A lawyer holds the eyewitness evidence to catch a killer, but the identified criminal is the lawyer's own mentor, prospective father-in-law, and also the judge who presides over the case.A lawyer holds the eyewitness evidence to catch a killer, but the identified criminal is the lawyer's own mentor, prospective father-in-law, and also the judge who presides over the case.A lawyer holds the eyewitness evidence to catch a killer, but the identified criminal is the lawyer's own mentor, prospective father-in-law, and also the judge who presides over the case.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 2 wins & 2 nominations total
Rajendra Kumar Tuli
- Advocate Kailash Khanna
- (as Rajendra Kumar)
Nanda Karnataki
- Meena Prasad
- (as Nanda)
Shashikala Jawalkar
- Murder's Girl Friend
- (as Shashikala)
Jeevan Dhar
- Kalidas
- (as Jeevan)
Tina Misquitta
- The girl at dance club
- (as Tina Katkar)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
This movie is by far superior than normal bollywood movies. Very tight script, Good pace and top class acting by Ashok Kumar.
It is hard to believe in 1960s when songs were mandatory part of movies this was made without any song.
Like a good European movie this movie doesn't divert from the main plot.
Very good, excellent movie.
It is hard to believe in 1960s when songs were mandatory part of movies this was made without any song.
Like a good European movie this movie doesn't divert from the main plot.
Very good, excellent movie.
While most of the '60s movies are known for their songs, "Kanoon" is a film revered for its story. Devoid of any songs, it emanates a court room drama which keeps one to the edge of their seats. The beginning itself sets the mood raising an issue on the judicial system which under false evidences and witnesses sends the innocents to the gallows. The theme is exemplified by its jaw-dropping plot with a thrill to the last minute, often achieved in the Hitchcock thrillers. Just forget Mehmood's slapstick comedy, there is much of conviction delivered through the impeccable performances from Ashok Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, and Nana Palsikar, for which he was rewarded the Filmfare Awards for the Best Supporting Actor. Overall, "Kanoon" is a taut classic, which should be remembered for its story. Later, B.R Chopra came with "Ittefaq," but "Kanoon" still is a gem.
Rating: 3 stars out of 4
Rating: 3 stars out of 4
I watched this movie in 2021, and it was a surprise for me. The movie is exceptionally well made. Top class acting of great actors especially Ashok Kumar. Please watch this movie.
Kanoon (1960) :
Brief Review -
BR Chopra's pathbreaking courtroom drama might never be matched by anyone in Indian cinema. It is a proud thing for me to say that a year before Stanley Kramer made a pathbreaking courtroom drama like "Judgement at Nuremberg," Indian cinema made Kanoon. Interestingly, both films are about the same topics-the sanity and morality of "justice." However, Kanoon races ahead because it adds a sentimental touch to human relations. How many courtroom dramas have the judge as a culprit? This is perhaps the most unique conflict ever seen in courtroom drama. Witness for Prosecution was so unique with the witness being the main culprit. Now just imagine how unique Kanoon is when you know that the judge who is going to declare the verdict and send someone to death is himself the culprit. Talking about human emotions, it's his own future son-in-law who is giving testimony against him. His own educated and sensible daughter is giving fake testimony on the witness stand to save her future husband. The alleged killer himself admits being the real killer and betrays an honest lawyer who is fighting against his loved ones to prove this unknown man's innocence. When you think that this investigation has found a killer and everything's going to end on a sad note with a lecture on "justice," you have a big twist that destroys the entire narrative built so far. The film raises questions about judges, lawyers, witnesses, testimonies, juries, and the sentences passed by the court. I don't really think any film has been so damaging to the courtroom proceedings so far. Chopra's visionary classic is powered by the strong performances of Rajendra Kumar, Ashok Kumar, and Nanda. Kanoon has no songs (the only second Bollywood film by that time to have no songs). Storyline, screenplay, acting, direction, and impact-Kanoon hits all of them on a different level.
RATING - 8/10*
By - #samthebestest.
BR Chopra's pathbreaking courtroom drama might never be matched by anyone in Indian cinema. It is a proud thing for me to say that a year before Stanley Kramer made a pathbreaking courtroom drama like "Judgement at Nuremberg," Indian cinema made Kanoon. Interestingly, both films are about the same topics-the sanity and morality of "justice." However, Kanoon races ahead because it adds a sentimental touch to human relations. How many courtroom dramas have the judge as a culprit? This is perhaps the most unique conflict ever seen in courtroom drama. Witness for Prosecution was so unique with the witness being the main culprit. Now just imagine how unique Kanoon is when you know that the judge who is going to declare the verdict and send someone to death is himself the culprit. Talking about human emotions, it's his own future son-in-law who is giving testimony against him. His own educated and sensible daughter is giving fake testimony on the witness stand to save her future husband. The alleged killer himself admits being the real killer and betrays an honest lawyer who is fighting against his loved ones to prove this unknown man's innocence. When you think that this investigation has found a killer and everything's going to end on a sad note with a lecture on "justice," you have a big twist that destroys the entire narrative built so far. The film raises questions about judges, lawyers, witnesses, testimonies, juries, and the sentences passed by the court. I don't really think any film has been so damaging to the courtroom proceedings so far. Chopra's visionary classic is powered by the strong performances of Rajendra Kumar, Ashok Kumar, and Nanda. Kanoon has no songs (the only second Bollywood film by that time to have no songs). Storyline, screenplay, acting, direction, and impact-Kanoon hits all of them on a different level.
RATING - 8/10*
By - #samthebestest.
No-nonsense murder mystery. After a long time I saw such movie with very good plot, need more such no-nonsense movies.
B.R Chopra was great director, I am going to search up all his movies to find such hidden gems.
Did you know
- TriviaThis film was made after director B.R. Chopra attended a German film festival, where he was told that all Indian movies contained "nothing but songs." He took that as a challenge. This film contains no songs.
- How long is Kanoon?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- The Law
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 2h 30m(150 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
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