indian cinema heritage foundation

Karwat (1949)

  • Release Date1949
  • FormatB-W
  • LanguageHindi
  • Shooting LocationShree Sound Studios, Dadar, Bombay
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It is easy to sit in an arm-chair and say that people shouldn't get soaked up in western ideas and all that sort of thing. But when one has lived for a few years in England, one cannot help getting something of the west into one's head.

This was exactly what happened to Vijay, the hero of our story. It was good as far as it went. The real trouble started when he began having more than an academic interest in western ideas and began to act upon them as soon as he landed in his house, where his mother was anxiously looking forward to his marriage with Neela, the girl to whom he was betrothed long ago.

Obsessed as he was with western ideas and belonging as he did to the class of young men who were fanatic worshippers of the freedom-to-choose-their-own-lifemate idea, Vijay refused to acquiesce to his mother's tame demand and put forward the proposal that he would see the girl before he gave his consent to the marriage. Good, sound logic ! But then, what about the other party? "Absolutely shocking" was the verdict of the Family. But the westernised booby cared too hoots for their opinion and insisted on seeing the girl.

And this is arranged.

Now, Neela is a mere recluse. She has had the best of education and is good at music and dancing, too. The parents - clever guys - knew the boy was coming from England and would doubtless have changed views. That is why they had equipped their daughter with all the things that marked off the modern girls in a class by themselves.

Vijay comes to see Neela.

Neela, however, had her own plans. She refused to see the boy and in an interesting manner rejected the swanky bridegroom-to-be ! She makes it clear to Vijay that Indian women can fight back also - if need be !

This little incident and some more funny escapades give a thorough shaking to Vijay, and set him right. He begins to see and think clearly.

Vijay has one more side to his character. He is an artiste. He had learnt stage-craft while in England. Having had a rough time in his love affair, he decides to devote all his time to his profession and in partnership with Anchal, a charming dancer and an old friend of his, Vijay starts INDIA ART CLUB, to bring art nearer home to the masses and shatter the popular belief that artistes were born. To teach him a lesson and put him straight, Neela joins the club. Jeevan a happy-go-lucky boy, wishing to try this hand at Art, also joins Vijay's art club.

Between these four characters is staged the drama of a four-pronged love.

Anchal has her eyes on Vijay. She wants to use the stage as a springboard for the consummation of her long cherished desires.

Neela feigns to love Vijay. But, the Vijay she tries to flirt with is a changed man. He is no longer the swanky bum she knew. He has had quite a shaking and is now engrossed in other things besides dilly-dallying with the hearts of young dames. But all his preoccupations cannot stop the realisation growing on him that Neela (now calling herself Nirmal) is the girl of his dreams. To Neela also the new Vijay becomes more important than a vain youngman whom she had wanted to teach a lesson. She plans to get him.

Jeevan the fourth spoke in this wheel of romance, finds irresistibly attracted by Neela.

The stage is now set for a lot of romancing and quite a lot of intrigue planning. Let us not disturb the characters. They have tood intentions - we assure you. So let us allow them to resolve their tangles all by themselves. If you really wish to see the end of all this you better see the picture.

[From the official press booklet]

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