# Kaala Patthar

Kaala Patthar (transl. Black Stone) is a 1979 Indian Hindi-language action drama produced and directed by Yash Chopra, with a screenplay written by Salim–Javed. Based on the Chasnala mining disaster, it is the fourth collaboration between director Chopra and actors Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan, succeeding the films Deewaar (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976) and Trishul (1978).
The film was a box office hit and received several Filmfare Award nominations.

## Plot

Vijay Pal Singh is a disgraced Merchant Navy captain who is branded a coward, humiliated by society and disowned by his parents for abandoning his ship and risking the lives of over 300 passengers. Feeling guilty over his cowardice, he starts working as a coal miner to forget his past. He meets and becomes friends with Ravi, an engineer in charge of the mines. He also makes an enemy in another co-worker named Mangal who is an escaped convict working in the mines to avoid the police. Vijay's past comes to haunt him every time he tries to get some sleep. He sees Mangal causing trouble for the coal miners, Vijay tries to defend the miners against Mangal, there are a couple of fights between them and then one day Mangal is injured in an incident and Vijay carries him to Dr. Sudha's surgery and gives his own blood to save Mangal's life, they eventually become friends. The one person who supports Vijay is Dr. Sudha Sen, who tries to make Vijay face up to his past and move on. Ravi and Mangal have their own romances with Anita and Channo, respectively.
Seth Dhanraj is a greedy boss who makes life difficult for the coal miners by giving them poor equipment, less than sufficient medical supplies and lack of facilities, Vijay, Ravi, and Mangal come together to fight for justice against Dhanraj. Water floods the mines, endangering the lives of hundreds of workers trapped underground. Ravi, Vijay, and Mangal succeed in saving the miners, although Ravi injures his leg and Mangal dies.

## Cast

| Actor | Character | Notes |
| Shashi Kapoor | Ravi Malhotra | Coal Mine Engineer |
| Amitabh Bachchan | Vijay Pal Singh | Ex-Merchant Navy captain/ Coal mine worker |
| Rakhee Gulzar | Sudha Sen | Doctors |
| Shatrughan Sinha | Mangal Singh | Runaway prisoner, coal mine worker |
| Parveen Babi | Anita | Press reporter/photographer |
| Neetu Singh | Channo | Bangle seller |
| Sanjeev Kumar | Doctor Mathur | Guest appearance |
| Poonam Dhillon | | Guest appearance |
| Prem Chopra | Dhanraj Puri | Coal mine owner |
| Parikshit Sahni | Jagga | Truck driver |
| Yunus Parvez | Maneklal Saxena | Chief Engineer |
| Manmohan Krishna | | Dhaba owner |
| Vikas Anand | Ram Singh | Supervisor |
| Mac Mohan | Rana | Coal mine workers |
| Sharat Saxena | Dhanna | Coal mine workers |
| Mohan Sherry | Shankar | Coal mine workers |
| Satyendra Kapoor | Raghunath | Coal mine workers |
| Gita Siddharth | Mrs Raghunath | |
| Romesh Sharma | Vikram | |
| Madan Puri | | Vikram's Dad |
| Iftekhar | Mr. Singh | Retd. Army person/Vijay's dad |
| Sudha Chopra | Mrs Singh |
| Jagdish Raj | | Police inspector |
| Suresh Oberoi | | Naval Officers |
| Gautam Sarin | | |
| Madhu Malhotra | | Item girl in the river (Song: Ik Raasta Hai Zindagi) |

## Soundtrack

The film score was composed by Salil Chowdhury and the music for the songs was composed by Rajesh Roshan with lyrics written by Sahir Ludhianvi.
* "Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi" was listed at #14 on Binaca Geetmala annual list 1979.
* "Baahon Mein Teri" was listed at #30 on Binaca Geetmala annual list 1979.

## Awards and nominations

27th Filmfare Awards:
Nominated
* Best Film – Yash Chopra
* Best Director – Yash Chopra
* Best Actor – Amitabh Bachchan
* Best Supporting Actor – Shatrughan Sinha
* Best Supporting Actress – Neetu Singh
* Best Music Director – Rajesh Roshan
* Best Male Playback Singer – Kishore Kumar for "Ek Raasta Hai Zindagi"
* Best Story – Salim–Javed