Kaala Patthar

Kaala Patthar
Kaala Patthar
Directed by	Yash Chopra
Written by	Salim–Javed
Based on	Chasnala mining disaster
Produced by	Yash Chopra
Starring	Shashi Kapoor; Amitabh Bachchan; Rakhee Gulzar; Shatrughan Sinha; Parveen Babi; Neetu Singh; Prem Chopra; Mac Mohan
Cinematography	Kay Gee
Edited by	B. Mangeshkar
Music by	Songs:; Rajesh Roshan; Score:; Salil Chowdhury
Distributed by	Yash Raj Films
Release date	9 August 1979;
Running time	171 mins
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Kaala Patthar (transl. Black Stone) is a 1979 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed and produced by Yash Chopra under the Yash Raj Films banner. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Raakhee, Parveen Babi, Neetu Singh, and Prem Chopra, with a screenplay by Salim–Javed. Inspired by the 1975 Chasnala mining disaster, the narrative follows the lives of workers in a coal mine facing exploitation, unsafe conditions, and personal redemption.

The film marked the fourth collaboration between Chopra and both Bachchan and Kapoor, following Deewaar (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Trishul (1978).^[1] Principal photography took place in actual coal mining areas to enhance the realism of the setting.

Released theatrically on 24 August 1979, Kaala Patthar emerged as a commercial success, ranking as the fifth highest-grossing Hindi film of the year, and was praised for its performances, direction, and socially relevant themes. At the 27th Filmfare Awards, the film received eight nominations, including Best Film, Best Director (Chopra), Best Actor (Bachchan), Best Supporting Actor (Sinha), and Best Supporting Actress (Neetu Singh).^[2]^[3]

Plot

Vijay Pal Singh, a former Merchant Navy captain, lives with the guilt of having abandoned a sinking ship, resulting in the deaths of passengers and his subsequent disgrace. Disowned by his family and ostracized by society, he begins working as a coal miner to escape his past.

At the mining site, Vijay befriends Ravi Malhotra, an engineer overseeing operations, and clashes with Mangal Singh, an escaped convict working under an alias. Mangal causes trouble among the miners, but when he is seriously injured in an accident, Vijay donates blood to save his life. This act leads to reconciliation, and the two become allies. Vijay also finds emotional support in Dr. Sudha Sen, a physician who encourages him to confront his trauma. Meanwhile, Ravi and Mangal develop romantic relationships with Anita and Channo, respectively.

The miners work under hazardous conditions due to the negligence of Seth Dhanraj, the profit-driven owner of the coal company. The trio—Vijay, Ravi, and Mangal—join forces to resist Dhanraj's exploitation. When the mine floods, trapping many workers underground, they launch a rescue mission. Vijay and Ravi manage to save the miners, but Mangal sacrifices his life during the operation, and Ravi sustains a serious injury.

Cast

Actor	Character	Notes
Shashi Kapoor	Ravi Malhotra	Coal Mine Engineer
Amitabh Bachchan	Vijay Pal Singh	Ex-Merchant Navy captain/ Coal mine worker
Rakhee Gulzar	Sudha Sen	Doctors
Shatrughan Sinha	Mangal Singh	Runaway prisoner, coal mine worker
Parveen Babi	Anita	Press reporter/photographer
Neetu Singh	Channo	Bangle seller
Sanjeev Kumar	Doctor Mathur	Guest appearance
Poonam Dhillon		Guest appearance
Prem Chopra	Dhanraj Puri	Coal mine owner
Parikshit Sahni	Jagga	Truck driver
Yunus Parvez	Maneklal Saxena	Chief Engineer
Manmohan Krishna		Dhaba owner
Vikas Anand	Ram Singh	Supervisor
Mac Mohan	Rana	Coal mine workers
Sharat Saxena	Dhanna
Mohan Sherry	Shankar
Satyendra Kapoor	Raghunath
Gita Siddharth	Mrs Raghunath
Romesh Sharma	Vikram
Madan Puri		Vikram's Dad
Iftekhar	Mr. Singh	Retd. Army person/Vijay's dad
Sudha Chopra	Mrs Singh
Jagdish Raj		Police inspector
Suresh Oberoi		Naval Officers
Gautam Sarin
Madhu Malhotra		Item girl in the river (Song: Ik Raasta Hai Zindagi)

Soundtrack

The film score was composed by Salil Chowdhury, while the songs were composed by Rajesh Roshan, with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.^[4] Two tracks from the film were featured on the Binaca Geetmala annual list for 1979. "Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi" was ranked at number 14, while "Baahon Mein Teri" appeared at number 30.^[5]^[6]

No.	Title	Singer(s)	Length
1.	"Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi"	Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar	5:20
2.	"Baahon Mein Teri"	Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi	4:15
3.	"Meri Dooron Se Aye Baaraat"	Lata Mangeshkar, Chorus	3:20
4.	"Jagaya Jagaya"	Mahendra Kapoor, S. K. Mahan, Pamela Chopra	6:55
5.	"Dhoom Mache Dhoom"	Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, Mahendra Kapoor, S.K. Mahan	7:40
6.	"Mujhe Pyaar Ka Tohfa Dekar"	Mohammad Rafi, Usha Mangeshkar	5:15

Accolades

Award	Date of the ceremony	Category	Recipients	Result
Filmfare Awards	1980	Best Film	Kaala Patthar	Nominated
		Best Director	Yash Chopra	Nominated
		Best Actor	Amitabh Bachchan	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actor	Shatrughan Sinha	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Neetu Singh	Nominated
		Best Music Director	Rajesh Roshan	Nominated
		Best Male Playback Singer	Kishore Kumar (for "Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi")	Nominated
		Best Story	Salim–Javed	Nominated

References

^ "Kaala Patthar (1979)". Rotten Tomatoes.
^ "Legendary Director Yash Chopra Passes Away". 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013.
^ "Filmfare Awards (1953–2005)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2007.
^ "Yash Chopra with Sahir Ludhianvi, the lyricist".
^ "Binaca Geetmala (1979)".
^ "Binaca Geetmala (1979)".

External links

Kaala Patthar at IMDb

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[1] "Kaala Patthar (1979)". Rotten Tomatoes.

[2] "Legendary Director Yash Chopra Passes Away". 22 October 2012. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013.

[3] "Filmfare Awards (1953–2005)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2007.

[4] "Yash Chopra with Sahir Ludhianvi, the lyricist".

[5] "Binaca Geetmala (1979)".

[6] "Binaca Geetmala (1979)".

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