Kismet (1943 film)
Encyclopedia
Kismet is a 1943 Indian Hindi film, written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies
during the second world war period, while it was in a succession battle between Devika Rani
and Sashadhar Mukherjee
after owner Himanshu Rai
's death. The film is one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema
The lost and found crime drama, had screenplay by Niranjan Pal
and the film stars Ashok Kumar
, as a pickpocket and trying to be con man who ends up falling in love, with Mumtaz Shanti
. He is wrongfully jailed while trying to help his sweetheart but fate (Kismet) comes to his rescue. In between he encounters his enemy's long lost innocent son (also played by Ashok Kumar) who helps him in clearing his name.
. According to the numbers, it has been given the status of All-Time Blockbuster. In the decade of 1940s, this movie made the most money. Its net gross came to Rs.10 million in 1943, which in today's date is equivalent of Rs.632 million. This record was beaten in 1949 by Barsaat
.
, where he introduced 'Full chorus' for the first time in Hindi cinema . The film gave memorable hits like, the patriotic, Door Hato O Duniyawalon Hindustan Humaara hai ("Go away outsiders, India is ours"), the sad Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali and a soothing lullaby, Dheere Dheere Aa, which was a duet between, Amirbai Karnataki and Ashok Kumar, which added to the success of the film, which is still known as one of his finest works .
', a negative reference to Japan was used, Tum na kisike aage jhunkna, German ho ya Japani, this allowed it to get pass through heavy British censorship of the time , though the people understood the hidden meaning and the song; backed by the uplifting score by Anil Biswas, it became an instant hit, amidst the atmosphere of rising nationalistic fervour , though the British authorities, soon realised their mistake, and wanted to ban the film, and an arrest warrant was issued for the film's lyricist, Pradeep, who had to immediately go underground, to avoid arrest .
Bombay Talkies
The Bombay Talkies Limited was a movie studio produced 102 movies, founded in 1934 in Malad, Bombay , India, by Himanshu Rai, Rajnarayan Dube and Devika Rani along with businessmen like F. E...
during the second world war period, while it was in a succession battle between Devika Rani
Devika Rani
Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich was an early Indian movie star.- Career :Born in Waltair , Devika Rani came from a distinguished background: she was the great-grandniece of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and her father, Col. M. N. Chaudhuri, was the first Indian Surgeon-General of Madras...
and Sashadhar Mukherjee
Sashadhar Mukherjee
Sashadhar Mukherjee was a producer in Hindi films. He is part of the distinguished Mukherjee clan of Bollywood.Main article: Mukherjee-Samarth family...
after owner Himanshu Rai
Himanshu Rai
Himanshu Roy , one of the pioneers of Indian cinema, is best known as the founder of the Bombay Talkies in 1934. He was associated with a number of movies, including Goddess , The Light of Asia , Siraj , A Throw of Dice , and Karma .He was married to actress Devika Rani.-Bombay Talkies:He was...
's death. The film is one of the biggest hits in the history of Hindi cinema
Plot
The movie came with some bold themes for the first time in Indian Cinema showing an anti-hero character and an unmarried girl getting pregnant. The movie also has the distinction of first 'double-role' played by any Indian actor.The lost and found crime drama, had screenplay by Niranjan Pal
Niranjan Pal
Niranjan Pal was a playwright, screenwriter and director in the Indian film industry in the silent and early talkie days...
and the film stars Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema...
, as a pickpocket and trying to be con man who ends up falling in love, with Mumtaz Shanti
Mumtaz Shanti
Mumtaz Shanti was a famous movie star of the Bollywood yesteryears, she was very popular in the 40's and early 50's with hit movies like Basant , Kismet , Ghar Ki Izzat with young Dilip Kumar...
. He is wrongfully jailed while trying to help his sweetheart but fate (Kismet) comes to his rescue. In between he encounters his enemy's long lost innocent son (also played by Ashok Kumar) who helps him in clearing his name.
Performance
The film went on to become a major success, at a theatre in Calcutta it ran for three years, and gave Indian cinema its first title of superstar, Ashok KumarAshok Kumar
Ashok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema...
. According to the numbers, it has been given the status of All-Time Blockbuster. In the decade of 1940s, this movie made the most money. Its net gross came to Rs.10 million in 1943, which in today's date is equivalent of Rs.632 million. This record was beaten in 1949 by Barsaat
Barsaat
Barsaat is a 1949 Bollywood film directed by Raj Kapoor. The film stars the famous duo of Kapoor and Nargis as well as Prem Nath. It was also the introduction of actress Nimmi in her first film role. Barsaat was one of the first major hit films directed by Kapoor...
.
Cast
- Ashok KumarAshok KumarAshok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema...
as Shekhar & Madan - Mumtaz ShantiMumtaz ShantiMumtaz Shanti was a famous movie star of the Bollywood yesteryears, she was very popular in the 40's and early 50's with hit movies like Basant , Kismet , Ghar Ki Izzat with young Dilip Kumar...
as Rani - Shah Nawaz as Rani's father
- Mubarak as Indrajeet Babu
- DavidDavid Abraham CheulkarDavid Abraham Cheulkar , popularly known as David, was a Jewish-Indian, Hindi film actor, who started his film career with 1941 film Naya Sansar and went on to act in over 110 films....
as Fence - Chandraprabha as Leela (Rani's sister)
- Kanu RoyKanu RoyKanu Roy was an Indian film actor, and music composer in Hindi and Bengali films. Contrary to public misconception,He was not the brother of noted bollywood playback singer Geeta Dutt...
as Mohan (Leela's lover) - V.H.Desai as Baanke
- P.F. Pithawala
- Baby KamalaKumari KamalaKumari Kamala is an Indian dancer and actress. Initially featured as a child dancer, Kamala appeared in almost 100 Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada films throughout her career...
- Moti
Soundtracks
The music of the film is by Anil BiswasAnil Biswas (composer)
Anil Biswas was a famous Indian film music composer from 1935 to 1965, who apart from being one of pioneers of playback singing, is also credited for the first Indian orchestra of twelve pieces and introducing orchestral music and full-blooded choral effects, into Indian cinema...
, where he introduced 'Full chorus' for the first time in Hindi cinema . The film gave memorable hits like, the patriotic, Door Hato O Duniyawalon Hindustan Humaara hai ("Go away outsiders, India is ours"), the sad Ghar Ghar Mein Diwali and a soothing lullaby, Dheere Dheere Aa, which was a duet between, Amirbai Karnataki and Ashok Kumar, which added to the success of the film, which is still known as one of his finest works .
- Aaj Himalay Ki Choti Se - Door Hato Ai Duniya Walo, Singer: Ameerbai Karnataki, Khan Mastana
- Ab Tere Siwa Kaun Mera Krishan Kanhaiya, Singer: Ameerbai Karnataki
- Ai Duniya Bata - Ghar Ghar Me Diwali Hai, Singer: Ameerbai Karnataki
- Dhire Dhire Aa Re Badal, Mera Bulbul Sau Raha Hai, Singer: Ameerbai Karnataki
- Dhire Dhire Aa Re Badal, Mera Bulbul Sau Raha Hai, Singer: Ameerbai Karnataki, Ashok Kumar
- Ham Aisi Qisamat Ko, Ek Din Hansaaye, Singer: Ameerbai Karnataki, Arun Kumar
- Papihaa Re Mere Piyaa Se Kahiyo Jaay, Singer: Parul Ghosh
- Tere Dukh Ke Din Phirenge, Zindagi Ban Ke Jiye Jaa, Singer: Arun Kumar
Door hato O Duniya walon
In the patriotic song, Door hato O Duniya walon ("Go away outsiders, India is ours"), penned by 'Kavi PradeepPradeep
Kavi Pradeep , born Ramchandra Baryanji Dwivedi, was a renowned poet and songwriter who is best known for his patriotic song, Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo, written as tribute to the soldiers who had died defending the country, during the Sino-Indian War.His first recognition came for his patriotic lyrics...
', a negative reference to Japan was used, Tum na kisike aage jhunkna, German ho ya Japani, this allowed it to get pass through heavy British censorship of the time , though the people understood the hidden meaning and the song; backed by the uplifting score by Anil Biswas, it became an instant hit, amidst the atmosphere of rising nationalistic fervour , though the British authorities, soon realised their mistake, and wanted to ban the film, and an arrest warrant was issued for the film's lyricist, Pradeep, who had to immediately go underground, to avoid arrest .