Pushpak
Encyclopedia
Pushpaka Vimana is a silent
black comedy
released in 1987. This Indian film was directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and written by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. Set in a large unnamed Indian city (shot in Bangalore
), the film is based on the king-for-a-day story. The film is notable for its inventive re-casting of the silent film
form. Though shot in color and featuring incidental noise, the film does not have any dialogues. Instead, clever cinematography, implicit and physical communication, and creating scenes or shots where a dialogue would plausibly be absent are used. Additionally, crafty camera placement is sometimes employed to rationalize the inaudibility of dialogue.
's commendable acting and the director's take on handling a silent film, the film was lauded by critics (including those of the Cannes
jury). The film was a blockbuster
produced by Kannada film producer Shringar Nagaraj.
) whose fortunes change when he stumbles upon a drunk millionaire by the roadside. He takes the millionaire prisoner in his house and assumes his identity to taste the luxury of a five-star hotel (actually shot at Windsor Manor Hotel, Bangalore). In the process, he falls in love with a magician's daughter (Amala
). He uses his false identity to enjoy a romantic day with her. Meanwhile, a contract killer is sent after the millionaire who engages in repeated failed attempts to kill Kamal with knives made of ice. Finally, after seeing the millionaire's wife lamenting her missing husband and witnessing other incidents that show him a different perspective on life, Kamal decides to give up his new-found luxury.
In the much-acclaimed ending, Kamal frees the millionaire and confesses everything to the magician's daughter. She tells him that she still likes him and throws at him a flower and a note (presumably her contact details) from a car. However, a gush of wind blows the note down a sewage drain, implying the two never unite.And Kamal once again stand in the que for job search.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
black comedy
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
released in 1987. This Indian film was directed by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao and written by Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. Set in a large unnamed Indian city (shot in Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
), the film is based on the king-for-a-day story. The film is notable for its inventive re-casting of the silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
form. Though shot in color and featuring incidental noise, the film does not have any dialogues. Instead, clever cinematography, implicit and physical communication, and creating scenes or shots where a dialogue would plausibly be absent are used. Additionally, crafty camera placement is sometimes employed to rationalize the inaudibility of dialogue.
Reception
Due to its modern re-invention of the silent film form, effective blend of slapstick comedy and dark social satire, an unconventional ending, Kamal HaasanKamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
's commendable acting and the director's take on handling a silent film, the film was lauded by critics (including those of the Cannes
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
jury). The film was a blockbuster
Blockbuster (entertainment)
Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...
produced by Kannada film producer Shringar Nagaraj.
Plot summary
The film follows an unnamed, almost penniless and unemployed youth (played by Kamal HaasanKamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
) whose fortunes change when he stumbles upon a drunk millionaire by the roadside. He takes the millionaire prisoner in his house and assumes his identity to taste the luxury of a five-star hotel (actually shot at Windsor Manor Hotel, Bangalore). In the process, he falls in love with a magician's daughter (Amala
Amala (actress)
Amala Akkineni is an Indian film actress and Animal welfare activist. She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films.-Biography:...
). He uses his false identity to enjoy a romantic day with her. Meanwhile, a contract killer is sent after the millionaire who engages in repeated failed attempts to kill Kamal with knives made of ice. Finally, after seeing the millionaire's wife lamenting her missing husband and witnessing other incidents that show him a different perspective on life, Kamal decides to give up his new-found luxury.
In the much-acclaimed ending, Kamal frees the millionaire and confesses everything to the magician's daughter. She tells him that she still likes him and throws at him a flower and a note (presumably her contact details) from a car. However, a gush of wind blows the note down a sewage drain, implying the two never unite.And Kamal once again stand in the que for job search.
Cast
| Actor/Actress | Character |
|---|---|
| Kamal Haasan Kamal Haasan Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting... |
Unemployed youth |
| Amala Amala (actress) Amala Akkineni is an Indian film actress and Animal welfare activist. She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films.-Biography:... |
Magician's daughter |
| Tinu Anand | Killer |
| P. L. Narayana P. L. Narayana P. L. Narayana or P. Lakshmi Narayana is a famous South Indian actor and playwright. He has acted in many character roles particularly those of downtrodden people and those in misery.... |
Beggar |
| Farida Jalal Farida Jalal - Career :Farida Jalal, a native of New Delhi, started her career in the 1960s, when she won the United Film Producers Talent Hunt sponsored by Filmfare. She usually played the sister or rejected fiancée of the male lead, but almost never the female lead... |
Magician's wife |
| Sameer Khakhar Sameer Khakhar Sameer Khakkar is an Indian actor remembered for his infamous role as Khopdi, the drunk, in popular serial Nukkad. Another important role that he is most remembered for is that of the rich man in the globally acclaimed silent movie Pushpak.-External links:... |
The millionaire |
| Ramya Ramya Divya Spandana , known by her stage name Ramya , is an Indian film actress, who predominantly acts in Kannada films and also appears in Tamil and Telugu films.... |
Millionaire's wife |
| Loknath Loknath Loknath is a noted Indian Kannada language veteran stage and cine artist of more than 1000 plays and 600 films to his credit. Lokanath has been in the industry for decades and is affectionately addressed as "Uncle Lokanath" by the industry people... |
Hotel owner |
| K. S. Ramesh | Magician |
| Prathap K. Pothan Prathap K. Pothan Prathap K. Pothan , popularly known by his first name , is an Indian actor, director, writer, producer who has acted in about 95 films. He has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu as well as Hindi films... |
The lover |
Awards
National Film Award- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentNational Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome EntertainmentThe National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment winners:1981 to 1984 and 1992, 1986 & 1977 No Award was given....