''Manmohan'' is a 1936
Indian
Urdu/
Hindi-language romantic tragedy film directed by
Mehboob Khan.
This was Khan's third film for
Sagar Movietone after ''
Al Hilal'' (1935) and ''
Deccan Queen'' (1936). The cinematographer was
Faredoon Irani who, starting from Mehboob Khan's ''Al Hilal'' (Judjement of Allah) (1935) went on to establish a long working relationship with him lasting till Khan's last film
Son of India (1962).
The music was composed by Ashok Ghosh assisted by
Anil Biswas. The story writer was
Zia Sarhadi who also wrote the lyrics, screenplay and dialogue in addition to acting in the film. Though he had started his writing career on Khan's backing for ''Deccan Queen'' (1936), it was with ''Manmohan'' that he achieved success.
The film was inspired by ''
Devdas'', (1935), which was a big hit at the box office. Surendra was chosen as the singing star to rival
K. L. Saigal from
New Theatres Calcutta, whose songs from ''Devdas'' had mesmerised the nation.
[Ahmed, p.29] Though ''Manmohan'' was referred to as the "poor man's Devdas"
it went on to do well and the songs became very popular. The film starred
Bibbo,
Surendra
Surendra is an Indian masculine given name. Notable people with this name include:
* Surendra (actor/singer)
* Surendra Bhave
* Surendra Chaturvedi
* Surendra Dubey
* Surendra Gambhir
* Surendra Hiranandani
* Surendra Jain
* Surendra Jha 'Sum ...
,
Yakub
Yakub or Yaqub ( ar, يعقوب, Yaʿqūb or Ya'kūb , links=no, also transliterated in other ways) is a male given name. It is the Arabic version of Jacob (name), Jacob and James (name), James. The Arabic form ''Ya'qūb/Ya'kūb'' may be direct ...
, Kayam Ali,
Bhudo Advani and Mehdi Raza.
The film which revolves around two childhood friends, Vimala (Bibbo), and Ashok (Surendra), who loves her but loses her to another, finally taking to drink.
Plot
Ashok (
Surendra
Surendra is an Indian masculine given name. Notable people with this name include:
* Surendra (actor/singer)
* Surendra Bhave
* Surendra Chaturvedi
* Surendra Dubey
* Surendra Gambhir
* Surendra Hiranandani
* Surendra Jain
* Surendra Jha 'Sum ...
) is an artist in love with Vimala (
Bibbo). On learning that she is to marry Jagdish (Yakub) he is devastated and paints her portraits which become popular. He starts drinking and finds comfort with another woman. Soon his family wealth starts dwindling. Vimala, who is married by now, tries to help him with her husband's efforts. However, Ashok misunderstands the overture, leading to tragedy for him.
Cast
*
Bibbo as Vimala
*
Surendra
Surendra is an Indian masculine given name. Notable people with this name include:
* Surendra (actor/singer)
* Surendra Bhave
* Surendra Chaturvedi
* Surendra Dubey
* Surendra Gambhir
* Surendra Hiranandani
* Surendra Jain
* Surendra Jha 'Sum ...
as Ashok
*
Yakub
Yakub or Yaqub ( ar, يعقوب, Yaʿqūb or Ya'kūb , links=no, also transliterated in other ways) is a male given name. It is the Arabic version of Jacob (name), Jacob and James (name), James. The Arabic form ''Ya'qūb/Ya'kūb'' may be direct ...
as Jagdish
*Ashalata as Shanti
*Ramchandra Pal
*
Bhudo Advani
*Pande
*Pesi Patel
*Kayam Ali
*Mehdi Raza
*
Zia Sarhadi
Music
The music composition was by Ashok Ghosh, with assistance from a then "young arranger", Anil Biswas. The lyrics were written by a then "small-time" actor Zia Sarhadi. The film's soundtrack became its "highlight" with "chart-busting" music. Surendra was brought in as a singer actor to counter New Theatres K. L. Saigal.
[Ahmed, p. 30] The duet by Surendra and Bibbo "Tumhi Ne Mujhko Prem Sikhaya" is considered a hit song and remains popular. The songs from this film made Surendra a popular singing star.
Songs
References
External links
*
{{Mehboob Khan
1936 films
1930s Hindi-language films
Films directed by Mehboob Khan
Indian romance films
1930s romance films
Indian black-and-white films
Hindi-language romance films