Nirmala

The reviews published under this section are useful both to the average cine-goer and the exhibitor. Several technical aspects which are of importance to the exhibitor in his bookings have been treated here in short, maintaining, at the same time, the casual interest of readers in general.


Produced by:
Bombay Talkies Ltd.

Released at:
Roxy Talkies, Bombay

Date of Release:
15 April 1938

Publicity Circuit Distributors:
Ramniklal Mohanlal

Cast:
Devika Rani, Saroj Borkar, Maya Devi, Ashok Kumar, M Nazir, Gulbadan, Pithawala, Mumtaz Ali, Nazir Bedi, etc.

Screenpla by: Basudev
That eternal flame of mother love which lends halo of sanctity to a woman is the theme of this picture. In the latter parts the picture is pathetic and touching. Several scenes before the interval are rather length, but with every appearance of Devika Rani on the screen, disappointment becomes pleasure. Picture development proclaims the writer as a bit new to his job. Drastic editing especially in the early parts will improve the picture considerably.

Language: Hindi. By J S Casshyap
Dialogues are quite good throughout and beautiful at a couple of places. Songs are not very intelligent though the second part; at song No. 11 is rather clever.

Music by: Saraswati Devi
Classic music, usual with the director, provides the picture with a grim background. Tunes of songs Nos. 10 and 11 are good and popular.

Cinematography by: Wirsching & Pareebha
Very good and upto the usual standard of Bombay Talkies.

Recording by: S B Vacha
Quite good

Direction by: Franz Osten.
Barring some scene of Devika Rani, the director showed lack of imagination peculiar to a foreigner in a subject of this article. The final sequences were brought on too suddenly. The opportunity of creating a pathetic suspense with Devika as the old beggar in search of her long lost child, was dissipated by the director. Several unnecessary scenes in the early part are there in the picture due to the director. The direction at best is weak and lacks inspiration. The direction has failed to give the picture a soul which a subject like this should have, to become thrilling and pathetic.

Performances:
Devika Rani was easily the best but somehow she failed to impress me as a mother. Her light scenes were superbly acted. I think something more than mere acting is required to convince people in a mother's role. One must perhaps radiate the divine glow of motherhood. Devika's music was not well chosen this time.

Ashok Kumar showed considerable improvement. Especially the early college scenes fitted him well. The lad is fast improving. M Nazir and Nazir Bedi gave good portrayals. Saroj Borkar was artificial, though she sang pretty well. Meera has a thrilling voice which could be used with great advantage

Publicity:
Quite good

Box Office Value:
A good picture for Devika fans. There is so much of her in the picture, that one practically gets a full measure. The picture will run well due to Devika Rani.


This article was published in Film India magazine’s May, 1938, Vol. 4, No. 1 edition.