A personal look at Awtar Kaul’s life and legacy, this guest post is by his nephew, Vinod Kaul, a writer and former Executive Director of Rajya Sabha TV.
Early Life in Kashmir and Journey to Filmmaking
Awtar Kaul was born on September 27, 1939, in Srinagar’s Fatehkadal to the Daftari family with no connections to film or theatre. He was one of six siblings. Awtar Kaul’s early childhood was a haven of love and warmth, spent in the nurturing environment of his Matamaal in Safakadal. Kaul’s early education took place at National High School in Srinagar and later in Delhi. Before moving to the United States in 1960, he worked in British Information Services, New York, after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Film from City University of New York. Upon returning to India, Kaul joined Merchant Ivory Productions as an Assistant Director for “Bombay Talkie.”
’27 Down’: A Cinematic Masterpiece
‘27 Down’ was Awtar Kaul’s directorial debut and unfortunately his only film. Upon its completion in 1974, it was tremendously received and secured two prestigious National Film Awards 1974 – ‘Best Feature Film in Hindi’ and ‘Best Cinematography’. The film has made a lasting impact on Indian cinema and has received international acclaim for the treatment and depiction of emotions of urban alienation. It garnered two international distinguished awards in 1974: The Ecumenical Prize at the Locarno Film Festival and the Film Dukaten Award at IFFMH Munich, Germany, solidifying its position as a masterpiece of Indian cinema. Awtar Krishna Kaul was at the forefront of the New Wave Indian Cinema. This was the time of Shyam Benegal’s Ankur and MS Sathyu’s Garam Hawa. In 70’s, the FFC (now NFDC) helped Mrinal Sen produce Bhuvan Shome, Basu Chatterjee with Sara Aakash, Mani Kaul with Uski Roti and Awtar Kaul with 27 Down. 27 Down was a marked departure from the mould of mainstream Indian films. It was deliberately shot in black and white to create contrasts and shadows alluding to the ups and downs of life. Even after 50 years, this film remains ageless in its treatment, having not resorted to melodrama.
Enduring Legacy and Global Recognition
27 Down has continued to captivate audiences worldwide. In 2013, under the theme of ‘100 years of Indian cinema’, 27 Down was screened at the Festival des 3 Continents, France. To mark the film’s 50th year, 27 Down was screened specially at IFFI Goa 2024. Another recent premiere at ‘The Festival of Singular Films’ on September 23, 2024, at GES-2, Moscow, as part of ‘The Retrospective Program, celebrated the film’s enduring heritage’. In October of 2024, in Barbican in UK, under the banner of ‘Rewriting the Rules: Pioneering Indian Cinema after 1970’, curated by Dr Omar Ahmed, 27 Down was screened as an exemplary film. These accolades have solidified its position as a masterpiece of Indian cinema.
A Tragic Loss and Unfinished Dreams
Tragically, Kaul’s life was cut short in a fatal accident in Bombay at just 35 years old, ironically on the same day his National Awards were announced. He never got to witness the accolades his film received, leaving behind a poignant legacy in the world of cinema. His brief career, however, is a testament to original and outstanding work in films. He came from a humble family that had no connections to film or theatre and he built his lens and work on his own. Despite having been dealt societal roles and responsibilities, he dared to continue to pursue big dreams. Film 27 Down explores urban alienation, something no Hindi film had done before. Awtar Kaul’s passing has created an unbridgeable chasm, leaving Indian Cinema to ponder the what-ifs of his unfinished works.
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Born in a valley untouched by railways, Awtar Kaul ironically or not so ironically crafted one of Indian cinema’s finest films, ’27 Down,’ using the very essence of trains to weave a human tale.
