Purana Mandir
Encyclopedia
Purana Mandir is a 1984
Hindi feature film, produced and directed by the Ramsay
brothers. It is a horror film chronicling the story of the monster-demon, Samri.The Soundtrack were composed by Ajit Singh
Samri is put on trial, where his terrible litany of crimes is read. He has performed various heinous acts to please his demonic spirit masters and enhance his own evil powers. He has raped and disembowelled newly-wed brides; he has mutilated and cannibalized young children; he has — it shocks the crier as he reads out this charge — exhumed corpses for sacrifice and eating; and he has terrorized the hamlets surrounding Bijapur with his reign of evil. While the rajpurohit (royal priest) suggests Samri be subjected to pure Agni i.e. to be cremated, the Raja proposes another sentence—Samri is to be decapitated, with the headless body to be buried behind the old temple at Kalighat and the head secured in a strong-box to be kept at the Raja's haveli (mansion). The strongbox is chained with a trishul (trident, the weapon of the Hindu God Shiva) to hold the evil in thrall. Samri pronounces his curse upon the Raja: "So long as my head is away from my body, every woman in your line shall die at childbirth; and when my head is rejoined to my body, I will arise and wipe out every living person in your dynasty."
As the years pass, the princely states merge into the Indian republic, and the great-great-grandson of Raja Harimansingh, Thakur
Ranvir Singh (veteran actor Pradeep Kumar
, known for his royal roles), now resides in the city. Samri is long gone, but not forgotten. His evil legend is passed from father to son in the Harimansingh clan, and his sinister curse occurs with each generation. Ranvir Singh's wife died at the birth of his daughter Suman (Aarti Gupta
). Suman, now a college student, has a boyfriend Sanjay (Mohnish Behl
) and they spend most of their young love frolicking in pools, the beach and nightclubs. One the Thakur learns about their relations, he severely disapproves of their relationship ostensibly because Sanjay is not of royal birth. (The real reason is that any man who marries Suman must endure her inevitable death when their child arrives.)
Suman is unaware of the ancient curse and resolute in her love, and Sanjay is steadfast in standing by her. They try to confront the intractable Thakur and the latter succumbs and reveals the curse which has been terrorizing their families for 200 years. Sanjay finally understands the father and walks out on Suman. However Suman leaves her home in the middle of the night and convinces Sanjay to accompany her to Bijapur where they can track and, if possible, to investigate the sordid tale put an end to the demonic barrier to their love. They head down to Bijapur accompanied by Sanjay's bosom buddy Anand (Puneet Issar
) and his wife.
They undertake a frightening journey to Bijapur. After their car blows a flat, they are met by an old toothless hag Mangli and her mysterious son Durjan (Sadashiv Amrapurkar
) who is the cook and chowkidar (caretaker) of the Harimansingh haveli. There is also a deformed woodcutter Sanga (Satish Shah
) who makes fast friends with Durjan but secretly believes there is a treasure buried somewhere in the haveli.
The haveli has a painting of Raja Harimansingh; this painting shifts its gaze when Suman looks at it; and the eerie likeness of Samri appears through it. Various other sinister events (creaking beds, flaming torch lamps and random winds) somehow lead Anand and Sanjay to smash the wall behind the painting and uncover the strong box that holds Samri's head. Misinterpreting the head to be potentially that of a brave soldier who incurred the king's displeasure, they head back with the intention of sealing the wall the next day. Unfortunately Sanga and Durjan notice the whole incident. Sanga, already biased with self-created visions of treasure, yields to his temptations (believing the treasure is within the box) and detaches the trishul.
Samri's undead head mesmerizes him putting him into a trance. Sanga brings the head to the body behind the old temple and rejoins it in a gruesome ritual, making Samri whole. With the hatred of 200 years under him, Samri begins his murderous rampage to eliminate the descendants of Raja Harimansingh and once again wreaks evil all over the surrounding hamlets.
The townsfolk are unprepared to deal with evil of such magnitude. Misunderstandings and tensions claim the lives of many townspeople and Anand meets a horrific death at the hands of Samri. The remainder barely withstand the onslaught when Thakur Ranvir Singh arrives. He relates the legend but he, too, does not know the means to defeat the bloodthirsty Samri.
Despondent, the townsfolk seek refuge at the temple as Samri cannot enter that holy ground. They perform aarti (lamp adornment) to Lord Shiva. Divine guidance comes before Sanjay; the trishul holds the key to check the monster. Sanjay and Suman return to the haveli to seek the trishul and offer a battle to Samri. Unbeknown to them, Durjan had moved the trishul to a different location within the haveli itself. Sanjay and Suman find themselves trapped in the haveli while being hunted by the bloodthirsty Samri.
After a series of tumultuous events, Sanjay manages to trap Samri in a coffin and, with the trishul in hand to check the monster, drag him out to the village square (next to the old temple). There, they construct a hasty pyre and burn Samri alive once and for all.
Few days after, Sanjay and Suman were married and lives with Suman's parents happily.
, Dak Bangla, Veerana
etc. Samri became a household name and resulted in a unrelated, nevertheless Ramsay produced release, Saamri 3D.
Purana Mandir was a pathbreaking film in the horror genre of Indian films
1984 in film
-Events:* The Walt Disney Company founds Touchstone Pictures to release movies with subject matter deemed inappropriate for the Disney name.* Tri-Star Pictures, a joint venture of Columbia Pictures, HBO, and CBS, releases its first film....
Hindi feature film, produced and directed by the Ramsay
Ramsay
Ramsay may refer to:*Ramsay , for people named Ramsay*Ramsay , an impact crater on the Moon*Ramsay, Calgary, Alberta, Canada*Ramsay, Michigan, U.S.*Ramsay *Electoral district of Ramsay, in South Australia...
brothers. It is a horror film chronicling the story of the monster-demon, Samri.The Soundtrack were composed by Ajit Singh
Ajit Singh
Ajit Singh may refer to:* Dekh Bhai Dekh, music composer/singer* Chaudhary Ajit Singh, founder and chief of the political party Rashtriya Lok Dal in Uttar Pradesh, India...
Plot
The film opens with a scene taking place some 200 years ago, with the royal procession of Raja Harimansingh of the sultanate of Bijapur, stranded near the Kali Pahari (literally, black mountain). The Raja is concerned because his daughter Princess Rupali has disappeared near the lair of the devil-worshipper Samri (Ajay Agarwal). The princess wanders into the ruins of an old fortress and is promptly captured and tortured by the villainous Samri. His trademark attack is mesmerizing the hapless victim apparently sucking out heir life force through the eyes, causing their natural eyes to be replaced with demonic white shades. During this process, Samri's eyes gleam blood red. Raja Harimansingh catches Samri in this terrible act and orders the soldiers to capture him.Samri is put on trial, where his terrible litany of crimes is read. He has performed various heinous acts to please his demonic spirit masters and enhance his own evil powers. He has raped and disembowelled newly-wed brides; he has mutilated and cannibalized young children; he has — it shocks the crier as he reads out this charge — exhumed corpses for sacrifice and eating; and he has terrorized the hamlets surrounding Bijapur with his reign of evil. While the rajpurohit (royal priest) suggests Samri be subjected to pure Agni i.e. to be cremated, the Raja proposes another sentence—Samri is to be decapitated, with the headless body to be buried behind the old temple at Kalighat and the head secured in a strong-box to be kept at the Raja's haveli (mansion). The strongbox is chained with a trishul (trident, the weapon of the Hindu God Shiva) to hold the evil in thrall. Samri pronounces his curse upon the Raja: "So long as my head is away from my body, every woman in your line shall die at childbirth; and when my head is rejoined to my body, I will arise and wipe out every living person in your dynasty."
As the years pass, the princely states merge into the Indian republic, and the great-great-grandson of Raja Harimansingh, Thakur
Thakur (Indian title)
Thakur is an Indian feudal title in several Indian languages, literally meaning "lord". A Thikana is the state or estate of a Thakur. A Thakurani is the wife of a Thakur...
Ranvir Singh (veteran actor Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep Kumar was an Indian actor in Bengali and Hindi films.-Career:When Kumar was 17 years old, he decided to take up acting. His started his film career in Bengali films...
, known for his royal roles), now resides in the city. Samri is long gone, but not forgotten. His evil legend is passed from father to son in the Harimansingh clan, and his sinister curse occurs with each generation. Ranvir Singh's wife died at the birth of his daughter Suman (Aarti Gupta
Aarti Gupta
Aarti Gupta is a former Bollywood actor known for her appearance in Ramsay horror films such as Purana Mandir.Aarti began her acting career in early 1980s by playing small roles in big budget films like Aamne Samne, Haadsa, Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai and others. Her first lead role was opposite debutant...
). Suman, now a college student, has a boyfriend Sanjay (Mohnish Behl
Mohnish Behl
Mohnish Bahl Mohnish Bahl Mohnish Bahl (Hindi: मोह्निश बहल,(born 14 February 1963) is an Indian actor working in the Bollywood film industry. He is currently playing the role of Dr. Ashutosh in the show Kuch Toh Log Kahenge-Personal life:...
) and they spend most of their young love frolicking in pools, the beach and nightclubs. One the Thakur learns about their relations, he severely disapproves of their relationship ostensibly because Sanjay is not of royal birth. (The real reason is that any man who marries Suman must endure her inevitable death when their child arrives.)
Suman is unaware of the ancient curse and resolute in her love, and Sanjay is steadfast in standing by her. They try to confront the intractable Thakur and the latter succumbs and reveals the curse which has been terrorizing their families for 200 years. Sanjay finally understands the father and walks out on Suman. However Suman leaves her home in the middle of the night and convinces Sanjay to accompany her to Bijapur where they can track and, if possible, to investigate the sordid tale put an end to the demonic barrier to their love. They head down to Bijapur accompanied by Sanjay's bosom buddy Anand (Puneet Issar
Puneet Issar
Puneet Issar is an Indian actor and director, most famous for his role as Duryodhana in the TV adaptation of the Mahabharata, and directing Garv: Pride and Honour starring Salman Khan. His other notable roles are in Border, 1997 war film, directed by J. P...
) and his wife.
They undertake a frightening journey to Bijapur. After their car blows a flat, they are met by an old toothless hag Mangli and her mysterious son Durjan (Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Sadashiv Amrapurkar is a popular actor who is well known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films in the 1980s and 90s.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 1991 for Sadak — the first time the award was instituted...
) who is the cook and chowkidar (caretaker) of the Harimansingh haveli. There is also a deformed woodcutter Sanga (Satish Shah
Satish Shah
Satish Ravilal Shah is a Hindi and Marathi film and television actor best known for his comedy films. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the ever popular 80's sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi directed by Kundan Shah and Manjul Sinha. He is famous for playing the role of Municipal Commissioner...
) who makes fast friends with Durjan but secretly believes there is a treasure buried somewhere in the haveli.
The haveli has a painting of Raja Harimansingh; this painting shifts its gaze when Suman looks at it; and the eerie likeness of Samri appears through it. Various other sinister events (creaking beds, flaming torch lamps and random winds) somehow lead Anand and Sanjay to smash the wall behind the painting and uncover the strong box that holds Samri's head. Misinterpreting the head to be potentially that of a brave soldier who incurred the king's displeasure, they head back with the intention of sealing the wall the next day. Unfortunately Sanga and Durjan notice the whole incident. Sanga, already biased with self-created visions of treasure, yields to his temptations (believing the treasure is within the box) and detaches the trishul.
Samri's undead head mesmerizes him putting him into a trance. Sanga brings the head to the body behind the old temple and rejoins it in a gruesome ritual, making Samri whole. With the hatred of 200 years under him, Samri begins his murderous rampage to eliminate the descendants of Raja Harimansingh and once again wreaks evil all over the surrounding hamlets.
The townsfolk are unprepared to deal with evil of such magnitude. Misunderstandings and tensions claim the lives of many townspeople and Anand meets a horrific death at the hands of Samri. The remainder barely withstand the onslaught when Thakur Ranvir Singh arrives. He relates the legend but he, too, does not know the means to defeat the bloodthirsty Samri.
Despondent, the townsfolk seek refuge at the temple as Samri cannot enter that holy ground. They perform aarti (lamp adornment) to Lord Shiva. Divine guidance comes before Sanjay; the trishul holds the key to check the monster. Sanjay and Suman return to the haveli to seek the trishul and offer a battle to Samri. Unbeknown to them, Durjan had moved the trishul to a different location within the haveli itself. Sanjay and Suman find themselves trapped in the haveli while being hunted by the bloodthirsty Samri.
After a series of tumultuous events, Sanjay manages to trap Samri in a coffin and, with the trishul in hand to check the monster, drag him out to the village square (next to the old temple). There, they construct a hasty pyre and burn Samri alive once and for all.
Few days after, Sanjay and Suman were married and lives with Suman's parents happily.
Cast
- Mohnish Bahl ... Sanjay
- Aarti GuptaAarti GuptaAarti Gupta is a former Bollywood actor known for her appearance in Ramsay horror films such as Purana Mandir.Aarti began her acting career in early 1980s by playing small roles in big budget films like Aamne Samne, Haadsa, Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai and others. Her first lead role was opposite debutant...
... Suman Singh (as Aarti Gupta) - Puneet IssarPuneet IssarPuneet Issar is an Indian actor and director, most famous for his role as Duryodhana in the TV adaptation of the Mahabharata, and directing Garv: Pride and Honour starring Salman Khan. His other notable roles are in Border, 1997 war film, directed by J. P...
... Anand - Sadashiv AmrapurkarSadashiv AmrapurkarSadashiv Amrapurkar is a popular actor who is well known for his performances in Marathi and Hindi films in the 1980s and 90s.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role in 1991 for Sadak — the first time the award was instituted...
... Durjan - Ajay AgarwalAnirudh agrawalAnirudh Agarwal is an Indian actor known for his work in Bollywood, usually as demonic characters.Anirudh stands at a height of 6' 7" , and is well known for his appearances in horror films such as Purana Mandir, Bandh Darwaza, and Saamri as well as Zee Horror Show in the episode Taveez.Fans all...
... Samri - Sadhana Khote...(as Sadhna Khote)
- Satish ShahSatish ShahSatish Ravilal Shah is a Hindi and Marathi film and television actor best known for his comedy films. He is perhaps best known for his roles in the ever popular 80's sitcom Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi directed by Kundan Shah and Manjul Sinha. He is famous for playing the role of Municipal Commissioner...
... Sanga (the woodcutter) - JagdeepJagdeepSyed Ishtiaq Ahmed Jaffry, better known as Jagdeep, is an Indian film actor known for his comic roles. He played Soorma Bhopali in Sholay , Gabbar in Purana Mandir , Chief Zabardast in Tehkhana , Hotel Receptionist in Veerana , Salman Khan's father In Andaaz Apna Apna and later directed a movie...
... Machchar Singh (Dacoit) - Rajendra Nath ... Thakur Murdaar Singh aka Thakur
- Lalita PawarLalita PawarLalita Pawar was a prolific Indian actress, who later became famous as character actress, appearing in over 700 films in Hindi and Marathi cinema, where she gave hits like, Netaji Palkar , made by Bhalji Pendharkar, New Hana Pictures’ Sant Damaji, Navyug Chitrapat’s Amrit, written by VS Khandekar,...
... as Basanti
Reception
Purana Mandir proved to be a stupendous hit across India and led to multiple movies offering the similar formula and roster. The haunting theme from the movie was used within several other subsequent Ramsay releases such as TahkhanaTahkhana
Tahkhana is a 1986 Bollywood Horror film directed by Shyam Ramsay & Tulsi Ramsay. It was a tale about two sisters separated at birth & the search for a hidden treasure which is guarded in a dungeon by a bloodthirsty monster....
, Dak Bangla, Veerana
Veerana
Veerana is an Indian horror film produced by the Ramsay Brothers in 1988. It is known for its Bava-like use of colored gels mixed with atmospheric sets....
etc. Samri became a household name and resulted in a unrelated, nevertheless Ramsay produced release, Saamri 3D.
Purana Mandir was a pathbreaking film in the horror genre of Indian films