Director: Kishore Sahu; Writer: William Shakespeare; Producer: Kishore Sahu; Cinematographer: K. H. Kapadia; Editor: Kantilal B. Shukla; Cast: Pradeep Kumar, Mala Sinha, Kishore Sahu, Venus Banerji, Hiralal, Jankidas, Rajan Kapoor, S. Nazir, Shreenath, Jagdish Kamal, Autar Singh, Fazal Khan, Jagdish Paul, Baby Sheela, Master Rattan, Master Rajdeep, Agha Meraj, Nirdoshi, T. N. Charlie, Ramlal
Duration: 01:58:16; Aspect Ratio: 1.300:1; Hue: 359.659; Saturation: 0.022; Lightness: 0.297; Volume: 0.376; Cuts per Minute: 3.906
Summary: : One of the few Indian releases at Bombay's Metro Cinema, Hindustan Chitra's 'Hamlet', produced and directed by Kishore Sahuand starring him in the title role, received a warm welcome at its premiere on Friday, January, 7. Apopular subject on the stage, this great Shakespearean tragedy lends itself admirably to filmisation, but because of its alien sentiment and atmosphere it is a subject which has been attempted by only one other Indian producer. The present version has closely followed the technique and treatment of Sir Laurence Olivier's brilliant production which won universal acclaim. The resemblance between the two, even in the sets, decor and costumes, is so pronounced that it is impossible at any stage for one to forget that this film is more or less based on the Livier Opus. There are, however, minor changes and ommissions here and there, and the addition of three songs which have been introduced as a box-office bait. But the departures are so trivial that it is difficult to hide the immediate source of Sahu's effort. Nor has any attempt been made to adapt the story of the brooding Dane to suit the Indian audiences. Even the language used to tell this tragic tale is not Hindi, the popular medium on the screen, but a hybridise speech form generously sprinkled with highly Persianised Urdu and Hindustani, with quotations from Zafar, Mir, Ghalib and othe poets. If one can forget this aspect of the film, Sahu's 'Hamlet' is a handsome production, highlighted by a brilliant portrayal by Sahu in one of the most complex and yet conveted roles that the screen or the stage could offer an artist. It is an honour equally shared in the film by manu another artist as well as those who were in charge of the various departments.
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