Director: Vijay Bhatt; Writer: Mohanlal G. Dave, Vishnupant Aundhkar; Cinematographer: G.N. Shirodkar; Cast: Vishnupant Pagnis, Durga Khote, Pande, V. Adikhar, Vimala Vasisth, Amirbai Karnataki, Ram Marathe, Baby Indira
Summary: Vijay Bhatt’s Saint film was built around Pagnis who had defined the genre through his performance in
Sant Tukaram (1936). Narasinh Mehta (1408-75), a major Gujarati poet (Pagnis), is excluded from the community and, with his wife Manekbai, lives in extreme deprivation in Junagadh and Mangrol. His poems praising Krishna, often in the erotic and devotional Ras Lila form, also address the condition of Untouchables. Much of the film is based on his autobiographical statements which have now become part of popular legend. Key figures including his wife Manekbai (Khote), his evil sisterin-law, and her brother Sarangadhar (Pande), who persecute him. The film also features the Dewan of Warnagar, who chooses Narasinh’s son as the groom for his daughter. The plot requires Narasinh to sacrifice his son to save the prince as well as defend himself against accusations of sorcery. Bhatt’s largely descriptive camera emphasises physical movement while the elaborate set design contrasts with the sophisticated use of frontal shooting in Sant Tukaram. Apart from several Pagnis solos, other songs are by Amirbai Karnataki (esp.
Jhulna jhulave nandalal) and one is by the young Ram Marathe (
Ghanshyam rang ran javoon).
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