Al Hilal (Judgement of Allah) is a 1935 Urdu/Hindi costume drama film.[1] It was the debut directorial venture of Mehboob Khan.[2] He went on to become "one of the pioneer directors of Indian Cinema".[3] The film is thought to be inspired by Cecil B. DeMille's The Sign of the Cross.[4] The film was produced by Sagar Movietone. The director of photography was Faredoon Irani. The music composer was Pransukh Nayak with lyrics by Munshi Ehsan Lucknavi.[5] It starred Kumar, Indira, Yakub, Sitara Devi, Kayam Ali and Mehboob Khan.[6] The film depicted fictionalised history in the form of a Roman-Arab conflict, with the son of the Ottoman Empire being captured by the Roman army and his escape from them.
| Al Hilal | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Mehboob Khan |
| Written by | Wajahat Mirza |
| Produced by | Sagar Movietone |
| Starring | Kumar Indira Yakub Kayam Ali |
| Cinematography | Faredoon Irani |
| Music by | Pransukh Nayak |
Production company | Sagar Movietone |
Release date | 1935 |
Running time | 158 min |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Plot edit
Set in the Ottoman Empire, it deals with the Caesar's (Pande) army and its skirmishes with the local Muslim rulers. The Sultan's (Asooji) son Ziyad (Kumar) is arrested by the Roman army. The Roman princess Rahil falls in love with him. A Muslim maid Leela (Sitara Devi) and the princess help him escape. Long chase scenes and fights follow, which ultimately lead to success for Ziyad and his people.
Cast edit
- Kumar
- Indira
- Yakub
- Sitara Devi
- Pande
- Mehboob Khan
- Wallace
- Asooji
- Razak
- Kayam Ali
- Azurie
Production edit
Sets were lavish and extensive use of variations made in camera technique like "tight close-ups" and skilfully captured battle scenes. Through the film Mehboob Khan also showed his expertise in the field of editing.[7]
Reception edit
The film was a "commercial success" and Mehboob Khan earned "critical acclaim" as a director. According to Rauf Ahmed Baburao Patel of Filmindia declared after watching the debut direction that "He will go far".[8]
Songs edit
| # | Title |
|---|---|
| 1 | "Ae Mohabbat Tere Hathon Kaisi Ruswai Hui" |
| 2 | "Bekhabar Veh Hain Khabar Kuchh Bhi Nahin" |
| 3 | "Ho Gayi Dil Sadchak" |
| 4 | "Koi Umeed Bar Nahin Aati" |
| 5 | "Lab Pe Naam Jab Aapka Ahmed-E-Mukhtar Aaya" |
| 6 | "Main Toh Khanjar Hun Balma Kataari Nahin" |
| 7 | "Tujhe Dhoondata Tha Main" |
| 8 | "Veerana Dil Kisi Se Basata Na Jaayega" |
| 9 | "Duniya Ke Inquilab Ka Sadma Fazool Hai" |
References edit
- ^ Jonathan Crow (2016). "Judgement-of-Allah - Cast - Showtimes - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Baseline & All Movie Guide. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Film & Television Producers Guild of India – Mehboob Khan Founder Member". filmtvguildindia.org. The Film & Television Producers Guild of India Ltd. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ Abootty (4 April 2014). "Remembering the Pioneer of Indian Cinema". The New Indian Express. Indian Express. Archived from the original on 7 September 2014.
- ^ Ahmed, Rauf (2008). Mehboob Khan The Legends of Indian Cinema Series. India: Wisdom Tree. p. 21. ISBN 9788183281065.
- ^ a b "Judgement of Allah 1935". MuVyz. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ "Al Hilal 1935". citwf.com. Alan Goble. Retrieved 7 September 2014.
- ^ Likhi, Abhilaksh (19 September 1999). "The master of melodrama". The Tribune Sunday Reading. The Tribune. The Tribune Sunday.
- ^ Ahmed, Rauf (2008). Mehboob Khan The Legends of Indian Cinema Series. Delhi, India: Wisdom Tree. p. 23. ISBN 9788183281065.
