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 ...
Ranjit Movietone
Ranjit Studios, also known as Ranjit Movietone, was an Indian film production company with studio facilities located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It produced films between 1929 and mid-1970s. The studio was founded by Chandulal Shah along wit ...
, it had music by
Gyan Dutt
Gyan Dutt was one of the most prominent music directors in Bollywood in the 1940s. He was music director for films such as ''Thokar'' (1939), '' Achhut'' (1940), '' Bhakta Surdas'' (1942), ''Sunehre Din'' (1949) and '' Ghayal'' (1951). Many of hi ...
. The story writer was M. Sadiq, with cinematography by Gordhanbhi Patel. The cast included Kumar, Ishwarlal, Madhuri, Yakub,
Noor Mohammed Charlie
Noor Mohammed Charlie (1911–1983), popularly known as Charlie, was a Pakistani actor born on 1 July 1911 in Ranavav village, Porbandar, Saurashtra, British India. Best known for his comedy roles, he was the first 'star' comedian and has been ...
,
Ram Marathe
Ramchandra Purushottam Marathe (23 October 1924 – 4 October 1989), also known as Pandit Ram Marathe, was a Marathi music director, singer, and actor on stage and in films. As a child actor, he performed the title role of Krishna in Prabhat Film ...
, Waheedan Bai and Dixit.
Thokar is cited as one of the "most interesting" films made by Kardar for Ranjit Movietone. The other was '' Pagal'' (1940).
The story involved a blind villager winning a lottery but he eventually realises that money can not bring happiness.
Baburao Patel
Baburao Patel (1904–1982) was an Indian publisher and writer, associated with films and politics.
Career
He was the editor and publisher of India's first film trade magazine, ''Filmindia'', the first edition of which was published in 1935.
...
, editor of the cine magazine ''
Filmindia
''filmindia'' is an Indian monthly magazine covering Indian cinema and published in English language.
Started by Baburao Patel in 1935, ''filmindia'' was the first English film periodical to be published from Bombay. The magazine was reportedl ...
'', called it one of the "good social pictures" and "the best" from Chandulal Shah.
Plot
Mohan is a poor blind villager taking care of his ward Radha, who is in love with him. The village tramp, Ramesh (Charlie) sells him a lottery ticket. To Mohan's astonishment, he wins the sweep-stakes but Ramesh wants his share. Ramesh takes Mohan to the city with the intention of getting his eyes treated. In the city, Ramesh deviously gets Mohan married off to a prostitute who is having an affair with Ramesh. When Mohan's eyesight is restored, he sees his wealth diminishing, and an adulterous wife. He takes revenge on Ramesh and his wife. Mohan finally returns to the village and to Radha.
Cast
* Ishwarlal
* Madhuri as Radha
* Kumar as Mohan
* Charlie as Ramesh
* Yakub
* Waheedan Bai
* Dixit
*
Ram Marathe
Ramchandra Purushottam Marathe (23 October 1924 – 4 October 1989), also known as Pandit Ram Marathe, was a Marathi music director, singer, and actor on stage and in films. As a child actor, he performed the title role of Krishna in Prabhat Film ...
Charlie has been cited as "the first (Indian) comedian to have songs picturised on him", starting the trend with the song from ''Thokar'', "Jab Se Mali Teri Khak". The music was composed by
Gyan Dutt
Gyan Dutt was one of the most prominent music directors in Bollywood in the 1940s. He was music director for films such as ''Thokar'' (1939), '' Achhut'' (1940), '' Bhakta Surdas'' (1942), ''Sunehre Din'' (1949) and '' Ghayal'' (1951). Many of hi ...
and the lyricist was
Pyare Lal Santoshi
Pyār (Punjabi: ਪਿਆਰ ''pi'āra'') is the Punjabi and Hindi word for love. It is derived from Sanskrit priya (love) and kāra (act). It is one of the five virtues of Sikhism.
See also
* Five Virtues
In Sikhism, the Five Virtues are ...
. The singers were Waheedan Bai, Suresh, Ram Marathe and Charlie.