1) The document analyzes why the 1969 Dev Anand film Mahal did not succeed at the box office upon its initial release. 2) It recounts the plot of the film based on blogs and then identifies 25 points where it finds issues with the storytelling, screenplay, editing, and continuity. 3) The key reason identified is that the complex plot involving multiple conspiracies and characters was difficult for viewers to follow, confusing them and diminishing their enjoyment of the film. Tighter storytelling without such confusion could have led to greater success.

1. Analysis : Why Movie Mahal (1969) was not successful?
My elder brother is a huge fan of Dev Anand. He used to collect content related to Dev Anand.
Observing him, as a child I too started following Dev Anand. I also became a huge fan of Dev Anand
after watching Johney Mera Naam. During school break I along with like minded friends used to visit
three theatres of the town one by one, to see if any new postures had been displayed, or if any movie
was changed? I clearly remember a posture of Dev Anand , as a qawwal was displayed, near bus stand
when movie Mahal was to broadcast in a town. Later I watched a matinee show at Pune while doing
engineering, as early days we were allowed to watch only one movie in a month so as to focus on
study (costing 85 paisa and Rs 1 and 10 paisa).
I watched it again yesterday. I was wondering why did it not fair good at box office? So after
rewatching it, as I did not understand it well. I read its plot on IMDB and Wiki. I did not get a good and
full content. Surprisingly I found following blogs capturing the plot nicely and review of the movie.
The well described story is here, neither imdb not wiki narrate it so nicely.
Two blogs very nicely narrating the story and review.
1. https://memsaabstory.com/2011/12/02/mahal-1969/
2. https://www.moneylife.in/article/yeh-duniyawale-poochhenge-revisiting-mahal-
1969/57995.html
After reading those in detail, I rewatched the movie again in pieces, and started analysing it over the
question, why did it not fair at box office?? And what went wrong? I captured the following pointers
while re-watching and rewinding a movie.
We grew watching Goldie’s movie multiple times, Nau do gyarah, Hum Dono, Tere ghar ke samne,
Guide, Jewel thief, Teesari Manzil, Johney mera naam, Tere mere sapne, etc. Its impressive always
like strong dialogues, tremendous clarity, complete grip, speed, continuity, micro-level detailing,
appropriate and effective editing, excellent song picturization taking story to next level, story itself,
effective style of story-telling, wonderful music & lyrics, climax, and flawless direction. K.A. Narayan
has worked with Goldie for few stories too.
Story of Mahal and screenplay were by K.A. Narayan and dialogues were penned by Vrajendra Gaur.
Naturally expectations were high.

3. Following pointers strike while watching and could be the reason for the failuare.
1. Dev starts liking and loving Asha, who is supposed to be fiancé of his boss Shyambabu, does
not go well.
2. Dev wanted to teach lesson to his sister’s fiancé, happened to be his friend (prolonged story
and screenplay), it has taken lot of footage.
3. Abhi Bhattacharya (Shyam) was to see Asha for the marriage proposal. He sends Dev with a
letter (Could have postponed his meeting ) (story teller did not find better way to let hero-
heroine meet)
4. Moti’s friend cheats Dev while playing a card, and rans away, Dev doesn’t do anything except
a single fight, again unwanted piece. Was there compulsion for the length of the film?
5. Most imp: Why Moti who is nephew of Seth Dinanath, does not go himself? Moti thinks Seth
Dinanath wants to see nephew as honest and nice person; surely Seth Dinanath wouldn’t
know how bad his nephew (Moti) is now. (Story ends, movie wouldn’t have been made), its
not very convincing reason Moti sends Rajesh as Ravi (original childhood Moti)
6. Dev leaves in hurry for Darjeeling on the same night of marriage, why story teller/writer finds
it so urgent, could have done post biddai too. It was a song situation also.
7. Dev attending Asha’s birthday on invitation of her father, and she keeps insulting - unwanted
piece and no continuity
8. Dev sees her waiting at Darjeeling garden place and send his servant Jaikishan who wore his
stolen dress as her fiancé, audiences do not digest .. it was a song situation “tu kya jaane din
rat hum”
9. Asha’s horse get out of control, Dev saves her and she still continues to non-cooperation
10. Too hard and loud arguments between asha’s parents (david and ratnamala)
11. When Asha goes to meet Dev, its blue sky and clear lovely sun shine, no sign of rain. Suddenly
rain starts, they both take shelter in old hut, Asha unnecessary removes her clothes and keeps
shawl on her body. They sleep together (shown seating & hugging position) without any
romance. Sun shines in the morning with a song aankho aankho me hum tum; it could have
been straight song without the situation (effective editing) (it maybe to limit to show sex
/romance during era 70); again unwanted piece; girl remains out for full night, no one is shown
worried . Also overcoat of Asha changes exact opposite color from brown full shade and
saffron collar to Saffron full shade and brown collar
12. Shyam informs police that Rajesh (Dev) is a fraud, he has maintained his name (which is
Shyam(gap in dialogues writing)
13. Exact voice of Seth Dinanath, how was that managed, and it was like a conversation between
dev and Dinanath , it should have been practically only by Dinanath
14. Badriprasad (also father of Farida Jalal) was staying as Seth Dinanath? who murdered Motilal,
was it Badriprasad? Or entire plot by Shyam? And why?
15. Continued link was not simple to understand
16. Also Farida should have explained Motilal’s death, newspaper could have published a photo.
17. Dev Anand runs away in front of police from his house, there was non-effective firing from
just 10 m, does not seem realistic , Rakhi festival piece is inserted to build emotions
18. Later dummy Dinanath (Sapru- Badriprasad) again located by Dev, he follows him, and
found dead! (who murdered Badriprasad ? Must be Shyam behind the entire conspiracy)
18. Dummy Dinanath happened to be father of farida Jalal who was nursing him, and wanted to
give poison to him, Dev saved him being poisoned, letting medicines fall on ground, does not
link with story while rewinding

4. 19. From Caves where Dev gets a clue Khandani anguthi (ring), he directly appeared in front of
David (father of rupa) seeking help; who wrote those words? And why?
20. If shyam was planning all this, how he gets to know Rajesh is the son of the two partners
(Dinanath and Dev’s father),
21. Dance of Asha in front of fiancé Shyam before engagement was nice but seems to be inserted,
and unwanted
22. Rajesh reaches to rescue Asha, how does he know the place?
23. Jeep is followed and driven using legs while fighting and struggling inside the jeep on the road
of Darjeeling ghat. Remember Teesari Mazil and Jewel thief, and race of following Jeep? It
passes the fear to audiences and make those hold the respiration.
24. Jeep runs on its own while both dev and murderer fight inside the jeep
25. Suspense : Shyam who is a real nephew of Dinanath wants to murder Dinanath, and jail Rajesh
for murder, to get the property of Dinanath , so he plots with the help of Moti to send Dev at
Darjeeling as dummy nephew, and Badri to be dummy Dinanath and Badriprasad’s daughter
as a nurse. He eliminates Moti, then real Dinanath, then Badriprasad (dummy Dinanath) and
nurse one by one. It’s difficult to understand the entire plot as story moves on till end hence
movie flopped in spite of good attempt!
It would be wrong to expect such movie to succeed! Viewers basically like a good story well told
without confusion and making them confused.
Can it be edited now? Wondering if does any role exist in Bollywood like consultant or advisor
who watches the movie, and suggests the improvement.
Rajendra Rakhecha
Email : rrakhecha@hotmail.com and rrakhecha@gmail.com
Dated : 22nd
Nov 2021