''Amanush'' () is a 1975 Indian
action drama film made in both
Hindi
Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...
and
Bengali
Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to:
*something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia
* Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region
* Bengali language, the language they speak
** Bengali alphabet, the w ...
languages, produced and directed by
Shakti Samanta
Shakti Samanta (13 January 1926 – 9 April 2009) was an Indian film director and producer, who founded Shakti Films in 1957, which is most known for films such as ''Anand Ashram'' (1977), Anusandhan /'' Barsaat Ki Ek Raat'' (1981), ''anay abhi ...
. The film stars
Sharmila Tagore
Sharmila Tagore (also known as Begum Ayesha Sultana; born 8 December 1944) is a retired Indian actress, primarily known for her work in Hindi and Bengali cinema, Tagore is the recipient of two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and the F ...
,
Uttam Kumar
Uttam Kumar ( bn, উত্তম কুমার; born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), popularly known as the Mahanayak, was an Indian actor, producer, director, Screenwriter, script writer, composer, and sing ...
,
Utpal Dutt
Utpal Dutta () (29 March 1929 – 19 August 1993) was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the "Little The ...
and
Asit Sen. Both the versions were hits.
The film was based on
Shaktipada Rajguru
Shaktipada Rajguru ( bn, শক্তিপদ রাজগুরু) (1 February 1922 – 12 June 2014) was an Indian Bengali writer. Several of his novels have been adapted for the screen including the Ritwik Ghatak-directed '' Meghe Dhak ...
novel ''Naya Basat'' which he written based on Sundarban. The film music composed by the popular Bengali singer-composer
Shyamal Mitra
Shyamal Mitra (14 January 1929 – 15 November 1987) was an Indian versatile playback singer and music director along with Hemanta Mukherjee and Manna Dey. Mitra had also worked in many Hindi and Bengali films as a music director and film produce ...
.
The film’s plot line is simple enough, but it’s the complexity of human emotions depicted that makes it a classic. It is a flood that restores faith in boundless human spirit. Amanush that means half human, and half beast to marvel scope of the histrionic capabilities. The Bengali version of the film achieved immense popularity amongst
Bengalis
Bengalis (singular Bengali bn, বাঙ্গালী/বাঙালি ), also rendered as Bangalee or the Bengali people, are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group originating from and culturally affiliated with the ...
and featured many memorable songs by
Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar (born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly (); 4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987) was an Indian playback singer and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest, most influential and dynamic singers in the history of Indian music.
He ...
like ''Bipinbabur Karansudha'' and ''Ki Asha-y Baandhi Khelaghar''. Also, this film featured the Bengali film star
Uttam Kumar
Uttam Kumar ( bn, উত্তম কুমার; born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), popularly known as the Mahanayak, was an Indian actor, producer, director, Screenwriter, script writer, composer, and sing ...
at the height of his popularity and
Utpal Dutt
Utpal Dutta () (29 March 1929 – 19 August 1993) was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the "Little The ...
turned in a typically stellar performance as the villain.
The film was later remade in
Telugu
Telugu may refer to:
* Telugu language, a major Dravidian language of India
*Telugu people, an ethno-linguistic group of India
* Telugu script, used to write the Telugu language
** Telugu (Unicode block), a block of Telugu characters in Unicode
S ...
as ''
Edureeta'' (1977), starring
N.T. Rama Rao, in Malayalam as ''
Ithaa Oru Manushyan
''Ithaa Oru Manushyan'' is a 1978 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi. The film stars Madhu, KP Ummer, Jayan, Sheela and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. S. Viswanathan. The film was a remake of the ...
'' and in Tamil as ''
Thyagam'', with
Sivaji Ganesan
Villupuram Chinnaiya Manrayar Ganesamoorthy, better known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan, (1 October 1928 – 21 July 2001) was an Indian actor and producer. He was active in Tamil cinema during the latter half of the 20th century. Sivaji Ga ...
. After ''Amanush'', Samanta once again made another double version, ''
Anand Ashram
''Anand Ashram'' () is a 1977 Indian drama film written and directed by Shakti Samanta, based on a story by film director and novelist, Sailajananda Mukhopadhyay. It starred Ashok Kumar, Uttam Kumar and Sharmila Tagore in lead roles. This film ...
'' (1977), with the same lead actors, however, that film didn't do well at the box office.
[ The bengali version create record and become all time block buster and highest grossing bengali film ever at that time.
]
Plot
"Amanush" (made simultaneously in Bengali and Hindi) to marvel at the scope of the man's histrionic capabilities. Kumar shines as Madhusudan Roy Chaudhary, or Madhu, a straightforward scion of a zamindar family settled in a fishing village in the Sunderbans. He reflects angst and anger with understated ease after his life is ripped asunder by the machinations of the family munim, Maheem Ghosal. Reduced to a penniless drunkard, he is condemned to live the life of an amanush — half human, and half beast. As a debauched vagabond, he raises his voice on behalf of the downtrodden who suffer under the highhanded and corrupt Ghosal. This brings him face to face with the law enforcers, who are often hand in glove with the wily Ghosal.
It is in this backdrop that Inspector Bhuvan lands in the village, where Ghosal ‘fills his ears’ against Madhu. Bhuvan, without going into merits of the case, acts harshly on Madhu, even whipping him at the police station. However, he soon learns the story of Madhu and his estranged love interest, Rekha.
In a flashback, Madhu tells him how he was entrapped in a fake case of theft in his own house, whereon his ailing paternal uncle, under the influence of the munim, handed him over to the police. He is also accused of fathering a child through a prostitute. Before he can prove his innocence the woman is abducted and killed at the behest of Ghosal. On completing his prison sentence, Madhu returns to his village, only to find that his uncle has been murdered by the munim, who shows it as a case of natural death.
Thereon, Bhuvan embarks on a mission to reform Madhu and gets him a contract for building a dam in an adjoining village. A determined Madhu, with his two sidekicks, completes the job commendably. He even wins back the confidence of Rekha, whom he saves from drunken streamer operators one night. But the ice is finally broken when the village is endangered by raging flood waters that threaten to breach the dam. All villagers persuade Madhu to take the mantle of saving the village, but he spurns them, blaming them for his misery. Finally, on a visit by Rekha he relents, and saves the dam and the village from havoc.
His honour is restored, as is his love interest. Ghosal is arrested for his wrongdoings by Bhuvan, even as he is transferred to a new posting.
Cast
*Uttam Kumar
Uttam Kumar ( bn, উত্তম কুমার; born Arun Kumar Chattopadhyay; 3 September 1926 – 24 July 1980), popularly known as the Mahanayak, was an Indian actor, producer, director, Screenwriter, script writer, composer, and sing ...
as Madhusudan Roy Chaudhary "Madhu"
*Sharmila Tagore
Sharmila Tagore (also known as Begum Ayesha Sultana; born 8 December 1944) is a retired Indian actress, primarily known for her work in Hindi and Bengali cinema, Tagore is the recipient of two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, and the F ...
as Lekha
*Prema Narayan
Prema Narayan (born 4 April 1955) is a former Model and Bollywood actress-dancer. She has acted in Hindi and Bengali cinema. She was the Femina Miss India World 1971, and represented India at Miss World 1971.
Early life
Prema Narayan was born i ...
as Dhanno
*Anil Chatterjee
Anil Chatterjee (Chattopadhyay) bn, অনিল চ্যাটার্জী (চট্টোপাধ্যায়) (25 October 1929 – 17 March 1996) was an Indian actor in the Bengali cinema during the early fifties through the mid-ni ...
as Police Inspector Bhuvan Roy
*Utpal Dutt
Utpal Dutta () (29 March 1929 – 19 August 1993) was an Indian actor, director, and writer-playwright. He was primarily an actor in Bengali theatre, where he became a pioneering figure in Modern Indian theatre, when he founded the "Little The ...
as Maheem Ghosal
*Abhi Bhattacharya
Abhi Bhattacharya (20 November 1921 – 11 August 1993) was an Indian actor of Hindi and Bengali cinema, who is most remembered for his roles in films of the 1950s and the 1960s, such as ''Yatrik'' (1952), ''Jagriti'' (1954), '' Anuradha'' (1 ...
as Dr. Anand
*Manmohan Manmohan means 'Winner of the heart'. It is another name of Krishna, the Hindu deity, one of the "avatars" (or "incarnation") of Lord Vishnu. Manmohan may also refer to:
*Man Mohan Adhikari (1920–1999), former Prime Minister of Nepal
*Manmohan (a ...
as Sanathan
* Asit Sen as Pujari
*Manik Dutt
* Tarun Ghosh as Padha
*Rajni Gupta
*Subroto Mahapatra as Jyoti
*Amol Sen as Constable
*Probir Roy
Probir Roy (born 4 October 1942) is an Indian particle physicist and a former professor at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. He is also a senior scientist of the Indian National Science Academy at Bose Institute and a former Raja Ramanna f ...
Production
The film was based on Shaktipada Rajguru's novel ''Naya Basat'' which he written based on the people of Sundarban and there lifestyle.
This is the second hindi film of Uttam after ''Choti Si Mulaqat'' in 1967 which he produced himself. But that was failed to create any record and become disaster at the box office due to the bad direction and script. After that film he never worked any hindi film. Then later Shakti Samanta convince him to work.
Generally this film was shot in Sandeshkhali
Sandeshkhali is a village in the Sandeshkhali II CD block in the Basirhat subdivision of the North 24 Parganas district in the state of West Bengal, India.
Geography
Location
Sandeshkhali is located at .
Area overview
The area shown in the ...
, Sundarbans
Sundarbans (pronounced ) is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Padma, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal. It spans the area from the Baleswar River in Bangladesh's division of Khulna to the Hooghly R ...
. The name of the village where the shooting took place is Bhangatushkhali. The name of that village was shown in the film as Dhanekhali. For the purpose of shooting, about forty houses, zamindarbari, doctor's office, market, Radhagobindar temple, police station, school were built here. That Radhagobindar temple and the wooden bungalow where Uttam Kumar lived are still there. There is also that launch. Uttam Kumar would easily mingle with the people of the village during the shooting. He used to take children in his lap. He even helped people with money. That is why even today, on the day of his death on 24 July, a wreath is laid on his picture, which is a cultural event.
Shakti Samanta wanted to made this film in double version Hindi and Bengali for Kumar. Director Prabhat Roy
Prabhat Roy ( bn, প্রভাত রায়; born 1946 in Jamshedpore) is a former Indian director who is known for his work in Bengali cinema.
He received several awards including two National Awards and BFJA Awards Bengal Film Journali ...
(who also assistant director of this film) remained the shooting of this film. While shooting the song "Ki Ashay Bandhi Khelaghar" on the launch. They had lost the track in the deep jungle. Then Shakti Samanta saw a small light reflected from a grocer shop. When the shopkeeper came and saw Uttam Kumar he immediately ran away. Some moments later they see hundreds of people gathering in the bank of the river to see their guru Uttam Kumar.
Soundtrack
Music: Shyamal Mitra
Shyamal Mitra (14 January 1929 – 15 November 1987) was an Indian versatile playback singer and music director along with Hemanta Mukherjee and Manna Dey. Mitra had also worked in many Hindi and Bengali films as a music director and film produce ...
, Lyrics: Indeevar
Shyamalal Babu Rai, known professionally as Indeevar, (also credited as Indiwar and Indeewar) (1 January 1924 – 27 February 1997) was one of the leading Hindi film lyricists in the 1960s.
Early life
He was born in Barua Sagar of Jhansi di ...
(Hindi) Gauriprasanna Majumder (Bengali)
Hindi
# "Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera Toda" - Kishore Kumar
Kishore Kumar (born as Abhas Kumar Ganguly (); 4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987) was an Indian playback singer and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest, most influential and dynamic singers in the history of Indian music.
He ...
# "Kal Ke Apne Na Jaane Kyun" - Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
Asha Bhosle (; Mangeshkar; born 8 September 1933) is an Indian playback singer, entrepreneur
and occasional actress and television personality who predominantly works in Indian Cinema. Known for her versatility, she has been described in the ...
# "Tere Gaalonko Choomoon" - Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
# "Ghum Ki Dawaa To Pyaar Hai" - Asha Bhosle
# "Na Puchho Koi Hamein" - Kishore Kumar
# "Nadiya Mein Lahre Naache" (title track) - Shyamal Mitra
Shyamal Mitra (14 January 1929 – 15 November 1987) was an Indian versatile playback singer and music director along with Hemanta Mukherjee and Manna Dey. Mitra had also worked in many Hindi and Bengali films as a music director and film produce ...
Bengali
#"Bipin Babur Karon Shudha" - Kishore Kumar
#"Jani Na Aj Je Apon" - Asha Bhosle
#"Jodi Hoi Chor Kata" - Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
#"Ki Ashay Badhi Khelaghor" - Kishore Kumar
#"Na Na Omon Kore Daga Diye" - Asha Bhosle
Release
This was a double version film. Shoot stimulationaly hindi and bengali. The Bengali version was released in 1974 at Durga Puja
Durga Puja ( bn, দুর্গা পূজা), also known as Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is an annual Hindu festival originating in the Indian subcontinent which reveres and pays homage to the Hindu goddess Durga and is also celebrated ...
. The Hindi version was released on 21 March 1975.
Reception
Uttam Kumar does a brilliant job of bringing out the angst and the anger of the character, while also making you empathise with him throughout. Sharmila Tagore’s Rekha is a strong woman, who is conflicted between her love for Madhu and the hurt of his betrayal. Utpal Dutt as the vicious villain is the one who shines throughout the film, and actually makes you forget that it is the same Utpal Dutt who was a master comedic actor.
The Bengali version create a record at Bengal box office and become golden jubilee hit. The Bengali version collected over ₹1.8 Crore. The film became highest grossing bengali film ever of that time. Hindi version become also success and become silver jubilee hit. But at the Bengaluru Swapna theater the film ran for 65 weeks. This was first and only successful Hindi film of Uttam Kumar's career.
Awards & nominations
;Filmfare Award
The Filmfare Awards are annual awards that honour artistic and technical excellence in the Hindi-language film industry of India.Al The Filmfare ceremony is one of the most famous film events in India. The awards were first introduced by th ...
*1976
Events January
* January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force.
* January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea.
* January 11 – The 1976 Phila ...
: Filmfare Award for Best Film
The Filmfare Award for Best Film is given by the '' Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.
The award was first given in 1954. Here is a list of the award winners and the nominees of the respective years. E ...
- Shakti Samanta (Nominated)
*1976
Events January
* January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force.
* January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea.
* January 11 – The 1976 Phila ...
: Filmfare Award for Best Director
The Filmfare Best Director Award is one of the main awards presented given by the annual Filmfare Awards to recognise directors working in Hindi cinema. It was first presented in 1954 in the inaugural year.
Superlatives
Bimal Roy has the r ...
- Shakti Samanta (Nominated)
*1976
Events January
* January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force.
* January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea.
* January 11 – The 1976 Phila ...
: Filmfare Award for Best Actor
The Filmfare Award for Best Actor is an award, begun in 1954, presented annually at the Filmfare Awards to an actor via a jury. This is given by '' Filmfare'' as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi (Bollywood) films. The award was firs ...
- Uttam Kumar (Nominated)
*1976: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress
The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress is given by '' Filmfare'' as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role. Although the Filmf ...
- Prema Narayan (Nominated)
*1976: Filmfare Award Best Male Playback Singer - Kishore Kumar for the song ''Dil Aisa Kisine Mera Toda''
*1976: Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer
The Filmfare Best Female Playback Award is given by '' Filmfare'' as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female playback singer who has delivered an outstanding performance in a film song.
Although the award ce ...
- Asha Bhosle for the song ''Kal Ke Apne'' (Nominated)
*1976: Filmfare Award Best Lyricist - Indevaar
*1976: Filmfare Special Award
The Filmfare Special Award or Special Performance Award or Special Mention or Special Jury Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.
It acknowledges a special and unique performance and encoura ...
- Uttam Kumar
; Bengal Film Journalists' Association Award
*1975: Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Best Actor Award - Uttam Kumar
; Filmfare Awards East for Best Film - Amanush (1975)
; Filmfare East Award for Best Actor - Uttam Kumar (1975)
Remakes
For the popularity of this film this was remade in South India with N.T Ramarao in a Telugu remake called '' Edureeta'' in 1977; the Tamil remake was '' Thyagam'' with Sivaji Ganesan in 1978; the remake in Malayalam in 1978 was title ''Ithaa Oru Manushyan
''Ithaa Oru Manushyan'' is a 1978 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi. The film stars Madhu, KP Ummer, Jayan, Sheela and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by M. S. Viswanathan. The film was a remake of the ...
''.
References
External links
* {{IMDb title, 0246420
1975 films
1970s Hindi-language films
Films directed by Shakti Samanta
Hindi films remade in other languages
Indian multilingual films
Hindi-language drama films
Bengali films remade in other languages
Bengali-language Indian films
1970s Bengali-language films
1975 multilingual films
Films scored by Shyamal Mitra
Films based on works by Shaktipada Rajguru