In the annals of the Hindi film industry, probably there is only one actor who attained cult status based on his stylised mannerisms and distinctive dialogue delivery (which, if the grapevine is to be believed, were written specifically for him). The man is none other than the mercurial and eccentric Raaj Kumar.
Albeit there are other actors who were high on style quotient, including Dilip Kumar and Rajesh Khanna, they were also endowed with acting prowess, which enabled them to leave a panorama of work, unlike Raaj Kumar whose oeuvre is limited due to his uni-dimensional style. Nonetheless, he has a legion of fans, who have ample reason to cheer for “Karmayogi”, directed by Ram Maheshwary (with a very narrow contribution to cinema in terms of output), in which they get to see the actor not in one, but two roles.
The story is based essentially on teachings of the Bhagvad Gita and starts from a village where a devout lady, Durga (Mala Sinha suitably subdued and pious looking), sermonises tenets of the scripture for other ladies. Her husband, Shankar (Raaj Kumar) is an atheist who ridicules her ways. He wants to earn a quick buck, even if it means transgressing the rule of law and crossing the line of morality.
Exasperated with Durga’s constant preaching, one day Shankar decides to abandon his pregnant wife and moves to the big city, taking along Mohan (his young son who grows up to be Raaj Kumar).
A beleaguered Durga is tormented by the village moneylender (Kanhiyalal in a repeat of his mean act in “Mother India”). She is forced to move out of the village, where she delivers a baby boy. She gets shelter from a Christian priest (Nazir Hussain — as reliable as ever in a role he must have performed on umpteen occasions).
In the city, Shankar starts working for a smuggler, Keshavlal (Ajit). As times passes, an emboldened Shankar confronts Keshav for a higher share in the booty, as now Mohan is also a partner in the nefarious activities. Keshav relents, although vowing to teach Shankar a lesson. Through his henchman, Bhike Ghasiram (DheeRaaj Kumar, with a smirk on his face throughout the film), he informs the police about Shankar’s smuggling assignment. A cornered Shankar tries to break through the dragnet, but he is captured after a helicopter chase in which a policeman is killed. The action sequences are well executed, even though at some points a little tacky, more due to the cinematography by KK Mahajan than work of the action director. Even the art direction by BG Gaikwad lacks finesse at some places.
For this action, an unrepentant Shankar is convicted and sent to the gallows. But before that he exhorts an embittered Mohan not to grieve, but to hunt down the person who has betrayed him.
Finding Mohan in a vulnerable position, Keshavlal poisons his mind against Ajay (Jeetendra), the honest editor of a newspaper, Karamayogi, who has embarked on a mission to eliminate smuggling and smugglers from India. But Ajay is none other than Mohan’s younger brother.
As Keshav plans to eliminate Ajay in connivance with Ghasiram, Rekha (Rekha — the role offers her a limited window to showcase her ability, which she does commendably), a cabaret dancer with a heart of gold, with a soft corner for Mohan, overhears and informs Mohan. In the ensuing melee it is not Ajay, but Keshavlal who is eliminated, and Mohan finds himself in the dock. A court drama unfolds in which Mohan and Ajay are pitted against each other.
But will Mohan be able to avenge the betrayal of Shankar? Will he get a reprieve and pardon from the court? These are interesting teasers woven into the screenplay by Benoy Chatterjee and CJ Parvi that will keep the viewer glued to the story.
The script could have been more taut were it not for a parallel track in the story, of Rekha’s younger sister Kiran (Reena Roy, amazingly natural as Ajay’s love interest). Unknown to Kiran, Rekha, in a selfless act, sends money for her studies through the Christian priest. Finally, when the truth dawns on Kiran, she is ashamed for her earlier aversion to Rekha and her profession.
Like all films featuring Raaj Kumar, the dialogues of Karamayogi, penned by Sagar Sarhadi with Ela Maheshwary, pack considerable punch, specially the lines written for him.
The film has six songs for which music is composed by Kalyanji-Anandji to lyrics by Verma Malik. However, none of the numbers is a chartbuster, something which could have enhanced the film’s appeal.
Genre : Social drama
