Shalimar (1978)
Kumar, a thief by profession poses as the son of Raja Bahadur Singh to accept an invitation to the island of Sir John Locksley. The guests include K.P.W. Iyengar aka Romeo, Dr. Dubari, Colonel Columbus, and Countess Sylvia Rasmussen. A stunned Kumar finds out that all of these invitees are master criminals. Kumar's guise does not fool anyone, nevertheless Sir John permits him to stay on. The reason why John has invited them is to find a successor to take his place as he is dying of cancer. He feels that one of his invitees can be trusted to take his place and for this he has arranged for them to steal a ruby (Shalimar) worth 135 crores of rupees. This gem is placed in a secure room within his palace, which is alarmed, and guarded. He challenges one of them to steal the Shalimar - but if anyone fails then they are killed by the security system. Pitted against such veterans, it looks like Kumar has got himself into a bind that he may not come out of alive.
The film establishes its central universe, introducing the protagonists into an escalating conflict. Directed by Krishna Shah, this opening movement establishes high visual and thematic stakes that set the narrative journey into motion.
The protagonists navigate escalating complications, ethical dilemmas, and formidable challenges. Starring Dharmendra, Zeenat Aman, Rex Harrison, the middle act intensifies dramatic momentum toward an inevitable turning point.
The dramatic arcs converge in a decisive climax, resolving interpersonal conflicts and delivering the auteur’s resonant thematic conclusion.
Dharmendra
as S.S. Kumar
Zeenat Aman
as Sheila Enders
Rex Harrison
as Sir John Locksley
Sylvia Miles
as Countess Rasmussen
John Saxon
as Colonel Columbus
O.P. Ralhan
as K.P.W. Iyengar (Romeo)
Shammi Kapoor
as Dr. Bukhari
Premnath Malhotra
as Raja Bahadur Singh
Shreeram Lagoo
as Tolaram (as Dr. Shriram Lagoo)
Aruna Irani
as Dance TeacherClyde Chai-Fa
as Dogro
M. B. Shetty
as Tribal ChiefCinematographic negative, aspect ratios & laboratory mastering sheet
| Aspect Ratios | 2.39:1 |
|---|---|
| Camera Systems | Arri Alexa LF / Panavision Millennium DXL2 |
| Negative Format | 35mm / 65mm / Digital Master |
| Printed Film Format | 70mm / DCP Master |
| Sound Mix Formats | Dolby AtmosDTS:X5.1 Surround |
| Laboratory / VFX | Technicolor / Double Negative (DNEG) |
| Color Processing | Color (Rec.709 / DCI-P3 Mastering) |
| Official Runtime | 137 min |
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