Mahal - 1949

Celebrating the 100 Years of Bollywood is not just about identifying the milestones and blockbusters. It is also about remembering those countless movies that has gone into oblivion despite being a profound and long-lasting influence for films and filmmakers who treaded that path later.

In this episode we are presenting you one such film released in the year 1949, the year in which Mehboob Khan’s Andaz and Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat made magic in the theatres. Along with these two films Kamal Amrohi’s directorial debut Mahal brought a new aesthetic to Hindi cinema.

Mahal, India’s first reincarnation film stars Ashok Kumar and Madhubala in the lead roles. The riveting plot, mysterious mood, opulent sets and unusual music all contributed well to make this Bombay Talkies production one of the biggest box office hits of the year. It also paved the way Indian gothic fiction and influenced films like 1980 Karz, 1984 Tamil film Enakkul Oruvan, 1989 Kannada film Yuga Purusha, 1993 Kili Pechu Ketkava, and the 2007 super-hit Om Shanti Om.

The movie launched both heroine Madhubala and playback singer Lata Mangeshkar into stardom. Songs like "Aayega Aane Waala", and "Yeh raat phir na aayge are perennial favorites.