Shashi Kapoor as the youngest son of Prithiviraj Kapoor not only inherited the striking looks of his father but also shared similar ideology related with Cinema and Theater, wherein Theater remained their first love fovever. In fact Kapoor admitted it in an interview that he actually wasn’t interested in movies at that particular point of time. But its only when the Prithvi was closing down that he came into movies establishing himself as a successful leading hero as his brothers. A few years later, he only resurrected Prithvi Theaters in the late 70s along with his wife Jennifer, and the organization is still keeping the legacy alive even today, well managed by his talented kids.
So this is one of those rare icons of Hindi film industry who successfully ventured into the mainstream Hindi Cinema, actively participated in the theater movement and also became one of the first internationally known and appreciated Indian stars playing the lead in a number of western projects. Forming a friendly relationship with Merchant Ivory Productions, Kapoor fetatured in many of their projects including THE HOUSEHOLDER (1963), SHAKESHPEARE-WALLAH (1965), BOMBAY TALKIE (1970), HEAT AND DUST (1983), THE DECEIVERS (1988) and more along with a reputed yet controversial, international film titled SIDDHARTHA (1972).
However, here I wish to write about IN CUSTODY/ MUHAFIZ (Urdu/Hindi/1993) in particular. As this is the one film that can easily be rated as something entirely different and far ahead than any of the international projects mentioned above, being more Indian and real in terms of presentation, characterization, language, music and trauma felt by the legendary Urdu poet struggling in their final years.
To be honest, Merchant Ivory Productions was always known for a specific kind of cinema, especially when it portrayed India, its people and the famous cultural heritage. But MUHAFIZ (IN CUSTODY) is a film which clearly stands out from its notable repertoire and is probably the most real, harsh and purposeful film made by the renowned production house on an Indian theme. Directed by Ismail Merchant (his debut venture), it’s an adaptation of Anita Desai’s novel with the same title and revolves around the fictional account of a few weeks relationship between a reputed poet and his sincere learned fan, who wishes to record his live interview for a magazine.
MUHAFIZ is also a significant film deserving much more appreciation from the people in particular, as it is one of those rare projects focusing on Urdu poetry, its eminent poets, India’s adorable Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb and the dying state of the language in the present scenario receiving a visibly biased step-treatment. The narration becomes comical as well as satirical at times subtly giving the important message of how we treat our stalwarts in their final years. At the same time many entertaining twists keep you thoroughly engaged with an excellent use of melodious music, ghazals, couplets and the local lingo. The cinematography and art-direction give an immensely likable, poetic feel to the film choosing the perfect locations, frames and colours creating the right mood that eventually contributes a lot in an effective, emotional tragedy.
Featuring an extraordinary cast ensemble, MUHAFIZ has Shashi Kapoor effortlessly enacting the dying poet fighting hard with his obese ailing body and two nagging wives in their old house in Bhopal. Om Puri - as a fan professor trying to record his interview, Shabana Azmi - as the poet’s second wife who herself wishes to be a poet and an exceptional supporting cast including Sushma Seth, Neena Gupta, Tinnu Anand, Parikshit Sahni, Virender Saxena, Prayag Raj and more. The poetry used in the film is of the well-known Urdu poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and the rich soundtrack is composed by Ustad Zakir Hussain and Ustad Sultan Khan.
The script has many interesting as well as entertaining sequences to keep you hooked, wherein the poet has his daily sessions of poetry, food and rum with his opportunist, mean followers. The excited professor tries his best to record the interview, bribing the poet’s elder wife, without getting any concrete results in hand. His assistant fails to run the old tape recorder properly, missing many important moments with the poet. And then the known personality eventually dies without giving any detailed interview but leaves his all unpublished work for the professor as his farewell gift.
Ismail gives a poetic feel to the movie with an excellent use of well composed music, ghazals, meaningful couplets and realistic tone throughout. He takes good care of its authentic frames and skillfully captures the theme in a pensive mood. Basically pointing towards the dying art of Urdu poetry and its proper understanding, the film uses many symbolic insertions in its presentation. For instance the decaying house represents the poet’s deteriorating health, his two wives and the old lady speaks for the feminine angle in the story, his opportunist friends represent the unemployed youth taking advantage of the poet’s hunger of recognition, the college staff denotes the way Urdu language is looked upon in the changing times. And then in its final scene, the demolition of a building in the backdrop of professor holding the unpublished works of the dead poet, indicates towards the unfortunate end of an era, which will soon be left in only books to be later studied by the coming generations.
Also, the film comes up with another thoughtful representation of the hard truth that often great artists die with a similar hidden frustration and lack of love or warmth in their final days.
To sum up in a few words, if you haven’t seen IN CUSTODY/MUHAFIZ yet, then do watch it at the earliest as this is one of those precious films reminding you of the value of our traditional languages and the culture of a multi-lingual India. Moreover the film can also be referred as the most befitting tribute to the legendary artist, Shashi Kapoor - who successfully ventured into mainstream movies, meaningful cinema and the theater altogether like a true visionary.
Directed By Ismail Merchant
Written by Anita Desai (novel)& Shahrukh Husain (script)
Starring : Shashi Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri and more.
(Note: The article in edited form was also published on UC-News Mobile App in December 2017)
