INJUSTICE ANYWHERE THREATENS JUSTICE EVERYWHERE

Justice is the bedrock on which society and its institutions are established. That bedrock exists on the substratum of truth. So, if that substratum is ruined, then all of society, painstakingly built, gets razed down.

“ನ್ಯಾಯವೇ ದೇವರು” (‘Nyayave Devaru’, which translates to: ‘Justice is God’) is a 1971 Indian Kannada film, which has truth and justice as its thematic core. The romantic drama― it also had courtroom drama integrated into the narrative― was critically acclaimed; it yielded a box-office bonanza for its producers.

Raghu (Dr. Rajkumar), a law student, hails from a family of famous, affluent jurists. He falls in love with his classmate, Shanti (B Saroja Devi), a bashfully reticent girl and, on top, a statuesque beauty from an impoverished family.

Raghu’s father, Chandrashekaraiah (KS Ashwath) disapproves of the match. Unbeknownst to Raghu, Chandrashekaraiah meets Shanti and beseeches her to forsake the alliance in order to uphold his family prestige and reputation. Shanti yields to the coercion and withdraws from the relationship. In due course, Raghu mistakenly believes Shanti has committed suicide; however, a child too is born out of wedlock to her.  

Raghu graduates with flying colours; true to his family tradition, he enters the bar. He dedicates himself to the legal profession and soon gets elevated as a judge. That is when Shanti, an accused in a murder case, gets produced before him for trial.

Siddalingaiah is masterful in his direction; he starts his screenplay close to the climax and narrates in flashback to build drama and create suspense. His story-telling is filled with intensity.

The duo of Rajan-Nagendra has composed the background score for the film brilliantly. Set to lyrics penned by Chi. Udaya Shankar, all the songs in the album are timeless classics. The song ‘Akashave Beelali Mele’ is one of the greatest musical hits of all time.

The editing, sound effects and camerawork are simple, but sincere.

Rajkumar has set the screen ablaze with his impeccably dignified acting in the lead role; as always, he emotes with expressive eyes that are a kaleidoscope of emotions. B. Saroja Devi is the epitome of grace and elegance; she is syrupy and soft-spoken with her dialogues. The supporting cast― of KS Ashwath, Aarathi, Dwarakish, Dinesh, B Jaya, Sampath, MP Shankar, Vajramuni and others― is impressive too; each member has enhanced the dramatic effect of the narration.

I rate this romantic, courtroom drama: 8.5 on 10!