Mera Saaya
Encyclopedia
Mera Saaya is a 1966 Indian Hindi film directed by Raj Khosla
. The film was a remake of Marathi film called Pathlag. The film's music is by Madan Mohan and lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
. The film stars Sunil Dutt
and Sadhana
. This is director Raj Khosla
's third film with Sadhana
after Ek Musafir Ek Hasina
(1963) and Woh Kaun Thi?
(1964). The film became a "superhit" at the box office.. It won the Filmfare Best Sound Award for Manohar Amberkar. The songs 'naino mein badara chhaye', 'aapke pahaloo mein aakar ro diye', 'tu jahan jahan chalega' became superhit.
Thakur Rakesh Singh (Sunil Dutt
) is a lawyer whose wife Geeta (Sadhana
) dies after a prolonged illness. Rakesh was abroad during most of the illness and returns home just in time to see her die. After her funeral Rakesh still keep thinking of her and gets depressed. Sometimes later he is informed that a criminal named Naina, who recently has been arrested with her gang members, claims that she is Rakesh's wife Geeta. In disbelief, he goes to meet this woman and finds that she indeed resembles his wife. Rakesh doesn't believe her, as he had himself cremated his wife, but Naina is stubborn and the matter goes to court. A courtroom drama ensues.
In the court, Naina tells many facts that Geeta would know. Rakesh rebuts everything saying this was all public knowledge. She then ask him to take off his shirt and tells the court about a birthmark that even Rakesh does not know. It proves to be true. Rakesh still does not believe her. In the following days she tells him many other facts that only Geeta could know. But still Rakesh does not believe her. He then one day remembers of a diary that Geeta used to write and she wrote every detail of her day in it. He tries to find it in the house but does not find it. He believes Naina stole the diary and hence she knew so much. Next day he asks Naina about her mangalsutra which she does not have despite her claim that she is married to him. She refuses to tell him about her mangalsutra, but again she tells some facts about the mangalsutra which was broken and then got repaired. However, she cannot prove why she does not wear the mangalsutra. He concludes before the court that she is not his wife. He pressurises her a lot and she loses her mental balance and confesses that she is Naina. She is then taken to the mental hospital.
Meanwhile, some people occupy a hotel room. They seem to be the dacoits with whom Naina was found. In the mental hospital Naina first refuses to admit she is Naina, but then gives in to the pressure by the doctors. One day while cleaning the windows she sees one man from the dacoits and shouts for help and is taken by the doctors to have lost her mental balance again. That night she escapes from the hospital and goes to Rakesh's house.
At Rakesh's house, she takes off the wreath from Geeta's photo. Rakesh sees her doing so and asks her if she has run from the hospital. She replies in the positive. He then asks her why she was here. She tells him the story about how she is the real Geeta and that the person who died was her twin sister Naina. Naina had come to their house to take help as she had run away from the dacoits' home. While hiding Naina in the house, Geeta had told everybody in the house (like Mausi and servants) that since she will be praying for her husband's well-being in the whole night hence, while she is doing so, nobody should enter her room. But Naina became serious and when Geeta went out to buy medicines for her late in the night through the fire-escape, the dacoits mistook her for Naina; kidnapped her and took her with them. Geeta did not reveal this earlier as she did not want to publicly acknowledge having Naina as a sister.
Suddenly Rakesh and Geeta hear gunfire. Rakesh runs out to find what it was. In the police crossfire a dacoit (Prem Chopra, the leader of the gang) is injured who later dies. Before dying, he tells Rakesh that the woman with him is actually Geeta. The twin sister who Rakesh cremated was the dacoit's love Naina. Rakesh and Geeta are united.
The best song can arguably be
Nainon Mein Badra Chhaaye, Bijlee See Chamke Haay sung by Lata Mangeshkar
. This song has beautiful rendition of Sitar
.
This song won Madan Mohan the "Sur Singar" Award for the best classical song for the year 1966.
Another soulful song is Aapke Pahaloo Mein Aakar Ro Diye sung by Mohammed Rafi
.
One haunting song appears twice, once in a faster version and once in a slower version. Too Jahaan Jahaan Chalegaa Meraa Saayaa Saath Hogaa (again, sung by Lata Mangeshkar
) Composed by Ustad Mohammad Hussain Sarahang of Afghanistan.
But the song that went on to be the most popular song from this movie was sung by Asha Bhosle
. Jhumkaa Giraa Re Barelee Ke Baazaar Mein...
All lyrics were written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
.
The music became very famous and it was considered unfortunate to miss out on the nomination for the Filmfare award that year.
Raj Khosla
Raj Khosla was one of the top directors, producer and screenwriter in Hindi films from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was known for bringing in ‘neo-noir’ and style in Indian cinema since black & white times, and also as a "women's director" because he showcased actresses at their best. He is often...
. The film was a remake of Marathi film called Pathlag. The film's music is by Madan Mohan and lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was an Indian poet, writer and lyricist.Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was born in Karimabad in undivided India. His early tutoring was under his mother Hebay Saheba soon after he had lost his father. Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal has acknowledged Hebay Saheba as a leading Urdu poet. S...
. The film stars Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt , born Sunil Balraj Dutt, was an Indian Hindi movie actor , producer, director and politician. He was the cabinet minister for Youth Affairs and Sports in the Manmohan Singh government...
and Sadhana
Sadhana (actress)
Sadhana is an Indian Bollywood actress. She was one of the top stars in the 1960s and the early 1970s. Beside becoming the fashion icon for young Indian girls with her specific hair style, still known as Sadhana cut, she become famous as Mystery Girl with her three suspense thriller films namely...
. This is director Raj Khosla
Raj Khosla
Raj Khosla was one of the top directors, producer and screenwriter in Hindi films from the 1950s to the 1980s. He was known for bringing in ‘neo-noir’ and style in Indian cinema since black & white times, and also as a "women's director" because he showcased actresses at their best. He is often...
's third film with Sadhana
Sadhana (actress)
Sadhana is an Indian Bollywood actress. She was one of the top stars in the 1960s and the early 1970s. Beside becoming the fashion icon for young Indian girls with her specific hair style, still known as Sadhana cut, she become famous as Mystery Girl with her three suspense thriller films namely...
after Ek Musafir Ek Hasina
Ek Musafir Ek Hasina
Ek Musafir Ek Hasina is a 1962 Bollywood film. The film is produced by Sashadhar Mukherjee and directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars the producer's son Joy Mukherjee with Sadhana and Rajendranath. The film's music is by O.P. Nayyar. The film became a "superhit," taking a second top spot at the...
(1963) and Woh Kaun Thi?
Woh Kaun Thi?
Woh Kaun Thi? is a 1964 black-and-white Indian movie directed by Raj Khosla, starring Sadhana, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra. The film became a hit at the box office. Its success had Khosla directing Sadhana in two more suspense thrillers: Mera Saaya and Anita .-Plot:On a dark stormy night, a...
(1964). The film became a "superhit" at the box office.. It won the Filmfare Best Sound Award for Manohar Amberkar. The songs 'naino mein badara chhaye', 'aapke pahaloo mein aakar ro diye', 'tu jahan jahan chalega' became superhit.
Plot summary
The film is an interesting courtroom drama, with the elements of a thriller.Thakur Rakesh Singh (Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt
Sunil Dutt , born Sunil Balraj Dutt, was an Indian Hindi movie actor , producer, director and politician. He was the cabinet minister for Youth Affairs and Sports in the Manmohan Singh government...
) is a lawyer whose wife Geeta (Sadhana
Sadhana (actress)
Sadhana is an Indian Bollywood actress. She was one of the top stars in the 1960s and the early 1970s. Beside becoming the fashion icon for young Indian girls with her specific hair style, still known as Sadhana cut, she become famous as Mystery Girl with her three suspense thriller films namely...
) dies after a prolonged illness. Rakesh was abroad during most of the illness and returns home just in time to see her die. After her funeral Rakesh still keep thinking of her and gets depressed. Sometimes later he is informed that a criminal named Naina, who recently has been arrested with her gang members, claims that she is Rakesh's wife Geeta. In disbelief, he goes to meet this woman and finds that she indeed resembles his wife. Rakesh doesn't believe her, as he had himself cremated his wife, but Naina is stubborn and the matter goes to court. A courtroom drama ensues.
In the court, Naina tells many facts that Geeta would know. Rakesh rebuts everything saying this was all public knowledge. She then ask him to take off his shirt and tells the court about a birthmark that even Rakesh does not know. It proves to be true. Rakesh still does not believe her. In the following days she tells him many other facts that only Geeta could know. But still Rakesh does not believe her. He then one day remembers of a diary that Geeta used to write and she wrote every detail of her day in it. He tries to find it in the house but does not find it. He believes Naina stole the diary and hence she knew so much. Next day he asks Naina about her mangalsutra which she does not have despite her claim that she is married to him. She refuses to tell him about her mangalsutra, but again she tells some facts about the mangalsutra which was broken and then got repaired. However, she cannot prove why she does not wear the mangalsutra. He concludes before the court that she is not his wife. He pressurises her a lot and she loses her mental balance and confesses that she is Naina. She is then taken to the mental hospital.
Meanwhile, some people occupy a hotel room. They seem to be the dacoits with whom Naina was found. In the mental hospital Naina first refuses to admit she is Naina, but then gives in to the pressure by the doctors. One day while cleaning the windows she sees one man from the dacoits and shouts for help and is taken by the doctors to have lost her mental balance again. That night she escapes from the hospital and goes to Rakesh's house.
At Rakesh's house, she takes off the wreath from Geeta's photo. Rakesh sees her doing so and asks her if she has run from the hospital. She replies in the positive. He then asks her why she was here. She tells him the story about how she is the real Geeta and that the person who died was her twin sister Naina. Naina had come to their house to take help as she had run away from the dacoits' home. While hiding Naina in the house, Geeta had told everybody in the house (like Mausi and servants) that since she will be praying for her husband's well-being in the whole night hence, while she is doing so, nobody should enter her room. But Naina became serious and when Geeta went out to buy medicines for her late in the night through the fire-escape, the dacoits mistook her for Naina; kidnapped her and took her with them. Geeta did not reveal this earlier as she did not want to publicly acknowledge having Naina as a sister.
Suddenly Rakesh and Geeta hear gunfire. Rakesh runs out to find what it was. In the police crossfire a dacoit (Prem Chopra, the leader of the gang) is injured who later dies. Before dying, he tells Rakesh that the woman with him is actually Geeta. The twin sister who Rakesh cremated was the dacoit's love Naina. Rakesh and Geeta are united.
Cast
- Sunil DuttSunil DuttSunil Dutt , born Sunil Balraj Dutt, was an Indian Hindi movie actor , producer, director and politician. He was the cabinet minister for Youth Affairs and Sports in the Manmohan Singh government...
- Thakur Rakesh Singh - SadhanaSadhana (actress)Sadhana is an Indian Bollywood actress. She was one of the top stars in the 1960s and the early 1970s. Beside becoming the fashion icon for young Indian girls with her specific hair style, still known as Sadhana cut, she become famous as Mystery Girl with her three suspense thriller films namely...
- Geeta/Sunaina - K.N. Singh - Prosecuting Lawyer
- Anwar Hussain - Inspector Daljit
- Prem ChopraPrem ChopraPrem Chopra is an actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in over 400 films. He is famous for his soft spoken diction despite being a villain in most films.-Personal life and education:...
- Daku Suryavar Singh/Ranjit Singh
Music
The music composer for this film was Madan Mohan.The best song can arguably be
Nainon Mein Badra Chhaaye, Bijlee See Chamke Haay sung by 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...
. This song has beautiful rendition of Sitar
Sitar
The 'Tablaman' is a plucked stringed instrument predominantly used in Hindustani classical music, where it has been ubiquitous since the Middle Ages...
.
This song won Madan Mohan the "Sur Singar" Award for the best classical song for the year 1966.
Another soulful song is Aapke Pahaloo Mein Aakar Ro Diye sung by Mohammed Rafi
Mohammed Rafi
Mohammad Rafi , was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades. He was awarded National Award and 6 Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri awarded by the Government of India....
.
One haunting song appears twice, once in a faster version and once in a slower version. Too Jahaan Jahaan Chalegaa Meraa Saayaa Saath Hogaa (again, sung by 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...
) Composed by Ustad Mohammad Hussain Sarahang of Afghanistan.
But the song that went on to be the most popular song from this movie was sung by Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle
Asha 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...
. Jhumkaa Giraa Re Barelee Ke Baazaar Mein...
All lyrics were written by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan
Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was an Indian poet, writer and lyricist.Raja Mehdi Ali Khan was born in Karimabad in undivided India. His early tutoring was under his mother Hebay Saheba soon after he had lost his father. Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal has acknowledged Hebay Saheba as a leading Urdu poet. S...
.
The music became very famous and it was considered unfortunate to miss out on the nomination for the Filmfare award that year.