Kaala Patthar (transl. Black Stone) is a 1979 Indian Hindi-language action drama produced and directed by Yash Chopra, with a screenplay written by Salim–Javed. The film was based on the Chasnala mining disaster, and is the fourth collaboration between Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, and director Yash Chopra, which succeeded the films Deewaar (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Trishul (1978).
| 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 Trimurti Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 171 mins |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Box office | ₹6 crore (equivalent to ₹155 crore or US$19 million in 2023) |
Despite doing average business at the box office,[2] the film was critically acclaimed, and received several Filmfare Award nominations.[3] Over time, it has attained cult status, and is considered a classic in Hindi cinema. Amitabh Bachchan was much appreciated for his portrayal of an ex-Navy captain turned coal mine worker.
Plot
Vijay Pal Singh (Amitabh Bachchan) is a disgraced Merchant Navy captain who is branded a coward, humiliated by society and disowned by his parents for abandoning his ship and risking the lives of over 300 passengers. Feeling guilty over his cowardice, he starts working as a coal miner to forget his past. He meets and becomes friends with Ravi (Shashi Kapoor), an engineer in charge of the mines. He also makes an enemy in another co-worker named Mangal (Shatrughan Sinha) who is an escaped convict working in the mines to avoid the police. Vijay's past comes to haunt him every time he tries to get some sleep. He sees Mangal causing trouble for the coal miners, Vijay tries to defend the miners against Mangal, there are a couple of fights between them and then one day Mangal is injured in an incident and Vijay carries him to Dr. Sudha's surgery and gives his own blood to save Mangal's life, they eventually become friends. The one person who supports Vijay is Dr. Sudha Sen (Raakhee Gulzar), who tries to make Vijay face up to his past and move on. Ravi and Mangal have their own romances with Anita (Parveen Babi) and Channo (Neetu Singh), respectively.
Seth Dhanraj (Prem Chopra) is a greedy boss who makes life difficult for the coal miners by giving them poor equipment, less than sufficient medical supplies and lack of facilities, Vijay, Ravi, and Mangal come together to fight for justice against Dhanraj. Water floods the mines, endangering the lives of hundreds of workers trapped underground. Ravi, Vijay, and Mangal succeed in saving the miners, although Ravi injures his leg and Mangal dies.
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 |
Soundtrack
The film score was composed by Salil Chowdhury and the music for the songs was composed by Rajesh Roshan with lyrics written by Sahir Ludhianvi
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi" | Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar | 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 |
Box office
The film grossed over ₹6 crores during its lifetime run. Adjusted for inflation, the film grossed ₹150 crores ($18 million) as of 2023.
Awards and nominations
Nominated
- Best Film – Yash Chopra
- Best Director – Yash Chopra
- Best Actor – Amitabh Bachchan
- Best Supporting Actor – Shatrughan Sinha
- Best Supporting Actress – Neetu Singh
- Best Music Director – Rajesh Roshan
- Best Male Playback Singer – Kishore Kumar for "Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi"
- Best Story – Salim–Javed
