Sunday, August 17, 2008

Awaara

Awaara
Directed by Raj Kapoor
Produced by Raj Kapoor
Written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
V.P. Sathe
Starring Raj Kapoor
Nargis
Prithviraj Kapoor
Leela Chitnis
K.N.Singh
Shashi Kapoor
Music by Shankar-Jaikishan
Distributed by Esquire Ltd. (Asia)
Release date(s) 1951
Running time 193 min
Language Hindi
Budget Unknown
IMDb profile

Awaara (Hindi: अवारा, Urdu: آوارہ, Translation: "The Rogue" ) is a 1951 Bollywood film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor who also has the leading role. His real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor also stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Raj's youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character. Prithiviraj's father Dewan Bashwanath Kapoor also played a cameo role in his only film appearance.

The film centers on the intertwining lives of poor Raj (Raj Kapoor) and privileged Rita (Nargis). In the film, Kapoor's poor, innocent "little tramp" character references Charlie Chaplin and was further developed in other Kapoor films such as Jagte Raho and Shri 420.

The film is a collaboration of the famous team of director/producer Kapoor and writer Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, with music composed by the team of Shankar Jaikishan. The song "Awara Hoon (I am a Tramp)," sung by Mukesh with lyrics by Shailendra, became hugely popular across the Indian subcontinent, as well as in Russia, Romania, Turkey and China.

In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the "Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films".

Plot

Raj lives a life of poverty as a result of being estranged from his vindictive father, a wealthy district judge (played by Kapoor's real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor). Judge Raghunath threw Raj's mother out of the house years earlier on suspicion of infidelity. As a child, Raj befriends Rita in school, but the judge (who becomes Rita's guardian after her parents die) soon tears them apart. Even though they are separated, Rita remains in Raj's thoughts.

On the streets, Raj turns to a life of petty crime and finds a father-figure in Jagga (K. N. Singh). It is only many years later that Raj realizes that Jagga is the man responsible for his mother's estrangement. In a fit of rage, Raj kills Jagga and then tries to kill the judge, but fails. Due to these actions, Raj is brought to his own father's court, where Rita serves as his lawyer. In the end, Raj is sentenced to 3 years in prison for his crime, but Rita promises to wait for him.

Trivia

  • The film grossed over Rs.12 million. This record was beaten the next year by Aan.

Cast


Aan

Aan

Film poster
Directed by Mehboob Khan
Produced by Mehboob Khan
Written by R. S. Choudhury (story)
S. Ali Raza (dialogue)
Starring Dilip Kumar
Nimmi
Premnath
Nadira
Music by Naushad
Cinematography Faredoon A. Irani
Editing by Shamsudin Kadri
Release date(s) 1952
Running time 161 min.
Country Flag of India India
Language Hindi/Urdu
IMDb profile

Aan (Hindi: आन, Urdu: آن, translation: pride), also known as The Savage Princess in the U.S.A, is a 1952 Indian Hindi swashbuckling romantic musical film produced and directed by the legendary Mehboob Khan. It stars Dilip Kumar, Premnath, Nimmi and marked the debut of Nadira who replaced the original choice which was actress Nargis. It was the highest grosser of 1952[1] and was the first to gross over Rs.15 million. This record was beaten 3 years later by Shree 420 in 1955.

Plot

A Royal Indian family consists of the Emperor Maharaj (Murad, his brother Shamsher Singh (Premnath) and sister Rajshree (Nadira). A poor villager named Jai Tilak (Dilip Kumar) enters a contest to tame Princess Rajshree's horse and after he is successful Shamsher challenges him to a game of fencing. Jai is declared the winner of the fight after much dispute and Shamsher is enraged at losing to a poor villager. Jai then falls in love with Rajshree and tries numurous times to woo her but the princess's arrogance prevents her from revealing her true feelings.

Shamsher becomes even more enraged when the Emperor Maharaj reveals that Shamsher is not the heir to his throne after his death and that he plans to free India from dictation and turn to democracy.

Shamsher then plans to gain control of the kingdom by killing the Maharajah on the night before he is due to travel to England for a medical procedure. However he is unsuccessful after the Maharajah escapes an attempt on his life by Shamsher's henchmen and disguises himself as a servant in his own palace.

Shamsher then sets his eyes on Mangala (Nimmi) who is a village girl and childhood friend of Jai but her love is not reciprocated as he is only in love with princess Rajshree. After Mangala is kidnapped by Shamsher Singh who plans to keep her prisoner in his palace and molest her, Mangala takes a bottle of poison and dies. Jai kills Shamsher in revenge and provokes Princess Rajshree to launch an attack on his village to avenge her brother's death. Jai manages to kidnap Rajshree and sets out to gain her love by taking her into his village and forcing her to live as a peasant girl. Just when Rajshree begins to realise her feelings for Jai, Shamsher Singh who was presumed dead returns to get his revenge against Jai. What will happen to Jai and Rajshree? and Will Shamsher gain control of the Kingdom?

Cast


Daag (1952 film)

Daag
Directed by Amiya Chakrabarty
Produced by Amiya Chakrabarty
Starring Dilip Kumar
Nimmi
Music by Shankar Jaikishan
Cinematography V Babasaheb
Editing by D B Joshi
Release date(s) 1952
Country Flag of India India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Daag is a 1952 Indian Hindi film produced and directed by Amiya Chakrabarty. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Nimmi and Lalita Pawar. The films music is by Shankar Jaikishan

Awards


Sangdil (1952 film)

Sangdil
Directed by R C Talwar
Starring Dilip Kumar
Madhubala
Music by Sajjad
Release date(s) 1952
Country Flag of India India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Sangdil is a 1952 film directed by R. C Talwar. The film is an adaptation of the Charlotte Brontë classic Jane Eyre. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Dara Singh and Leela Chitnis. The film's music is by Sajjad.

Cast

Do Bigha Zamin

Do Bigha Zamin

Film poster
Directed by Bimal Roy
Produced by Bimal Roy
Written by Salil Choudhury (story)
Paul Mahendra (dialogue)
Hrishikesh Mukherjee (scenario)
Starring Balraj Sahni
Nirupa Roy
Ratan Kumar
Jagdeep
Murad
Music by Salil Choudhury
Cinematography Kamal Bose
Editing by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Distributed by Shemaroo Video Pvt. Ltd.
Release date(s) 1953
Running time 142 min.
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Do Bigha Zamin (Two Acres of Land) is 1953 Bollywood film, directed by Bengali director Bimal Roy and star Balraj Sahni and Nirupa Roy in lead roles. The film is known for its socialist theme, and is an important film in the early parallel cinema of India and is rightly considered a trend setter [1]

Like most of movies by Bimal Roy, art and commercial cinema are merged to create a movie that is still looked upon as a benchmark and paved way for future cinema makers in the neo-realist movement, which was about to start in the 70s [2].

In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films

Summary

The story revolves around a farmer, Shambhu (Balraj Sahni), who has been hit badly by a famine in Bengal. The real reason of his sorrow is that the Zamindar (land owner) wants to acquire his land on the pretext that Shambhu had taken some loan from him. Shambhu has to pay back the landlord and hence moves to the city to look for some other source of money.

The most famous scene from the movie is when Shambhu pushes himself to the limit pulling a rickshaw. The rider on the rickshaw offers Shambhu more money to pull faster because he is chasing (probably) his girlfriend who is in a horse pulled carriage. Shambhu can not resist the temptation, and he keeps smiling in anticipation of getting more money. However, his wealthy customer is not worried the least about the lower class' plight. In this race, rickshaw loses a wheel and Shambhu is injured.

However, through all these hardships Shambhu does not lose his righteousness, which is the moral of the movie. Shambhu's son steals money to help his father, only to be reproached by his father later. Shambhu's morality is the only thing that remains his own till the end.

The movie ends with Shambhu returning to his village, only to see his land sold and a factory being constructed over it.

Critical acclaim

Do Bigha Zamin won the Prix Internationale at the 1954 Cannes Film Festival and the Prize for Social Progress at the Karlovy Vary film festival. The movie won the first ever Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1954. Bimal Roy won the Filmfare Best Director Award. The movie also won the Certificate of Merit at National Film Award of India.

The Title

In the name of the movie "Two Bigha of Land" or Two Acres of Land, Bigha or Acre is a unit of measuring land. Bigha varies from state to state. In Bengal, where the movie is based, 3 bigha is one acre (4,000 m²). Therefore, Shambhu owns only 2,700 m².


Nagin (1954 film)

Nagin

Nagin Movieposter
Directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal
Produced by Mahendra Shah
Written by Bijon Bhattacharya (story)
Hamid Dutt (screenplay)
Starring Vyjayanthimala
Pradeep Kumar
Jeevan
Music by Hemanta Mukherjee
Cinematography Fali Mistry
Editing by Babu Lavande
Release date(s) Flag of India 1954
Running time 139 min
Language Hindi
IMDb profile


Nagin (Devnagari: नागिन) is a 1954 film directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal, starring Vyjayanthimala and Pradeep Kumar.

Synopsis

Vyjayanthimala (as Mala)
Vyjayanthimala (as Mala)


Two Adivasi tribes are in conflict for some local economic rights. The daughter of the Nagi tribe's chief, Mala (Vyjayanthimala) vows to kill the son of the Ragi tribe's chief, Sanatan (Pradeep Kumar) as revenge. Trespassing the enemy territory, she is mesmerized by music of a flute (played by the musician Kalyanji Virji Shah). Coming closer, she finds out that the singer is Sanatan. They fall in love, but they find difficult to appease the enemity between the two tribes and to resist to the attempts of the villain Prabir (Jeevan) to marry the heroine.Hemant Kumar was the music director of this film. This film is also memorable for the music of this film. Hemant kumar won the national filmfare award for this film in 1954.He also sung some of the memorable songs of this film himself such as, tere dwar khara ek yogi, oo zindegi ke denewale.

Cast

Aar Paar

Aar Paar (1954 film)
Directed by Guru Dutt
Produced by Guru Dutt
Written by Abrar Alvi (dialogue), Nabendu Ghosh(screenplay)
Starring Guru Dutt
Shyama
Shakila (actress)
Johnny Walker
Jagdish Sethi
Jagdeep
Music by O.P. Nayyar
Cinematography V.K. Murthy
Editing by Y. G. Chawhan
Release date(s) 1954
Country Flag of India India
Language Hindi , Urdu
IMDb profile

Aar Paar (English: This or That) is a 1954 Indian Hindi-language film. Directed by Guru Dutt the film has music by O.P. Nayyar and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. A light hearted movie ( very unlike Guru Dutt in his later years) the movie stars Johnny Walker, Shyama, Shakila (actress), Jagdeep, Jagdish Sethi, Bir Sakuja, Rajendra, Amir Banu, Rashid Khan, M.A. Latif.

Plot

Kalu, who spent time in a prison for a traffic offence, finds a job at an auto maintenance garage after his release and falls in love with the daughter of the owner. But things begin to get out of hand when he is fired from his job and is then unknowingly hired as the driver of a gang. A sophisticated comedy filled with stylish dialogue and speedy action.

Cast

Songs

Song Singer(s) Lyricist Duration Notes
Sun Sun Sun Sun Zaalima Geeta Dutt and Mohammad Rafi O.P. Nayyar

Ja Ja Ja Ja Bewafa Geeta Dutt O.P. Nayyar

Babuji Dheere Chalna Geeta Dutt O.P. Nayyar

Ye Lo Main Haari Piya Geeta Dutt O.P. Nayyar

Hoon Abhi Main Jawaan Aye Dil Geeta Dutt O.P. Nayyar

Mohabat Karlo Ji Barlo Geeta Dutt and Mohammed Rafi O.P. Nayyar

Na Na Na Na Na Na Tauba Tauba Geeta Dutt and Mohammed Rafi O.P. Nayyar

Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Shamshad Begum O.P. Nayyar


Jagriti


Jagriti
Directed by Satyen Bose
Written by Satyen Bose
Manoranjan Ghose
Manoranjan Ghose
Pandit Urmil
Starring Abhi Bhattacharya
Pranoti Ghosh
Bipin Gupta
Ratan Kumar
Music by Hemant Kumar
Cinematography N. V. Srinivas
Editing by Shanker Hurde
Vishwanath
Release date(s) 1954
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Jagriti ("The Awakening") is a 1954 Bollywood film that won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956. The film was copied in 1957 Pakistani film "baidari". Even the songs were copied by replacing "Hindustan" by "Pakistan".[1]

Plot

The film is about a spoiled rich kid who eventually reforms himself, but is now remembered largely for its patriotic songs, written by Pradeep and set to music by Hemant Kumar. It features Abhi Bhattacharya as a boarding school superintendent, who tries to instill good values in the students using unorthodox teaching methods. He educates the children about the heritage of their country and encourages them to become model citizens.

Cast

Songs

  • Aao Bachhon Tumhen Dikhaaye
  • Chalo Chalen Maan Sapanon Ke Gaanv Mein
  • De Di Hamein Aazaadi
  • Ham Laaye Hain Toofan Se Kashti Nikaal Ke


Boot Polish (film)

Boot Polish

Film poster
Directed by Prakash Arora
Produced by Raj Kapoor
Written by Bhanu Pratap
Starring Naaz
Ratan Kumar
David
Music by Shankar Jaikishan
Cinematography Tara Dutt
Editing by G. G. Mayekar
Release date(s) 1954
Running time 149 min.
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Boot Polish is a 1954 Hindi film directed by Prakash Arora and produced by Raj Kapoor. It won the Filmfare Award for the Best Movie.

Plot

Belu (Baby Naaz) and Bhola (Ratan Kumar) are left to the care of their wicked aunt Kamla (Chand Burque) when their mother dies. She forces them to beg in the streets and grabs all the money they get.

A bootlegger John Chacha (David) teaches them to lead a life of self-respect and work for a living instead of begging. They scrimp and save to buy a shoe-polish kit and start shining shoes. Kamla finds out about what they have been doing behind her back, beats them and throws them out of the house.

John Chacha gives them shelter, but then he is arrested and the kids are left to fend for themselves. When it rains and people don't get their shoes polished any more, the children are in danger of starving. But Bhola believes that he will never beg anymore but on one rainy night, a man tosses him a coin and he rejects it, but Belu takes it as she is very hungry.

Bhola slaps Belu for that and she drops the coin. Lastly, the police comes and is taking children with them. Belu rushes in an unknown train, but Bhola is arrested. In the train, Belu is adopted by a rich family and she mopes for her brother.

The climax is when Belu becomes rich and is now giving coins to the beggars, Bhola also comes to her. Humiliated, Bhola runs away while his sister screams for him. But, at lastly he returns and is reunited with his sister.

And then the rich family adopt both of the siblings and live happily ever after.

Moral: Begging gives the beggar little, and takes more from him. (This means that a beggar loses all his/her respect by begging).

Awards

Film poster with photograph
Film poster with photograph

Cannes film festival

  • Special Mention to a child actress - Naaz
  • Prakash Arora was nominated for the Golden Palm

Filmfare Awards

  • Best Cinematographer - Tara Dutt
  • Best Film - Raj Kapoor
  • Best Supporting Actor - David

Trivia

  • Movielore has it that Raj Kapoor did not like what Prakash Arora had made and re-shot the film himself. This is the only film credited to Arora.[citation needed]
  • The writer of the film Bhanu Pratap is also credited with just one film.
  • Raj Kapoor made a tiny appearance in the film as a man asleep in a train.
  • It was Baby Naaz's first film, she received a special mention at the Cannes Film Festival, but as a grown up her career did not reach great heights.
  • Ratan Kumar acted as a child star in great films like Do Bigha Zameen and Jagriti but never made it as hero later in life.
  • Raj Kapoor produced one more children's film Ab Dilli Dur Nahin in 1957.

Mr. & Mrs. '55

Mr. & Mrs. '55
Directed by Guru Dutt
Produced by Guru Dutt
Written by Abrar Alvi
Starring Guru Dutt
Madhubala
Johnny Walker
Lalita Pawar
Cukoo
Music by O. P Nayyer (music director)
Majrooh Sultanpuri (lyricist)
Cinematography V.K. Murthy
Distributed by Ultra Distributors Pvt. Ltd.
Release date(s) 1955
Running time 157 min
Language Hindi
Budget Unknown
IMDb profile

Mr. & Mrs. '55 is a 1955 Bollywood film by director Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt stars alongside Madhubala , supported by Lalita Pawar, Johnny Walker and Jagdeep in this socially-critical romantic comedy set in contemporary Bombay. The films music is by O. P. Nayyar and lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri

Synopsis

Preetam (Guru Dutt), a struggling cartoonist, meets Anita (Madhubala) at a tennis match, where she is watching her favorite tennis star. Anita, a wealthy and westernized heiress is controlled by her feminist aunt, Sita Devi (Lalita Pawar). Sita is suspicious of men, and cultivates her attitudes in Anita. However, to receive her fortune, her father's will decrees that Anita must marry within one month of turning 21. Sita Devi doesn't agree with this, and tries to set Anita up with a sham marriage which will soon lead to divorce, thereby giving her both freedom and a fortune. Sita hires Preetam to marry Anita, but doesn't know that the pair have already met. Preetam is kept from Anita after their marriage, but he kidnaps her and takes her to the traditional house of his brother.

While at the house, Anita befriends Preetam's sister-in-law, and begins to see the merit in becoming a traditional Indian wife. Preetam is worried that he has lost Anita, and expedites their divorce by providing false, incrimiating evidence to the court. Preetam then leaves Bombay, heartbroken. Anita now recognizes her feelings for Preetam and rushes to meet him at the airport. In the end, the couple is reunited.

Trivia

  • Cartoons in the movie are drawn by famous cartoonist R. K. Laxman.[1]
  • Both of the film's leading stars Guru Dutt and Madhubala died at a relatively young age in the 1960s. Guru Dutt committed suicide in 1964 at the age of thirty-nine. Madhubala died four years later in 1969 of a heart ailment at the age of 36.

Devdas (1955 film)

Devdas

DVD release cover
Directed by Bimal Roy
Produced by Bimal Roy
Written by Rajinder Singh Bedi
Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay
Starring Dilip Kumar
Suchitra Sen
Vyjayanthimala
Motilal
Music by Sachin Dev Burman
Cinematography Kamal Bose
Release date(s) 1955
Running time 159 min.
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Devdas (Hindi: देवदास, Urdu: دیوداس) is a 1955 film based on the Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay novel, Devdas.

In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.[1] Plot Synopsis:Childhood sweethearts, Devdas (Dilip Kumar) and Parvati or Paro (Suchitra Sen) grow up in a small village with a love-hate relationship which changes to love when they mature. Devdas comes from a very rich and wealthy family. His dad does not approve of his marriage or even any friendship with Paro, and sends him away to Calcutta. Disheartened Devdas gives up on his love, and Paro gets married to a much older man, who has a grown-up son and daughter. Devdas realises he is unable to give up his love for Paro and returns to the village, only to find that she is married. He returns to Calcutta and falls into bad company and alcohol. He is introduced to a dancer, Chandramukhi (Vyjayantimala), who adores him and falls hopelessly in love with him. Devdas in not aware of Chandramukhi's affection and love for him, as most of his time is spent in a alcoholic stupor, and lust for Paro.

Cast


C.I.D. (film)
Directed by Raj Khosla
Produced by Guru Dutt
Starring Dev Anand
Shakila
Waheeda Rehman
Music by O. P. Nayyar
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

C.I.D. is a 1956 Indian Hindi film. Produced by Guru Dutt, it was directed by Raj Khosla. It stars Dev Anand, Shakila, Johnny Walker, K. N. Singh and Waheeda Rehman. The movie was a crime thriller and has Dev playing a police inspector investigating a case. The music is by O. P. Nayyar and the lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri and Jaan Nissar Akhtar.

Trivia

  • Dev Anand and Guru Dutt were friends when they struggled to get a break in films, and had promised each other that Dev would give Guru Dutt a film to direct (which he did with Baazi) and Guru Dutt would cast Dev as a hero and direct him. As Guru Dutt did not direct C.I.D. he could fulfil only half his promise.
  • Guru Dutt had spotted Waheeda Rehman in a Telugu movie and cast her in Pyaasa, but gave her a key supporting role in C.I.D. to prepare her for Pyaasa.
  • Guru Dutt had reportedly gifted Raj Khosla a swanky foreign car after the success of CID.
  • The choreography of this film was done by Zohra Sehgal - now famous for her ‘granny’ roles (Veer-Zaara, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Cheeni Kum).
  • The costumes were credited to a Bhanumati, who is better known as Bhanu Athaiya.
  • Assisting Raj Khosla on CID were Pramod Charavorty and Bhappi Sonie who went on to become successful directors in their own right.
  • One of the lyricists was Jaan Nissar Akhtar, father of Javed Akhtar
  • The scriptwriter was Inder Raj Anand, father of actor-filmmaker Tinnu Anand.

Chori Chori


Chori Chori

Film poster
Directed by Anant Thakur
Produced by L. B. Lachman
Written by Aga Jani Kashmiri
Starring Nargis
Raj Kapoor
Music by Shankar Jaikishan
Cinematography V. N. Reddy
Editing by S. Surya
Release date(s) 1956
Running time 158 min.
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Chori Chori (Hindi: चोरी चोरी, Urdu: چوری چوری) is a 1956 Hindi film directed by Anant Thakur, with music by Shankar Jaikishan and lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri. The film is inspired by the Hollywood movie, It Happened One Night. The film stars Raj Kapoor and Nargis; Bhagwan Dada, Pran, David, and Johnny Walker have character parts. The movie would later inspire the 1990s Hindi re-make, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin.


Mother India

Mother India

Film poster
Directed by Mehboob Khan
Written by Wajahat Mirza
S. Ali Raza
Starring Nargis
Sunil Dutt
Rajendra Kumar
Raaj Kumar
Music by Naushad
Cinematography Faredoon A. Irani
Editing by Shamsudin Kadri
Release date(s) 1957
Running time 172 min
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile
This article is about a Hindi film. For the national personification of India, see Bharat Mata.

Mother India (Hindi: भारत माता, Urdu: بھارت ماتا) is a 1957 Bollywood film directed by Mehboob Khan and starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raj Kumar. The film was India's nomination for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1957. The film is a remake of Mehboob Khan's earlier film Aurat (1940).

In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.[1] The film ranked #3 in the list of all-time box office hits.[2]

Plot

The film begins with the finishing of a water canal to the village set in the present. Radha (Nargis), as the 'mother' of the village is asked to open the canal and remembers back to her past when she was newly married, mirroring the new independence of India.

The wedding between Radha and Shamu (Raaj Kumar) was paid for by Radha's mother-in-law who raised a loan from the moneylender, Sukhilala. This event starts the spiral of poverty and hardship which Radha endures. The conditions of the loan are disputed but the village elders decide in favour of the moneylender after which Shamu and Radha are forced to pay three quarters of their crop as interest on the loan of 500 rupees.

Nargis as Radha with Birju and Rama
Nargis as Radha with Birju and Rama

Whilst trying to bring more of their land into use to alleviate their poverty, Shamu's arms are crushed by a boulder. He is shamed by his helplessness and is humiliated by others in the village, deciding that he is no use to his family he leaves and does not return. Soon after this, Radha's mother-in-law dies.

Radha continues to work in the fields with her children and gives birth again. Sukhilala offers to help alleviate her poverty in return for Radha marrying him, but she refuses to "sell herself". A storm sweeps through the village destroying the harvest and killing Radha's youngest child - the villagers start to migrate but decide to stay and rebuild on the urging of Radha.

The film then skips forward several years to when Radha's two surviving children, Birju (Sunil Dutt) and Ramu (Rajendra Kumar), are young men. Birju, embittered by the exactions of Sukhilala since he was a child takes out his frustrations by pestering the village girls, especially Sukhilala's daughter. Ramu, by contrast, has a calmer temper and is married soon after. He becomes a father but his wife is soon absorbed into the cycle of poverty in the family.

Birju's anger finally becomes dangerous and, after being provoked, attacks Sukhilala and his daughter as well as violently lashing out at his family. He is chased out of the village and becomes a bandit. On the day of the wedding of Sukhilala's daughter, Birju returns to take his revenge. He kills Sukhilala and takes his daughter - but Radha, who had promised that Birju would not do harm, shoots Birju who dies in her arms. The film ends with her opening of the canal and reddish water flowing into the fields.

Cast


Mother India DVD cover
Mother India DVD cover

Response

  • The film grossed over Rs.40 million. This record was beaten 3 years later by Mughal-E-Azam in 1960.

Awards & Nominations

Naya Daur

Naya Daur

Film Poster
Directed by B. R. Chopra
Produced by B. R. Chopra
Written by Akhtar Mirza
Kamil Rashid
Starring Dilip Kumar
Vyjayanthimala
Ajit
Chand Usmani
Jeevan
Music by O. P. Nayyar
Cinematography M. Malhotra
Editing by Pran Mehra
Release date(s) 1957
2007 (re-release)
Running time 173 min.
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Naya Daur is a 1957 Indian drama film starring Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Ajit and Jeevan. Originally filmed in Black and white, the film was colourized and re-released on 3 August 2007.

Synopsis

The film is set in post-independence India where Industrialization is slowly creeping in. The focus is on Tangawallahs who earn their living transporting people from place to place on Tangas(horse - carts). Their livelihood is threatened when the son of a rich landlord (Jeevan) begins operating a bus service in the town,which he subsidizes heavily with the sole intention of first driving the Tangawallahs out of the down and then making profits. Dilip Kumar plays one of the Tangawallahs who petitions the landlord over this injustice.Then, Jeevan's character proposes a competition to decide which service is the best - The Bus or the Tanga? It is then decided that there will be a race between both the vehicles. The Bus driven mechanically and the Tanga driven by Dilip Kumar's character. If the Bus wins the race, the Tangawallahs would not complain further and if the Tanga wins, the Bus service would stop. This competition was a farce from the start itself since nobody could even dream that a horse cart could beat a machine operated bus. Dilip Kumar, however, accepts the challenge to everybody's surprise. His logic is that they would anyway be driven to starvation if the Bus Service continues. This race at least gives them an opportunity to try and do something. However, the rest of the Tangawallahs do not share his hope. They blame him for his foolishness. In the end, he is left alone with nobody's support except his sweetheart, played by Vyjyanti Mala. As the movie unravels,a hopeless situation begins to turn around because of the way the people come together. Mishap after mishap occurs but nothing can deter the determined. The highlight of the film is definitely the heart stopping final race where the underdog wins and how?

Contorversial Court case

During filming the Naya Daur production was involved in a highly controversial and widely publicized court case. Intialy the actress Madhubala was cast as the female lead. An advance payment was paid to her and shooting began and contuinued smoothly for 15 days. B.R. Chopra, the director of the film wanted the unit to travel to Bhopal for an extended outdoor shooting. Ataullah Khan, the father of Madhubala objected to this and even claimed that the entire Bhopal schedule was a ruse to give Dilip Kumar the opportunity to romance his daughter (Kumar and Madhubala were in a relationship at the time). Finally, Chopra sued Madhubala for the cash advance she received from him for a film she now had no intention of completing. He also replaced her with the South Indian actress Vyjayanthimala. Madhubala obediently supported her father despite her commitment to Dilip Kumar. Kumar testified against Madhubala and Ataullah Khan in favor of the director B.R. Chopra in open court. The case was lost by Madhubala and her father amid much negative publicity. During the case, the film was released and declared a success. Chopra dropped the case and saved Madhubala from the possible humiliation of a prison sentence.

Box Office

The film was one of the highest grossers of 1957 and also critically acclaimed.

Music

  • "Yeh desh hai veer jawaano ka"
  • "Maang ke saath tumhara"
  • "Ude jab jab zulfein teri"
  • "Saathi haath badhana saathi re"
  • "Main bombay ka babu"

Pyaasa

Pyaasa

Film poster
Directed by Guru Dutt
Produced by Guru Dutt
Written by Abrar Alvi
Starring Mala Sinha
Guru Dutt
Waheeda Rehman
Johnny Walker
Rehman
Music by S. D. Burman
Cinematography V.K. Murthy
Editing by Y. G. Chawhan
Release date(s) February 19, 1957
Running time 146 min.
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Pyaasa (Hindi: प्यासा, Urdu: پیاسا; Eternal Thirst in English) is a 1957 Hindi film directed by Guru Dutt. The film tells the story of struggling poet, Vijay (Guru Dutt), trying to make his works known in post-independence India. Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman in her first major leading role in Hindi cinema), a prostitute with a heart of gold, eventually helps him get his poems published. The music was composed by S.D. Burman.

With commercial success of thrillers like Baazi, Jaal, Aar Paar, C.I.D and comedies Mr. & Mrs. '55, Guru Dutt and his studio were financially secure and established. He could now make movies he really wanted to make, including Pyaasa. Pyaasa is rated as one of the best 100 films of all-time by Time Magazine, which called it "the soulfully romantic of the lot." [1] Indiatimes Movies ranks the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.[2]

Plot

Guru Dutt as Vijay in role of a struggling poet
Guru Dutt as Vijay in role of a struggling poet

Vijay (Guru Dutt) is an unsuccessful poet whose works are not taken seriously by publishers or his brothers (who sell his poems as waste paper). Unable to bear their taunting that he is a good for nothing, he stays away from home and is often out on the streets. He encounters a good-hearted prostitute named Gulabo (Waheeda Rehman), who is enamoured with his poetry and falls in love with him. He also encounters his ex-girlfriend Meena (Mala Sinha) from college and finds out that she is married to a big publisher Mr. Ghosh (Rehman) for financial security, who hires him as a servant to find out more about him and Meena. A dead beggar to whom Vijay gave his coat and whom he tries to save unsuccessfully from the path of a running train is mistaken for Vijay. Gulabo goes to Ghosh and gets his poems published. Ghosh does so feeling he can exploit the poems and make a killing. But Vijay is alive and in hospital after the train mishap.

Ghosh and Shyam, Vijay's close friend, refuse to recognise him and he is committed to a mental asylum since he insists he is Vijay and is thought to be mad. Vijay's brothers too are bought off by Ghosh not to recognize him and a memorial is held for the dead poet. Vijay with the help of his friend Abdul Sattar (Johnny Walker) escapes from the mental asylum and reaches the memorial service where he denounces this corrupt and materialistic world. Seeing that Vijay is alive his friend and brothers take side with a rival publisher for more money and declare this is Vijay. At a function to honour him, Vijay becomes sick of all the hypocrisy in the world around him and declares he is not Vijay. He then leaves with Gulabo to start a new life.

Cast

Tagline

Guru Dutt and world cinema masterpiece!

Memorable quotes

  • Vijay: Apne shauk ke liye pyaar karti hai aur apne aaram ke liye pyar bechti hai.

[For the sake of her hobby she gives her love, and for the sake of her comfort she sells her love.]

  • Vijay: To phir main yahan kya kar raha hun. Main kyon zinda hun, Gulabo?

[What am I doing here? Why am I alive, Gulabo?]

  • Vijay: These smiling flowers, these fragrant gardens, this world filled... with glorious colors. The nectar intoxicates bees. What little have I to add to this splendor... a few tears, a few sighs.
  • Vijay: ...I'm not that Vijay

Songs

The movie boasts one of the best performances of S.D. Burman, Sahir Ludhianvi, Geeta Dutt and Mohammed Rafi to produce one of the most lyrical Hindi musicals. Pyaasa marked the last collaboration of the long-lasting team of composer S D Burman and lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi.[3]

The film then and now

  • There was a debate between writer Abrar Alvi and Guru Dutt on film’s ending. Abrar wanted the protagonist to accept and compromise with the prevailing material social reality; Guru Dutt insisted otherwise.
  • Song Sar jo tera chakraye composed by S.D Burman was actually based on tune composed by his son R.D Burman.
  • Pyaasa was to be made with actresses, Nargis Dutt and Madhubala in the roles Mala Sinha and Waheeda Rehman played eventually. But the two actresses couldn't decide which role they wanted to play and Guru Dutt eventually opted for two then new actresses, Mala and Waheeda.[4]
  • Guru Dutt wanted Dilip Kumar to play the leading role in the movie, which the tragedy king declined. Guru Dutt himself played and movie went on to become one the most commercially successful movies of the year.
  • The popular song "Hum aapki aankhon mein" was added to the movie on behest of distributors to bring some relief in rather pessimist film. It was never planned in original cut.
  • After a slow opening, Pyaasa went on to be a major commercial success of the year. This gave Guru Dutt the confidence to make a repeat on a grand scale. However, Kaagaz Ke Phool went on to be a commercial disaster. Ironically, the movie picked up a cult following world over in 1980s much after Guru Dutt passed away.
  • Waheeda Rahman's role in Pyaasa was based on a real life character. Abrar Alvi and his friends were visiting Bombay and they decided to visit the red light area. Alvi got talking to a girl who called herself Gulabo. According to Alvi " As I left, she thanked me in a broken voice, saying that it was the first time that she had been treated with respect, in a place where she heard only abuses. I used-her exact words in the film"[5]
  • Guru Dutt and his movies, including Pyaasa, have a large cult following in France and Germany. It was a huge commercial success during its 1984 French Premiere, ironically something Guru Dutt never witnessed during his lifetime. Since then, the movie has been screened to huge mass appeal world over, like the recent screening at the The 9th International Festival of Asian Cinema held in Vesoul, in February 2003,[6]
  • Is a Time top 100 movie of all times
  • Is a Time readers choice top 10 movie of all times[7]
  • Film was later remade in Telugu as Malle Poovu (1975)[8]


Paying Guest

Paying Guest
Directed by Subodh Mukherjee
Produced by Sashadhar Mukherjee
Written by Nasir Hussain
Starring Dev Anand
Nutan
Music by S.D. Burman
Release date(s) 1957
Running time 157 minutes
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Paying Guest is a 1957 Bollywood film directed by Subodh Mukherjee. The film stars Dev Anand and Nutan along with Shobha Khote.

The soundtrack, composed by Sachin Dev Burman received a degree of popularity and made a lasting impression[citation needed]. The lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Paying Guest was the second hit film of the team of Mukherjee, Hussain, Dev Anand and S.D Burman , who had combined two years earlier to make the successful Munimji.

Cast

Madhumati

Madhumati
Directed by Bimal Roy
Written by Ritwik Ghatak(Screenplay)
Rajinder Singh Bedi(Dialogue)
Starring Dilip Kumar
Vyjayanthimala
Johnny Walker
Editing by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Release date(s) 1958
Running time 179 mins
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Madhumati is a 1958 Indian Hindi Movie directed by Bimal Roy and written by Ritwik Ghatak. Music by Salil Choudhury, lyrics by Shailendra. The movie stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayantimala, Pran and Johnny Walker. The film deals with reincarnation and had a gothic noir feel to it. The film was one of Roy's greatest commercial successes.

Plot

On a stormy night, Devendra (Dilip Kumar), an engineer, drives down a hill road with his friend, to fetch his wife and child from the railway station. A landslide blocks their path and the friends take shelter in an old mansion just off the road. Devendra finds the house uncannily familiar. In the large front room he finds an old portrait which he recognizes. His friend and the old caretaker join him, and Devendra, amidst flashes of memory from another life, sits down to tell his story while the storm rages outside. Anand (Dilip Kumar) had come to Shyamnagar Timber Estate as its new manager. An artist in his spare time, he roamed the hills and forests with his sketching pad and fell in love with Madhumati (Vyjayantimala), a tribal girl whose songs have haunted him from a distance.

Vyjayanthimala as Madumati.
Vyjayanthimala as Madumati.

Soon Anand meets his employer, Ugranarayan (Pran), a ruthless and arrogant man. Anand refuses to bend down to him like the others, and incurs his wrath. Anand also has enemies among his staff who have been fudging the accounts till his arrival. Sent away on an errand suddenly, he returns to find that Madhumati has disappeared. Anand learns from Charandas how Madhumati had been taken to Ugranarayan in his absence. He confronts Ugranarayan whose men beat him unconscious. Anand's life is saved, but his mind wanders. One day in the forest he meets a girl who looks exactly like Madhumati. She says she is Madhavi (Vyjayantimala), but Anand refuses to believe her, and is beaten up by her companions when he tries to plead with her. Madhavi finds a sketch of Madhumati in the forest and realizes he was speaking the truth. She takes the sketch to the rest house where Anand now stays, and learns his story from Charandas. Meanwhile Anand is haunted by the spirit of Madhumati who tells him that Ugranarayan is her killer. Seeing Madhavi at a dance recital where she dresses as a tribal girl, he appeals to her to pose as Madhumati and appear before Ugranarayan and help him get a confession out of him. She agrees. Returning to Ugranarayan's palace, Anand begs permission to do a portrait of him. Next evening with a storm brewing outside Anand paints Ugranarayan. At the stroke of eight, Ugranarayan sees Madhumati in front of him. Shaken, and goaded by Madhumati, he confesses the truth. The police who have been waiting outside the room now come and take him away. Anand suddenly realizes that the questions the false Madhumati asked were on matters unknown to him. How did Madhavi know where Madhumati was buried? The girl just smiles, and moves towards the stairs. Madhavi dressed as Madhumati rushes into the room. She is late, for the car failed on the way. Anand realizes that Madhumati herself had come and runs up to the terrace where her ghost beckons him. She had fallen from the same terrace trying to escape Ugranarayan. Anand follows her falling to his death. Devendra's story is over. "But," he says "I finally did have Madhumati as my wife. In this life - Radha." Just then news comes that the train in which his wife was travelling has met with an accident. The road has been cleared, and the two friends rush to the station. From one of the coaches, Devendra's wife Radha (Vyjayantimala) appears unhurt with her baby...

Awards & Nominations

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi


Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Directed by Satyen Bose
Starring Kishore Kumar
Madhubala
Ashok Kumar
Anoop Kumar
Music by Sachin Dev Burman
Release date(s) 1958
Running time 173 min.
Country India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (literally "the one that moves is a vehicle") was a famous 1958 Bollywood comedy. The film featured Kishore Kumar, his two brothers, Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar, and Madhubala. Kishore Kumar sang many of the songs in the film, along with Asha Bhosle. The music was composed by SD Burman and lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The success of the movie led the brothers to act in another comedy titled Badhti Ka Naam Daadi (literally "the one that grows is a beard") to rhyme with the name of this movie.

Plot

Brijmohan Sharma(Ashok Kumar), Manmohan Sharma(Kishore Kumar) and his brother Jagmohan Sharma(Anoop Kumar) run a garage. The eldest brother, Brijmohan hates women and doesn't allow any women or pictures of women in his garage unless its an emergency. One day while Manmohan is on the night shift, Renu(Madhubala) comes to the garage seeking help as her car breaks down. Renu gets angry at Manmohan because he is sleeping when he is supposed to be on duty. Manmohan doesn't like the fact that Renu shouts at him and initially refuses to repair her car but finally agrees. Manmohan finally repairs the car and Renu leaves for her home forgetting to pay Manmohan for his services. Manmohan tells his brother Brijmohan about this and realizes that Renu forgot her purse in the garage. Manmohan goes through the contents of it and finds a pass to a concert. Manmohan decides to go to this concert to recover his money from Renu. When Manmohan reaches the venue, he is not allowed to enter as the pass has Renu's name on it and not his, not wanting to let go of his money, Manmohan decides to wait in the Renu's car and meet her when she comes out. Manmohan however falls asleep and Renu doesn't notice him and drives home and parks her car in her garage with Manmohan inside. When Manmohan finally gets up he gets hungry and tries to look for some food in Renu's garage. A servant in Renu's house sees this and chases Manmohan who finally manages to escape. On his way home he notices a few men dumping a dead body on the road and fleeing.When he tells his brothers about this the next morning they have a hearty laugh at his expense. Later Renu calls the garage asking for help with her car and assures to pay back her previous dues also. Manmoham refuses to go fearing that he will be recognized by Renu's servant and will get into trouble and so Jagmohan decides to go. Jagmohan meets Sheela(Sahira) in Renu's house and the two start talking. Jagmohan is however afraid of women and gets nervous because Sheela is around and thus isn't able to repair Renu's car and Renu decides to call Manmohan. Meanwhile Renu's father is approached by Raja Hardayal Singh who wants to get his younger brother married to Renu. Renu's father decides to talk to Renu about this not knowing the fact that Raja Hardayal Singh(K. N. Singh) is just using marriage as a way to Renu's father's money. Raja Hardyal Singh in fact doesn't even have a younger brother and makes one of his men pretend to be his brother. When Manmoham meets Raja Hardyal Singh's brother he realizes that Raja Hardyal Singh's brother is the one who dumped the dead body on the road and decides to follow him. He takes Renu along with him and eventually gets caught and captured by Raja Hardyal Singh's brother. While in captivity they meet Kamini who Raja Hardyal Singh forcibly married just to get to her father's wealth after which he kills Kamini's father. While talking they realize that Kamini was once Brijmohan's girlfriend who she was going to marry before she was captured by Raja Hardyal Singh. Brijmohan thought that she dumped him for a richer man and as a result of that decides that he never wants to associate with women again. Kamini tries to free Renu and Manmohan but a guard enters. Kamini however is able to escape herself and goes looking for Brijmohan. Meanwhile Raja Hardyal Singh captures Renu's father and forces him to get Renu married to his brother, threatening to kill Manmohan if he doesn't. Before Raja Hardyal Singh has his way Brijmohan is bought to the scene by Kamini. Brijmohan who is a boxing champion fights Raja Hardyal Singh's men along with the help of his two brothers. In the end Brijmohan and his brothers are victorious and Manmohan decides to marry Renu, Brijmohan decides to marry Kamini and Jagmohan decides to marry Sheela.

Soundtrack

  • Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si
  • Hum The Woh Thi
  • Babu Samajho Ishare
  • Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka
  • Main Sitaron Ka Tarana

Cast

Yahudi


Yahudi
Directed by Bimal Roy
Starring Dilip Kumar,
Meena Kumari,
Sohrab Modi
Nasir Hussain
Nigar Sultana
Release date(s) 1958
Country Flag of India India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Yahudi is a 1958 Bollywood film directed by Bimal Roy. It won the Filmfare Awards award for best lyricist in 1958. It starred Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari, Sohrab Modi, Nasir Hussain, Nigar Sultana and others.

Plot

The story revolves around the life a foster relationship. Set in the era of the Roman Empire over 2000 years ago, it centres around the point of persecution of Jews at the time in the empires centre - Rome!

Ezra (Sohrab Modi) is a jeweller who has a son called Elijah. He also has a friendly butler/child minder called Emmanuel. In the beginning, Ezra is due to leave. As he does, Elijah becomes upset and stands at the balcony. In the roads of the Jewish area, Brutus (Nasir Hussain), Governor of Rome, is passing, making an announcement. Watching over the balcony, is Elijah. A stone slips from his hand and hits Brutus on the head. Brutus immediately gets Elijah arrested, and as Elijah is a Jew, sentences him to death. Hearing this, Ezra rapidly returns from his trip and arrives at the doorstep of Brutus. He begs Brutus to free Elijah but Brutus feeds Elijah to hungry lions. Ezra sadly returns to his house. In revenge, Emmanuel kidnaps Lydia, motherless daughter of Brutus, and takes her to Ezra. Ezra declines to kill Lydia and adopts the child.

Brutus' anger brews. He orders the guards to find his daughter, and calles a punishment onto all Jews. Ezra remains hidden and raises Lydia, who grows up thinking she is Ezra's daughter and that her name is Hannah.

Years pass and Ezra grows to become a successful jeweler, well known to be so good and a Jew. Hannah (Meena Kumari) grows into a beautiful young lady and attracts attention from many. The emperor of Rome arrives in Rome for the marriage of his son Prince Marcus (Dilip Kumar) to Brutus' niece Princess Octivia (Nigar Sultana).

However, Prince Marcus avoids talking about his marriage and opposes it. One day, when returning from a hunting trip, he gets hurt and is cared for by Hannah. He then disguises as a Jew and goes back into the Jewish area. He saves Hannah from a Roman soldier and meets her father, Ezra, not as Prince Marcus but as Monshija, a successful Jew from Alexandria. Ezra is happy to meet him and 'Monshija' and Hannah fall in love.

But Hannah soon notices that something isn't right. Prince Marcus then reveals who he is, making Hannah very upset who banishes the Prince from her life.

Then comes the day of the marriage of Prince Marcus and Princess Octivia. Everyone is invited. Before the ritual could commence, Hannah shouts aloud that she had been cheated by a Roman. Ezra joins in to get back at his enemy Brutus. He clamors for justice. The Emperor demands the name of the culprit and Hannah claims it was Prince Marcus. Brutus tries to rebut Hannah and Ezra, but the Emperor insists that justice must be done. Heartbroken, Hannah returns home.

She is followed by Princess Octivia. Hannah sees the Princess at her doorstep and denies her entry. Hannah knew the princess would beg for the Prince's life. However, the princess told Hannah that the Prince will be sentenced to death the very next day. Early morning the next day, without warning, Hannah took Ezra with her to the Emperor. There she told him that she takes the accusation back. She tells the Emperor that the man that cheated was not the prince but a look alike. Ezra is shocked, and Brutus, filled with happiness, sentences Hannah and Ezra to death. They are to be thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil that very day... in front of the Prince! Unable to bear that his love will be burnt in front of him, Prince Marcus Blinds himself, then goes to the cauldron chamber.

Here Ezra is begging for Hannah's life, and Hannah is trying to reason with Ezra that she'd rather die than live a life of hate. But Brutus will stop at nothing, the two will die! Immediately Ezra tells Brutus that he knows where the governor's lost daughter is. Brutus is confused and says that this is Ezra's revenge and accuses the Jew of lying. Ezra sarcastically agrees. But Brutus begs Ezra and Ezra will only tell on one condition. That Hannah be thrown into the cauldron as soon as Brutus finds out who his daughter is. Now Hannah is confused. Ezra tells Brutus that Hannah is Brutus' daughter and the Jew tells the guards to throw Hannah into the boiling oil. Brutus orders them to stop. Ezra looks at Hannah and dies. Hannah cries over her foster fathers dead body. Brutus tells Hannah not to cry, but Hannah does not listen. She runs away from Brutus and finds the Prince. Shocked to find him blind, Lydia lends him support and helps him as the two disappear into the distance.

Cast


Anari


Anari
Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Produced by L.B Lachman
Starring Raj Kapoor
Nutan
Motilal
Music by Shankar Jaikishan
Cinematography Jaywant Pathare
Editing by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Release date(s) 1959
Country Flag of India India
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Anari is a 1959 Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film stars Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal and Lalita Pawar. The music was by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri as well as Shailendra (both lyricists and music directors being regular in Raj Kapoor films). Among the few movies that Lalita Pawar played a positive role and Motilal a role with shades of grey.

Trivia

Motilal plays Nutan's uncle in the film; in real life he lived with Nutan's mother, Shobhana Samarth.

Awards


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