Quick Take
Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed.
Audiences got a rare opportunity to watch V Shantaram's rare 1937 social classic Duniya Na Mane screened on the opening day of the Delhi Book Fair to commemorate 100 years of Indian cinema.
Made only six years after the advent of talkies in Hindi cinema, the film, made by Shantaram's 'Prabhat Film Company', wowed the albeit thin audience for its incredible sense of humour, its trenchant wit and satire.
The film, though made in the 1930s, was far ahead of its time and broached the issue of treatment of women in Indian society.
Also called The Unexpected, the film is based on the Marathi novel, 'Na Patnari Goshta' by Narayan Hari Apte, who also wrote its screenplay.
The story revolves around the character named Kamala, played by Shanta Apte, who as an orphaned young girl is married off to an old wealthy man, for greed.
Though the audience was conspicuous by it absence, the 20-odd crowd, comprising both young and old, definitely went back feeling more fortunate than those who missed it.
"I'm glad I could see a gem like this. People do not understand old films because it is removed from the current era. But, women still suffer like the heroine did in the film, especially in the villages where they are still forcibly married to older men," said Ravi, a student.
"I think films like these are still relevant. And, people should appreciate it," he added.
The film is also known for its elegant camerawork and some rare shots like when 'the old man/Kakasaheb', played by Keshavrao Date, sees himself in pieces of a broken mirror or when the heroine sings around the gramophone, which is a constant theme in the film.
The film is also known for featuring the English song A Psalm of Life, a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. And, it was sung by the actor Shanta Apte herself.
Back then, the movie attained both critical and commercial success so much so that it went on to be screened at the Venice International Film Festival. It was also made in Marathi as 'Kunku'.
Along with the Delhi Book Fair, the India Trade Promotion Organisation is also commemorating the 100 years of Indian cinema by screening masterpieces adapted from the works of famous authors at 'Shakuntalam' theatre of Pragati Maidan here, from September 1 to 9.
Ritwik Ghatak's Meghe Dhaka Tara (Bengali) based on the novel by Shaktipada Rajguru, Dev Anand's Guide adapted from RK Narayan's work, 'Samskara' (Kannada) based on UR Ananthamurthy's novel are set to be screened.
The schedule is a mix of old and new films, with Umbartha based on Marathi novel 'Beghar', Vidya Balan-starrer Parineeta adapted from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Bengali novel and Slumdog Millionaire being included.
The curtains come down on September 9 with 3 Idiots adapted from Chetan Bhagat's bestseller.
Made only six years after the advent of talkies in Hindicinema, the film, made by Shantaram's 'Prabhat Film Company',wowed the albeit thin audience for its incredible sense ofhumour, its trenchant wit and satire.
The film, though made in the 1930s, was far ahead of itstime and broached the issue of treatment of women in Indiansociety.
Also called The Unexpected, the film is based on theMarathi novel, Na Patnari Goshta by Narayan Hari Apte, whoalso wrote its screenplay.
The story revolves around the character named Kamala,played by Shanta Apte, who as an orphaned young girl ismarried off to an old wealthy man, for greed.
Though the audience was conspicuous by it absence, the20-odd crowd, comprising both young and old, definitely wentback feeling more fortunate than those who missed it.
"I'm glad I could see a gem like this. People do notunderstand old films because it is removed from the currentera. But, women still suffer like the heroine did in the film,especially in the villages where they are still forciblymarried to older men," said Ravi, a student.
"I think films like these are still relevant. And, peopleshould appreciate it," he added.
The film is also known for its elegant camerawork andsome rare shots like when 'the old man/Kakasaheb', played byKeshavrao Date, sees himself in pieces of a broken mirror orwhen the heroine sings around the gramophone, which is aconstant theme in the film.
The film is also known for featuring the English song APsalm of Life, a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. And, itwas sung by the actor Shanta Apte herself.
Back then, the movie attained both critical andcommercial success so much so that it went on to be screenedat the Venice International Film Festival. It was also made inMarathi as 'Kunku'.
Along with the Delhi Book Fair, the India Trade PromotionOrganisation is also commemorating the 100 years of Indiancinema by screening masterpieces adapted from the works offamous authors at 'Shakuntalam' theatre of Pragati Maidanhere, from September 1 to 9.
Ritwik Ghatak's Meghe Dhaka Tara (Bengali) based on thenovel by Shaktipada Rajguru, Dev Anand's Guide adapted fromRK Narayan's work, 'Samskara' (Kannada) based on URAnanthamurthy's novel are set to be screened.
The schedule is a mix of old and new films, withUmbartha based on Marathi novel 'Beghar', VidyaBalan-starrer Parineeta adapted from Sarat ChandraChattopadhyay's Bengali novel and Slumdog Millionaire beingincluded.
The curtains come down on September 9 with 3 Idiotsadapted from Chetan Bhagat's bestseller.
