After watching Madhumati, I got dragged towards Mahal, thinking that its another Ghost story.. But Noooo, Its a great Suspense Story.. Salute to the debutant Kamal Amrohi for creating a Gem which still shines among all the Great Hindi movies.
I wanted to post about this movie even though it doesn't have a single award in its merit list - and the only reason for that is - there were no awards given during that period... otherwise Madhubala as Best Actress, Kamal Amrohi as Best Director, and Lata as the Best Female Playback Singer for Ayega ayega aanewaala and Khemchand Prakash as Best Music director....and the Cameraman who has played an important role here carrying out the mystery from fear to the soft landing on materialistic ground.. these are the few I could write down easily.... I am sure there would have been many more nominations even in technical categories...
Mali tells him that 40 years ago this mahal was built for a beautiful lady, Kamini by her lover who used to come to meet her by crossing the river every midnight and used to return before sunrise. One stormy rainy night, his boat sinks in the river and he sends message with Jamuna's laharein that he will return again in another life time for her. Soon after Kamini herself gets drowned in the river waiting for her love. Shankar finds the story interesting but it doesn't disturb him much. He sends a message to his friend Srinath through mail about his arrival.
After mali goes, he starts exploring his new mansion and finds an odd portrait of a man very much similar to his own looks.
Shankar is in aw of the image, he listens the clock striking 2, and he hears a lady singing. He follows the sound direction, but the lady - beautiful Madhubala - keeps on vanishing. The burn of his cigar tells him that he is not dreaming. Soon his friend (Kanu Roy) arrives.
Shankar tells him the story and the last scene, but Shrinath refuses to beilive him whereas Shankar is in trauma that he is reincarnation of the lover in portrait and he is here just to be with Kamini (Madhubala). Every where he keeps on seeing Kamini. He even has a small conversation with her when she tells him about her waiting for him.Every night 2 o'clock Shanker hears Kamini singing for her love - and that is he - and she always vanishes somewhere in the riverside terrace gazebo.
Shrinath tries to divert Shankar's attention by hiring two dancers - prostitute type. But in vain, again at 2 o'clock shankar comes back to Kamini, his love. 
On returning, She tells him that they both are those lovers, he is reincarnated but she is not as her death was a suicide. She asks him to get a body of a woman that he will like to see (she even suggest Mali's daughter Aasha), then she will kill her and will occupy her body, so her spirit will also be shant by getting a body and love back.
Next day Shrinath comes with Shankar's father and they take him to Kanpur. There his father tells him if he doesnt marry he can shoot his father. Shankar rather shoots at his own portrait indicating a suicide and agrees to marry Ranjana, his fiance'. 
He looks forward to start a new life with his bride but again the clock struck two at night he doesnt lift the Ghoonghat of his wife. He tries to run away from Kamini's memories.He brings his unveiled wife in mountainous region, but all in vein. Ranjana is on despair about what's wrong with her and with her husband, whats troubling him so much..
The rest of the story happens in total filmi style but still worth to watch if you want to know the answers..
The story completes with lot of filmi turns, but it manages to keep you attached and interested in knowing further. I didnt find a moment which will make you get away from the film. Intense characters and their emotions - whatt a colorful play of shades!! Everyone is right at times and everyone is wrong at times.. though I will say, Ranjana is very much right considering her state of mind. Its a well unfolded story except a turn of Ranjana's letter but I think that has helped to take the story further.
Who wont admire the music by Khemchand Prakash? Brilliant song Ayega Ayega Ayega Aanewala.. This was the first Hindi ghost film to have a song which works
as a leitmotif through out the film. This became a trend and was followed in
other suspense/ghost films such as Madhumati, Woh Kaun Thi and Mera Saaya. The song was a huge hit and Lata secured a firm position in the industry. The husky voices of all other singers became obsolete in front of the high pitched voice of Lata Mangeshkar, which ruled the film industry for decades later. Khemchand had taken out the Best from the singers, be it Lata, Rajkumari or Zohrabai.During the recording of the film music, a man carelessly said that if the film didn't prove to be a hit it would be because of the music. When the film was released, however, the music was extremely popular, and music director Khemchand Prakash received letters from all over India. Even though he was ill at that time, Prakash went to that man's house and made him read all those letters.
Ashok Kumar's finest performance and of course the beauty of Madhubala with her natural acting are the another strong points which make us glued to the seat.
This was 'Kamal Amrohi's directorial debut and he did his job brilliantly giving Bombay Talkies its greatest hit movie. Mahal makes a Great Impact as a mysterical film due to its excellent Cinematography. Hats off to the Cameraman Josef Wirsching!! Brilliant play of light and shadows, waving chandeliers, clock, the black and white play with grey shades in between, the frames and the close-ups....this each and everything is giving the sheer visual treat to the viewers.
Mahal is an unusual not to miss movie which is exactly not a ghost story but a Great Suspense story with supernatural powers.
Excellent review.
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