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Barsaat (1949 film)

Barsaat
Film poster
Directed byRaj Kapoor
Written byRamanand Sagar
Screenplay byRamanand Sagar
Story byRamanand Sagar
Produced byRaj Kapoor
Starring
CinematographyJal Mistry
Edited byG. G. Mayekar
Music byShankar Jaikishan
Production
company
Distributed byR. K. Films
All India Films
Release date
  • 22 April 1949 (1949-04-22)
(India)
Running time
171 min.
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Box office₹1.9 crore[1]
Barsaat (1949)

Barsaat (English: Rain) is a 1949 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Raj Kapoor. The film stars the famous duo of Kapoor and Nargis as well as Prem Nath. It was also the introduction of actress Nimmi in her first film role. Barsaat was one of the first major hit films directed by Kapoor. This success allowed Kapoor to buy RK Studios in 1950. This was Raj Kapoor's second directional venture after Aag. Barsaat became the highest-grossing Indian film at the time of its release beating Gyan Mukherjee's Kismet which released 6 years earlier.

Plot

The film revolves around two love stories. Pran (Raj Kapoor) and Reshma (Nargis) and Gopal (Prem Nath) and Neela (Nimmi). Two friends with contrasting personalities, the rich but sensitive Pran and the womanizing Gopal both have affairs with two mountain girls while holidaying in the valley of Kashmir. While Pran and Reshma's love is true and reciprocated, Gopal is a womanizing villain, who disregards the faithful Neela and condemns her to wait faithfully for his return with the barsaat (rainy season). Many plot intrigues follow through with Pran and Reshma facing many trials on the path of love, including parental opposition, accidents, and an attempted forced marriage of Reshma to an uncouth fisherman. The couple are finally reunited. Gopal on the other hand finally becomes a reformed character and rushes to claim Neela who has been pining away, arriving there he finds his love dead. The film ends with Gopal lighting Neela's funeral pyre as it finally rains.

Production

Filming

Raj Kapoor shot parts of the film at in the Kashmir Valley,[2] making it the first film to be ever shot in the valley.

Artwork and Publicity

The much-acclaimed poster and publicity[3] for the movie were illustrated by the master artist Dr S. M. Pandit. One of the posters showing the heroine dangling on the arm of the hero would go on to inspire the R K Studios' famous logo.

Music

The music of Barsaat became famous upon the film's release in 1949. The film was the debut for music directors Shankar Jaikishan and established their careers. The famous playback singer Lata Mangeshkar famously sang for both Nargis and Nimmi in Barsaat.

Actress Bimla Kumari appears swaying in the song 'Hawa mein udta jaaye', the song become very popular as well.

The soundtrack was listed by Planet Bollywood at number 1 on their list of the 100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks.[4] Rakesh Budhu of Planet Bollywood gave 10 stars stating, "Barsaat is ideally one of Hindi cinema's best soundtracks".[5]

Barsaat
Studio album by
Released1949
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length38:01
LabelHMV-Saregama
ProducerShankar Jaikishan
Shankar Jaikishan chronology
Barsaat
(1949)
Awaara
(1951)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Planet Bollywood[5]

Track list

All music is composed by Shankar Jaikishan

No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Hawa Mein Udta Jaye"Ramesh ShastriLata Mangeshkar2:30
2."Jiya Beqarar Hai"Hasrat JaipuriLata Mangeshkar3:10
3."Barsaat Mein Humse Mile"ShailendraLata Mangeshkar5:00
4."Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho Gayaa"Jalal MalihabadiLata Mangeshkar2:46
5."Meri Aankhon Mein Bas Gaya Koi Re"Hasrat JaipuriLata Mangeshkar2:47
6."Patli Kamar Hai"Shailendra, Dhakaria Akhilesh (lyricist)Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh5:17
7."Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha"Hasrat JaipuriMohammed Rafi2:51
8."Ab Mera Kaun Sahara"Hasrat JaipuriLata Mangeshkar3:15
9."Chhod Gaye Balam"Hasrat JaipuriLata Mangeshkar, Mukesh4:28
10."Bichhde Hue Pardesi"Hasrat JaipuriLata Mangeshkar3:28
11."Jiya Beqarar Hai" Instrumental2:29
Total length:38:01

References

  1. ^ "Barsaat Box office collection". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Shah Rukh Khan in Kashmir for shooting of 'Dunki'".
  3. ^ Cinema India: The Art of Bollywood – V&A exhibition https://collections.vam.ac.uk/exhibition/cinema-india-the-art-of-bollywood/337/ Archived 30 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ "100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks Ever – Part 4". Planet Bollywood. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Barsaat Music Review by Rakesh Budhu". Planet Bollywood. Retrieved 7 February 2012.