Mohammed Bin Tughlaq (1971)
Story, Director, Actor: Cho Ramaswamy
For the records, there indeed was a king in flesh and blood in the line of Delhi Sultanate by this name. He is reputed to have moved his capital from the North to the Deccan. He is said to be a liberal king who introduced some new coins and spread Urdu to the Deccans.
No, this is not a historical offering but rather a politico-social satire and a full length comedy that pokes fun at the ridiculousness of the behaviour of the politicians and the gullibility of the citizens who vote them to power. As it is Cho's comedy, the jokes are clean. He pokes fun through cleverly word play and on the animalistic social behaviour of people.
My first exposure to this film was through the song 'Allah Allah' which used to be heard in the 70s radio waves during the RRF days (listen below).
This film is acted by mostly unknowns. The familiar faces here beside Cho are Manorama and a cameo presentation by Vennira Adai Murthi in a birthday song sequence. Some remember Nellakandan as the regular supporting actor who in almost every movie dons the role of an obese pious Brahmin who is the butt of all jokes.
It starts with the discovery by an archeologist of an ancient tomb. A very much alive Sultan Muhammad Tugluq and his loyal minister Batuta from 400 years ago are found in a coffin. They had apparently stayed alive with some secret herbs.
Hence, starts the pandemonium. The archaeologist's family, a typical Brahmin family, have their own set of comedies. The wife is forever boasting and showing off her husband's achievements to her gossipy friend. She is also a seemingly pious person even though her actions does not speak much of her piety!
Then, there are the two fathers (one, in law) who are soon in the thick of things living in the same household. The two college going students are typical of any generation, aloof and in their own world with regards to priorities in life. Example of their screaming argument is to ascertain whether Raj Kapoor or Dilip Kumar is a greater actor when the whole excitement in town is the discovery of the live 'artefact' of yesteryears.
Then there is a con-woman fortune teller (Gandhimathi, Manorama) who is the daughter of a respectable freedom fighter. The freedom fighter had seen better times in his life. Being stranded in dire straits, Gandhimathi, has to resort to parrots and tarot cards to live by.
Thugluq's presence is a hit. People from near and far and journalists queue to meet him. Being in ruling business before, somehow Tukluq is drawn into elections. From this time onwards, politician bashing goes on full throttle. The way they conduct their political rallies, speeches, promises and over glorifying acts by people is ridiculed upon.
Mainly by the power of the media, Thughluq wins the election and before you know it by ridiculous swinging of the MPs, he is appointed the Prime Minister. Thukluq, in his comical ways, handles major issues of the country. For national language dilemma, he suggests Farsi! To combat corruption, he decrees standard differential corruption charges for officers of different calibre!
His cabinet is made of many yeoman and even Ghandimathi, a tarot card reader is in it.
Just when Thugluq is becoming a sensation, Ghandimathi's father, Thanikasalam, dies leaving a testimony. Apparently the facade was orchestrated by her father and two jobless young men, Mahadevan and Raghavan who assumed the roles of Tughluq and Batuta respectively.
At the point of reckoning when the two vowed to reveal their plan to the public, Tughluq @Mahadevan becomes greedy and power crazy. Ghandimathi, happy with the good life and fear of being exposed of her wrongdoings, burns the only proof of the pact. The virtuous Batuta @Raghavan is accused of being mad and is beaten to death by the public.
A low key production without the usual melodrama and razzmatazz of which Indian subcontinent movie industry is famous for. Probably suitable for over analytical minds who looks for more cerebral activities in film than the usual eye candy and hip gyrating melodies!
Story, Director, Actor: Cho Ramaswamy
For the records, there indeed was a king in flesh and blood in the line of Delhi Sultanate by this name. He is reputed to have moved his capital from the North to the Deccan. He is said to be a liberal king who introduced some new coins and spread Urdu to the Deccans.No, this is not a historical offering but rather a politico-social satire and a full length comedy that pokes fun at the ridiculousness of the behaviour of the politicians and the gullibility of the citizens who vote them to power. As it is Cho's comedy, the jokes are clean. He pokes fun through cleverly word play and on the animalistic social behaviour of people.
My first exposure to this film was through the song 'Allah Allah' which used to be heard in the 70s radio waves during the RRF days (listen below).
This film is acted by mostly unknowns. The familiar faces here beside Cho are Manorama and a cameo presentation by Vennira Adai Murthi in a birthday song sequence. Some remember Nellakandan as the regular supporting actor who in almost every movie dons the role of an obese pious Brahmin who is the butt of all jokes.
It starts with the discovery by an archeologist of an ancient tomb. A very much alive Sultan Muhammad Tugluq and his loyal minister Batuta from 400 years ago are found in a coffin. They had apparently stayed alive with some secret herbs.
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| R. Neelakandan |
Then, there are the two fathers (one, in law) who are soon in the thick of things living in the same household. The two college going students are typical of any generation, aloof and in their own world with regards to priorities in life. Example of their screaming argument is to ascertain whether Raj Kapoor or Dilip Kumar is a greater actor when the whole excitement in town is the discovery of the live 'artefact' of yesteryears.
Then there is a con-woman fortune teller (Gandhimathi, Manorama) who is the daughter of a respectable freedom fighter. The freedom fighter had seen better times in his life. Being stranded in dire straits, Gandhimathi, has to resort to parrots and tarot cards to live by.
Thugluq's presence is a hit. People from near and far and journalists queue to meet him. Being in ruling business before, somehow Tukluq is drawn into elections. From this time onwards, politician bashing goes on full throttle. The way they conduct their political rallies, speeches, promises and over glorifying acts by people is ridiculed upon.
His cabinet is made of many yeoman and even Ghandimathi, a tarot card reader is in it.
Just when Thugluq is becoming a sensation, Ghandimathi's father, Thanikasalam, dies leaving a testimony. Apparently the facade was orchestrated by her father and two jobless young men, Mahadevan and Raghavan who assumed the roles of Tughluq and Batuta respectively.
At the point of reckoning when the two vowed to reveal their plan to the public, Tughluq @Mahadevan becomes greedy and power crazy. Ghandimathi, happy with the good life and fear of being exposed of her wrongdoings, burns the only proof of the pact. The virtuous Batuta @Raghavan is accused of being mad and is beaten to death by the public.
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