Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai () is a 1960 Indian film directed by Radhu Karmakar and produced by Raj Kapoor. The film stars Padmini, Raj Kapoor and Pran in lead roles. This was the first directorial venture of Karmakar, who had previously been cinematographer for many of Kapoor's films. It was declared a "hit" at Box Office India.
The team of Shankar Jaikishan composed the songs, lyrics were written by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri, including "O Basanti Pawan Pagal", "Aa Ab Laut Chalen", and "Hothon Pe Sacchai Rehti Hai".
The outdoor shooting with the marble rock background is done in Bhedaghat in Madhya Pradesh.
Plot
Raju (Raj Kapoor) is a poor, friendly orphan who wins his bread by singing songs. One day, he sees an injured man and helps him. Later, he is kidnapped by a few bandits who mistake him to be an undercover policeman. It then turns out that the injured man he helped is the leader (Sardar) of this gang. The Sardar takes good care of Raju and treats him with honour. Sardar's daughter Kammo (Padmini) falls in love with Raju. Kammo and Sardar convince Raju that they are good bandits who are making sure that wealth is equally distributed amongst people.
On one of the lootings, Raju witnesses the murder of a newlywed couple. He decides to go to the police and leaves the gang. One of the bandits, Raka (Pran), kills the Sardar and takes over, captures Raju; and tries to forcibly marry Kammo. Raju eloped and tells all the truth to the police, they decide to confront and kill the bandits. Raju begs the police to not kill them but is shunned. Raju is then posed in a dilemma of what to do and finds himself helpless when he sees police stooping just as low to stop crime. He then returns to the colony of dacoits to convince them to surrender to the police in order to ensure good and respectful life to their family, especially their children.
This movie was inspired by initiatives of Vinoba Bhave and Jayaprakash Narayan , on their call, hundreds of dacoits surrendered to police and mainstreamed to the society at large.
Cast
Raj Kapoor as Raju
Padmini as Kammo
Pran as Raka
Chanchal as Bijli
Lalita Pawar as Mirabai
Raj Mehra as Police Superintendent
Ramayan Tiwari as Mirabai's Husband
Nana Palsikar as Tau
Nayampalli as Sardar
Salochana Chatterjee as Police Superintendent's wife
Vishwa Mehra as Bhimu
Baboo Rao
S.K.Singh
Rattan Gaurang
Chang
Mohamed Ali
Anwari Bai
Sadhana
Azim
Master Amar
Moolchand as Groom's father
Music
Composed by Shankar Jaikishan, lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.
Awards
The film won many prestigious awards at National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards. The film stood out at the 9th Filmfare Awards function by winning the most (four) awards in various categories from eight nominations.
9th Filmfare Awards:
Won
Best Film – Raj Kapoor
Best Actor – Raj Kapoor
Best Editing – G.G. Mayekar
Best Art Direction – M. R. Acharekar
Nominated
Best Director – Radhu Karmakar
Best Actress – Padmini
Best Supporting Actor – Pran
Best Music Director – Shankar–Jaikishan
Best Lyricist – Shailendra for "Hothon Pe Sacchai" Best Male Playback Singer – Mukesh for "Hothon Pe Sacchai" National Film Awards: 1960: Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Hindi
Further reading
Rajni Bakshi, "Raj Kapoor", in Ashis Nandy, ed., The Secret Politics of Our Desires: Innocence, Culpability and Indian Popular Cinema (Delhi: Palgrave Macmillan, 1998), 92-117.