User Reviews

Nastik (1954) : Brief Review -

I. S. Johar's first directorial super hit turns an atheist into a believer with simple devotional human strings. I live in a generation where films like "Oh My God" and "PK" are deemed as classics and rightfully so. Some greedy people have made a business of religious beliefs, and believe me, those 'some' account for a large number nowadays. It is very easy to fool someone and become a trend in today's times with so many dummies available for cheap prices on the internet. Therefore, films like PK and OMG are needed to open people's eyes, even if they have to show some brutal facts and make fun of Gods, because that's the best way to explain your thoughtful message to audiences. Dev Anand's Guide attempted self-salvation through an impostor baba thing, but it was a very intellectual film for its time and it remains so even for today's audiences. Now think about IS Johar's "Nastik", which came a decade before Guide. The film has no intellectual speeches but simply directs you to believe in God. The film compiles simple formulas and speeches into a commercial potboiler with a lot of drama and the usual conflicts. Those conflicts were damn too relevant and advanced for their time (1954). I mean, we know what Radha did to Birju in "Mother India" (1957), but I saw the same scene here too. Can you believe it? There are so many iconic scenes, dialogues and songs in Nastik that instantly connect with you and stay with you forever. That scene when Anil fights for the low-caste boy against the biggies, and then he has to lose everyone close to him just for his own arrogant atheism. Lata Ji's songs will always stay with me and what lyrics Kavi Pradeep has penned. The music album by Legend C. Ramchandra is just outstanding. Ajit and Nalini's performances are great, and so is I. S. Johar's direction. Nastik remains one of its kind even today. Thank you for the on-screen Tirth Yatra. BTW, was it the first time for Bollywood?

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Directed by the great I.S.Johar, who has always produced & directed satires on social issues. This time he chose the religious hypocrisy in the society and how fundamentalists play their cards . I would say its' a very good effort overall. Nalini Jaywant is first rate. Ajit looks damn smart but he is OK, acting wise. Later he turned out to be a negative roles material, rightly. Others complement the story very well. The highlight of the movie is some of the sequences showing how fundamentalists make fool of people in the name of religion. C. Ramachandra has composed very soothing tunes for Kavi Pradeep's songs. 1) Dekh Tere Sansaar Ki Haalat, 2) Kanha Bajaye Bansuri, 3) Jai Jai Raam Raghurai, 4) Patthar Ke Bhagwan and 5) Jor Laga Le Are Zamane.

In the age of web series,, it is one of those movies that could engage you for a 3 hour. Maybe in the middle could be a little medium paced but throughout the movie the storyline has gone rapidly and there is not any dull moment that you could be wondering anything else . Story has gone from one plot to another but has its roots. The actor never left his role and he acted brilliantly and he is the main attraction of this movie. How his expressions has conveyed his emotions, is really nice to watch . The actress acted gorgeously and gracefully. I can guarantee that a viewer will not be disappointed that he has learnt nothing . He would learn something if he or she watches. Maybe it it look like a propaganda but it is not . The root of this movie is the partition that took place in 1947 . Just one rating is cut because how he manage to earn and travel without knowing the enemy location is unclair and bit of a negative part of the story because it is not real you cannot find someone by visiting places one by one because he could easily change his place in between. Bearing this mistake the whole story will mesmerize you. You could watch it as an actor's perspective or neutral perspective and also actress's perspective. So it is a movie of all kind of viewers and age. Must watch.