nice person. Suddenly, one day, Rohini is found dead at Ranjeet’s place. Inspector Shatru has been assigned to the task. Will he be able to find the murderer? Suspects: Rakesh who may or may not be aware of his wife’s affair. Sita, who likes Rakesh and wants to replace Rohini in his life. Ranjeet... the natural suspect; might have fought with Rohini and killed her in fit of rage.

Qatl boasts of a very strong cast and a very well drafted script. Though it lets a few ends open, hardly anything fizzles out easily. Director R.K. Nayyar made a brilliant movie. Kudos.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Death In A Loop… Guru Dutt And Sanjeev Kumar | Under Lens

1964… Guru Dutt died due to an overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol. That time he was involved with K. Asif’s saga Love and God. Sanjeev Kumar replaced Guru Dutt however little he knew that his end will be similar.

Sanjeev Kumar was not able to recover from his personal issues and drank heavily. Something parallel to the life of Guru Dutt. What an irony, Sanjeev Kumar died in 1984 and the movie in which he replaced Guru Dutt was released in 1986. By ’71, even K. Asif was history. Three legends of Indian cinema expired even before the movie that linked them released.

Even Sanjeev Kumar had a pending movie when he left this world. Movie was Professor Ki Padosan. The movie was three-fourth complete when Sanjeev died an early death. Director was confused and finally on suggestion of a senior member of cine-fraternity included an Invisible-character sequence to justify Sanjeev’s obvious absence. Movie bombed as expected.

Life doesn’t give what you want. Guru Dutt had a tormented marriage and Sanjeev Kumar was turned down by the lady he loved so much. Guru Dutt was unlucky as there was no one to support him… not even Waheeda Rahman. Sanjeev Kumar might have been luckier. There was someone who loved him… Sulakshna Pandit. But he turned her down. He didn’t gave his life a chance.

They always say… “marry someone who loves you… not the one whom you love…” but sometimes you don’t hear what you yourself say to the world.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh