SYNOPSICS
Simhasan (1979) is a Marathi movie. Jabbar Patel has directed this movie. Mohan Agashe,Suresh Bhagwat,Datta Bhatt,Satish Dubhashi are the starring of this movie. It was released in 1979. Simhasan (1979) is considered one of the best Crime,Drama movie in India and around the world.
When Chief Minister of Maharashtra gets an anonymous call to warn him against possible rebellion in his party, all is not well. The current government is being questioned by opposition on a lot of issues such as health, education but the most important being the situation of drought. Finance Minister Vishwasrao wants to fall out of current government has an ambition to become CM but he is not the only one. There are others like Manikrao and Daulatrao who nurture the same aspirations. The CM has to foil this plan. At any cost. Intriguing tale of Machiavellian politics that's devoid of any values.
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Simhasan (1979) Reviews
Hard-hitting tale of political corruption
Simhasan ("throne") was a gem of a movie set in the seventies in Maharashtra, against the backdrop of a political struggle for Chief Ministership. The story is told through the eyes of a journalist who witnesses the now-cliche nexus between politicians and criminals. The black-and-white treatment made the realism even more believable. The dialog was also very realistic: famous line: aamchya maage adusashta ahet, adusashta -- sixty-eight!
A must see: regional Indian classic
Over the period of last 12 years, whenever I wanted to compare the acts between top actors in India, I always viewed this film. There are so many amazing incidents shot for this film which can still be related to the current political situation in India (at least in Maharashtra). The script by Tendulkar is a gem, so is the base written by Sadhu. If you want to have a look at this film with a political mindset, please read some history of Maharashtra politics from 60s and 70s. Also, try to watch some documentaries regarding the drought conditions in Maharashtra during that time. The kind of corruption and arrogant politics was played that time is brilliantly reflected in the film. This was the same time when leftist became some what stronger in Maharashtra and the rise of shiv sena was on the page. The importance of free journalism and its political handling is shown in a pun way, which is very well presented. Technology changed, so did people but the Maharashtra govt and politicians are still act the way Jabbar Patel could portray them in the movie. Artistic way: acting is top notch, not a single exception. I think, Patel made sure to have as many takes as it take to get a satisfactory outcome. Lagu, Dubhashi, Sarpotdar, Phule, Toradmal and almost all other top theater personalities from that era were so natural in their acting that I have not seen such a character personification from no other movie. Director might have released this movie as a fiction but i think the actors also knew that this is a non- fiction and they studied the character of the politicians/union leaders/reports they are portraying. I just wished they could have shown some visual activity from Delhi, but I think it was emergency era or just after that and wanted to remain on a safer side from strong hand of central politicians (at least for censor clearance). The script and dialog writing is one of the most important part of this movie. Nowhere in the movie you feel academic language or pune-based Marathi language taking over the movie. The justice has been done to most of the regional characters including the situation there. Dialogue of Dubhashi: "Tumha aristocratic porinna..." well, a kinda universal generalization at its best... some of the monologues are pretty superior in every way.
All time classic
The movie movie offers the best story and brilliant actors. This is one of my all time favorite. The story revolves around Indian politics and its effect on common man.
Gripping realistic tale of 1980s politics in Maharashtra as well as India
As pointed out by another reviewer, it really is a gem of a movie. While Bollywood was waking up to the genre of hard-hitting political films, this film comes out trumping all of them, as well as the rest of the Marathi movies. The cinematography, music, dialogues and the closely-knit story having an array of strong realistic characters, portrayed by the most gifted Marathi actors who were fledglings at that time-Mohan Agashe, Nana Patekar and some others as well as the senior ones-Arun Naik, Dr. Shreeram Lagoo complete this compelling and tragic portrayal of the political scenario. It amazes me how the film entrains so many themes-coalition governments and resulting instability, trade union strikes, new- found socialism for governments of the day, the degrading morality among people, dalit atrocities, urbanisation problems faced in Mumbai, etc. and still manages to spin a truly moving tale. This movie is a must-watch for anyone who intends to understand India and its political equations.