Lekin
Encyclopedia
Lekin is a Hindi
drama film made in 1991, loosely based on a short story by Rabindranath Tagore
, and directed by Hindi lyricist Gulzar
. It stars Vinod Khanna
, Dimple Kapadia
, Amjad Khan
, Alok Nath
, and Beena Banerjee, and featured a special appearance by Hema Malini
.
The film was produced by Indian songstress Lata Mangeshkar
, whose rendition of "Yara Seeli Seeli" won the 1991 National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer
. The song also won film's lyricist, Gulzar
, both the 1991 National Film Award for Best Lyrics
and the 1992 Filmfare Best Lyricist Award
.
The film's music director, Lata's brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar
, won the 1991 National Film Award for Best Music Direction
. Other awards included the National Film Award for Best Art Direction
for Nitish Roy
and National Film Award for Best Costume Design
for Bhanu Athaiya
.
, which gives it something in common with Rudaali
, another off-beat drama set in Rajasthan that was released around the same time and also featured Dimple Kapadia and Amjad Khan.
The plot centers around a government employee, Sameer Yogi (Vinod Khanna
), who is sent to Rajasthan to take inventory of items in the abandoned haveli(mansion) of the long-deceased Maharaja Param Singh (Vijayendra Ghatge
). When he arrives in Rajasthan, he meets his old friend Shafi (Amjad Khan
) who is a tax collector in the area and lives with his wife Sharda (Beena Banerjee).
Sameer begins seeing what he thinks could very well be visions of another time and place, visions that he is shown by a beautiful woman he encounters by the name of Reva (Dimple Kapadia
). But is Reva real or just a figment of Sameer's imagination? The drama that unfolds catapults Sameer into a different time and place and shakes his own personal foundation of reality, even as Shafi and his wife fear that their old friend may be losing his mind. In addition to the excellent performances and overall haunting quality of the cinematography, the plot twists and guest appearance of Hema Malini add to the film's charms.
Also, as much as Sameer, Reva and Shafi, the desert of Rajasthan itself is a character in this film. Rolling sand dunes and long-deserted havelis create a sense of mystery and wonder, the stuff of dreams (or nightmares).
. Suniyo Ji Araj Mhari is based on the composition in Raga Bhoopeshwari by Pt. Mani Prasad
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
drama film made in 1991, loosely based on a short story by Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore , sobriquet Gurudev, was a Bengali polymath who reshaped his region's literature and music. Author of Gitanjali and its "profoundly sensitive, fresh and beautiful verse", he became the first non-European Nobel laureate by earning the 1913 Prize in Literature...
, and directed by Hindi lyricist Gulzar
Gulzar (lyricist)
Sampooran Singh Kalra , known popularly by his pen name Gulzar , is an Indian poet, lyricist and director. He primarily writes in Hindi-Urdu and has also written in Punjabi and several dialects of Hindi such as Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari.Gulzar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in...
. It stars Vinod Khanna
Vinod Khanna
-Early life:Khanna was born to Kamla and Kishanchand Khanna, a textiles, dyes and chemicals businessman of Hindu Punjabi Khatri origin, on 6 October 1946, in Peshawar, British India . He has three sisters and one brother...
, Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Chunnibhai Kapadia is an Indian film actress. She made her acting debut at the age of 16, playing the title role in Raj Kapoor's teen romance Bobby . In that same year she married Indian actor Rajesh Khanna, and retired from acting. Kapadia returned to films in 1984 after her separation...
, Amjad Khan
Amjad Khan
Amjad Khan was an acclaimed Indian actor and director. He worked in over 130 films in his film career spanning nearly twenty years. He enjoyed popularity for his villainous roles in Hindi films the most famous being the unforgettable Gabbar Singh in 1975 classic Sholay...
, Alok Nath
Alok Nath
Alok Nath is an Indian film actor who appears in Bollywood movies. He is most notable for playing the role of Haveli Ram in Ramesh Sippy's television series, Buniyaad.-Early life:...
, and Beena Banerjee, and featured a special appearance by Hema Malini
Hema Malini
Hema Malini is an Indian actress, director and producer, as well as a Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographer. Making her acting debut in Sapno Ka Saudagar , she went on to appear in numerous Bollywood films, most notably those with actor and future-husband Dharmendra. She was initially promoted as...
.
The film was produced by Indian songstress Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar
Lata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
, whose rendition of "Yara Seeli Seeli" won the 1991 National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer
National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer
The National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer winners are given below. Lata Mangeshkar is the oldest winner in this category, whereas Anjali Marathe is the youngest winner; while K. S. Chithra been awarded for the maximum number of times .-Superlatives:...
. The song also won film's lyricist, Gulzar
Gulzar (lyricist)
Sampooran Singh Kalra , known popularly by his pen name Gulzar , is an Indian poet, lyricist and director. He primarily writes in Hindi-Urdu and has also written in Punjabi and several dialects of Hindi such as Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari.Gulzar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in...
, both the 1991 National Film Award for Best Lyrics
National Film Award for Best Lyrics
The National Film Award for Best Lyrics winners:Vairamuthu won the award for maximum number of times . Javed Akhtar is the only lyricist to win the award for three consecutive years .-References:...
and the 1992 Filmfare Best Lyricist Award
Filmfare Best Lyricist Award
The Filmfare Lyricist Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards were first given in 1953, however the Award for the best lyricist was first given in 1958.-Superlatives:...
.
The film's music director, Lata's brother Hridayanath Mangeshkar
Hridayanath Mangeshkar
Hridaynath Mangeshkar is a composer/singer from India known for his eclectic compositions and a well-respected body of work. He is the younger brother of Indian music icons Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle...
, won the 1991 National Film Award for Best Music Direction
National Film Award for Best Music Direction
The National Film Award for Best Music Direction are given annually. In years 1994, 1995 and 2010, an award for Best Background Score was instituted by the Jury, which was won by Johnson and by Ilaiyaraaja . Ilaiyaraaja and A. R...
. Other awards included the National Film Award for Best Art Direction
National Film Award for Best Art Direction
The National Film Award for Best Art Direction winners:...
for Nitish Roy
Nitish Roy
Nitish Roy is an Indian film art director, production designer, and costume designer in Hindi cinema, who is known for his work with art cinema directors, Shyam Benegal, Mrinal Sen and Govind Nihlani, Hindi mainstream cinema, directors like Rajkumar Santoshi, as well as international directors...
and National Film Award for Best Costume Design
National Film Award for Best Costume Design
The National Film Award for Best Costume Design winners:...
for Bhanu Athaiya
Bhanu Athaiya
Bhanu Athaiya née Rajopadhye is Indian cinema's most well-regarded costume designer, having worked in over 100 films, since 1950s, with noted filmmakers like Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Ashutosh Gowariker, and international directors like Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough.She made her...
.
Synopsis
The movie takes place in the Indian desert state of RajasthanRajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
, which gives it something in common with Rudaali
Rudaali
Rudaali is a 1993 Hindi film directed by the feminist Indian director Kalpana Lajmi, based on the short story written by famous Bengali litterateur Mahasweta Devi.-Cultural background:...
, another off-beat drama set in Rajasthan that was released around the same time and also featured Dimple Kapadia and Amjad Khan.
The plot centers around a government employee, Sameer Yogi (Vinod Khanna
Vinod Khanna
-Early life:Khanna was born to Kamla and Kishanchand Khanna, a textiles, dyes and chemicals businessman of Hindu Punjabi Khatri origin, on 6 October 1946, in Peshawar, British India . He has three sisters and one brother...
), who is sent to Rajasthan to take inventory of items in the abandoned haveli(mansion) of the long-deceased Maharaja Param Singh (Vijayendra Ghatge
Vijayendra Ghatge
Vijayendra Ghatge is an actor from Indian TV and movie industry. He has acted in Buniyaad among other serials and several of movies such as Prem Rog and Devdas. He is descendant of Holkars family,the ex-royal family of Indore thru his mother Sita Raje Ghatge. He is the father of Chak De India...
). When he arrives in Rajasthan, he meets his old friend Shafi (Amjad Khan
Amjad Khan
Amjad Khan was an acclaimed Indian actor and director. He worked in over 130 films in his film career spanning nearly twenty years. He enjoyed popularity for his villainous roles in Hindi films the most famous being the unforgettable Gabbar Singh in 1975 classic Sholay...
) who is a tax collector in the area and lives with his wife Sharda (Beena Banerjee).
Sameer begins seeing what he thinks could very well be visions of another time and place, visions that he is shown by a beautiful woman he encounters by the name of Reva (Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Kapadia
Dimple Chunnibhai Kapadia is an Indian film actress. She made her acting debut at the age of 16, playing the title role in Raj Kapoor's teen romance Bobby . In that same year she married Indian actor Rajesh Khanna, and retired from acting. Kapadia returned to films in 1984 after her separation...
). But is Reva real or just a figment of Sameer's imagination? The drama that unfolds catapults Sameer into a different time and place and shakes his own personal foundation of reality, even as Shafi and his wife fear that their old friend may be losing his mind. In addition to the excellent performances and overall haunting quality of the cinematography, the plot twists and guest appearance of Hema Malini add to the film's charms.
Also, as much as Sameer, Reva and Shafi, the desert of Rajasthan itself is a character in this film. Rolling sand dunes and long-deserted havelis create a sense of mystery and wonder, the stuff of dreams (or nightmares).
Cast
- Vinod KhannaVinod Khanna-Early life:Khanna was born to Kamla and Kishanchand Khanna, a textiles, dyes and chemicals businessman of Hindu Punjabi Khatri origin, on 6 October 1946, in Peshawar, British India . He has three sisters and one brother...
– Samir Yogi - Dimple KapadiaDimple KapadiaDimple Chunnibhai Kapadia is an Indian film actress. She made her acting debut at the age of 16, playing the title role in Raj Kapoor's teen romance Bobby . In that same year she married Indian actor Rajesh Khanna, and retired from acting. Kapadia returned to films in 1984 after her separation...
– Reva - Amjad KhanAmjad KhanAmjad Khan was an acclaimed Indian actor and director. He worked in over 130 films in his film career spanning nearly twenty years. He enjoyed popularity for his villainous roles in Hindi films the most famous being the unforgettable Gabbar Singh in 1975 classic Sholay...
– Shafi Ahmed Siddiqui - Alok NathAlok NathAlok Nath is an Indian film actor who appears in Bollywood movies. He is most notable for playing the role of Haveli Ram in Ramesh Sippy's television series, Buniyaad.-Early life:...
– Ustad Meraj Ali - Hema MaliniHema MaliniHema Malini is an Indian actress, director and producer, as well as a Bharatanatyam dancer-choreographer. Making her acting debut in Sapno Ka Saudagar , she went on to appear in numerous Bollywood films, most notably those with actor and future-husband Dharmendra. She was initially promoted as...
– Tara (guest appearance) - Moon Moon Sen – Pammi
- Vijayendra GhatgeVijayendra GhatgeVijayendra Ghatge is an actor from Indian TV and movie industry. He has acted in Buniyaad among other serials and several of movies such as Prem Rog and Devdas. He is descendant of Holkars family,the ex-royal family of Indore thru his mother Sita Raje Ghatge. He is the father of Chak De India...
– Raja Param Singh - Beena Bannerjee – Sharda Ahmed Siddiqui
Songs
All the songs from Lekin... were composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar and the lyrics were written by GulzarGulzar (lyricist)
Sampooran Singh Kalra , known popularly by his pen name Gulzar , is an Indian poet, lyricist and director. He primarily writes in Hindi-Urdu and has also written in Punjabi and several dialects of Hindi such as Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari.Gulzar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in...
. Suniyo Ji Araj Mhari is based on the composition in Raga Bhoopeshwari by Pt. Mani Prasad
- Kesariya Baalam – Lata MangeshkarLata MangeshkarLata Mangeshkar is a singer from India. She is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India. Mangeshkar's career started in 1942 and has spanned over six and a half decades. She has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in over thirty-six regional...
- Yara Seeli Seeli – Lata Mangeshkar
- Suniyo Ji Araj Mhari – Lata Mangeshkar
- Main Ek Sadi Se – Lata Mangeshkar
- Jhoote Naina – Asha BhosleAsha BhosleAsha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies...
, Satyasheel DeshpandeSatyasheel DeshpandePandit Satyasheel Deshpande is an Indian musician who specializes in singing khyal. He is a prominent disciple of Pt. Kumar Gandharva and the son of musicologist Vamanrao Deshpande.-Early life:... - Surmai Shaam – Suresh WadkarSuresh WadkarSuresh Ishwar Wadkar is an Indian playback singer. He performs in both Hindi and Marathi films.He has sung songs in some Bhojpuri films and in Konkani.- Early life :...
- Ja Ja Re – Lata Mangeshkar, Hridaynath Mangeshkar