Aman (film)
Aman is an Indian anti-war movie directed by Mohan Kumar. It starred Rajendra Kumar, Saira Banu, Balraj Sahani and Chetan Anand in lead roles.[1] The movie was also the debut for Naseeruddin Shah who played an uncredited minor role.[2]
The movie also features a rare cameo by famous British Nobel laureate Bertrand Russell.[3] The movie was shot in England and Japan.[4]
Plot
Meloda (Saira Banu) who was educated in India, speaks Hindi; though she is Japanese. Dr. Gautamdas (Rajendra Kumar) is a UK trained doctor who volunteers to go to Japan to help deal with the horror of the radiation aftermath of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They meet in Japan and the inevitable happens when hero meets heroine. Lord Bertrand Russell in London, gives Gautam his blessings and best wishes for his travel to Japan. Russell , a pacifist and anti-war thinker (who appears in a cameo role) sets the tone of this 1967 film. On arrival in Japan Dr Gautamdas takes up a role in a hospital where Meloda's father Dr Akhira (Chetan Anand) is director. The storyline takes us through the stark and sometimes gory suffering that radiation victims endured; as a stark reminder of the long term damage caused by atomic weapons. When a group of fishermen are exposed to radiation from French nuclear tests in the Pacific, Dr Gautamdas mounts a daring rescue to help save the fishermen. Battling angry elements Dr. Gautamdas helps the fishermen survive, saving every last one of them - but at what cost? When viewed in the context of India-Japan relationship, beginning with the arrival of Buddhism in Japan, formation of the Indo-Japan Society in 1905 and Japan's support for Subhash Chandra Bose's INA, this film takes on a meaning beyond a love story. It is a cry against the horrors of atomic weapons, the enduring damage they inflict and martyrdom for a cause.
Cast
- Rajendra Kumar as Dr. Gautamdas
- Saira Banu as Meloda
- Om Prakash as Hurato
- Balraj Sahni as Gautamdas' father
- Jagjit Singh (Cameo)[5]
- Bertrand Russell (Cameo)
- Chetan Anand as Dr. Akhira, Meloda's father
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Shankar Jaikishan.[6][7][8]
Song Title | Singer | Lyricist |
---|---|---|
"Aaj Ki Raat Ye Kaisi Raat Ke Humko Nind Nahi Aati" | Mohammed Rafi, Saira Banu | Shailendra |
"Surahidar Gardan Koyal Si Hai Aavaz" | Mohammed Rafi | Hasrat Jaipuri |
"Ae Husn Pari Chehra" | Mohammed Rafi | Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri |
"Apne Piya Ki Prem Pujarin Karke Baithi Singaar" | Lata Mangeshkar | Hasrat Jaipuri |
"Aman Kaa Farishtaa Kahaan Jaa Rahaa Hai" | Mohammed Rafi | Hasrat Jaipuri |
"Mera Watan Japan Kitna Hansi Hai" | Lata Mangeshkar | Hasrat Jaipuri |
"Jis Raah Se Guzaroon Tu Mere Surahidar Gardan Koyal" (Sad) | Mohammed Rafi | Hasrat Jaipuri |
"Barbaad Hiroshima Ki Tasveer Dekh Lo" | Mohammed Rafi | Prem Dhawan |
References
- ""He Made Me Sing For The One & Only Time In My Life," Saira Banu On Her Amazing rapport with Filmmaker Mohan Kumar". SKJ Bollywood News. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- Aman (1967), retrieved 25 May 2018
- "Philosophy, peace, and a Bollywood cameo: The relevance of Bertrand Russell - INDIA New England News". INDIA New England News. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- ""He Made Me Sing For The One & Only Time In My Life," Saira Banu On Her Amazing rapport with Filmmaker Mohan Kumar". SKJ Bollywood News. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- "Mayank Shekhar: Eternal resurgence of Jagjit Singh". mid-day. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- Aman - All Songs - Download or Listen Free - Saavn, 1 January 1967, retrieved 25 May 2018
- "Aman : Lyrics and video of Songs from the Movie Aman (1967)". HindiGeetMala. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
- "Hindi Film Songs 1965-1968 | Shankar Jaikishan". shankarjaikishan.org. Retrieved 25 May 2018.