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Lifelong affair

The master Director Bimal Roy

Madhumati was a rage even before it was released. Fans across the country were excited to see Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala as the lead pair in a movie that was to be directed by Bimal Roy.

Good music and story was a trusted combination for a film to become a hit in the ’50s and ’60s and Madhumati was no exception. Salil Choudhury composed some immortal tunes and it was hardly surprising that he won the Filmfare Award for the movie.

The film swept the Filmfare Awards in 1958: Vyjayantimala (best actress), Johnny Walker (best male supporting actor), Bimal Roy (best director), Salil Choudhury (music), Hrishikesh Mukherjee (best editing), Sudhendu Roy (best art direction), Lata Mangeshkar (best female singer for “Aaja Re Mai To Kabse Khadi Is Paar”). Needless to say, it was the best movie of the year.

When it hit the screens, the film ran to full houses. Sindhu, a veteran movie-goer, remembers the serpentine queues to buy tickets in advance. “It was crazy. The entertainment those days was essentially cinema, and Madhumati was a much-awaited film because of Dilip Kumar, an actor for all seasons, and Vyjayantimala, a lady with such grace. Special morning shows were introduced to cope with the rush.”

Three months ago, a special screening of Madhumati was organised in Mumbai to celebrate 50 years of its release. “It’s a proud moment. The film was very popular and now it’s a heartening moment. I’m very happy but I do not want Madhumati to be in colour again, it’s a classic which looks best in back and white,” Vyjayantimala had reportedly said at the function.

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