Kartavya (1979) Online

Vijay Kumar is transferred to the very forest, where his father served creditably in the Department.

To catch poachers, ivory and sandalwood thieves, he first has to clean up his own field office. The arrival of his mother poses complications, right to the very end of this simple story line, with strong environmental conservation and anti poaching messages.

Rekha, as Neeta a wildlife photographer, danseuse turns in a saucy and sinuous performance. To the very end of a tightly edited and well directed movie, her loyalties are not clear. A creditable performance.

Farida Jalal as a simple village belle is quite convincing with her village-speak. It is only after the intermission that the plot unfolds to reveal her loyalties.

All in all, the direction is tight, Dharmendra's performance as Vijay Kumar, a Forest Officer defying all odds to emerge is characteristic of him. Stunts are sometimes a bit boring, but generally well done.

Immense amount of research has obviously gone into development of the storyline, direction, script and editing.

Two good hours of entertainment. If the songs had been better, I would have give it a #9 rating, so have to be content with a #8.