The golden age of Raj Comics is that page in Indian comics history which, as soon as it is turned, presents a hero like Super Commando Dhruv with all his might. Dhruv, known not for his inhuman power but for his intelligence, indomitable courage, scientific thinking and amazing ability to talk to animals, has always been a favorite of readers. “Kaldhwani” is a story in the same series which is not just a common ‘victory of good over evil’ story. It is an intense, emotional and action-packed tragic saga (Tragedy), which not only sets ‘Dhvaniraj’, one of Dhruv’s most dangerous enemies, on a new, frightening level, but also gives birth to a new and complex character ‘Ninad’.
This story, which came from the pen of Jolly Sinha and Anupam Sinha’s coochie-dressed pages, reminds us of the era of comics when every special issue was like a festival. “Kaaldhwani” is true to its name — it is the ‘sound’ of ‘Kaal’ i.e. time (and death), an echo that remains in the mind of the reader even after the story is over.
Detailed analysis of the plot: conspiracy, science and the sound of destruction
This comics starts with a very punchy ‘flash-forward’ or ‘in medias res’ (In Medias Res — beginning in the middle of the story) technique. On the very first page, we see Dhruv battling Dhvaniraj, dressed in a new, more dangerous armor, and ‘Ninad’, a mysterious, pure energy woman. Dhvaniraj announces that he will destroy Rajnagar with the help of Ninad. This scene immediately raises hundreds of questions in the reader’s mind — Who is this Ninad? How did Dhvaniraj become so powerful? And how did all this happen?
The story then takes us into the past (Flashback), which accounts for about 95% of this special issue and answers all these questions.
Secret lab and the birth of ‘Vibranium’
The story’s true beginnings take place in a secret laboratory located on the border of Rajnagar, which is being run by Commander Natasha (who is the daughter of notorious terrorist Grandmaster Robbo). Her scientist, Doctor Ching, succeeds in creating a revolutionary metal ‘Vybrenium’ (a clear tribute to Marvel Comics’ ‘Vibranium’) after two years of hard work. It is a metal that can absorb sound energy and turn it into a destructive weapon. The lab also has a ‘Sound Energy Converter’, which can convert any substance into solid sound waves.
This is where the first twist of the story comes in. A guard from the lab, who is actually an intruder, puts the entire lab to sleep by playing compelling music. This is none other than the man sent by Dhvaniraj.
Dhvaniraj’s attack and Dhruv’s arrival
Dhvaniraj attacks the lab with his goons and a huge ‘Sonic Canon’ tank. His goal is clear – to achieve Vybrenium. Natasha, who is a ’10th degree black belt’ holder, fights bravely, but her hands do not move ahead of Dhvaniraj’s tank.
At this very moment Super Commando Dhruv enters. Dhruv tells that he had come to this area to check the abnormally increased consumption of electricity. Dhruv and Natasha, who have often been against each other, are forced to team up together and face Dhvaniraj. Dhruv, showing his amazing agility and wisdom, destroys Dhvaniraj’s tank with its own cannon.
Tragic birth of ‘Ninad’
After leaving the tank, Dhvaniraj uses his personal Sonic Blaster. He hits Dhruv, but Natasha pushes Dhruv and is herself hit by that deadly sound wave. This blast throws her directly into the ‘Sound Energy Converter’ machine. The machine overloads and Natasha’s body… becomes fragmented. It turns into energy and merges into air.
This scene is a deep blow to Dhruv. He considered Natasha his enemy, but her sacrifice fills him with anger and sorrow. He pounces on Dhvaniraj, but Dhvaniraj manages to escape on his ‘sonic jet scooter’.
One is the rise of new power and the other is conspiracy
The story changes course when a miracle happens at the police station. Natasha is not dead; she has been transformed into ‘Ninad’, a creature of pure sound energy, by the ‘Sound Energy Converter’. She is confused, angry, and unaware of her new powers. She arrives to kill the lab scientists, who have been kept in lockup by the police for security. She accuses Doctor Ching of cheating on her.
Just then Dhruv reaches there and stops her. But before they can understand anything, another villain ‘Sonic Bat’ (a giant bat-like creature) attacks. It turns out that Doctor Ching was the real traitor; he worked for Dhvaniraj and ‘Sonic Bat’ is another weapon made by him. Dhruv defeats Sonic Bat with his wisdom, which depends on ‘Radar Sense’.
Last confrontation in Kal-Khani
Dhvaniraj returns and reveals that he can control ‘Ninad’ (Natasha) with his sound-control device. He forces Ninad to fight Dhruv. Also, he takes the ‘Vybrenium’ stolen from the lab to ‘Kaal-Khani’ (an old mine) below Rajnagar. His plan is to absorb the sound energy of the coming terrible ‘thunderstorm’ into the Vybrenium and create an artificial earthquake ‘Kaldhvani’ and turn the entire Rajnagar into debris.
Dhruv, avoiding Ninad, reaches the Sound Research Center of Rajnagar University. He traps Ninad in a ‘vacuum chamber’. Since Ninad itself is sound energy, its existence starts disintegrating without any medium (air).
After this Dhruv reaches ‘Kaal-Khani’. There he encounters Dhvaniraj. But there is another twist in the story. Ninad (Natasha) also gets there and reveals that she was pretending to be under the control of Dhvaniraj. She had somehow regained her human form (temporarily) by touching the ‘Sound Converter’ back in the university lab.
In the final battle, Dhruv and Natasha together defeat Dhvaniraj. Dhruv breaks the mine wall and brings sea water inside, due to which Dhvaniraj’s equipment becomes short-circuited and the ‘Kaldhwani’ weapon becomes inactive.
Epilogue: An Unsolved Puzzle
The story does not have a happy ending. Natasha has found her human form, but she reveals that her body is still unstable and turning into sound waves. Dhruv saves her from legal punishment by saying that whatever crimes were committed, they were committed by ‘Ninad’ and not by Natasha. He suggests she go into a suspension until she gets treatment.
And this is where the story gets connected to that front page (Prologue). The ending of the story indicates that this peace is temporary. Dhvaniraj will return, he will upgrade his armor (as we saw on page 2) and maybe Natasha will come under his control again, becoming ‘Ninad’. This comics was actually just the beginning of a big saga.
Characterization: Many shades of emotion
Super Commando Dhruv: This comics depicts every aspect of Dhruv’s character. His intelligence (tracking power consumption), his tactics (destroying tanks, using a vacuum chamber, bringing water to the mine), his emotional side (his rage at Natasha’s ‘death’) and his moral force (eventually attempting to save Natasha). He emerges as a complete hero.
Commander Natasha/Ninad: Undoubtedly, this story is about Natasha. Her journey from a grey-shaded character (who is Robbo’s daughter) to becoming a tragic heroine touches the heart. Her state of confusion as ‘Ninad’, her immense power and her anger, everything is very well written. She becomes one of Dhruv’s most complex allies (or enemies?).
Dhvaniraj: This comics installs Dhvaniraj among Dhruv’s ‘top-tier’ enemies. He is not just a common villain playing with sound; he is a master planner, a conspirator, and a criminal with scientific intelligence. His ambition and cruelty make him a memorable villain.
Art and Screenplay: A Perfect Jugalbandi
Anupam Sinha’s artwork is the main attraction of this story. The action sequences are extremely dynamic. Every panel is full of energy. The design of ‘Ninad’ (a translucent, energetic female figure) and the haunting look of ‘Sonic Bat’ are both excellent. The expressions of anger, anguish, and determination are shown very clearly on Dhruv’s face. Sunil Pandey’s color combination gives the comics a classic look of that era.
Jolly Sinha’s script is tight. The pace of the story does not slow down anywhere. The balance of science, action, drama and emotion is perfect. The dialogues are powerful, such as “The only regret is that you will not survive to kneel!” The theme of ‘Dhvani’ has been woven in a very creative way everywhere in the story (Dhvaniraj, Ninad, Sonic Bat, Kaaldhwani, Sound Converter).
Conclusion: A ‘must-read’ classic
“Kaldhwani” is one of the best stories of Super Commando Dhruv. It’s not just a comics, but a whole cinematic experience. It is a story that beautifully combines science-fiction with human emotions and tragedy. It upgrades a villain and spawns a new, complex character, who is destined to have a long stay in Dhruv’s world.
This special issue is proof that there was no lack of depth, complexity, and emotional maturity in Indian comics. The pairing of Anupam Sinha and Jolly Sinha has given us a work which is equally impressive and exciting even today. It is a mandatory read (Must-Read) for every comics lover, especially fans of Super Commando Dhruv.
