Dastak
Encyclopedia
Dastak is a classic Hindi film made in 1970
, it was written and directed by Rajinder Singh Bedi
, and was his directorial debut.
The film is still known for its award-winning performances by its leading cast, Sanjeev Kumar, and the newcomer, Rehana Sultan, and for its memorable songs by Madan Mohan, he won his first National Film Award for it, and the lyrics of Majrooh Sultanpuri
. Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the famous film director turned editor of this black-and-white film, and won a Filmfare Award, his second after Madhumati in 1958.
Upon its released the film established Rajinder Singh Bedi as an important force in Indian Parallel Cinema
, as Dastak is still considered an important film of the decade. Subsequently in 1972 film's director Rajinder Singh Bedi
was awarded the Padma Shri
.
Talking about the film, noted director, Hrishikesh Mukjherjee once said, "Rajinder Singh Bedi was an extraordinarily gifted writer. Indeed, I feel privileged that I could edit his maiden venture as writer-director 'Dastak' in stark B&W starting Sanjeev Kumar and Rehana Sultan. Rehana won the 'Urvashi' award then the term for the National Award for Best Actress and I won the coveted Filmfare award for my first love-editing!"
) unwittingly rent a flat, and thus begins their daily turmoil at the knocks (Dastak) on their door, as the previous occupant of their home was Shamshad Begum (Shakeela), a famous mujrewali (nautch girl).
and raga based melodies.
The music of Dastak stood out for its allegiance to the classical traditions of raga based melodies given by its music director Madan Mohan, who managed to get from Lata Mangeshkar, ostensibly her best performance as a playback singer.
Be it a dramatic statement about the society: "Hum hai mataye koocha bazaar ki tarah,
Uthti hai har nigaah kharidaar ki tarah..".
Or a silent pain of: "Mai Ri mai ka se Kahoon pe apne jiya ki..."
1970 in film
The year 1970 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, therefore ending his career....
, it was written and directed by Rajinder Singh Bedi
Rajinder Singh Bedi
Rajinder Singh Bedi was an eminent progressive Urdu writer, playwright and a Hindi film director, screenwriter and noted dialogue writer....
, and was his directorial debut.
The film is still known for its award-winning performances by its leading cast, Sanjeev Kumar, and the newcomer, Rehana Sultan, and for its memorable songs by Madan Mohan, he won his first National Film Award for it, and the lyrics of Majrooh Sultanpuri
Majrooh Sultanpuri
Majrooh Sultanpuri was an Urdu poet, lyricist and songwriter...
. Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the famous film director turned editor of this black-and-white film, and won a Filmfare Award, his second after Madhumati in 1958.
Awards
- 1971National Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
National Film Award for Best ActorNational Film Award for Best ActorThe National Film Award for Best Actor is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actor who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry.-Background:The Directorate of Film Festivals makes awards annually in several categories...
- Sanjeev Kumar - 1971National Film Award for Best ActressThe National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry...
National Film Award for Best ActressNational Film Award for Best ActressThe National Film Award for Best Actress is an honor presented annually at the National Film Awards of India to an actress who has delivered the best performance in a leading role within the Indian film industry...
- Rehana SultanRehana SultanRehana Sultan, is an Indian film actress best known for her debut role in the 1970 acclaimed film Dastak which won her the National Film Award for Best Actress... - 1971National Film Award for Best Music DirectionThe National Film Award for Best Music Direction are given annually. In years 1994, 1995 and 2010, an award for Best Background Score was instituted by the Jury, which was won by Johnson and by Ilaiyaraaja . Ilaiyaraaja and A. R...
National Film Award for Best Music DirectionNational Film Award for Best Music DirectionThe National Film Award for Best Music Direction are given annually. In years 1994, 1995 and 2010, an award for Best Background Score was instituted by the Jury, which was won by Johnson and by Ilaiyaraaja . Ilaiyaraaja and A. R...
- Madan Mohan, - 1972Filmfare Best Cinematographer AwardThe Filmfare Best Cinematography Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards started in 1953-Superlatives:Most AwardsKamal Bose - 5Radhoo Karmakar - 4Fali Mistry - 3Jal Mistry - 3...
Filmfare Best Cinematographer AwardFilmfare Best Cinematographer AwardThe Filmfare Best Cinematography Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.The awards started in 1953-Superlatives:Most AwardsKamal Bose - 5Radhoo Karmakar - 4Fali Mistry - 3Jal Mistry - 3...
-(B&W) - Kamal Bose
Overview
The film presents an expanded version of his radio play, Naql-e-Makaani (Moving to a New House), first performed on All India Radio, Lahore in 1944.Upon its released the film established Rajinder Singh Bedi as an important force in Indian Parallel Cinema
Parallel Cinema
The Indian New Wave, commonly known in India as Art Cinema or Parallel Cinema as an alternative to the mainstream commercial cinema, is a specific movement in Indian cinema, known for its serious content, realism and naturalism, with a keen eye on the sociopolitical climate of the times...
, as Dastak is still considered an important film of the decade. Subsequently in 1972 film's director Rajinder Singh Bedi
Rajinder Singh Bedi
Rajinder Singh Bedi was an eminent progressive Urdu writer, playwright and a Hindi film director, screenwriter and noted dialogue writer....
was awarded the Padma Shri
Padma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
.
Talking about the film, noted director, Hrishikesh Mukjherjee once said, "Rajinder Singh Bedi was an extraordinarily gifted writer. Indeed, I feel privileged that I could edit his maiden venture as writer-director 'Dastak' in stark B&W starting Sanjeev Kumar and Rehana Sultan. Rehana won the 'Urvashi' award then the term for the National Award for Best Actress and I won the coveted Filmfare award for my first love-editing!"
Synopsis
The film was known for its unusual story line set in a red light area, where a newly-wed couple Hamid (Sanjeev Kumar) and Salma (Rehana SultanRehana Sultan
Rehana Sultan, is an Indian film actress best known for her debut role in the 1970 acclaimed film Dastak which won her the National Film Award for Best Actress...
) unwittingly rent a flat, and thus begins their daily turmoil at the knocks (Dastak) on their door, as the previous occupant of their home was Shamshad Begum (Shakeela), a famous mujrewali (nautch girl).
Cast
- Sanjeev Kumar
- Rehana SultanRehana SultanRehana Sultan, is an Indian film actress best known for her debut role in the 1970 acclaimed film Dastak which won her the National Film Award for Best Actress...
- Anju MahendruAnju Mahendru-Personal life and education:Mahendru was born in Dehradun. She is famed for her relationship with famous Bollywood star Rajesh Khanna and was briefly engaged to cricket player Gary Sobers.-Career:...
- Shakeela
- Kamal Kapoor
- Manmohan Krishna
- Anwar Hussain
- Niranjan Sharma
- Jagdev
- Yash Kumar
Music of Dastak
It was the time when the nation was gripped by the western rhythms prevalent in the music of music directors like R.D. Burman, but films music director stood his ground as a maestro of classical rhythms on the dholakDholak
The Dholak is a North Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese double-headed hand-drum Madal. The name dholki may also refer to a slightly different instrument that uses high-pitch tabla style syahi masala on its treble skin. This instrument is also known as Naal or Dholki....
and raga based melodies.
The music of Dastak stood out for its allegiance to the classical traditions of raga based melodies given by its music director Madan Mohan, who managed to get from Lata Mangeshkar, ostensibly her best performance as a playback singer.
Lyrics
The film is known for its poignant lyrics by famous lyricist of his times, Majrooh Sultanpuri, especially in capturing the painful state of the story's female protagonist, Salma.Be it a dramatic statement about the society: "Hum hai mataye koocha bazaar ki tarah,
Uthti hai har nigaah kharidaar ki tarah..".
Or a silent pain of: "Mai Ri mai ka se Kahoon pe apne jiya ki..."
Songs
- "Baiyan Na Dharo" - Lata Mangeshkar - (based on Raag Charukesi)
- "Hum Hain Mata-e-koocha-o-bazaar" - Lata Mangeshkar
- "Mai Ri Main Kase Kahoon" – Lata Mangehskar/Madan Mohan
- "Tumse Kahoon Ek Baat" - Mohammed Rafi
