The legacy of Mr. India and the invisibility of good writing today

A still from `Mr. India`, Picture Courtesy: Mid-day Archives

More people are reminded of the film that came out in May 1987 than the beauty pageant when they hear ‘Mr. India.' The landmark film of Hindi Cinema, which completes 34 glorious years, rides on the theme of invisibility but the plot is denser than what the nation remembers it for. Arun's (Anil Kapoor) life is surrounded by miseries and buoyed by the orphaned children he parents. It's also livened by his friend Calendar who infuses hilarity into his mundaneness.

Not too far away is the eccentric villain Mogambo (Amrish Puri), cracking a smile effortlessly and declaring his contentment in his intimidating baritone. The face-off seems impossible and even implausible. Salim-Javed's writing and Shekhar Kapur's direction bless the soul of 'Mr. India'. The masters attempt to give India its maiden legitimate Sci-Fi genre and create a nearly flawless battle between good and greed.

Every Superhero is birthed out of surprises, circumstances, and in this case, a backstory. Arun's father is a scientist who leaves behind a formula that can make anyone invisible, albeit giving a glimpse of his reflection before the colour red. When Arun's anguishes reach their peak, you know the formula isn't far away to make him an overnight Superhero.

We also have Seema, a journalist who eventually falls in love with him after hate at first sight. And Sridevi, even in a plot that doesn't entirely belong to her, seizes the opportunity and sizzles in one of the most intimate songs of all time- 'I Love You'. The audacity of the makers is truly laudable, for the time the film was conceived and eventually completed. The visual effects are brave and so is the subject.

It's gutting one of the most iconic duos of Hindi Cinema parted ways after the release of this film. The quality of writing was never the same either. It's also fitting and fortunate that 'Mr. India' was made at a time when the material was in complete control of the writers and directors. Bollywood was yet to see actors and producers who command over the script and the subject.

34 years later, we barely have films that can boast quality writing or even visual effects. For those not aware, Shekhar Kapur brought Aamir Khan on board for another Sci-Fi drama called 'Time Machine', which could have been another game-changer. If only Kapur could see the future and sense that writers of Salim and Javed's stature and films of 'Mr. India's status would one day go…invisible.

Also Read: 33 Years of Mr. India: A rare film that still feels fresh and fantastic