Anmol Ghadi is a 1946 Indian drama film directed by Mehboob Khan, starring Surendra, Suraiya, and Noor Jehan. The film was a musical hit and still remembered for its music by Naushad. The film also featured playback singer, Mohammed Rafi’s first notable song, “Tera Khilauna Toota Balak”. The movie became the highest-grossing film at the Indian box office in 1946.
Plot
Chander and Lata were good childhood friends in Jahanabad, Lata was the daughter of a rich family, whereas Chander was the son of a poor, widowed mother. Lata’s parents didn’t like Lata being friends with Chander. Lata’s family gets transferred to Bombay. At the time of departure, Lata gifts her watch to Chander as a memento.
They grow up. Chander goes to Bombay to search for Lata. Chander’s rich friend Prakash opens a musical instruments shop for Chander, where Chander can earn his livelihood by repairing musical instruments. Prakash’s mother doesn’t like Prakash spending money on Chander. Lata has become a writer, her work is published under the nickname of “Renu” aka “Renuka Devi”; Chander becomes a fan of her work. Basanti is Lata’s friend. In one of her novels, Lata writes the story of the Childhood friendship of Chander and Lata. Chander reads it and writes a letter to Renu (Lata) to find out how she knows of this story and if she knows Lata, then she can help him find Lata. Reading that letter, Basanti forces Lata to call Chander to meet, plotting that Basanti will meet Chander as well as Lata. Basanti meets Chander there and falls in love with Chander. Chander was carrying the watch gifted by Lata to him all the time, which he loses when Basanti meets him and Basanti locates it. Seeing the watch, Lata recognizes it and recognizes Chander. Basanti feels hurt and blames Lata that she had known that Basanti was in love with Chander, and even then Lata didn’t tell her that Chander is the same guy who Lata herself was in love with. Lata later tells her that she herself was not aware of it.
Lata’s parents contact Prakash for marrying Lata. When Chander learns of it, under the lifetime of obligations to Prakash, he sacrifices his love for Lata in favour of Prakash. Chander’s mother dies. Prakash marries Lata; Chander walks off into the sunset, followed by Basanti.
Cast
The cast in order of the opening credits:
- Noorjehan as Lata/Renuka Devi
- Surendra as Chandrabhan
- Zahur Raja as Prakash
- Suraiya as Basanti
- Leela Misra as Chandrabhan’s mother
- Anwari Begum
- Bhudo Advani as Mohan
- Murad as Deputy
- Bibibai
- Amirbanu as Prakash’s mother
- N. Kabir as young Chandrabhan
- Noor Mahal as young Lata
- Master Gulam Mohamed
- Wasker
- Agha Mehsher Shirazi
- Nawabkhan
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album was composed by Naushad, with lyrics by Tanvir Naqvi.
| Track # | Song | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Uran Khatole Pe Ud Jaoon” | Shamshad Begum and Zohrabai Ambalewali |
| 2 | “Aaja Meri Barbaad Mohabbat Ke Sahaare” | Noor Jehan |
| 3 | “Jawan Hai Mohabbat Haseen Hai Zamana” | Noor Jehan |
| 4 | “Awaz De Kahan Hai” | Noor Jehan, Surendra |
| 5 | “Kya Mil Gaya Bhagwan” | Noor Jehan |
| 6 | “Main Dil Mein Dard Basa Laai” | Suraiya |
| 7 | “Socha Tha Kya Kya Ho Gaya” | Suraiya |
| 8 | “Mere Bachpan Ke Saathi” | Noor Jehan |
| 9 | “Kyon Yaad Aa Rahe Hain” | Surendra |
| 10 | “Man Leta Hai Angdai” | Suraiya |
| 11 | “Ab Kaun Hai Mera” | Surendra |
| 12 | “Tera Khilauna Toota Balak” | Mohammed Rafi |
Legacy
Anmol Ghadi was an inspiration for the 2001 Telugu movie Manasantha Nuvve. The Telugu movie went to be remade in Hindi as Jeena Sirf Merre Liye (2002), in Kannada as Manasella Neene (2002), in Tamil as Thithikudhe (2003), in Bengali as Moner Majhe Tumi (2003) and in Odia as Nei Jaa Re Megha Mate(2008).
Conclusion
Anmol Ghadi is a classic Indian musical drama film that continues to be remembered for its music and story. The film’s enduring popularity has led to its remakes in various Indian languages. Its story of friendship and sacrifice still resonates with audiences today.