SHYAM BENEGAL
Shyam benegal, one name in the Indian film industry who achieved the heights which very few film-makers can imagine. Popular Indian cinema always tries to give different names to meaningful cinema. It was called parallel cinema in the times of Shyam Benegal, now it is called DARK in the era of Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerji and others in the same league. “Art movies”, this term sounds like an abuse and sends this hidden message that these kind of movies do not deserve a commercial success. The fact is that there are only two kinds of cinema, one is intelligent and other is stupid. Though, there could be many sub-categories into them like highly intelligent or most stupid.
Well , before I get distracted completely, I should come to the point. This post is about the movie “Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda” a highly intelligent movie by Shyam Bengal where one of the best actor in Indian cinema “Rajit Kapur” played the lead role. Suraj ka Satwan Ghoda is based on a novel of the same name written by the prestigious scholar of Hindi literature ‘Dharamvir Bharati’ ji.
This is the story of unfulfilled love of Manek Mulla ( played by Rajit Kapur), a genius who is a source of inspiration and knowledge to his fellow companions. All his life, he is searching for the meaning of love in his own life and life of others but unfortunately this search ends in a black hole. A black hole of social restrictions, economic compulsions, pressure from peers and a life of compromises. This movie transports you in a real world of the real characters of real circumstances. Most of the time, circumstances are playing the real villain, mostly out of the control.
Director Shyam Benegal deserves highest honor, specially for this movie ( he already got all of them ) because his treatment to this story is rather brilliant. Dharamvir Bharati’s novel already has a high reputation for its unique narration and treatment of characters. Touching a subject like that and making a movie on it is no lesser than any challenge. But , Shyam Benegal not only accepts the challenge but sometimes seems on an undeclared war to outdo the novel with his technical brilliance and mastery on the medium called cinema.
Manek Mulla ( Rajit Kapur) who narrates the story of three leading ladies of the movie is an observer, as well as a participant in the stories. He is a detached man, has complete control on his emotions, more like a silent observer. And, how brilliantly Rajit Kapur played this complex character. He is just superb!!!
Jamuna (Rajeshwari Sachdev) is a free spirited girl who believes in fairy- tale love- stories but she had to face the harsh realities of life. Because of social and economic compulsions and more than that, the lack of courage of her love ( Tanna) to rise above his circumstances, she had to marry a man much older than her age but she never gives up and finally finds the new meaning of her life with her own means.
Tanna is the regular good guy in a bad bad world. He has a dominating father Maheshwar Dalaal ( played brilliantly by Amrish Puri) who is also a womanizer. Tanna never changes himself and his world gets from bad to worst and finally Tanna gives up. Well , he gets what he deserves! What more you can expect from a man who can not stand for himself. Perhaps, losing legs was just a metaphor before he dies.
Lilly (Pallavi Joshi) is another love interest of Manek Mulla who also gets married to a boy not of his choice, again because of social and economic compulsions and she finally leaves her husband ( Tanna).
The story is so brilliantly woven that every character seems to connected with other in not one but from many angles. It looks like a game where one can not live without affecting others. The movie has seven distinctly different stories and in all these stories, same characters come in and play their roles without changing their characteristics. Brilliant! The more I think about the movie, the more I get immersed into it. I am overwhelmed, completely mesmerized and amazed. Why don’t we see more movies like that?
Neena Gupta
Third love interest of Manek Mulla is Satti ( Played by Neena Gupta), a girl of lower cast who works for a man who owns a small soap factory. When the girl needed Manek’s protection and support most, he betrayed her and left her in the hand of a person who already raped her once. Again Maheshwar Dalaal (Amrish Puri) plays a villain. Maheshwar Dalaal exists in all these stories and plays a villain in one way or other. Or, I should say only in one way, his weakness for women was the cause of miseries in the life of all the characters in the movie.
You will be amazed to see the editing and observation of technical details in the movie. There are many scenes which are repeated from the different angles which gives you feeling that all stories are interconnected , yet separated. Wow! Magic!……….!!!
The end of the movie is unexpected, horrible and literally dark! The bright and genius Manek Mulla with complete control on his emotions who played only an observer or narrator until now, suddenly meets his past in the form of Satti, the girl whom he betrayed. This time he couldn’t control his emotions and for the first time he stops moving forward. He leaves his journey, leaves his friends , starts following his past and finally became disappeared. Manek Mulla who had talent to make instant stories on the objects he saw, was an inspiration and guide for Shyam ( played by Raghubir Yadav) who was not as bright as his friends but ended up becoming a famous writer.
Raghubir Yadav
Now the question is why the movie and novel is given this title ” Suraj ka Satwan Ghoda”? Can’t say for sure! In fact , if you observe the story minutely , there are many characters who rose above their circumstances. May be, the writer was thinking about them when he was giving the book this title.
I still feel that more than a love story of Maanek Mulla, it was the story of lost friends who inspire us, teach us and help us to make our personality on the cups of tea in a corner of small city. The unforgettable days….
And now if you are confused after reading this blog , don’t blame me. I am not a genius like Dharamvir Bharati or Shyam benegal. But, if you really want to experience the meaning of cinema, don’t miss ” Suraj ka Satwan Ghoda”.
Long live Cine-Maa!
Amen!
32 Comments
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ram says:
Yes this movie is outstanding..it also requires a stage in life to understand..it is not a movie i got when i was 18 but at 38 having lived life more, the layers of the movie speaks to me. The ability to take time and transform it the way Shyam babu has is quite something..
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ROUSHAN says:Shyam Bengal has been the greatest directors of all times. Suraj ka Saatwa ghoda is a milestone work of his. What ideas directors are developing today from the realities, Shyam Benegal did this when the country had a different social makeup.
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Rahul Katyayan says:
Very true! There is long list of classics made by him. I really admire his courage and conviction.
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Very true! Movies like these stays with you even when you do not understand them completely. And, in later stages of life, meaning becomes more clear.
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crazyrals says:@rahul: well written..
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the explanation for title is given by manek. he says that the chariot of the sun god [surya] is pulled by 7 horses. 6 of the horses just follow the set path, but its the 7th horse which actually possesses the power to change the course. the 7th horse depicts ambition, intuition, decision making ability, adventurer, creative and non-conformist. the 7th horse is always wayward because of its inherent non-conformist nature and hence it can change the direction of the chariot while the 6 others follow.
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coming to this brilliant movie, the title is ironical. every character had a shot at becoming the 7th horse, to change the course of their lives, but none of them did. as u have stated, all of them compromised and lived life as it came and were akin to the 6 horses that just goes on with its existence. in the penultimate sequence where manek disappears, that seems to be his last chance at becoming the 7th horse and following his heart. hence, the camera did not follow him. manek probably did find his love interest and lived happily everafter, in some corner of the world; or maybe not. but at least he gave it a shot by following ‘satti’. there could have been no better ending to the story.UN:F [1.9.7_1111]Rating: +6 (from 6 votes)-
dazedandconfused says:thanks for the explanation crazyrals…i wish the maker had included this thought in the movie somewhere…it wouldn’t have been very difficult…!
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@dazedandconfused Actually, this is one explanation, there could be many! Writer and director leave it to the viewers to run their own horses of imagination to reach on the conclusion.
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Fan says:
Just recently saw this film- for 2 reasons- firstly Shyam Benegal- and secondly this intriguing title.
I was quite lost on what was the movie trying to say with so many parallel stories that are told in a sequence – each time from some new character’s perspective.
I was quite lost- till i read your interpretation on the 6 horses and the 7th horse. thanks for this explanation, that makes sense in itself- and also the different stories of within the film fall right into place.
thanks.UN:F [1.9.7_1111]Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
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This is remarkable piece of work and the way he has played with time and synchronicity
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that’s the most amazing part, actually( time and synchronicity) !
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Kanika says:
@ram I totally agree.
This is an example of intelligent Cinema with full of mystery which makes it very interesting. People can understand it only after they reach on a certain maturity level. But yes, It has power to get you in it’s grip at every stage weather you are mature or not. Without understanding the movie’s true meaning, you can still love it, it’s magic of Shyam Ji
Kanika
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@crazyrals Thanks for sharing your wonderful interpretation. It seems very logical! Though, I have some entirely different point- of- view in my mind. The beauty of classics like “Suraj ka Satvan Ghoda” is that they have so many layers that you can not say anything for sure and everybody can have their own interpretation.
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hi rahul,
let’s hear your interpretation.
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@Fan, my interpretation! Well, according to me Manek Mulla is not the seventh horse. Though he was a genius, intense and brightest among all his friends ( and Rajit Kapur made us fall in love with this character), still he was very selfish, insensitive and irritatingly in- complete- control- of- his- emotions, except in the last scene when he started following Satti. I could hardly believe that he could ever live happily with Satti in a society where it was difficult for even Jamuna and Tanna to get married. If you see the movie, you realize that he washed his hands and feet after meeting Satte for first time.Yes, the society is more open now but things are not much changed on social level if you are not in metros. Jamuna, Tanna, Lilly and Satti are not very special and out of world characters, they are people from the real life and we meet and talk these kind of people on daily basis. There are many stories of love, betrayal and infidelity which born and die daily among us in this chaos of life. But Maanek was an intelligent observer who had ability to pick them from the life. But ironically , Maanek himself is a story who in last scene leaves his role of a story -teller and enters into in the depth of some other untold story.
The seventh horse is the one who is responsible to continue the journey and to bring the light of knowledge finally to the people. Shyam ( played by Raghubir Yadav) , one friend of Maanek was not even confident to tell his mind among other friends. In the movie, he always tries to meet Maanek when other friends are not around and tells him his vision. His other friends were much brighter than Shyam. They used to discuss Karl Marx and other philosophies but Shyam was touched by Maanek’s stories on human level. He was not an intellectual but was more sensitive. We would have never been able to know the story of Jamuna, Tanna, Lilly, Satte, Maheshwar Dalaal and others if Shyam would not have brought those stories to us, the lesser intelligent person among his friends. According to Shyam , Maanek became disappeared after they had their last tea on that tea-stall ( Was Manek the first Horse?) .
According to me Shyam is the seventh horse.
This story is more like a tribute of a successful man to his lost friends who inspires him to reach a certain mental level, to enhance his vision and confidence on the cups of tea at a tea-stall in some small city.
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@ram I totally agree.
This is an example of intelligent Cinema with full of mystery which makes it very interesting. People can understand it only after they reach on a certain maturity level. But yes, It has power to get you in it’s grip at every stage weather you are mature or not. Without understanding the movie’s true meaning, you can still love it. It’s magic of Shyam Ji
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Nauman says:
I saw this movie first time on DD around 1993-94. The shooting of movie was reportedly over within 20 days flat!!!
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Rasik says:There’s only one scene which I had seen of this movie which I guess is the last scene, and man was Rajit Kapur impressive in that! Awesome actor! Have you seen the short film ‘The Bath’?
I saw the play Me, Kash and Cruise…Rajit Kapur was awesome in that as well…
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No, I haven’t seen the short film “Bath” and the play! Will try to see now. I got a chance to meet Rajit Kapur once in St Andrews Theater, Bandra when I went to see the play “I am not Bajirao”. He was in the ticket counter, distributing tickets
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Preet says:
True. The movie is a masterpiece. Way ahead of it’s times. I could hardly imagine anyone else playing the lead than ‘Rajit Kapoor’. Also, who could forget the beautiful song sung by Udit Narayan – Yeh shaamein, sab ki sab shaamein kya inka koi arth nahin…
Simply amazing work by Shyam Benegal. He has always been above and beyond any comparison as well as genre.
Good that this movie is being mentioned again. Reminded me of watching it one more time, though with a different outlook towards life that it depicts.
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@Preet true! Its indeed a classic and Shyam ji is beyond comparison.The other day, I was watching Raajneeti, an adaptation of Mahabharat. It stands nowhere when compared to Kalyug by Shyam ji.
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Adithyajones says:
As per novel(which I read recently,english translation published by national book trust),the seventh horse represents the horse of future,the children of Tanna,Jamuna and Satti,whose life will be better in a society not having divisions…
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@Adithyajones This could be the most appropriate interpretation.
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ANINDYA says:
A brilliant movie!!I still remember when I first saw it on doordarshan in the early nineties,I was amazed and immediately wanted to watch it again…Watched it over and over again…still find it amazing..Its like reading a novel.Entire cast performed well and amrishji…miss you so much nowadays..
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@ANINDYA Doodarshan was one of the producer too! And yes, one of the best performance of Amrish ji! You immediately start hating him.
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ahmad raza says:it definitely is one of the best movies made in India!! It has that novel-like feel to it…ek kitaab ki tarah khulti hai aur barasti hai.true to the book, in essence as well.
I think the 7th horse signifies hope more than anything else.
The devdas effect on Indian society played out really well in the first half, and in the second half, the cure to devdas.UN:F [1.9.7_1111]Rating: +1 (from 1 vote) -
@ahmad Devdas syndrome is still very prevalent. After Dev D, we might need a fresh take on classics like Suraj Ka Satwan Ghoda.
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Akash says:
Just saw the movie – bcoz I saw this post. But I had just seen the post… read it only now after watching the movie. I must say the movie, the post and some comments above are really great.
Initially I found the movie dull, but gradually got sucked into it… and the ending was just awesome.
And I found that particular dialog very paradoxical – Technique kise chahiye? Us lekhak ko jise kuch kehna hi nahi hai”. I found it paradoxical because the narrative of this movie uses a brilliant technique of saying it through different characters’ story and beautifully interweaving them.
So now I am just curious to know if the original novel has the same narrative style or was the narrative style used by Shyam Benegal for the screenplay? Either way its brilliant… but just want to know who should get the credit
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@Akash, Obviously, this movie leaves you curious with so many unanswered questions!I have seen it three times within a span of 10 days and more I see the movie, more I get sucked into it. Discover more each time! Hats off!!! And now, I myself is looking forward to read the original novel
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I am going to forward your review to Shyam babu..he will like reading it
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@ram Thanks
Please also convey the message that we are great fans of him and thanks for giving us these wonderful movies!UA:F [1.9.7_1111
Link for the original post published @ passionforcinema.com http://passionforcinema.com/suraj-ka-satvan-ghoda-a-timeless-classic-by-shyam-benegal/
Rahul Katyayan . com
Because, one can not stop to exist 
Rajeshwar k said
Pure movie magic of highest level..
Could have never read the novel while Benegal sir made it a movie..very thankful to both..each directorial work of his is a masterpiece which can be enjoyed all the more as life matures..technique of story telling in this movie is especially fresh n engaging till the last minute..must watch for quality bolywood lovers..
chaitanya Jee Srivastava said
Hi Utkrishti,
I would rather view it differently. I think the protagonist ‘Manik Mulla’ says –
“One who has a strong personality (nice heart, transparent, sensitive, courageous and full of life), should stay away from love”.
Here the knife with its sharpness symbolizes the one with strong persona. Whether this person falls in love or someone other falls in love with this person; in both the cases, this person (having strong persona) gets affected the most- emotionally
Thanks,
Chaitanya
S saxena said
Watched the movie today..I had been fascinated by the title of movie since the time it was released..in my school days…but I think at this age,when I watched it..is the best time..
A very intelligent movie with so many angles..brilliant emotional portyal of different characters..all intertwined with each other but still so much different..technicality taking care of the minutest details..with the ending…wow Boom..giving an open field to actually let your brain’s “saatwan ghoda take a stride….”…it can be anything..director leaving it to let you take a guess…amazing…
I read the review and the replies..and surprisingly all of them fit completely to describe the story …all different..but all true and connected to each other..
A masterpiece indeed..!!!
Muni said
Yes I too saw it in doordarshan1994…Anidya…
Utkrishti Katheriya said
Can anyone explain me the meaning of the lines said by Manek while slicing the watermelons – ” kharbuja chaku par pade ya chaku kharbuje par, nuksaan hamesha chaku ka hi hota hai”. It is in context of the bluntness of one’s character, so is he referring to Satti at that moment as she suffered the most? Or does it have some other metaphorical meaning?
Rahul Katyayan said
Thanks, Dr. Rajnish.This is quite innovative explanation. I will think about it in free time.
rajnish said
All three (3) female character connects with one person and bears child. A natural process of procreation distorted by cultural belief and woven like a myth of “virgin bearing child” by Divine intervention a domain left only to God. The seventh (highest prime within first ten numbers) horse (vehicle) of sun (goal). When 5 senses are withdrawn they reach mind 6th sense , when mind is stilled, consciousness 7th sense becomes clear and sees the seer (Soul). The movie is based upon textual generation code of Atharva Veda sutra ” Trishapta (3,7).”
Rahul Chawla said
Reblogged this on RAHUL CHAWLA.
Rahul Katyayan said
Thanks for your kind words.
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Rahul Katyayan said
There could be many explanations. May be, Maheshwar Dalal tried to kill Satti but she escaped afterwards. Writer left the blanks for the reader’s imagination.
ajeet said
can anybody explain the body in the white cloth and why maheshwar dalal (played by Mr. Amrish Puri) was afraid of being caught by police? when Satii(played by Neena Gupta) was actually alive in the end of the movie?
anirban said
yesterday while i was surfing chanells, suddenly i saw this on the dd urdu chanel, it is superb and the song i heard of udit is beautiful i am just in search of this song to collect. can i know who was the music director?
Anonymous said
yesterday while i was surfing chanells, suddenly i saw this on the dd urdu chanel, it is superb and the song i heard of udit is beautiful i am just in search of this song to collect. can i know who was the music director?
Aaditya K Chauhan said
this story its really owssom i was read this story in my college day and i am really inspired by this story i just want to hats of mr. Dharamveer Bharti. he really deserve to best and great writer title.
Aaditya K Chauhan.
Udit Chauhan said
can anybody explain the body in the white mattress and why maheshwar dalal (played by Mr. Amrish Puri) was afraid of being caught by police? when Satii(played by Neena Gupta) was actually alive in the end of the movie?
Sunil Patil said
When I saw the movie for the first time on DD as class 12 student, it was the last scene that remained imbedded in my mind for a long time…like a bad nightmare. While I am passionate about cinema for a long time, I chose to see the movie more as a story but of course the complexity of characters left many questions unanswered. With repeat telecast on DD, all the memories came flooding back-Tanna’s unrequited love, Jamuna’s rustic feisty nature, and masterly story telling by Manek…Years on the movie still make for absorbing viewing…aha the weakness of human mind in face of societal complusions…Shyama Benegal you are a genius and wish you still get to make that one more film..so that I could tell me kids