Mulu Manek

Mulu Manek
Directed byManhar Raskapur
Written byGunvantrai Acharya (story), Manhar Raskapur (script)
Based onAllabeli play by Gunvantrai Acharya
Starring
CinematographyManek Mehta
Music byIndukumar Parekh
Production
company
Vikram Chitra
Release date
1955
Running time
137 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageGujarati

Mulu Manek is a 1955 Gujarati historical fantasy film directed by Manhar Raskapur from India. The film depicted Mulu Manek, a bandit, fighting the British. The lead roles were played by Shanta Apte and Arvind Pandya. The music was composed by Indukumar.[2]

Plot[edit]

During the British Raj, Okha in Kathiawar region is captured by the British and is ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty. Before and during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, local Wagher chief Mulu Manek becomes a bandit and opposes the Gaekwad and the British. When Mulu's childhood friend Devobha's marriage proposal is rejected by Mulu's sister Devbai, Devobha joins the opposition as a soldier. Devobha has changed his mind following the sacrifice of his mother. Mulu decides to surrender to save his comrades but he is prevented and encouraged by Devobha to fight. Eventually they all die fighting.[2][3]

Cast[edit]

The cast is as follows:[2][1]

Production[edit]

The film was based anti-Imperialist play Allabeli by Gujarati author Gunvantrai Acharya.[2][1] The play was staged by Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) first and was adapted into the film. It was directed by Mahnar Raskapur and produced under the banner of film company Vikram Chitra.[2][4] The film starred Hindi-Marathi singer Shanta Apte which remained her only Gujarati film.[2]

Music[edit]

The music was composed by Indukumar Parekh while the lyrics were written by Karsandas Manek.[2]

Track list
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Mane Eja Samajatu Nathi"Madhubala Javeri3:39
2."Na Chhadia Hathiyaar"Madhubala Javeri3:42

Legacy[edit]

The film became the first among the series of similar genre films by Raskapur; all featuring the opposition to the British such as Kadu Makrani (1960).[2] The film was remade in 1977 in Gujarati by Manibhai Vyas.[2]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Goble, Alan (8 September 2011). The Complete Index to Literary Sources in Film. Walter de Gruyter. pp. 2, 877. ISBN 978-3-11-095194-3. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1999). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema (Revised ed.). Routledge. pp. 197, 342. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7.
  3. ^ Baradi, Hasmukh (1 January 2001). "અલ્લાબેલી". Gujarati Vishwakosh (in Gujarati). Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
  4. ^ Gokulsing, K. Moti; Dissanayake, Wimal (17 April 2013). Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas. Routledge. p. 92. ISBN 978-1-136-77284-9. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.

External links[edit]