''Aaj Kaa M.L.A Ram Avtar'' (English: ''Today's MLA Ram Avtar'') is a 1984

political satire Political satire is satire that specializes in gaining entertainment from politics; it has also been used with subversive intent where political speech and dissent are forbidden by a regime, as a method of advancing political arguments where s ...

film starring Rajesh Khanna in the lead role. It was a remake of '' MLA Yedukondalu'' directed by

Dasari Narayana Rao Dasari Narayana Rao (4 May 1947 – 30 May 2017) was an Indian film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, lyricist, and politician known for his works predominantly in Telugu cinema, in addition to Hindi cinema. He has directed more than 150 ...

in Telugu. The film fetched gross of 2 crores at the box office in 1984. The film was successful at the box office. The newspaper Hindu in its review of the film wrote on Rajesh Khanna's performance "Like most of his works, it is also a high-pitched melodrama which keeps you engaged with its pulsating heart and potent dialogues.In his climactic speech, Ram Avtar brings out what ails Indian democracy. When he says that those who sell their votes are equally corrupt as those who buy them, it rings a bell. When he points out that Indian public usually claps for bombastic speeches and unrealistic promises, it seems he is addressing aaj ka (today's) voter.

Synopsis

Ram Avtar works as a widowed barber in a small village and lives with his sister-in-law, Sushma, who looks after him and his kids. Ram Avtar also personally grooms Minister Digvijay Singh. When Digvijay's political party is in need of someone to stand in the forthcoming election, Digvijay recommends Ram Avtar as his choice. This chance is grabbed by Ram Avtar and he wins the elections and becomes a big politician. Sushma watches the changes in his life from the sidelines.

Cast

* Rajesh Khanna as Ram Avtar *

Shabana Azmi Shabana Azmi (born 18 September 1950) is an Indian actress of Hindi film, television and theatre. One of India's most acclaimed actresses, Azmi is known for her portrayals of distinctive, often unconventional female characters across several ge ...

as Sushma *

Shatrughan Sinha Shatrughan Prasad Sinha (born 9 December 1945) is an Indian actor and politician. He is a Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha from Asansol constituency as a member of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). Earlier he was elected as Member of Parliam ...

as Kranti Kumar *

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 Bhajanlal *

Satyen Kappu Satyendra Kappu (born Satyendra Sharma; also credited as Satyen Kappu; 7 February 1931 – 27 October 2007), was an Indian character actor in Bollywood films. He has acted in 390 films. His most remembered role is Ramlal in the movie ''Sholay'' ...

as Digvijay Singh * A. K. Hangal as Balmukund Tripathi * Madan Puri as Makhanlal Kesari *

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 Gaurishankar *

Shubha Khote Shubha Balsavar (''née'' Khote) is an Indian film and television actress who has worked in several Hindi-language and few Marathi-language films. She is also a former women's national champion in swimming and cycling. Early life and educatio ...

as Mrs. Bhajanlal *

Deven Verma Deven Verma (23 October 1937 – 2 December 2014) was an Indian film and television actor, particularly known for his comic roles, with Bollywood directors like Basu Chatterji, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Gulzar. He also produced and directed fi ...

as Digvijay's PA * Huma Khan as Bhajanlal's Daughter

Soundtrack

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 ...

References

External links

* 1984 films Hindi remakes of Telugu films 1980s political drama films Indian political drama films 1980s Hindi-language films Films directed by Dasari Narayana Rao Films scored by Bappi Lahiri {{1980s-Hindi-film-stub