Amrit Manthan is a 1934 Indian Hindi language costume drama film directed by V. Shantaram for his Prabhat Film Company. The film was produced simultaneously in Hindi and Marathi. The film starred Chandra Mohan, Nalini Tarkhad, Shanta Apte, G. R. Mane, Varde and Kelkar. The film was based on Narayan Hari Apte's novel Bhagyashree. The Hindi translation was done by Veer Mohammed Puri, who also wrote the lyrics for the film. The story involves a reformist king who bans human and animal sacrifices, and a fanatical head priest who is willing to cut off his own head for a perfect sacrifice.
Plot
The story is about a reformist king Kantivarma, who bans the sacrifice of animals and humans. This angers the fanatical Rajguru, head priest of the Chandika cult. The cult meets secretly and the head priest orders the killing of the king. Yashodharma is chosen and though he hesitates, the priest orders him to do so. Yashodharma writes a note for his son before leaving that night, telling him of the deed planned by the Rajguru. After the King is killed, Yashodharma is betrayed by the Rajguru in court and is ordered to be killed. Yashodharma's two children, Madhavgupt and Sumitra, are on the run, but Madhav is caught and the letter is found on him by one of Rajguru's men. Sumitra is taken prisoner and Rani Mohini, who succeeds to the throne after her father's death is asked to have Madhav sacrificed in the temple by the Rajguru. There is a storm and Mohini and Madhav escape to the forest. Madhav later goes in search of his sister. Vishwasgupt, a trusted minister tells Mohini and the people of Avanti about Rajguru being the real killer. The temple is thronged by townspeople demanding justice and the Rajguru with his obsessive belief in sacrifices, offers himself to the goddess and cuts off his own head as a final sacrifice.
V. Shantaram having studied new techniques in film making in Germany, made use of them during the making of Amrit Manthan. He kept the camera at a low angle with a circular track movement and made effective use of light and shade, particularly at the start of the film when the cult meets. It was the first film to be produced at the Prabhat film company's new sound-proof studio and under the art direction of Fattelal, spectacular sets were put up. Through the film, V. Shantaram used "reformist tradition in Hinduism" to revoke the practice of sacrifices at festivals and prayers. V. Shantram, who had presented Durga Khote to films now introduced Chandra Mohan in his debut role as the High Priest in Amrit Manthan. Chandra Mohan went on to be counted as one of the top actors of the Indian screen. The film was the first to have a run of twenty-five weeks at a theatre.
Music
The music direction was by Keshavrao Bhole and lyrics were written by Veer Mohammed Puri. The first Hindi film ghazal "Kamsini Mein Dil Pe Gham Ka" was rendered in the film by Shanta Apte.
Songs
Famous scenes
Amrut Manthan contains several famous scenes, including the twice-told legend of the churning of the seas. This legend is told once by the priest to show how evil must be exorcised, and then told again by a good General to show how demons often appear disguised as gods. The film's strong political thrust provoked strong reactions among critics and viewers.
