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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{short description|1972 film by Dulal Guha}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{short description|1972 film by Dulal Guha}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Dushmun
| name          = Dushmun
Line 7: Line 7:
| caption        = Poster
| caption        = Poster
| director      = [[Dulal Guha]]
| director      = [[Dulal Guha]]
| story          = Virendra Sinha
| producer      = Premji
| producer      = Premji
| writer        = Virendra Sinha
| starring      = [[Rajesh Khanna]]<br />[[Meena Kumari]]<br />[[Mumtaz (Indian actress)|Mumtaz]]
| narrator      =
| music          = [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
| starring      = [[Rajesh Khanna]]<br />[[Meena Kumari]]<br />[[Mumtaz (actress)|Mumtaz]]<br />[[Kanhaiyalal (actor)|Kanhaiyalal]]<br />[[Leela Mishra]]<br />Naaz<br />[[Asit Sen (actor)|Asit Sen]]
| music          = [[Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]<br />'''Lyrics'''<br />[[Anand Bakshi]]
| cinematography = M. Rajaram
| cinematography = M. Rajaram
| editing        =  
| editing        =  
| studio        = Suchitra Productions
| studio        = Suchitra Productions
| distributor    = Suchitra Productions
| released      = {{Film date|1972|01|07|df=yes}}
| released      = January 7, 1971<ref name="ReleaseDateToI">{{Cite web |title=Dushman |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/dushman/movieshow/61346788.cms |access-date=2021-01-16 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref name="ReleaseDateHindu">{{Cite news |last=Malhotra |first=Aps |date=2012-07-26 |title=Dushman (1971) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/dushman-1971/article3687406.ece |access-date=2021-01-16}}</ref><ref name="ReleaseDateCinestaan">{{Cite web |title=Dushman (1972) |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/movies/dushman-3901 |access-date=2018-06-29 |website=Cinestaan}}</ref><ref name="IndianCine">{{Cite web |title=Dushman |url=https://indiancine.ma/OJD/info |access-date=2018-06-29 |website=IndianCine}}</ref>
| runtime        = 177 mins
| runtime        = 177 mins<ref name="ReleaseDateToI" /><ref name="IndianCine" />
| country        = India
| country        = India
| language      = Hindi
| language      = Hindi
| gross          = 5.5 crore
}}
}}
'''''Dushmun''''' ({{Translation|Enemy}}) is a 1972 Indian [[Hindi]]-language film produced by Premji and directed by [[Dulal Guha]]. It is based on a novel by Virendra Sharma. The film stars [[Rajesh Khanna]] in the title role and for which he received a [[Filmfare]] nomination as Best Actor, the only nomination for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Filmfare Nominees and {{sic|nolink=1|Winner}} |url=https://archive.org/download/FilmfareAwards/FilmfareAwards.pdf |access-date=18 November 2023 |publisher=[[The Times Group]] |page=35 |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> [[Meena Kumari]], [[Mumtaz (Indian actress)|Mumtaz]], [[Bindu (actress)|Bindu]], [[Rehman (actor)|Rehman]], [[Asit Sen (actor)|Asit Sen]] and [[Johnny Walker (actor)|Johnny Walker]] are part of the cast.


'''''Dushmun''''' ({{Translation|Enemy}}) is a 1971 Indian [[Hindi]]-language film produced by Premji and directed by [[Dulal Guha]]. It is based on a novel by Virendra Sharma. The film stars [[Rajesh Khanna]] in the title role and for which he received a [[Filmfare]] nomination as Best Actor, the only nomination for the film.<ref>http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf</ref> [[Meena Kumari]], [[Mumtaz (actress)|Mumtaz]], [[Bindu (actress)|Bindu]], [[Rehman (actor)|Rehman]], [[Asit Sen (actor)|Asit Sen]] and [[Johnny Walker (actor)|Johnny Walker]] are part of the cast.
The film became a "super-hit" at the box office and stood 3rd in a major top ten list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Box office 1971|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=177&catName=MTk3MQ== |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020094955/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=177&catName=MTk3MQ== |archive-date=20 October 2013 |access-date=3 April 2009 |website=Box Office India}}</ref> The 2012 review of the film by the newspaper ''The Hindu'' stated: "Essaying the role of Surjit Singh, a reckless, macho truck driver, with a penchant for consuming desi liquor and visiting brothels, the actor can be described in only one word — superb. Wearing fatigues for most of the film and donning a moustache, Khanna looks every bit the truck driver he portrays. He adapts to the role, discarding his trademark mannerism and style of dialogue delivery for a sprightly walk and body language that smacks of arrogance."<ref name="ReleaseDateHindu">{{Cite news |last=Malhotra |first=Aps |date=26 July 2012 |title=Dushman (1971) |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/dushman-1971/article3687406.ece |access-date=16 January 2021}}</ref>
 
The film became a "super-hit" at the box office and stood 3rd in a major top ten list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Box office 1972 |url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=177&catName=MTk3MQ== |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020094955/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=177&catName=MTk3MQ== |archive-date=20 October 2013 |access-date=3 April 2009 |website=Box Office India}}</ref> The 2012 review of the film by the newspaper ''The Hindu'' stated: "Essaying the role of Surjit Singh, a reckless, macho truck driver, with a penchant for consuming desi liquor and visiting brothels, the actor can be described in only one word — superb. Wearing fatigues for most of the film and donning a moustache, Khanna looks every bit the truck driver he portrays. He adapts to the role, discarding his trademark mannerism and style of dialogue delivery for a sprightly walk and body language that smacks of arrogance."<ref name="ReleaseDateHindu" />


This film was remade in Tamil as ''[[Neethi (1972 film)|Needhi]]'' in 1972, in Telugu as ''Khaidii Babay'' (1974), in Malayalam as [[Maattoly]] in Kannada by [[Shankar Nag]] as ''Hosa Theerpu'' (1983) and in bengali as ''[[Nishpap Asami]]'' (1997) .
This film was made in Tamil as ''[[Neethi (1972 film)|Needhi]]'' (1972), in Telugu as ''[[Khaidi Babai]]'' (1974), in Malayalam as ''[[Maattoly]]'' (1978) and in Kannada as ''[[Hosa Theerpu]]'' (1983).


==Plot==
==Plot==
Surjit Singh is a rash truck driver often driving while impaired. One night he stops at the prostitute Chamelibai's home. He spends the night with her, and gets up late the next morning. He rushes out and drives at breakneck-speed in thick fog to make up for the lost time while again drinking. He ends up running over and killing a farmer named Ram Din. But despite the opportunity to run, he decides to stay and face the consequences. He is arrested by the police, charged, and brought before the court.
Surjit Singh is a rash truck driver who often drives while under the influence. One night, he stops at the prostitute Chamelibai's home. He spends the night with her, and gets up late the next morning. He rushes out and drives at breakneck-speed in thick fog to make up for the lost time while again drinking. He ends up running over and killing a farmer named Ram Din however, despite having the opportunity to run, he decides to stay and face the consequences. He is arrested by the police, charged, and brought before the court.


Surjit acknowledges his guilt to the Judge, who in turn knows that he should send Surjit to prison for two years. But moved by the plight of Ram Din's family (which include his widow Malti; his sister Kamla; two young sons; a crippled father Ganga Din, and his blind mother) and his inherent belief that imprisonment does not serve the good for victim or the perpetrator, the Judge resolves to try a novel experiment of forcing Surjit to live with Ram Din's family and look after their financial needs. A horrified Surjit attempts in vain to convince the Judge to change his ruling. He is transported to his new "prison" under police protection, where he is met by hostile villagers. Ram Din's family detest his presence, and call him "Dushmun" (enemy). Surjit attempts to escape on the first night, but is apprehended and brought back to serve his time.
Surjit acknowledges his guilt to the Judge, who in turn knows that he should send Surjit to prison for two years. But moved by the plight of Ram Din's family (which include his widow Malti; his sister Kamla; two young sons; a crippled father Ganga Din, and his blind mother) and his inherent belief that imprisonment does not serve the good for victim or the perpetrator, the Judge resolves to try a novel experiment of forcing Surjit to live with Ram Din's family and look after their financial needs. A horrified Surjit attempts in vain to convince the Judge to change his ruling. He is transported to his new "prison" under police protection, where he is met by hostile villagers. Ram Din's family detest his presence, and calls him "Dushmun" (enemy). Surjit attempts to escape on the first night, but is apprehended and brought back to serve his time.


Surjit gradually comes to terms with the twist of the fate that has forced him to become a farmer for subsistence and live under the ever unforgiving eyes of Ram Din's family. Over time, he starts sincerely working for the family and its interests. He meets Phoolmati, a happy-go-lucky girl who operates a small bioscope machine to entertain the village kids. They take an instant liking to each other, which blossoms into love. He also finds friends amongst the previously hostile villagers. He works hard on the family plot while also protecting it from the clutches of a local landlord, who has ill-intentioned designs on the land and also on Kamla.
Surjit gradually comes to terms with the twist of fate that has forced him to become a farmer for subsistence and live under the ever unforgiving eyes of Ram Din's family. Over time, he starts sincerely working for the family and its interests. He meets Phoolmati, a happy-go-lucky girl who operates a small bioscope machine to entertain the village kids. They take an instant liking to each other, which blossoms into love. He also finds friends amongst the previously hostile villagers. He works hard on the family plot while also protecting it from the clutches of a local landlord, who has ill-intentioned designs on the land and also on Kamla.


Surmounting many obstacles, Surjit is able to arrange the marriage of Kamla with her childhood sweetheart. With the help of a benevolent police force and the Judge, he is also able to thwart the many attempts of the landlord to seize the family's land, and that of other villagers who have mortgaged their land with the same landlord. Malti however, is unable to forgive Surjit for having killed her husband.
Surmounting many obstacles, Surjit is able to arrange the marriage of Kamla with her childhood sweetheart. With the help of a benevolent police force and the Judge, he is also able to thwart the many attempts of the landlord to seize the family's land, and that of other villagers who have mortgaged their land with the same landlord. Malti however, is unable to forgive Surjit for having killed her husband.


Things take a dramatic turn for the worse when Surjit is framed and arrested for the accidental death of Phoolmati's drunk grandfather. At the same time, the landlord covertly sets the harvest, produced by Surjit and other villagers, on fire. He then has Phoolmati kidnapped, primarily to punish Surjit. Malti, who has been working in one of the landlord's saw mills thinking he is an honourable man, witnesses his misdeeds, and finally realizes her mistake. She is able to rescue Phoolmati, but gets trapped by the landlord instead, who attempts to rape her. Meanwhile, Surjit stages an escape from his holding cell and with the help of Phoolmati, is able to come to Malti's rescue in the nick of time. He confronts the landlord and violently assaults him as payback. The police show up and arrest the landlord for his role in defrauding the villagers and destroying their harvest.
Things take a dramatic turn for the worse when Surjit is framed and arrested for the accidental death of Phoolmati's drunk grandfather. At the same time, the landlord covertly sets the harvest, produced by Surjit and other villagers, on fire. He then has Phoolmati kidnapped, primarily to punish Surjit. Malti, who has been working in one of the landlord's saw mills thinking he is an honourable man, witnesses his misdeeds, and finally realizes her mistake. She is able to rescue Phoolmati, but gets trapped by the landlord instead, who attempts to rape her. Meanwhile, Surjit stages an escape from his holding cell and with the help of Phoolmati, is able to come to Malti's rescue in the nick of time. He confronts the landlord and violently assaults him. The police show up and arrest the landlord for his role in defrauding the villagers and destroying their harvest.


Ram Din's family finally accept Surjit as one of their own, and arrange his marriage to Phoolmati. In a final twist though, his two years' imprisonment is complete, and the Police arrive to escort him back to town. He pleads with the Judge to let him serve a life sentence, and the Judge smiles, vindicated that his experiment has been successful.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dushman|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138411/plotsummary|publisher=www.imbd.com}}</ref>
Ram Din's family finally accept Surjit as one of their own, and arrange his marriage to Phoolmati. In a final twist though, his two years' imprisonment is complete, and the Police arrive to escort him back to town. He pleads with the Judge to let him serve a life sentence, and the Judge smiles, vindicated that his experiment has been successful.


==Cast==
==Cast==
 
* [[Meena Kumari]] as Malti
* [[Rajesh Khanna]] as Surjit Singh / Dushmun
* [[Rajesh Khanna]] as Surjeet Singh
* [[Meena Kumari]] as Malti Ram Din
* [[Mumtaz (Indian actress)|Mumtaz]] as Phoolmati
* [[Mumtaz (actress)|Mumtaz]] as Phoolmati
* [[Kumari Naaz|Naaz]] as Kamala
* [[Kumari Naaz|Naaz]] as Kamala
* [[Abhi Bhattacharya]] as Police Inspector
* [[Abhi Bhattacharya]] as Police Inspector
Line 51: Line 48:
* [[Rehman (actor)|Rehman]] as Judge
* [[Rehman (actor)|Rehman]] as Judge
* [[Anwar Hussain (actor)|Anwar Hussain]] as Timber Merchant
* [[Anwar Hussain (actor)|Anwar Hussain]] as Timber Merchant
* [[Sajjan (actor)|Sajjan]] as Nain Sukh
* [[Sajjan (actor)|Sajjan]] as Nainsukh
* [[Kanhaiyalal (actor)|Kanhaiyalal]] as Durga Prasad
* [[Kanhaiyalal (actor)|Kanhaiyalal]] as Durga Prasad
* [[Nana Palsikar]] as Ganga Din
* [[Nana Palsikar]] as Gangadin
* [[Leela Mishra]] as Mrs. Ganga Din
* [[Leela Mishra]] as Mrs. Gangadin
* [[K. N. Singh]] as Public Prosecutor Saxena
* [[K. N. Singh]] as Public Prosecutor Saxena
* Ramayan Tiwari as Nana, Drunkard Grand Father of Phoolmati
* [[Ramayan Tiwari]] as Nana
* [[Murad (actor)|Murad]] as Supreme Court Judge
* [[Murad (actor)|Murad]] as Supreme Court Judge
* [[Johnny Walker (actor)|Johnny Walker]] as Palmist (Special Appearance)
* [[Johnny Walker (actor)|Johnny Walker]] as Palmist  
* [[Bindu (actress)|Bindu]] as Chamelibai (In Song "Vaada Tera Vaada")
* [[Bindu (actress)|Bindu]] as Chameli Bai
* [[Marutirao Parab]] as Barber
* [[Marutirao Parab]] as Barber
* Narbada Shankar as Panditji
* Narbada Shankar as Panditji


==Remake details==
==Remakes==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-  
|-  
Line 74: Line 71:
| [[Neethi (1972 film)|''Needhi'']]
| [[Neethi (1972 film)|''Needhi'']]
| [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| [[Tamil language|Tamil]]
| <ref>{{Cite book|last1=Rajadhyaksha|first1=Ashish|url=https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf|title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema|last2=Willemen|first2=Paul|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|year=1998|isbn=0-19-563579-5|pages=409|orig-year=1994}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |url=https://indiancine.ma/texts/indiancine.ma%3AEncyclopedia_of_Indian_Cinema/text.pdf |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |pages=409 |orig-date=1994}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1974
| 1974
| ''Khaidii Babay''
| ''[[Khaidi Babai]]''
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
|<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=khaidii bAbAy ( 1974 )|url=http://www.ghantasala.info/tfs/cdatae7c3.html|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2021-01-16|website=ghantasala.info}}</ref>
|<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=khaidii bAbAy ( 1974 ) |url=http://www.ghantasala.info/tfs/cdatae7c3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101071620/http://www.ghantasala.info:80/tfs/cdatae7c3.html |archive-date=1 January 2007 |access-date=16 January 2021 |website=ghantasala.info}}</ref>
|-
|-
|1978
|1978
| ''[[Maattoly]]''
| ''[[Maattoly]]''
| [[Malayalam]]
| [[Malayalam]]
| <ref>{{Cite web|last=Menon|first=Ajay|date=2010-12-15|title=Old is Gold: Remakes from Hindi|url=http://oldmalayalam.blogspot.com/2010/12/remakes-from-hindi.html|access-date=2021-01-16|website=Old is Gold}}</ref>
| <ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijayakumar |first=B. |date=11 February 2018 |title=Maattoli: 1978 |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/maattoli-1978/article22726430.ece |url-status=live |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220830045537/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/maattoli-1978/article22726430.ece |archive-date=30 August 2022}}</ref>
|-
|-
| 1983
| 1983
| ''Hosa Theerpu''
| ''[[Hosa Theerpu]]''
| [[Kannada]]
| [[Kannada]]
| <ref>{{Cite web|title=Hosa Theerpu (1983) Kannada movie: Cast & Crew|url=https://chiloka.com/movie/hosa-theerpu-1983|access-date=2021-01-16|website=chiloka.com}}</ref>
| <ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.filmibeat.com/kannada/movies/hosa-theerpu/story.html#synopsis | title=Hosa Theerpu: Story, Preview, First Day Box Office Collection - FilmiBeat }}</ref>
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Nishpap Asami]]''
| [[Bengali language|Bengali]]
|-
|}
|}


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
The Music was composed by [[Laxmikant Pyarelal]] and the lyrics were written by [[Anand Bakshi]].
! # !! Title !! Singer(s)
The soundtrack had a rare [[Qawwali]] sung by [[Kishore Kumar]] which became popular.
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:92%;"
! Song !! Singer
|-
| "Vaada Tera Vaada"
| [[Kishore Kumar]]
|-
| "Maine Dekha, Tune Dekha, Isne Dekha, Usne Dekha"
| Kishore Kumar, [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
|-
|-
| 1
| "Balma Sipahiya"
| "Balma Sipahiya"
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]]
| Lata Mangeshkar
|-
|-
| 2
| "Paisa Phenko Tamasha Dekho"
| "Dekho Dekho Dekho Bioscope Dekho" (Paisa Phenkho Tamaasha Dekho)
| Lata Mangeshkar
| Lata Mangeshkar
|-
| 3
| "Maine Dekha Tune Dekha"
| [[Lata Mangeshkar]], [[Kishore Kumar]]
|-
| 4
| "Sachchai Chhup Nahin Sakti" (Vaada Tera Vaada)
| Kishore Kumar
|-
|-
|}
|}
==Awards and nominations==
[[Rajesh Khanna]] received a [[Filmfare]] nomination for Best Actor, the only one for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |title=1st Filmfare Awards 1953 |access-date=3 April 2009 |archive-date=12 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reference}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0138411|Dushmun}}
* {{IMDb title|0138411|Dushmun}}


[[Category:1970s Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:1972 Hindi-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:1972 Indian films]]
[[Category:1972 films]]
[[Category:1972 films]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of police departments in India]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of police departments in India]]
[[Category:Films scored by Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
[[Category:Films scored by Laxmikant–Pyarelal]]
[[Category:Hindi films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Hindi films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films featuring an item number]]
[[Category:Films about landlords]]
[[Category:Films about landlords]]
[[Category:Films directed by Dulal Guha]]
[[Category:Films directed by Dulal Guha]]

Latest revision as of 05:05, 4 March 2026


Dushmun
File:Dushmun poster.jpg
Poster
Directed byDulal Guha
Produced byPremji
Story byVirendra Sinha
StarringRajesh Khanna
Meena Kumari
Mumtaz
Music byLaxmikant–Pyarelal
CinematographyM. Rajaram
Production
company
Suchitra Productions
Release date
  • 7 January 1972 (1972-01-07)
Running time
177 mins
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Box office5.5 crore

Dushmun (transl. Enemy) is a 1972 Indian Hindi-language film produced by Premji and directed by Dulal Guha. It is based on a novel by Virendra Sharma. The film stars Rajesh Khanna in the title role and for which he received a Filmfare nomination as Best Actor, the only nomination for the film.[1] Meena Kumari, Mumtaz, Bindu, Rehman, Asit Sen and Johnny Walker are part of the cast.

The film became a "super-hit" at the box office and stood 3rd in a major top ten list.[2] The 2012 review of the film by the newspaper The Hindu stated: "Essaying the role of Surjit Singh, a reckless, macho truck driver, with a penchant for consuming desi liquor and visiting brothels, the actor can be described in only one word — superb. Wearing fatigues for most of the film and donning a moustache, Khanna looks every bit the truck driver he portrays. He adapts to the role, discarding his trademark mannerism and style of dialogue delivery for a sprightly walk and body language that smacks of arrogance."[3]

This film was made in Tamil as Needhi (1972), in Telugu as Khaidi Babai (1974), in Malayalam as Maattoly (1978) and in Kannada as Hosa Theerpu (1983).

Plot[edit | edit source]

Surjit Singh is a rash truck driver who often drives while under the influence. One night, he stops at the prostitute Chamelibai's home. He spends the night with her, and gets up late the next morning. He rushes out and drives at breakneck-speed in thick fog to make up for the lost time while again drinking. He ends up running over and killing a farmer named Ram Din however, despite having the opportunity to run, he decides to stay and face the consequences. He is arrested by the police, charged, and brought before the court.

Surjit acknowledges his guilt to the Judge, who in turn knows that he should send Surjit to prison for two years. But moved by the plight of Ram Din's family (which include his widow Malti; his sister Kamla; two young sons; a crippled father Ganga Din, and his blind mother) and his inherent belief that imprisonment does not serve the good for victim or the perpetrator, the Judge resolves to try a novel experiment of forcing Surjit to live with Ram Din's family and look after their financial needs. A horrified Surjit attempts in vain to convince the Judge to change his ruling. He is transported to his new "prison" under police protection, where he is met by hostile villagers. Ram Din's family detest his presence, and calls him "Dushmun" (enemy). Surjit attempts to escape on the first night, but is apprehended and brought back to serve his time.

Surjit gradually comes to terms with the twist of fate that has forced him to become a farmer for subsistence and live under the ever unforgiving eyes of Ram Din's family. Over time, he starts sincerely working for the family and its interests. He meets Phoolmati, a happy-go-lucky girl who operates a small bioscope machine to entertain the village kids. They take an instant liking to each other, which blossoms into love. He also finds friends amongst the previously hostile villagers. He works hard on the family plot while also protecting it from the clutches of a local landlord, who has ill-intentioned designs on the land and also on Kamla.

Surmounting many obstacles, Surjit is able to arrange the marriage of Kamla with her childhood sweetheart. With the help of a benevolent police force and the Judge, he is also able to thwart the many attempts of the landlord to seize the family's land, and that of other villagers who have mortgaged their land with the same landlord. Malti however, is unable to forgive Surjit for having killed her husband.

Things take a dramatic turn for the worse when Surjit is framed and arrested for the accidental death of Phoolmati's drunk grandfather. At the same time, the landlord covertly sets the harvest, produced by Surjit and other villagers, on fire. He then has Phoolmati kidnapped, primarily to punish Surjit. Malti, who has been working in one of the landlord's saw mills thinking he is an honourable man, witnesses his misdeeds, and finally realizes her mistake. She is able to rescue Phoolmati, but gets trapped by the landlord instead, who attempts to rape her. Meanwhile, Surjit stages an escape from his holding cell and with the help of Phoolmati, is able to come to Malti's rescue in the nick of time. He confronts the landlord and violently assaults him. The police show up and arrest the landlord for his role in defrauding the villagers and destroying their harvest.

Ram Din's family finally accept Surjit as one of their own, and arrange his marriage to Phoolmati. In a final twist though, his two years' imprisonment is complete, and the Police arrive to escort him back to town. He pleads with the Judge to let him serve a life sentence, and the Judge smiles, vindicated that his experiment has been successful.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Remakes[edit | edit source]

Year Film Language Ref.
1972 Needhi Tamil [4]
1974 Khaidi Babai Telugu [5]
1978 Maattoly Malayalam [6]
1983 Hosa Theerpu Kannada [7]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The Music was composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and the lyrics were written by Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack had a rare Qawwali sung by Kishore Kumar which became popular.

Song Singer
"Vaada Tera Vaada" Kishore Kumar
"Maine Dekha, Tune Dekha, Isne Dekha, Usne Dekha" Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar
"Balma Sipahiya" Lata Mangeshkar
"Paisa Phenko Tamasha Dekho" Lata Mangeshkar

Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]

Rajesh Khanna received a Filmfare nomination for Best Actor, the only one for the film.[8]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Filmfare Nominees and Winner [sic]" (PDF). The Times Group. p. 35. Retrieved 18 November 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  2. ↑ "Box office 1971". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  3. ↑ Malhotra, Aps (26 July 2012). "Dushman (1971)". The Hindu. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  4. ↑ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1998) [1994]. Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema (PDF). Oxford University Press. p. 409. ISBN 0-19-563579-5.
  5. ↑ "khaidii bAbAy ( 1974 )". ghantasala.info. Archived from the original on 1 January 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  6. ↑ Vijayakumar, B. (11 February 2018). "Maattoli: 1978". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Hosa Theerpu: Story, Preview, First Day Box Office Collection - FilmiBeat".
  8. ↑ "1st Filmfare Awards 1953" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2009.

External links[edit | edit source]

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