Old is gold here. Tight script, well-defined plot line, a multi-star cast handpicked to play well-etched characters, understated romances, action well-balanced with situational song-and dance routines. The movie has it all.
Amitabh is the lead protagonist, the seething introvert who is atoning for a past act of cowardice, by constantly striving to be useful to his fellowmen. Shashi is the flamboyant extrovert with the proverbial heart of gold. What unites them is their quest to protect the lives of the 400 mine workers being exploited by the stereotypically evil and capitalist to the core Prem Chopra. Throw a rustic runaway convict Shatru, who believes in picking a fight with Amitabh at the drop of a hat, and the conflicts add up.
Neetu Singh as the village belle, assigned to play the lead in all song and dance sequences, provides the glamour quotient and also the love interest for the rustic Shatru. The romantic undercurrents between the other two lead pairs are more subtle and shown to develop gradually. Parveen and Shashi are the urban sophisticates, whose easy camaraderie as ex college friends turns into a smoldering attraction. (This movie was made more than 40 years back so we don't see them in bed even though they are told to be living together.) Raakhee plays a mellow doctor who succeeds in building a deep relationship that transcends romance, with the introverted Amitabh, the high point being his willingness to share with her his deep secret of shame.
Kaala Patthar stands out for its polish within the mainstream framework. The climax is well shot though fairly predictable. The fight scenes are well executed and realistic. Even the minor characters show common sense instead of blindly giving into herd instinct - with some folks 'choosing' to follow the protagonists' plan and some others picking the opposite side, in the pre-climax scene. Neither Amitabh nor Rakhee is made to sing any song, adding gravitas to their intended characters. Parikshit Sahni is used for this purpose instead, as he breaks into songs that aptly micro their feelings and the progression of their relationship. A fine film ahead of its time.
Amitabh is the lead protagonist, the seething introvert who is atoning for a past act of cowardice, by constantly striving to be useful to his fellowmen. Shashi is the flamboyant extrovert with the proverbial heart of gold. What unites them is their quest to protect the lives of the 400 mine workers being exploited by the stereotypically evil and capitalist to the core Prem Chopra. Throw a rustic runaway convict Shatru, who believes in picking a fight with Amitabh at the drop of a hat, and the conflicts add up.
Neetu Singh as the village belle, assigned to play the lead in all song and dance sequences, provides the glamour quotient and also the love interest for the rustic Shatru. The romantic undercurrents between the other two lead pairs are more subtle and shown to develop gradually. Parveen and Shashi are the urban sophisticates, whose easy camaraderie as ex college friends turns into a smoldering attraction. (This movie was made more than 40 years back so we don't see them in bed even though they are told to be living together.) Raakhee plays a mellow doctor who succeeds in building a deep relationship that transcends romance, with the introverted Amitabh, the high point being his willingness to share with her his deep secret of shame.
Kaala Patthar stands out for its polish within the mainstream framework. The climax is well shot though fairly predictable. The fight scenes are well executed and realistic. Even the minor characters show common sense instead of blindly giving into herd instinct - with some folks 'choosing' to follow the protagonists' plan and some others picking the opposite side, in the pre-climax scene. Neither Amitabh nor Rakhee is made to sing any song, adding gravitas to their intended characters. Parikshit Sahni is used for this purpose instead, as he breaks into songs that aptly micro their feelings and the progression of their relationship. A fine film ahead of its time.