Amrit Manthan (1934)

Amrit Manthan (Hindi: अमृत मंथन) is a 1934 Marathi/Hindi film produced by Prabhat Films and directed by V Shantaram. The film starred Chandra Mohan, Nalini Tarkhad, Sureshbabu Mane, Varde, Kelkar and Shanta Apte. The film was the first to use a telephoto lens. The film had a Buddhist theme and its most famous shot was a close-up of a priest's right eye, something that staggered audiences back then. It was also the first film produced in the new well equipped studio of Prabhat at Pune. The story was based on abolishing the practice of human as well as animal sacrifice to any God or Goddess.



Huge sets and costumes were notable in this film. Chandra Mohan got a break in the Hindi version of this film and became a famous actor. Hindi version of this film was the first Hindi film to celebrate Silver Jubilee. The film was shown at International Film Festival, Venice. Some newspapers in London gave the coverage with the photographs from the film and the studio.

This classic opens with a sensational low-angle circular track movement as Chandika cult followers meet in a dungeon of flickering lights and deep shadow. As the more rationalist King Krantivarma (Varde) banned human or animal sacrifices from the increasingly fanatical festivals dedicated to the goddess, the cult's high priest (Chandra Mohan) orders the hapless Vishwagupta (Kelkar) to kill the king. He obeys but is then betrayed by the perfidious priest and caught. His son Madhavgupta (Sureshbabu Mane) and daughter Sumitra (Shanta Apte) together with the princess (Tarkhad) and the people finally overthrow the priest.

Shanta Apte - Kamsini Mein Dile Pe Gham Ka :  



Shanta Apte - Raat Aai Hai :  



Shanta Apte - Dekho Dekho :  



Shanta Apte - Taro Mori Bipta :  



Sureshbabu Mane (?) - Arzoo-E-Dil :  



Sureshbabu Mane (?) - Sakhi Ri Shyam :  



Sureshbabu Mane (?) - Soinri Pyash Bhagi :