Insan Aur Gadha
| Insan Aur Gadha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| انسان اور گدھا | |
| Directed by | Syed Kamal |
| Written by | Syed Kemal (Idea: Tanvir Kazmi) |
| Based on | Gadhay Ki Sarguzasht (novel by Krishan Chandar) |
| Produced by | Syed Kamal |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Azhar Zaidi |
| Music by | Nashad |
Release date |
|
| Country | Pakistan |
| Language | Urdu |
Insan Aur Gadha (Man and Donkey) is a 1973 Pakistani Urdu satirical comedy film produced and directed by Kamal.
The comedy actor Rangeela played the title role of a donkey-turned-human.[1] The other lead cast included Nisho, Kamal, and Rozina. The central idea of the film was taken from Krishan Chandar's novel "Gadhay Ki Sarguzasht".[2]
After a few weeks of its release, Insan Aur Gadha was banned by the Bhutto Government due to a parody speech scene that the government did not like. "Publicly, the reason given for the ban was that the scene had ridiculed the (Pakistani) masses, by depicting them as a bunch of donkeys".[1][2]
Plot
A donkey desires to be a human, so he prays to God to fulfill his wish. But when his prayer is actually answered and he transforms into a man, he quickly finds out that his life purpose and moral duties were more meaningful and easily identifiable when he was a donkey than when he is a human being. He eventually asks God to change him back into a donkey since he is so disappointed in humanity (or its lack thereof).[1]
Cast
- Rangeela — as the human version of a donkey[1][2][3]
- Kamal — as the master[1][2][3]
- Nisho
- Rozina
- Nirala
- Aslam Pervaiz
- Hanif
- Mehmood Ali
- Reshma
- Shakeel
- Sikandar
- Guests appearances: Ghazala Kaifee, Iqbal Hassan, Kemal Irani, Afzaal Ahmad, Sultan Rahi, Ilyas Kashmiri
Release and ban
Insan Aur Gadha was released on 31 August 1973. Soon after its release at theaters, the Pakistan People Party's government banned the film due to a satirical speech by the donkey-turned-human character, delivered before a large gathering of donkeys. The political government of the time took the satire as an offense. According to a film critic Mushtaq Gazdar, the scene did not conceal the fact that it was parodying Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's distinctive brand of populist oratory.[1][3][4]
Though, a month later, the film was allowed to be screened again.[5]
Awards
| Year | Film | Award | Category | Awardee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Insan Aur Gadha | Nigar Award | Best Comedian | Rangeela | [6][7] |
References
- ^ a b c d e f Nadeem F. Paracha (18 October 2020). "SMOKERS' CORNER: BANNING CULTURAL PRODUCTS (banning of Insan Aur Gadha (1973 film))". Dawn newspaper. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b c d Sardar, Shahid (12 January 2019). "انسان اور گدھا (1973 film)". Express TV News website (in Urdu). Archived from the original on 3 December 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "From Joyland to Khamosh Pani: A list of Pakistani films that have been banned over the years (including Insan Aur Gadha, first banned, later released)". Dawn Group of Newspapers (Images magazine). 15 November 2022. Archived from the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ Alvi, Umair (16 November 2022). "وہ پاکستانی فلمیں جنہیں سینسر بورڈ کی گرفت اور پابندیوں کا سامنا کرنا پڑا". Voice of America (Urdu).
- ^ "All Pakistani movies banned since 1959 (including Insan Aur Gadha, banned at first, objectionable content removed, then released)". Samaa TV News website. 14 November 2022. Archived from the original on 23 April 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards". The Hot Spot Film Reviews website. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2025.
- ^ "Nigar Awards (1972 - 1986)". The Hot Spot Online website. 5 January 2003. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2023.