Purab Aur Paschim
Encyclopedia
Purab Aur Paschim is a 1970 India
n film. The movie was Produced and directed by Manoj Kumar
, it stars Manoj Kumar, Saira Banu
, Ashok Kumar
, Pran and Prem Chopra
in the lead roles. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji
. The 2007 film Namastey London
is inspired from this film.
This was the second film by Manoj Kumar where he stars as Bharat (first being Upkar
) and his fourth film on patriotism. (Shaheed
was his first, to be followed by Roti Kapda Aur Makaan
and Kranti
.)
) and family devastated and destitute.
Years later, after the Indian Independence in 1947, the freedom fighter's son, Bharat (Manoj Kumar
), has grown up and goes to London
for higher studies. On his arrival in Britain, He meets his father's college friend, Sharma (Madan Puri
) with his westernized wife, Rita (Shammi) and daughter, Preeti (Saira Banu
) and the hippie son, Shankar (Rajendra Nath).
Preeti has long blonde hair, wears mini-dresses, smokes and drinks and has no idea of Indian values till she meets Bharat. He is, of course, shocked to see that many Indians in London are ashamed of their roots and even changed their names to sound Western. Or others who long for their country, but stay in the UK for economic reasons. Like Sharma with his stack of KL Saigal records.
He takes it upon himself to try and change their way of thinking while both Bharat and Preeti fall in love with each other. Later on, with his mother's and Guruji (Ashok Kumar
)'s approval, he promised to marry Prithi.
Preeti is impressed by Bharat's idealism and wants to marry him, but doesn't want to live in India. Bharat wants her to come to India and see what it's like before she rejects it. Of course, the purity of India redeems her and she gives up smoking, drinking and minis to adopt the traditional lifestyle.
wrote "By linking the story to the freedom struggle, Manoj Kumar was saying that freeing India from British rule is not enough if Indians do not feel proud of their Indianness. Manoj Kumar shot in London at the height of the 'hippie' phase and caught both the beauty and ugliness of the English landscape. However, his simplistic view of the West was greed, lust and depravity, while India stood for love, honour and piety. Amazingly the idea has endured, and in even in Aditya Chopra's cult hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Indian boy (Shah Rukh Khan) does not touch the Indian girl (Kajol) though he claims a chain of foreign girlfriends, and neither does he want to marry her without her father's consent. Then as now, Indian culture is represented with a lot of colour, rituals, song and dance. In 2007, Akshay Kumar sells the same version of India to the London gal Katrina Kaif-- and a line in the film pays tribute to the original when he tells her that if she wants to learn more about India, she should see Purab Aur Pachhim."
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film. The movie was Produced and directed by Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
, it stars Manoj Kumar, Saira Banu
Saira Banu
Saira Banu , also known as Saira Bano, is an Indian Bollywood actress and the wife of the film actor Dilip Kumar. She acted in many Bollywood films between 1960 and 1980.-Early life:...
, Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema...
, Pran and Prem Chopra
Prem Chopra
Prem Chopra is an actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in over 400 films. He is famous for his soft spoken diction despite being a villain in most films.-Personal life and education:...
in the lead roles. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji
Kalyanji Anandji
Kalyanji Anandji is a name used by Indian composer duo known for its work on Hindi film soundtracks, particularly action potboilers in the 1970s. The name comes from first names of the two Gujarati brothers that formed the duo, Kalyanji Virji Shah and Anandji Virji Shah...
. The 2007 film Namastey London
Namastey London
Namastey London is a 2007 Bollywood film. The romantic comedy film is directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah and stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif. It also stars Rishi Kapoor, Upen Patel and Clive Standen in supporting roles. Riteish Deshmukh has a cameo role in the film...
is inspired from this film.
This was the second film by Manoj Kumar where he stars as Bharat (first being Upkar
Upkar
Upkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. Manoj Kumar started his Mr Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism & fearless courage with this film.-Plot:...
) and his fourth film on patriotism. (Shaheed
Shaheed (1965 film)
Shaheed is a 1965 Hindi movie based on Bhagat Singh's life. Produced by Kewal Kashyap and directed by S Ram Sharma the film stars Manoj Kumar , Kamini Kaushal, Pran, Iftekhar, Nirupa Roy, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri, Asit Sen, Indrani Mukherjee and Anwar Hussain...
was his first, to be followed by Roti Kapda Aur Makaan
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan is a 1974 Indian Bollywood Hindi-language film. It was written, produced, directed by and stars Manoj Kumar, alongside Shashi Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Amitabh Bachchan, Moushmi Chatterjee, Prem Nath and Madan Puri in pivotal roles...
and Kranti
Kranti
Kranti is a 1981 Indian Hindi film. Produced and directed by Manoj Kumar, starring Manoj Kumar along with a very large cast consisting of Dilip Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi, Sarika, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and Paintlal. The story was written by Javed Akhtar...
.)
Synopsis
In 1942 British India, Harnam (Pran) betrays a freedom fighter, and as a result is rewarded, but the freedom fighter is killed, leaving his wife, Ganga (Kamini KaushalKamini Kaushal
Kamini Kaushal is a Hindi film and television actress, most noted for her roles in films like Neecha Nagar which won the 1946 Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and Biraj Bahu which won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award in 1955.-Early life:Kaushal was born to a botanist and professor at...
) and family devastated and destitute.
Years later, after the Indian Independence in 1947, the freedom fighter's son, Bharat (Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar
Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
), has grown up and goes to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for higher studies. On his arrival in Britain, He meets his father's college friend, Sharma (Madan Puri
Madan Puri
Madan Puri was an actor in Hindi and Punjabi films.-Early life:Madan Singh Puri was born in Nawanshahr, Punjab to S. Nihal Singh Puri and Ved Kaur...
) with his westernized wife, Rita (Shammi) and daughter, Preeti (Saira Banu
Saira Banu
Saira Banu , also known as Saira Bano, is an Indian Bollywood actress and the wife of the film actor Dilip Kumar. She acted in many Bollywood films between 1960 and 1980.-Early life:...
) and the hippie son, Shankar (Rajendra Nath).
Preeti has long blonde hair, wears mini-dresses, smokes and drinks and has no idea of Indian values till she meets Bharat. He is, of course, shocked to see that many Indians in London are ashamed of their roots and even changed their names to sound Western. Or others who long for their country, but stay in the UK for economic reasons. Like Sharma with his stack of KL Saigal records.
He takes it upon himself to try and change their way of thinking while both Bharat and Preeti fall in love with each other. Later on, with his mother's and Guruji (Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar
Ashok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema...
)'s approval, he promised to marry Prithi.
Preeti is impressed by Bharat's idealism and wants to marry him, but doesn't want to live in India. Bharat wants her to come to India and see what it's like before she rejects it. Of course, the purity of India redeems her and she gives up smoking, drinking and minis to adopt the traditional lifestyle.
Cast
- Manoj KumarManoj KumarManoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"...
as Bharat - Saira BanuSaira BanuSaira Banu , also known as Saira Bano, is an Indian Bollywood actress and the wife of the film actor Dilip Kumar. She acted in many Bollywood films between 1960 and 1980.-Early life:...
as Preeti - Ashok KumarAshok KumarAshok Kumar also fondly called Dadamoni was an Indian film actor. Born Kumudlal Ganguly in Bhagalpur, Bengal Presidency he attained iconic status in Indian cinema...
as Bharat's Guru - Kamini KaushalKamini KaushalKamini Kaushal is a Hindi film and television actress, most noted for her roles in films like Neecha Nagar which won the 1946 Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and Biraj Bahu which won her the Filmfare Best Actress Award in 1955.-Early life:Kaushal was born to a botanist and professor at...
as Ganga, Bharat's Mother - Pran as Harnam
- Nirupa RoyNirupa Roy-Filmography:* Lal Baadshah * Mard * Mawali * Betab * Khoon aur Pani * Aatish * Kartavya .... Vijay's mother* Khandaan .... Savitri G. Srivastav...
as Kaushalya - Bharati as Gopi
- Prem ChopraPrem ChopraPrem Chopra is an actor in Hindi and Punjabi films. He has acted in over 400 films. He is famous for his soft spoken diction despite being a villain in most films.-Personal life and education:...
as Omkar / OK - Madan PuriMadan PuriMadan Puri was an actor in Hindi and Punjabi films.-Early life:Madan Singh Puri was born in Nawanshahr, Punjab to S. Nihal Singh Puri and Ved Kaur...
as Sharma - Shammi as Rita, Sharma's wife
- Rajendra Nath as Shankar
Reception
Purab aur Paschim received generally positive reviews. Deepa Gahlot of Bollywood HungamaBollywood Hungama
Bollywood Hungama is a leading Bollywood entertainment website, owned by hungama.com....
wrote "By linking the story to the freedom struggle, Manoj Kumar was saying that freeing India from British rule is not enough if Indians do not feel proud of their Indianness. Manoj Kumar shot in London at the height of the 'hippie' phase and caught both the beauty and ugliness of the English landscape. However, his simplistic view of the West was greed, lust and depravity, while India stood for love, honour and piety. Amazingly the idea has endured, and in even in Aditya Chopra's cult hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Indian boy (Shah Rukh Khan) does not touch the Indian girl (Kajol) though he claims a chain of foreign girlfriends, and neither does he want to marry her without her father's consent. Then as now, Indian culture is represented with a lot of colour, rituals, song and dance. In 2007, Akshay Kumar sells the same version of India to the London gal Katrina Kaif-- and a line in the film pays tribute to the original when he tells her that if she wants to learn more about India, she should see Purab Aur Pachhim."
Soundtrack
| Song | Singer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "Dulhan Chali" | Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor was an Indian playback singer.In a career spanning five decades, his repertoire extended to 25,000 songs in various regional languages, including memorable hits like ‘Chalo ek baar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono’ Gumrah, ‘Neele gagan ke taale’ Hamraaz, and in various... |
|
| "Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday" | Mukesh | |
| "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" | Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor was an Indian playback singer.In a career spanning five decades, his repertoire extended to 25,000 songs in various regional languages, including memorable hits like ‘Chalo ek baar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono’ Gumrah, ‘Neele gagan ke taale’ Hamraaz, and in various... , Brij Bushan, Shyama Chittar |
|
| "Purva Suhani Aayi Re" | Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor was an Indian playback singer.In a career spanning five decades, his repertoire extended to 25,000 songs in various regional languages, including memorable hits like ‘Chalo ek baar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono’ Gumrah, ‘Neele gagan ke taale’ Hamraaz, and in various... and Manhar Udhas Manhar Udhas Manhar Udhas is Hindi and Gujarati language singer. He has given voice for many Hindi movies as playback singer. He is the elder brother of singer Pankaj Udhas and Nirmal Udhas and has worked with Pankaj on albums and Live Shows. Manhar has worked with all the composers of the film world and has... |
|
| *Raghupati Raghava" | Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor was an Indian playback singer.In a career spanning five decades, his repertoire extended to 25,000 songs in various regional languages, including memorable hits like ‘Chalo ek baar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono’ Gumrah, ‘Neele gagan ke taale’ Hamraaz, and in various... and Manhar Udhas Manhar Udhas Manhar Udhas is Hindi and Gujarati language singer. He has given voice for many Hindi movies as playback singer. He is the elder brother of singer Pankaj Udhas and Nirmal Udhas and has worked with Pankaj on albums and Live Shows. Manhar has worked with all the composers of the film world and has... |
|
| "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" | Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle is an Indian singer. She is one of the best-known and most highly-regarded Hindi playback singers in India, although she has a wider repertoire. Bhosle's career started in 1943 and has spanned over six decades. She has done playback singing for over a thousand Bollywood movies... and Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor was an Indian playback singer.In a career spanning five decades, his repertoire extended to 25,000 songs in various regional languages, including memorable hits like ‘Chalo ek baar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono’ Gumrah, ‘Neele gagan ke taale’ Hamraaz, and in various... |
Picturized on Saira Banu Saira Banu Saira Banu , also known as Saira Bano, is an Indian Bollywood actress and the wife of the film actor Dilip Kumar. She acted in many Bollywood films between 1960 and 1980.-Early life:... and Manoj Kumar Manoj Kumar Manoj Kumar is an award-winning Indian actor and director in the Bollywood film industry. He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname "Mr Bharat"... in a giant puppet show. |
| "Bharat Ka Rahnewala" | Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor Mahendra Kapoor was an Indian playback singer.In a career spanning five decades, his repertoire extended to 25,000 songs in various regional languages, including memorable hits like ‘Chalo ek baar phir se Ajnabi ban jayen hum dono’ Gumrah, ‘Neele gagan ke taale’ Hamraaz, and in various... |