Zindagi (1940 film)
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| Zindagi | |
|---|---|
_cover_of_booklet.png) 1940 poster | |
| Directed by | Pramathesh Barua |
| Written by | Javed Hussain and Kidar Nath Sharma |
| Produced by | Birendranath Sircar |
| Starring | K. L. Saigal Jamuna Pahari Sanyal Sitara Devi |
| Cinematography | Pramathesh Barua |
| Music by | Pankaj Mullick |
Production company | New Theatres Ltd. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 120 minutes[1] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindustani |
| Box office | ₹91.75 lakhs[2] |
Zindagi (transl. The Life) is a 1940 Indian film, directed by Pramathesh Barua and produced by Birendranath Sircar. Starring K. L. Saigal, Jamuna Barua, Pahari Sanyal, Shyam Laha, Sitara Devi, and Nemo,[3] it revolves around Ratan, an unemployed university graduate, and his relationship with Shrimati, who is on the run from her cruel husband.
Earning ₹55 lakhs net (valued at about ₹39.78 crore in 2009), Zindagi was the highest-grossing Indian film at the time of its release, before its record was broken by Khazanchi in 1941.[4][2]
The film has been described as one of Barua's "most beautiful films, and his last for New Theatres".[5] It was the last film by Barua for New Theatres.[6][7] Barua later married Jamuna as his second wife.[8] This film was remade into Bengali as Priyo Bandhabi in 1943 and directed By Soumen Mukherjee. No copy of the film is known to exist, making it a lost film.[9]
Ratan, an unemployed graduate, who works as a gambler encounters an unnamed women, whom he addresses as Shrimati. Shrimati, who has escaped from her brutal husband, teams up with Ratan and they together pretend to run a charitable trust, collecting money from people in the name of donations. The duo buy an apartment and live together.
Shrimati receives news of her father's death and learn that she is the heiress to his wealth. A new Shrimati shuns all forms of corrupt ways of life and starts to do good deeds as a redemption for her sins. She employs Ratan as a tutor to an orphaned girl Lakhia. Ratan realizes that he cannot live without Shrimati and approaches her. Shrimati, who feels that she must pay for her sins, rejects Ratan.
A heartbroken Ratan leaves Lakhia in the care of Shrimati and returns to his old life. Shrimati gives her fortune to a now-grown Lakhia and withdraws from worldly pleasures, awaiting death. The two lovers are shown to have died and reunited in afterlife.[10]
Cast
Credits adapted from the films's pressbook:[10]
- Saigal as Ratan, the vagabond
- Pahari Sanyal as Ratan's friend
- Asalata as Ratan's friends's mistress
- Jamuna as Mrs. X. (Shrimati)
- Sham Laha as Shrimati's husband
- Nemo as Shrimati's father
- Sitara as Shrimati's sister
- Dhruba Kumar Shrimati's officer
- Bikram Kapoor as Shrimati's lawyer
- Rajnirani as Shrimati's companion
- Manorama as Lakhia, Shrimati's mother-in-law
- Ramkumari as Shrimati's sister-in-law
- The Sonthal Dancers
- Brajabasi, Lakhmi, Kalo & the crowd
Music
The music composer was Pankaj Mullick with lyrics by Kidar Sharma and Arzu Lucknavi.[11] One of the memorable songs from the film was "So Ja Rajkumari Soja". This lullaby was made famous in this film.[12][13][14]
All songs are sung by K. L. Saigal.[15]
| No. | Title | Singer | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Hey Diwana Hoon, Diwana Hoon" | K. L. Saigal | 3:45 |
| 2. | "Bichhada Sajan Aaj Mila Hai" | K. L. Saigal | |
| 3. | "So Ja Rajkumari So Ja" | K. L. Saigal | 2:55 |
| 4. | "Door Door Hare Bhare Is Ban Mein" | K. L. Saigal | |
| 5. | "Jeevan Asha Ye Hai Meri" | K. L. Saigal | 3:00 |
| 6. | "Kaajar Kaahe Daarun Nainan Mein" | K. L. Saigal | |
| 7. | "Main Kya Jaanu Kya Jaadu Hai[16]" | K. L. Saigal | 2:54 |
