Mother India (Bharat Mata) - Restored Print
Directed by Mehboob Khan
1957
180 minutes
(Hindi with English Subtitles)

Starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt,
Raaj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar

Mother India, the cornerstone of Indian commercial cinema, described by Salman Rushdie in 'The Moor's Last Sigh' as "the all-conquering movie Mother India (one of the) mega-grossing Bollywood flicks". Almost constantly in distribution in India since the fifties, this remarkable film is a powerful emotional journey through the tragedy and joy of rural life in a country in transition.

1950's Bollywood queen, Nargis, stars as Radha, the quintessential earth-mother, standing knee-deep in fertile soil, imploring the villagers not to abandon their land. After her husband is maimed in a horrific accident, Radha raises her children alone, under threat of financial ruin and sexual advances from the moneylender. Years pass and one son becomes committed to vengence. Radha, caught between her son and the honour of her community, is faced with the most painful decision of any mother's life…

From Sholay (1974) to Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham (2001) Bollywood films owe a debt to Mother India. Current mainstream hits Asoka, Monsoon Wedding and Moulin Rouge are proving that Bollywood-influenced cinema has an appeal far beyond South Asia and will be hitting the headlines for a long time to come. Carrying a message of hope and unity, Hindi musicals offer the kind of irresistible escapism once supplied by Hollywood. Despite her suffering in Mother India, Radha's struggles against terrible odds are heroic, the song sequences are spectacular, the locations breathtaking and the narrative driven by epic passion. Nominated for an Oscar in 1958, Mehboob Khan's masterpiece is beautifully shot on Gevacolor and then transferred onto Technicolor stock and the vivid colours shine through action, romance and sorrow.

For many, Mother India is a much-loved favourite; for followers of world cinema it is essential viewing and becoming acquainted with superstar Nargis will be a real pleasure for audiences newly seduced by the flair and passion of Bollywood at its best.