Mr India - 1987

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In the vast and vibrant world of Bollywood, where dreams come alive on the silver screen, there exists a timeless gem that continues to captivate audiences even after several decades. Released in 1987, Mr India stands as a classic masterpiece of Indian cinema, fusing elements of action, romance, comedy, and fantasy into a seamless and unforgettable experience.

Directed by the visionary filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, Mr India takes us on an extraordinary journey that transcends the boundaries of imagination. Set in the bustling city of Mumbai, the film follows the life of Arun Verma, a kind-hearted and humble musician played by the evergreen Anil Kapoor. His world takes an unexpected turn when he stumbles upon a secret device that bestows him with the power of invisibility, making him Mr India.

As Arun explores the newfound abilities bestowed upon him, he must confront an insidious supervillain named Mogambo, portrayed by the unmatched Amrish Puri. Mogambo, with his nefarious intentions, seeks to acquire the very same device in order to wreak havoc and establish his dominion over the world. Arun, armed with his invisibility and aided by his endearing sidekick Seema, portrayed by the charismatic Sridevi, embarks on a thrilling quest to protect the innocent and thwart Mogambo's sinister plans.

Mr India intertwines elements of fantasy and social commentary, touching upon themes of good versus evil, the power of love and sacrifice, and the importance of standing up against injustice. With its unforgettable characters, melodious music, and groundbreaking special effects for its time, the film struck a chord with audiences and continues to hold a special place in the hearts of millions, firmly establishing itself as a beloved classic of Indian cinema.

Table of Contents

• Details

• Plot

• Release

• Reviews

• Cast

• Crew

• Character Analysis

• Songs

• Behind the Scenes

• Controversy

• Box Office Collection

• Awards

• Interesting Facts

• Conclusion

Details

Plot

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Criminal Mogambo's ultimate objective is to rule all of India. From his secret island lair, he keeps an eye on all the crimes his minions commit. Whereas Arun is a street musician and philanthropist who, with the help of his cook called Calendar, rents a large, ancient mansion in which to house and raise ten orphans. 

Since Arun has trouble making ends meet and is indebted to many people, he has decided to rent out the ground floor room. Seema, the local journalist and his first renter, quickly wins over the hearts of the other individuals. Arun can't help but develop romantic feelings for her.

Professor Sinha, a family friend, writes him a mysterious letter in which he discloses that Arun's late father, a famous scientist, invented a cloaking device that renders its user invisible. Because he was the only son, Arun was tasked with completing the necessary formalities and paperwork to secure the patent. 

Arun recognised this as a window of opportunity and promptly devised a strategy to acquire the gadget. Arun takes his ward into his father's old laboratory, following the instructions in the letter. When turned on, the device renders the user invisible unless a red light is directed at them. Arun chooses to keep it a secret.

Seema has been living in the rental property for a while when a mutual acquaintance invites her to a fancy party, where she pretends to be a famous Hawaiian dancer and performs a song for the guests in her absence. After the show, criminals almost kill her because they believe she is a spy, but Arun rushes to her rescue as Mr India, an avatar he created to hide his identity. Seema eventually develops feelings for her saviour. 

After Arun successfully uses the gadget to fool one of Mogambo's goons and disrupt the criminal mastermind's intentions, the goon reports the incident to his leader. After that, Mogambo plants bombs in the form of toys across town. One of the orphans staying at Arun's house, Tina, discovers the traps and falls victim to them, resulting in her death. 

Mogambo's goons round up the orphans—including Arun, Seema, Calendar, and the rest—because they all look like potential suspects. Mogambo tortures them to learn Mr India's true identity and where the device is hidden. When Mogambo threatens to kill two children, Arun finally reveals the truth, but he is unable to prove himself by turning invisible because he accidentally dropped the gadget during the capture. Mogambo momentarily locks them away in the dungeons.

The group, however, manages to break out by swiping the keys from a guard. As this is going on, Mogambo fires out four missiles capable of destroying the whole country of India. Arun challenges him to a duel, and Arun ultimately defeats his opponent. Mogambo tells Arun that if he succeeds in stopping the missiles, everyone in the room will be killed. 

However, Arun cancels the missile launch, and they explode on the base. All the kids, along with Arun and Seema, and Calendar, manage to get out of the fortress before it is destroyed and Mogambo is killed.

Release

Anil Kapoor's acting career was expected to take off with Mr India, one of the most eagerly awaited Indian films of 1987. Sujata Films distributed the movie, and it was released on May 25, 1987, with a budget of ₹38 million, a large one for an Indian film at the time.

On October 7, 2014, Anil Kapoor went to a special screening of the movie at Indiana University. On 9 August 2007 and 10 February 2009, respectively, the NTSC and PAL widescreen versions of Mr India were made available on DVD in all territories as a single-disc set.

Reviews

Mr India, released in 1987, remains a timeless gem in the history of Bollywood cinema. What sets Mr India apart is its ability to seamlessly intertwine fantasy with social commentary. While the concept of invisibility adds an element of intrigue and excitement, the film also addresses deeper themes of good versus evil and the power of love and sacrifice. It manages to strike a balance between entertaining its audience and delivering a meaningful message.

The music of Mr India is another standout aspect. Composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, the songs are melodious, catchy, and have become evergreen classics in Indian cinema. From the soul-stirring Hawa Hawai to the romantic song Kaate Nahin Kat Te, the soundtrack elevates the film's emotional impact and leaves a lasting impression.

Furthermore, Mr India showcases groundbreaking special effects for their time. The use of invisibility is executed remarkably well, with clever camera techniques and visual tricks. It is a testament to the creative vision of the filmmakers and their commitment to pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema.

Overall, Mr India is a cinematic masterpiece that continues to enchant audiences. With its memorable characters, captivating storyline, unforgettable music, and groundbreaking effects, it remains an integral part of Bollywood's legacy. Its ability to entertain and resonate with viewers, even after decades, is a testament to its enduring appeal. If you're seeking a film that blends fantasy, action, and romance while delivering a profound message, Mr India is an absolute must-watch.

Cast

• Anil Kapoor as Arun Verma

• Sridevi as Seema Sohni

• Amrish Puri as Mogambo

• Annu Kapoor as Mr Gaitonde (Seema's newspaper editor)

• Ramesh Deo as a police inspector

• Gurbachan Singh as Captain Zorro

• Ajit Vachani as Teja (special appearance)

• Ashok Kumar as Prof. Sinha

• Bob Christo as Mr Wolcott

• Harish Patel as Roopchand (special appearance)

• Anjan Srivastav as Baburam

• Satish Kaushik as Calendar

• Ahmed Khan as an orphan

• Aftab Shivdasani as an orphan

• Yunus Parvez as Maniklal

• Sharat Saxena as Daga

Crew

• Director(s) - Shekhar Kapur

• Writer(s) - Salim-Javed

• Producer(s) - Boney Kapoor and Surinder Kapoor

• Cinematographer(s) - Baba Azmi

• Editor(s) - Waman Bhonsle and Gurudutt Shirali

• Musician(s) - Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Character Analysis

• Arun Verma / Mr India (Anil Kapoor) - Arun Verma, portrayed by Anil Kapoor, is the protagonist of the film. He is a kind-hearted and compassionate man who runs an orphanage and takes care of several children. Arun discovers a unique gadget invented by his late father, which allows him to become invisible. He uses this newfound power to fight crime and corruption under the alias Mr India.

• Seema Sohni (Sridevi) - Seema Sohni, played by the late Sridevi, is a fearless and ambitious journalist. She is determined to expose the criminal activities of the villainous Mogambo. Seema becomes romantically involved with Arun, unaware of his secret identity as Mr India. Her character adds a touch of romance and humour to the film.

• Mogambo (Amrish Puri) - Mogambo, portrayed by the legendary Amrish Puri, is the primary antagonist in the movie. He is a ruthless and power-hungry warlord who aims to conquer India. Mogambo's catchphrase, Mogambo Khush Hua, has become synonymous with the character and is still popular today. His menacing presence and evil schemes make him a memorable villain in Bollywood history.

• Calendar (Satish Kaushik) - Calendar, played by Satish Kaushik, is Arun's loyal and comical sidekick. He assists Arun in managing the orphanage and provides comic relief throughout the film. Calendar's witty one-liners, humorous antics, and late Satish Kaushik’s amazing performance have made him a fan-favourite character.

Songs

Behind the Scenes

On July 6, 1985, director Baba Azmi kicked off the primary photography for the film. Choreographer Saroj Khan, action director Veeru Devgan, and production designer Bijon Dasgupta were all involved in the making of this film.

In order to film Mogambo's sequences at the R. K. Studio, a large set was constructed. The Sophia College for Women in Mumbai was used as the location for the film's opening sequence, which features a number of governmental officers getting off from heavily armoured vehicles.

It took between 30 and 35 days to complete the scenes in which Sridevi dresses up as Charlie Chaplin's on-screen image The Tramp. Srinagar was the location where the video for the iconic song Kate Nahin Kat Te was shot.

Following a total of 350 days of filming, the project was then edited by Waman Bhonsle and Gurudutt Shirali.

Controversy

Sonam Kapoor lashed out strongly against Ali Abbas Zafar, saying it was insulting that they did not consult or involve the people who originally created the cult classic Mr India in the new adaptation.

Box Office Collection

It was a commercial triumph, and it ended up becoming the highest-grossing film of the year at the Indian box office. The website for the Indian film industry, Box Office India, claimed that the total earnings were ₹100 million, which is equivalent to $7.72 million USD.

When it was released in China in February of 1990, Mr India was a huge financial success at the box office there as well. After taking into account the effects of inflation, the movie earned the equivalent of $19.9 million in 2022, which is ₹1.47 billion.

Awards

The Filmfare Awards presented Sridevi with a Special Award in 2013 in honour of her work in the films Mr India (1987) and Nagina (1986).

Interesting Facts

• The writing team of Salim-Javed finished their collaboration on this movie. Despite the fact that they had already broken apart in the early 1980s, they returned one last time to write the script for this film.

• The character of Mr India was offered to Amitabh Bachchan, who turned it down since he was more interested in politics and wasn't making many films at the time.

• Mogambo was originally going to be played by Anupam Kher, but Shekar Kapur changed his mind and cast Amrish Puri because he wanted a scary-looking actor.

• When Prof. Sinha first starts talking to his students in class, formulas from different areas of science, like maths, chemistry, etc., are written on the wall behind him. Boney's Law of the Time-Space Continuum stands out. The film's producer was Boney Kapoor.

• In it's sequel, Salman Khan was cast as the terrorist who plots to take over India, forcing Mr India's return 23 years later.

Conclusion

Decades after its release, Mr India continues to hold a special place in the hearts of viewers. Its unforgettable characters, memorable dialogues, and enchanting storyline have made it a beloved classic of Indian cinema. It serves as a testament to the creative vision of its director and the talents of its cast and crew.

In the vast world of Bollywood, Mr India shines as a beacon of excellence, reminding us of the power of cinema to entertain, inspire, and leave an indelible mark on our collective imagination. It remains a must-watch for cinephiles and a testament to the magic of Indian cinema.

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