''Khushboo'' () is a 1975

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 ...

-language

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super-g ...

, produced by Prasan Kapoor under the Tirupati Pictures banner, presented by Jeetendra and directed by

Gulzar Sampooran Singh Kalra (born 18 August 1934), known professionally as Gulzar, is an Indian Urdu poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, and film director known for his works in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of greatest Urdu poets of this ...

. It stars

Jeetendra Ravi Kapoor ( ; born 7 April 1942), known mononymously by his screen name Jeetendra, is an Indian actor who is known for his work in Hindi cinema. He also serves as the chairman of the Balaji Telefilms and Balaji Motion Pictures. Early life ...

Hema Malini Hema Malini (born 16 October 1948) is an Indian actress, director, producer, and politician. She is primarily known for her work in Hindi films. Known for starring in both comic and dramatic roles, she is one of the most popular and successful ...

and music composed by

R. D. Burman Rahul Dev Burman (27 June 1939 – 4 January 1994) was an Indian music director who is considered one of the most influential composers of India. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Burman composed musical scores for 331 films. Burman did major work w ...

. The film is based on the

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 ...

novel ''Panditmashai'', by

Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, alternatively spelt as Sarat Chandra Chatterjee ( bn, শরৎচন্দ্র চট্টোপাধ্যায়; 15 September 1876 or ৩১ শে ভাদ্র ১২৮৩ বঙ্গাব্দ � ...

, which was earlier filmed in Bengali in 1951 by

Naresh Mitra Naresh Mitra (18 May 1888 – 1968) was a Bengali actor, director and screenwriter. Career Naresh Mitra was born in 1888 in Agartala, Tripura, British India. He studied law from the University of Calcutta. He started his acting career in 1922 ...

. It was prolific year for Gulzar, with two more releases in the same year, '' Mausam'' and ''

Aandhi ''Aandhi'' () is a 1975 Indian political drama film starring Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen, and directed by Gulzar. At the time it was alleged that the film was based on the life of the then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her relationship wi ...

''. The haunting song "O Majhi Re" sung 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 ...

, was famous both for lyrics and melody. A couple of other songs like "Do Naino Mein Aansoo Bhare Hain" and "Bechara Dil Kya Kare" were also very popular. It was praised as a beautiful film with good acting by Sharmila Tagore, Hema Malini, Asrani and Jeetendra.

Plot

The film begins in a village where Dr. Vrindavan toils to safeguard the public against the plague. Once, he visits a patient where he is acquainted with a maid Kusum who is his childhood bride. Years ago, when the two families are amiable Vrindavan & Kusum are coupled up but in a riot, Kusum's father dies for which Vrindavan's father is accused. Hence, he necks out Kusum disgracefully. Since Vrindavan has only a few memories of Kusum he married a girl Lakhi who passed away after giving birth to a kid Charan. However, Kusum still considers him as her husband and remained unmarried. Soon after, Vrindavan learns the truth and moves to Kusum with the proposal which she softy denies. Due to humiliations faced by her family and Vrindavan's espousal. Then, Vrindavan divulges the actuality. Once, he visited a remote area where he is acquainted with poor Lakhi who is affected by society and he married her to provide legitimacy. Gradually, they get cordial and Kusum dotes on Charan. Meanwhile, the plague prevails all over the village when Vrindavan stands strong and protects the remaining including Kunj brother of Kusum. At last, Vrindavan is about to leave, Charan requests Kusum to accompany them and orders Vrindavan to put vermilion on her head which he does so. Finally, the movie ends on a happy note.

Cast

as Dr. Brindaban *

as Kusum *

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 Fi ...

as Lakhi *

Asrani Govardhan Asrani (born 1 January 1940), popularly known simply as Asrani, is an Indian actor and director whose Bollywood career has spanned five decades. He has acted in over 350 Hindi films. Asrani has played the lead roles, character roles, ...

as Kunj *

Om Shivpuri Om Shivpuri (14 July 1938 – 15 October 1990) was an Indian theatre actor-director and character actor in Hindi films. A National School of Drama, New Delhi alumnus, Shivpuri became the first chief of the National School of Drama Repertory Co ...

as Brindaban's father * Chandrima Bhaduri as Chaudhrain * Dev Kishan as Munim * Sudhir Thakkar as Sudhir *

Durga Khote Durga Khote (14 January 1905 − 22 September 1991) was an Indian actress, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her times, she remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starring in around ...

as Brindaban's mother *

Farida Jalal Farida Jalal (born Farida Sami; 18 May 1950) is an Indian actress who primarily worked in Hindi films. In a film career spanning almost fifty years, Jalal appeared in over 200 films. Best known for her character-driven roles in independent cin ...

as Manno *

Sarika Sarika Thakur is an Indian actress and costume designer. In 2005, she won the National Film Award for Best Actress for the English-language film ''Parzania''. She was also awarded the National Film Award for Best Costume Design for her work i ...

as Kali *

Leela Mishra Leela Mishra (1 January 1908 – 17 January 1988) was an Indian actress. She worked as a character actor in over 200 Hindi films for five decades, and is best remembered for playing stock characters such as aunts (''Chachi'' or ''Mausi''). She ...

as Kusum's mother *

Master Raju Fahim Ajani or Raju Shrestha, initially credited as Master Raju or Master Rajoo, is an Indian film and television actor, who started his film career as a child actor, in the 1970s. Raju has acted in films like Gulzar's '' Parichay'', Hrishikes ...

as Charan (Brindaban's son)

Soundtrack

The music of the film was by

, and the lyrics were by

References

External links

* {{Gulzar Films scored by R. D. Burman 1975 films 1970s Hindi-language films Films based on Indian novels Films based on works by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay Child marriage in India Films with screenplays by Gulzar Films directed by Gulzar