The five highest-grossing films at the Indian Box Office in 1953:
1. Anarkali
Anarkali is a 1953 Indian historical drama film, directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal, and written by Nasir Hussain and Hameed Butt, based on the historical legend of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (Salim). As per the legend, Jahangir revolted against his father Akbar over his love for a common girl called Anarkali. It was the top grossing Hindi film in the year of its release, and one of the biggest Hindi film hits in its decade. Another film on the same theme was Mughal-e-Azam, made in 1960, which was again a major commercial and critical hit.
Plot
Shahenshah Jalal-ud-din Akbar is the grandson of Babur, and the son of Humayun. He is known to have ruled over Hindustan with a humane and just heart. He knew in order to garner the support of the Hindus, he must treat them sensitively, allow them to worship freely, and in order to maintain this peace, he married Jodha Bai, a Hindu Rajput, the sister of Raja Man Singh. Through this marriage they became the proud parents of Shehzada Salim (Jahangir). Akbar first met Nadira in the Anar garden, while she was awaiting the arrival of her lover. So pleased he was with her that he wanted to reward her, but she only asked for an Anar, so he ended up bestowing her with the name of 'Anarkali'. He met her the second time when she was able to revive Salim, who was seriously wounded in a war in Kabul. Once again Akbar was pleased with her, wanted to reward her, but again she turned him down. The third time she ended up annoying Akbar when she sang and danced in his court under the influence of alcohol, and he has her imprisoned. The very foundations of Akbar's palace will be shaken to the roots, and his manner of meting out justice will be put to the extreme test, when he finds out that Salim is in love with Anarkali and wants to marry her. While Akbar may have been successful to end the strife between Hindus and Muslims, but will be able to break down the wall between the rich and the poor?
Cast
Bina Rai ... Nadira (Anarkali),Pradeep Kumar ... Shehzada Salim (Jahangir),Kuldip Kaur,Ruby Mayer ... Rani Jodha Bai (as Sulochana),S. L. Puri ... Raja Man Singh,Manmohan Krishna ... Parvez (as Manmohan Krishan),Noor Jehan (as Nur Jehan),Mubarak ... Shahenshah Jalal-ud-din Akbar
Trivia
Vasant Prakash began work as music director, but died having recorded just one song with Geeta Dutt. C. Ramchandra took over as composer and insisted not only that all songs be sung by Lata Mangeshkar but that the Geeta number be removed from the film. Although the Filmistan people agreed, the Geeta song stayed in the movie and was the famous "Aa Jaane Wafaa"............
Soundtrack
Ye Zindagi Usiki Hai Lata Mangeshkar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
Aaja Ab To Aaja Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra C. Ramchandra
Mujhse Mat Poochh Lata Mangeshkar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
Dua Kar Gham-E-Dil Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra C. Ramchandra
Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
Mohabbat Aisi Dhadkan Hai Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri C. Ramchandra
Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Char Ghadi Hemant Kumar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
O Aasman Wale Shikwa Hai Zindagi Ka Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri C. Ramchandra
Aa Jane Wafa Geeta Dutt Jan Nissar Akhtar Vasant Prakash
Ae Baad E Saba Zara Ahista Chal Hemant Kumar
Mohabbat Mein Aise Kadam Dagamagae Lata Mangeshkar
2. Ladki
Ladki (English: Girl) is a 1953 Hindi-language romantic comedy film written by V.S. Venkatasalam and directed by M.V. Raman. The film starred Vyjayanthimala, Kishore Kumar, Bharat Bhushan and Anjali Devi in the lead, while Chittor V. Nagaiah, Leela Mishra, Om Prakash, Raj Mehra and Master Chhotu were the ensemble cast. The film was produced by A. V. Chettiar of AVM Productions. The film's score was composed by R. Sudarsanam and Dhaniram, edited by K. Shankar and M. V. Raman and was filmed by Yusuf Mulji and T. Muthu Sami.
Plot
Rani (Vyjayanthimala), a feminist, is best friends with Kamini (Anjali Devi), much to the disapproval of her mother, since Kamini's father (Chittor V Nagaiah) had married a woman of low caste. They meet Raja (Bharat Bhushan), a medical student, and Kishore (Kishore Kumar). After the initial tussle, Raja and Kamini fall in love while Kishore likes Rani. Rani goes to Colombo for the University Sports Tournament, and while winning every single event she enters there, she injures her leg and is in hospital. Meanwhile, Kamini and Raja marry secretly, since he knows his woman-hating, upper caste father will never agree to this marriage. Captain Sundar, Kamini's childhood friend, comes from Rangoon and wants to marry Kamini, but is shattered as he finds out she is married to Raja. Raja's parents are told of the wedding and they call him home asking him to forget the marriage and marry a girl of their choice. Raja refuses and goes back to Kamini and misunderstands the situation when he sees Kamini with Sundar. He returns to his parents and tells them he's willing to marry the girl of their liking who turns out to be Rani, having returned from Colombo. Kamini, devastated by Raja's betrayal, decides to commit suicide. Finally with Kishore and Sundar's help, everything is sorted out and Raja is re-united with Kamini, while Kishore marries Rani.
Cast
Vyjayanthimala as Rani Mehra,Kishore Kumar as Kishore,Bharat Bhushan as Raja,Anjali Devi as Kamini,Chittor V. Nagaiah as Kamini's father,Om Prakash as Hazurdas,Leela Mishra as Mrs. Hazurdas,Raj Mehra as Colonel Mehra, Rani Mehra's father,Master Chhotu
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack was composed by R. Sudarsanam and Dhaniram, while the lyrics were provided by Rajendra Krishan. The song "Baat Chalat Nai Chunari Rang Dari" and "Shaadi Shaadi" sung by Geeta Dutt and Kishore Kumar respectively, became the successful songs of the film.
3. Do Bigha Zameen
Do Bigha Zamin is a 1953 Hindi film, directed by Bengali film director Bimal Roy and starring 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 considered a trend setter.[1] A bigha is a measure of land area but is not same as an acre, though translating the title as such serves the purpose. Inspired by Italian neo-realistic cinema, Bimal Roy made Do Bigha Zameen after watching Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thieves (1948). Like most of Bimal Roy's movies, art and commercial cinema merge to create a movie that is still viewed as a benchmark. It has paved the way for future cinema makers in the Indian neo-realist movement and the Indian New Wave, which began in the 1950s.A moderate commercial success, it was awarded the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film, it became the first film to win the Filmfare Best Movie Award and the first Indian film to win the International Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, after Neecha Nagar (1946), which won the Palme d'Or (Grand Prize). It was also winner of the Social Progress Award at Karlovy Vary. In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films Meena Kumari makes a special appearance in the film with the lullaby, Aa ja ri aa.
Plot
The story revolves around a farmer, Shambu Mahato (Balraj Sahni), who lives with his wife Parvati "Paro" (Nirupa Roy) and son Kanhaiya (Rattan Kumar) in a small village that has been hit badly by a famine. After years of drought, the region finally gets rain, leading the farmers to rejoice. Shambu owns two bighas (two-thirds of an acre of land) of land, which is the only means of livelihood for the whole family. The local zamindar (landlord) Thakur Harnam Singh (Murad) partners with some city businessmen to construct a mill on his large parcel of land, which in return would bring them profit and bring prosperity to the village. The only problem is that in the middle of Harnam singh's land lie Shambu's meager two bighas of land.
Harnam Singh is very confident that he can buy Shambu's land. Shambu has borrowed money from Harnam Singh several times in the past and has not paid his debt. Harnam Singh calls for Shambu and proposes Shambu to sell his land to him in exchange for his debt. Shambu disagrees to sell his only means of livelihood. Angered by the refusal, Harnam Singh orders him to repay his debt by the next day or risk the auctioning of his land.
Shambu returns home to discuss the issue with his father, and with the help of his son, they figure out that the debt amounts to 65 rupees. Shambu wants to save his land by all means and sells all his household items including his wife's gold earrings. When Shambu meets Harnam Singh's accountant to pay back his debt of 65 rupees, he's shocked to know that he actually owes 235 rupees. The accountant had forged the accounts and now refuses to consider the labour provided by Shambu's father Gangu as a portion of the debt payoff. The case goes to court and Shambu, being an illiterate, has a tough time explaining to the judge how the accountant forged the numbers and how he took to the accountant's word of mouth and did not demand any receipt. Shambu loses the case and the judge orders Shambu to pay 235 rupees to Harnam Singh in three months. If Shambu is not able to clear the debt, then his land would be auctioned off and the proceeds would go to pay off his debts.
Shambu now struggles to get the money and he is unable to get a loan because he has no collateral. One of his friends gives him an idea to go to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and try to get a job to earn enough money to pay off his debt. Shambu likes this idea, but faces resistance from his wife as she's pregnant and does not want to live away from him. Shambu persuades her that he'll be gone for three months only and it would benefit his family and the soon-to-be-born baby. Kanhaiya wants to join his father too, but Shambu refuses and scolds him. On the train to Calcutta, Shambu finds Kanhaiya hiding and hitchhiking with him and after a brief confrontation agrees to take Kanhaiya with him.
In Calcutta, Shambu and Kanhaiya face a harsh welcome. Nobody is willing to talk with them, let alone help them. Kanhaiya befriends a street-side shoe-shiner named Lalu "Ustad" (Jagdeep). They even lose their last possessions while they are asleep on the footpath. Kanhaiya falls ill, and Shambu ends up renting a small room in the slums with the help of a tea vendor and the landlady's adopted grandchild, Rani. To pay the rent, Shambu works as a coolie. Shambu befriends an old rickshaw-puller (Nazir Hussain), who helps him to get a license as a rickshaw-puller. Kanhaiya tries to help his family by taking up shoe-shining with the help of the old rickshaw-puller and Lalu. Back in the village, Parvati and Gangu survive on eating water chestnuts picked up from the local river. She seeks help from Bahu (Meena Kumari) to write letters to Shambu and stay in touch.
Near the end of the third month, Shambu becomes aggressive about earning and saving more money. One day, a man asks Shambu to chase another rickshaw that is carrying his girlfriend. Shambu is asked to pull the rickshaw very fast for more money. The rickshaw loses a wheel and Shambu meets with an accident. Looking at the condition of his father, Kanhaiya joins a pickpocket to earn quick money. Shambu gets angry upon learning this and beats Kanhaiya. Meanwhile, Parvati gets worried since she receives no letters or money from Shambu and the Zamindar's accountant accuses Shambu of forgetting his family. She ends up working at a local construction site and is devastated when she receives the news of Shambu's accident. Finally, Parvati decides to visit Shambu in the city even though Gangu is bedridden and has a high fever.
Parvati arrives in Calcutta, and is taken by a strange man, who claims he knows Shambu and will take her to him. He takes her to his shed and tries to steal and force himself on her. She flees from him, but comes under a car. A crowd gathers around her and they call for a rickshaw to take her to the hospital. Shambu, who was passing by, offers a ride, and is shocked to see his injured wife. Meanwhile, Kanhaiya, unable to withstand his father's condition, steals money from a lady and runs back to the slum. He comes to know about his mother's condition and rushes to the hospital. He cries after seeing his injured mother and claims that God has punished them because he started stealing money. He rips the money into pieces. The doctors tell Shambu that he has to spend money on medicine and blood to save his wife. Poor Shambu has no choice but to spend all his earnings to save his wife.
Back in the village the land is auctioned because Shambu could not pay back the debt and Gangu develops a mental disorder. The land is now owned by Harman Singh and the mill construction has begun. Shambu and his family return to the village only to see their land sold and a factory being constructed on it. He then tries to get a handful of dirt from his land, but is stopped by a security guard. The film ends as Shambu and his family walk away from their land.
Cast
Balraj Sahni as Shambu Maheto,Nirupa Roy as Parvati (Paro) Maheto,Rattan Kumar as Kanhaiya Maheto,Murad as Thakur Harnam Singh,Rajyalakshmi as Nayabji (as Rajlakshmi),Nana Palsikar as Dhangu Maheto (Shambu's dad),Noor Jehan as Rani,Nazir Hussain as rickshaw puller,Rekha Mallick
Jagdeep as Laloo Ustad, shoeshine boy,Meena Kumari as Thakurain Chitra
Awards and nominations
1st Filmfare Awards (1954)
Winner – Best Film
Winner – Best Director – Bimal Roy
1st National Film Awards (India)
Winner – All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film
7th Cannes Film Festival (1954)
Winner – Prix International (International Prize)
Nominated – Grand Prize (Best Film)
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Winner – Prize for Social Progress
Songs
"Aaja ri aa nindiya tu aa" – Performed by Lata Mangeshkar
"Ajab tori duniya ho mere raaja" – Performed by Mohammed Rafi
"Dharti kahe pukaar ke" – Performed by Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar & chorus
"Hariyaala saawan dhol bajaata aaya" – Performed by Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar & chorus
4. Parineeta
Parineeta is a 1953 Bollywood film starring Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari, based upon the 1914 Bengali novel of the same name by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, which was earlier filmed in Bengali. The film was directed by Bimal Roy. This version of the film is considered by many to be the most faithful adaptation of the novella, particularly due to Meena Kumari's interpretation of the role of Lalita.
Lalita (Meena Kumari) is an orphaned niece of an impoverished clerk named Gurucharan Nazir Hussain. Shekhar Ashok Kumar, is the son of their rich landlord neighbor. Shekhar had liking for Lalita. Gurucharan has to mortgage his house to Shekhar's father in order to get one of his daughters married as he is heavily debt-ridden. Shekhar's father often chides him about his overdue loan and a day comes when, completely pressed on all sides, Gurucharan is forced to take advantage of the altruistic offer of an interest-free loan made by a wealthy young man named Girin. This gives rise to an ugly misunderstanding that Lalita has been "sold" to Girin. What happens thereafter forms the gripping conclusion of this great story of perfect love. The beautiful part of this movie is dialogue and communication between Meena Kumari and Ashok Kumar.
Cast
Ashok Kumar as Shekhar Rai,Meena Kumari as Lalita,Manorama,Asit Baran as Girin Babu,
Sheetal (Baby Sheela),Nazir Hussain as Gurcharan Babu,Badri Prasad as Nabin Rai,Pratima Devi as Shekhar's aunt,Rekha Mallick,Manju
Music
"Gore Gore Hatho Me Mehndi Racha Ke Naino Me Kajara Dhaal Ke" - Asha Bhosle
"Chalee Raadhe Raane" - Manna Dey
"Chaand Hai Wohi, Udaas Meraa Man" - Geeta Dutt
"Aye Baandi Tum Begum Bano Khawab Dekha Hai" - Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
"Toota Hai Naata Meet Ka Par Meet MilaHame Meet Ka" - Asit Baran
"Tum Yaad Aa Rahe" - Asha Bhosle
"Chali Radhe Rani Ankhiyo Me Paani" - Manna Dey
Awards
1954 Filmfare Best Director Award - Bimal Roy
1954 Filmfare Best Actress Award - Meena Kumari
5. Footpath
Footpath is a 1953 Hindi film written and directed by Zia Sarhadi. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari and Anwar Hussain. The music of the film is by Timir Baran and Khayyam.
Tired of being poor, Noshu, a newspaperman, abandons his scruples and starts to make money as a black marketeer. He gains his fortune, but ruins his brother's life causing him to lose his job, his home and his wife whilst simultaneously losing his own self-respect and that of his former neighbours and his girl. Tormented by his conscience, he writes an expose′ of the illegal trade, but cannot prevent his own brother becoming a victim when an epidemic rages unchecked because criminals have stockpiled all the medicine.
Cast
Dilip Kumar as Noshu,,Meena Kumari as Mala,Romesh Thapar,Anwar Hussain,Achala Sachdev,
Sumati Lajmi,Ramesh Thakur,Maruti Rao,Kuldeep Akhtar,P. Kailash,Jankidas,Jagdeep,S. K. Prem
Habib Tanvir,Kamalesh Thakkar,Umakant,Master Romi as Monu (as Master Roomi),Zia Sarhadi
Soundtrack
"So Jaa Mere Pyaare So Jaa" Asha Bhosle Majrooh Sultanpuri
"Kaisa Jaadu Daala Re Balma Na Janne" Asha Bhosle Sardar Jafri
"Suhaana Hai Yeh Mausam Salona Hai Mera Balam" Asha Bhosle Majrooh Sultanpuri
"Shaam-e Gham Ki Qasam Aaj Ghamgin Hai" Talat Mehmood Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sardar Jafri
"Piya Aaja Re Dil Mera Pukaare" Asha Bhosle Majrooh Sultanpuri
1. Anarkali
Anarkali is a 1953 Indian historical drama film, directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal, and written by Nasir Hussain and Hameed Butt, based on the historical legend of the Mughal emperor Jahangir (Salim). As per the legend, Jahangir revolted against his father Akbar over his love for a common girl called Anarkali. It was the top grossing Hindi film in the year of its release, and one of the biggest Hindi film hits in its decade. Another film on the same theme was Mughal-e-Azam, made in 1960, which was again a major commercial and critical hit.
Plot
Shahenshah Jalal-ud-din Akbar is the grandson of Babur, and the son of Humayun. He is known to have ruled over Hindustan with a humane and just heart. He knew in order to garner the support of the Hindus, he must treat them sensitively, allow them to worship freely, and in order to maintain this peace, he married Jodha Bai, a Hindu Rajput, the sister of Raja Man Singh. Through this marriage they became the proud parents of Shehzada Salim (Jahangir). Akbar first met Nadira in the Anar garden, while she was awaiting the arrival of her lover. So pleased he was with her that he wanted to reward her, but she only asked for an Anar, so he ended up bestowing her with the name of 'Anarkali'. He met her the second time when she was able to revive Salim, who was seriously wounded in a war in Kabul. Once again Akbar was pleased with her, wanted to reward her, but again she turned him down. The third time she ended up annoying Akbar when she sang and danced in his court under the influence of alcohol, and he has her imprisoned. The very foundations of Akbar's palace will be shaken to the roots, and his manner of meting out justice will be put to the extreme test, when he finds out that Salim is in love with Anarkali and wants to marry her. While Akbar may have been successful to end the strife between Hindus and Muslims, but will be able to break down the wall between the rich and the poor?
Cast
Bina Rai ... Nadira (Anarkali),Pradeep Kumar ... Shehzada Salim (Jahangir),Kuldip Kaur,Ruby Mayer ... Rani Jodha Bai (as Sulochana),S. L. Puri ... Raja Man Singh,Manmohan Krishna ... Parvez (as Manmohan Krishan),Noor Jehan (as Nur Jehan),Mubarak ... Shahenshah Jalal-ud-din Akbar
Trivia
Vasant Prakash began work as music director, but died having recorded just one song with Geeta Dutt. C. Ramchandra took over as composer and insisted not only that all songs be sung by Lata Mangeshkar but that the Geeta number be removed from the film. Although the Filmistan people agreed, the Geeta song stayed in the movie and was the famous "Aa Jaane Wafaa"............
Soundtrack
Ye Zindagi Usiki Hai Lata Mangeshkar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
Aaja Ab To Aaja Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra C. Ramchandra
Mujhse Mat Poochh Lata Mangeshkar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
Dua Kar Gham-E-Dil Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra C. Ramchandra
Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
Mohabbat Aisi Dhadkan Hai Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri C. Ramchandra
Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Char Ghadi Hemant Kumar Rajendra Krishan C. Ramchandra
O Aasman Wale Shikwa Hai Zindagi Ka Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri C. Ramchandra
Aa Jane Wafa Geeta Dutt Jan Nissar Akhtar Vasant Prakash
Ae Baad E Saba Zara Ahista Chal Hemant Kumar
Mohabbat Mein Aise Kadam Dagamagae Lata Mangeshkar
2. Ladki
Ladki (English: Girl) is a 1953 Hindi-language romantic comedy film written by V.S. Venkatasalam and directed by M.V. Raman. The film starred Vyjayanthimala, Kishore Kumar, Bharat Bhushan and Anjali Devi in the lead, while Chittor V. Nagaiah, Leela Mishra, Om Prakash, Raj Mehra and Master Chhotu were the ensemble cast. The film was produced by A. V. Chettiar of AVM Productions. The film's score was composed by R. Sudarsanam and Dhaniram, edited by K. Shankar and M. V. Raman and was filmed by Yusuf Mulji and T. Muthu Sami.
Plot
Rani (Vyjayanthimala), a feminist, is best friends with Kamini (Anjali Devi), much to the disapproval of her mother, since Kamini's father (Chittor V Nagaiah) had married a woman of low caste. They meet Raja (Bharat Bhushan), a medical student, and Kishore (Kishore Kumar). After the initial tussle, Raja and Kamini fall in love while Kishore likes Rani. Rani goes to Colombo for the University Sports Tournament, and while winning every single event she enters there, she injures her leg and is in hospital. Meanwhile, Kamini and Raja marry secretly, since he knows his woman-hating, upper caste father will never agree to this marriage. Captain Sundar, Kamini's childhood friend, comes from Rangoon and wants to marry Kamini, but is shattered as he finds out she is married to Raja. Raja's parents are told of the wedding and they call him home asking him to forget the marriage and marry a girl of their choice. Raja refuses and goes back to Kamini and misunderstands the situation when he sees Kamini with Sundar. He returns to his parents and tells them he's willing to marry the girl of their liking who turns out to be Rani, having returned from Colombo. Kamini, devastated by Raja's betrayal, decides to commit suicide. Finally with Kishore and Sundar's help, everything is sorted out and Raja is re-united with Kamini, while Kishore marries Rani.
Cast
Vyjayanthimala as Rani Mehra,Kishore Kumar as Kishore,Bharat Bhushan as Raja,Anjali Devi as Kamini,Chittor V. Nagaiah as Kamini's father,Om Prakash as Hazurdas,Leela Mishra as Mrs. Hazurdas,Raj Mehra as Colonel Mehra, Rani Mehra's father,Master Chhotu
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack was composed by R. Sudarsanam and Dhaniram, while the lyrics were provided by Rajendra Krishan. The song "Baat Chalat Nai Chunari Rang Dari" and "Shaadi Shaadi" sung by Geeta Dutt and Kishore Kumar respectively, became the successful songs of the film.
3. Do Bigha Zameen
Do Bigha Zamin is a 1953 Hindi film, directed by Bengali film director Bimal Roy and starring 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 considered a trend setter.[1] A bigha is a measure of land area but is not same as an acre, though translating the title as such serves the purpose. Inspired by Italian neo-realistic cinema, Bimal Roy made Do Bigha Zameen after watching Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thieves (1948). Like most of Bimal Roy's movies, art and commercial cinema merge to create a movie that is still viewed as a benchmark. It has paved the way for future cinema makers in the Indian neo-realist movement and the Indian New Wave, which began in the 1950s.A moderate commercial success, it was awarded the All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film, it became the first film to win the Filmfare Best Movie Award and the first Indian film to win the International Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, after Neecha Nagar (1946), which won the Palme d'Or (Grand Prize). It was also winner of the Social Progress Award at Karlovy Vary. In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films Meena Kumari makes a special appearance in the film with the lullaby, Aa ja ri aa.
Plot
The story revolves around a farmer, Shambu Mahato (Balraj Sahni), who lives with his wife Parvati "Paro" (Nirupa Roy) and son Kanhaiya (Rattan Kumar) in a small village that has been hit badly by a famine. After years of drought, the region finally gets rain, leading the farmers to rejoice. Shambu owns two bighas (two-thirds of an acre of land) of land, which is the only means of livelihood for the whole family. The local zamindar (landlord) Thakur Harnam Singh (Murad) partners with some city businessmen to construct a mill on his large parcel of land, which in return would bring them profit and bring prosperity to the village. The only problem is that in the middle of Harnam singh's land lie Shambu's meager two bighas of land.
Harnam Singh is very confident that he can buy Shambu's land. Shambu has borrowed money from Harnam Singh several times in the past and has not paid his debt. Harnam Singh calls for Shambu and proposes Shambu to sell his land to him in exchange for his debt. Shambu disagrees to sell his only means of livelihood. Angered by the refusal, Harnam Singh orders him to repay his debt by the next day or risk the auctioning of his land.
Shambu returns home to discuss the issue with his father, and with the help of his son, they figure out that the debt amounts to 65 rupees. Shambu wants to save his land by all means and sells all his household items including his wife's gold earrings. When Shambu meets Harnam Singh's accountant to pay back his debt of 65 rupees, he's shocked to know that he actually owes 235 rupees. The accountant had forged the accounts and now refuses to consider the labour provided by Shambu's father Gangu as a portion of the debt payoff. The case goes to court and Shambu, being an illiterate, has a tough time explaining to the judge how the accountant forged the numbers and how he took to the accountant's word of mouth and did not demand any receipt. Shambu loses the case and the judge orders Shambu to pay 235 rupees to Harnam Singh in three months. If Shambu is not able to clear the debt, then his land would be auctioned off and the proceeds would go to pay off his debts.
Shambu now struggles to get the money and he is unable to get a loan because he has no collateral. One of his friends gives him an idea to go to Calcutta (now Kolkata) and try to get a job to earn enough money to pay off his debt. Shambu likes this idea, but faces resistance from his wife as she's pregnant and does not want to live away from him. Shambu persuades her that he'll be gone for three months only and it would benefit his family and the soon-to-be-born baby. Kanhaiya wants to join his father too, but Shambu refuses and scolds him. On the train to Calcutta, Shambu finds Kanhaiya hiding and hitchhiking with him and after a brief confrontation agrees to take Kanhaiya with him.
In Calcutta, Shambu and Kanhaiya face a harsh welcome. Nobody is willing to talk with them, let alone help them. Kanhaiya befriends a street-side shoe-shiner named Lalu "Ustad" (Jagdeep). They even lose their last possessions while they are asleep on the footpath. Kanhaiya falls ill, and Shambu ends up renting a small room in the slums with the help of a tea vendor and the landlady's adopted grandchild, Rani. To pay the rent, Shambu works as a coolie. Shambu befriends an old rickshaw-puller (Nazir Hussain), who helps him to get a license as a rickshaw-puller. Kanhaiya tries to help his family by taking up shoe-shining with the help of the old rickshaw-puller and Lalu. Back in the village, Parvati and Gangu survive on eating water chestnuts picked up from the local river. She seeks help from Bahu (Meena Kumari) to write letters to Shambu and stay in touch.
Near the end of the third month, Shambu becomes aggressive about earning and saving more money. One day, a man asks Shambu to chase another rickshaw that is carrying his girlfriend. Shambu is asked to pull the rickshaw very fast for more money. The rickshaw loses a wheel and Shambu meets with an accident. Looking at the condition of his father, Kanhaiya joins a pickpocket to earn quick money. Shambu gets angry upon learning this and beats Kanhaiya. Meanwhile, Parvati gets worried since she receives no letters or money from Shambu and the Zamindar's accountant accuses Shambu of forgetting his family. She ends up working at a local construction site and is devastated when she receives the news of Shambu's accident. Finally, Parvati decides to visit Shambu in the city even though Gangu is bedridden and has a high fever.
Parvati arrives in Calcutta, and is taken by a strange man, who claims he knows Shambu and will take her to him. He takes her to his shed and tries to steal and force himself on her. She flees from him, but comes under a car. A crowd gathers around her and they call for a rickshaw to take her to the hospital. Shambu, who was passing by, offers a ride, and is shocked to see his injured wife. Meanwhile, Kanhaiya, unable to withstand his father's condition, steals money from a lady and runs back to the slum. He comes to know about his mother's condition and rushes to the hospital. He cries after seeing his injured mother and claims that God has punished them because he started stealing money. He rips the money into pieces. The doctors tell Shambu that he has to spend money on medicine and blood to save his wife. Poor Shambu has no choice but to spend all his earnings to save his wife.
Back in the village the land is auctioned because Shambu could not pay back the debt and Gangu develops a mental disorder. The land is now owned by Harman Singh and the mill construction has begun. Shambu and his family return to the village only to see their land sold and a factory being constructed on it. He then tries to get a handful of dirt from his land, but is stopped by a security guard. The film ends as Shambu and his family walk away from their land.
Cast
Balraj Sahni as Shambu Maheto,Nirupa Roy as Parvati (Paro) Maheto,Rattan Kumar as Kanhaiya Maheto,Murad as Thakur Harnam Singh,Rajyalakshmi as Nayabji (as Rajlakshmi),Nana Palsikar as Dhangu Maheto (Shambu's dad),Noor Jehan as Rani,Nazir Hussain as rickshaw puller,Rekha Mallick
Jagdeep as Laloo Ustad, shoeshine boy,Meena Kumari as Thakurain Chitra
Awards and nominations
1st Filmfare Awards (1954)
Winner – Best Film
Winner – Best Director – Bimal Roy
1st National Film Awards (India)
Winner – All India Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film
7th Cannes Film Festival (1954)
Winner – Prix International (International Prize)
Nominated – Grand Prize (Best Film)
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Winner – Prize for Social Progress
Songs
"Aaja ri aa nindiya tu aa" – Performed by Lata Mangeshkar
"Ajab tori duniya ho mere raaja" – Performed by Mohammed Rafi
"Dharti kahe pukaar ke" – Performed by Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar & chorus
"Hariyaala saawan dhol bajaata aaya" – Performed by Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar & chorus
4. Parineeta
Parineeta is a 1953 Bollywood film starring Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari, based upon the 1914 Bengali novel of the same name by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, which was earlier filmed in Bengali. The film was directed by Bimal Roy. This version of the film is considered by many to be the most faithful adaptation of the novella, particularly due to Meena Kumari's interpretation of the role of Lalita.
Lalita (Meena Kumari) is an orphaned niece of an impoverished clerk named Gurucharan Nazir Hussain. Shekhar Ashok Kumar, is the son of their rich landlord neighbor. Shekhar had liking for Lalita. Gurucharan has to mortgage his house to Shekhar's father in order to get one of his daughters married as he is heavily debt-ridden. Shekhar's father often chides him about his overdue loan and a day comes when, completely pressed on all sides, Gurucharan is forced to take advantage of the altruistic offer of an interest-free loan made by a wealthy young man named Girin. This gives rise to an ugly misunderstanding that Lalita has been "sold" to Girin. What happens thereafter forms the gripping conclusion of this great story of perfect love. The beautiful part of this movie is dialogue and communication between Meena Kumari and Ashok Kumar.
Cast
Ashok Kumar as Shekhar Rai,Meena Kumari as Lalita,Manorama,Asit Baran as Girin Babu,
Sheetal (Baby Sheela),Nazir Hussain as Gurcharan Babu,Badri Prasad as Nabin Rai,Pratima Devi as Shekhar's aunt,Rekha Mallick,Manju
Music
"Gore Gore Hatho Me Mehndi Racha Ke Naino Me Kajara Dhaal Ke" - Asha Bhosle
"Chalee Raadhe Raane" - Manna Dey
"Chaand Hai Wohi, Udaas Meraa Man" - Geeta Dutt
"Aye Baandi Tum Begum Bano Khawab Dekha Hai" - Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
"Toota Hai Naata Meet Ka Par Meet MilaHame Meet Ka" - Asit Baran
"Tum Yaad Aa Rahe" - Asha Bhosle
"Chali Radhe Rani Ankhiyo Me Paani" - Manna Dey
Awards
1954 Filmfare Best Director Award - Bimal Roy
1954 Filmfare Best Actress Award - Meena Kumari
5. Footpath
Footpath is a 1953 Hindi film written and directed by Zia Sarhadi. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari and Anwar Hussain. The music of the film is by Timir Baran and Khayyam.
Tired of being poor, Noshu, a newspaperman, abandons his scruples and starts to make money as a black marketeer. He gains his fortune, but ruins his brother's life causing him to lose his job, his home and his wife whilst simultaneously losing his own self-respect and that of his former neighbours and his girl. Tormented by his conscience, he writes an expose′ of the illegal trade, but cannot prevent his own brother becoming a victim when an epidemic rages unchecked because criminals have stockpiled all the medicine.
Cast
Dilip Kumar as Noshu,,Meena Kumari as Mala,Romesh Thapar,Anwar Hussain,Achala Sachdev,
Sumati Lajmi,Ramesh Thakur,Maruti Rao,Kuldeep Akhtar,P. Kailash,Jankidas,Jagdeep,S. K. Prem
Habib Tanvir,Kamalesh Thakkar,Umakant,Master Romi as Monu (as Master Roomi),Zia Sarhadi
Soundtrack
"So Jaa Mere Pyaare So Jaa" Asha Bhosle Majrooh Sultanpuri
"Kaisa Jaadu Daala Re Balma Na Janne" Asha Bhosle Sardar Jafri
"Suhaana Hai Yeh Mausam Salona Hai Mera Balam" Asha Bhosle Majrooh Sultanpuri
"Shaam-e Gham Ki Qasam Aaj Ghamgin Hai" Talat Mehmood Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sardar Jafri
"Piya Aaja Re Dil Mera Pukaare" Asha Bhosle Majrooh Sultanpuri
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