Mr India

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Film poster

Mr India is 1987 Indian science fiction Bollywood film directed by Shekhar Kapur, starring Anil Kapoor in the title role, Sridevi as his romantic interest and Amrish Puri is one of his most famous roles, as villain Mogambo.

1 Synopsis
2 Cast
3 Trivia
4 External links

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Orphaned as a child, Arun Verma (Anil Kapoor) has dedicated his adult life to looking after orphaned children. He becomes as an elder brother to many such waifs, who look up to him and romp with him freely. He is almost alone in caretaking; his only partner is the cook, Calendar.

At the same time, an outbreak of crime and violence has been fomented. The mastermind is a power-hungry, tyrannical man called Mogambo, who dreams of declaring all India his own. This Mogambo controls all of the major criminals and corrupt officials in North India and has a vast arsenal of weapons including an android robot, four immense missiles, and a pit of corrosive chemicals in which all matter is dissolved. The fear Mogambo generates among his servants is such that they will kill themselves in this pit rather than disobey him. Mogambo the ruthless villain displays great elements of a true Master Terrorist. His favorite phrases, used often, are "Mogambo khush hua" (Mogambo has become pleased), "Hail Mogambo", and "Mogambo khush nahi hua" (Mogambo is displeased). The utterance of the last is a signal of terror for his followers. His plan, such as he has, is to throw all of India into chaos, then anoint himself King.

Because Arun cannot pay rent or maintain supplies in his own house, he takes in a lodger, Seema Sohni-- a lady who is at first intolerant of the children, but soon befriends them.

One day, a friend of Arun's dead father reveals that the late Mr. Verma was an unorthodox scientist, who had soon before his death invented a device that would make its user invisible. Given this device, Arun puts it into action. The device takes the form of a wrist ornament, with a switch on one side. The switch, when pushed one way, hides the wearer from almost any sight. Only through a medium that is both red and translucent may he be seen. One of the children, Jagu, is taken into confidence; but no one else.

Arun later uses his invisibility machine to play tricks on Mogambo's people, who have by this time attacked him more than once. He takes the name "Mr. India", and using such an identity manages to arrange the payment of his rent as well as the triple defeat of Mogambo's intentions.

Seema, being a journalist, becomes increasingly fascinated by the invisible Mr. India. Though at first she is merely recording a curiosity, her interests become more personal, to the point that she desires above all else to know and love him. The latter desire is mutual; Arun is also very drawn to Seema. He offers her a chance to court and be courted by Mr. India, then comes himself under that name and invisible. They enjoy a passionate night together.

Mogambo, hearing of Mr. India, launches a new attack. Disguising bombs inside dolls, he causes the death of numerous children. One of these is the youngest girl in Arun's care. Arun is saddened and angered by the death of one whom he thought of as his daughter; he is now potentially vengeful and more dangerous than ever.

Later, Arun and all his family are captured by Mogambo, who sentences them-- and India-- to death; the prisoners by his pit, and the subcontinent by his giant warheads. The invisibility machine is taken from Arun, who schemes to escape and recover it. At this he succeeds. Seema, Jagu, Calendar, and all the children follow his escape, but are separated in the commotion caused thereby.

Arun and Mogambo meet in Mogambo's control room, from which the missiles are launching. Arun lulls the arrogant Mogambo into complacency, then seizes the invisibility device and knocks his enemy down. He is about to shut off the missiles when Mogambo warns him to the effect of "If you pull that handle, the missiles will not fly, but will explode here. Will you save yourself, or save India?"

Arun pulls the handle and flees. Mogambo's stronghold and all of his things explode. Arun's family escape, while Mogambo dies in fire with a final gasp of "Hail Mogambo!"

Later, Arun and Seema take charge of the household and rebuild their former life.

A sequel "Mr.India 2" is in the pre-production stage . Reprising their roles are Anil Kapoor and Sridevi (who makes a comeback after a 10 year hiatus). Two new characters will be played by Aftab Shivdasani (who was in the prequel as a child artiste) and Preity Zinta (who is said to be this generation's Sridevi).

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Cast

Anil Kapoor .... Arun Verma
Sridevi .... Seema Sohni
Amrish Puri .... Mogambo
Annu Kapoor .... Mr. Gaitonde (Editor)
Satish Kaushik .... Calendar
Aftab Shivdasani.... Jugal (orphan)

[edit] Trivia

The film was very successful in India, and led to a number of knock-off superhero films including an unlicensed Indian version of Superman.[1]. and a Batman inspired Amitabh Bachchan starrer Shahenshah. Interestingly enough, years later director Shekhar Kapur would be one of the names rumoured to possibly direct Warner Bros.' ill-fated Superman Lives project.

Amrish Puri was cast in the role of Mr Mogambo to a large extent because of the amount of international media attention that he had achieved from his role as Mola Ram (one of the lead roles) in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom; around the world, Mr India is one of the best known Bollywood films of all time.

The movie gained Amrish Puri much fame due to his convincing performance as an evil megalomaniac. Following its release, Amrish Puri was offered a role of a similar nature by many different directors.