Mr. Natwarlal

Mr Natwarlal review :

A stop gap movie in between the making of Vijay Anand's delayed Ram Balram (1980), producer Tony used the spare dates of Superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha to make a quickie with director Rakesh Kumar and surprisingly, Mr. Natwarlal turned out to be a bigger hit than Ram Balram.

The title was inspired from real life chor Natwarlal but obviously, wasnt his biopic as such. The film was a racy adventure featuring Amitabh as the professional thief who whisks off an expensive necklace and reaches a small village for its delivery. That village is ruled and tormented by his arch enemy Vikram (Amjad Khan) who unleashes a tiger on the hapless gaonwallas to create fear.

Amongst the films highlight scenes count Bachchan's fight with the tiger as well as his first playback song - "Mere Paas aao mere dosto ek kissa suno"- which he narrates to the village kiddos and I invariably rewind it for a rewatch on my DVD. Always. Its a superbly sung and picturised number.

Amitabh's chemistry with Rekha is used to the optimum in this film and the 'Pardesia' number is an ample proof of it. Whenever the two stars appear together, the film just elevates to another level altogether. Amjad Khan as the main villain seems to enjoy his caricaturish role - Vikram who embosses a V on the body of his victim - and plays to the gallery brilliantly. Ajit plays Big Bs brother in a surprising positive role. No Mona Darling for him here!!

Mr. Natwarlal is a classic example of Amitabh Bachchan's star power where he rises above a mediocre script and makes even wrestling with a tiger seem like cakewalk. Well, atleast his audience believe so!!

Regards, Sumeet Nadkarni.