Phagun (1958 film)

Phagun (transl. Spring) is a 1958 Indian Hindi-language film directed and produced by Bibhuti Mitra and written by Pranab Roy. The film stars Madhubala and Bharat Bhushan in leading roles, and its score is by O. P. Nayyar.

Not to be confused with Phagun (1973 film).

Phagun
फागुन
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBibhuti Mitra
Produced byBibhuti Mitra
Written byPranab Roy
StarringMadhubala
Bharat Bhushan
Music byO. P. Nayyar
CinematographyD.N. Ganguly
Distributed byEros
Release date
October 17, 1958
Running time
134 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Box officeest. ₹14 million

A romantic drama, Phagun revolves around Bijan, a zamindar's son who falls in love with a dancer named Banani. They are not able to marry each other due to social differences in their lifetime and are reincarnated to complete their incomplete love tale.

Upon its release, Phagun was not well-received by critics, who panned it for its story and direction; but the film proved to be very popular among the audience as well as one of the top-grossing hits of 1958.[1]

Plot

The new owners of Deepak Mahal meet with its caretaker, Mattu (Dhumal), who narrates the story of its former owners: Bijondra (Bharat Bhushan) - the only child of a wealthy Hindu Brahmin Zamindar; and Banani (Madhubala) – the only child of a single father, Banjara Sardar Tinkari (Murad). Starting with the move to evict the Banjaras from his father's property, flute-playing Bijondra meets and falls in love with pretty dancer Banani – leading to being asked to leave by his enraged father; while Banani's father plans her marriage to Banjara Madhal (Jeevan). After many difficulties and contrasting situations, they marry each other but die soon.

Cast

Music

Lyrics by Qamar Jalalabadi. The music of the movie is composed by O. P. Nayyar. It has a popular song "Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya". The soundtrack became popular at the film release. All songs were sung by Asha Bhosle.

SongSinger
"Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya" Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
"Main Soya Ankhiyan Meeche" Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
"Tum Roothke Mat Jaana" Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
"Meri Chhod De Kalaai" Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
"Bana De Prabhuji" Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi
"Barso Re, Haay Bairi Badarwa Barso Re" Asha Bhosle
"Chhum Chhum Ghunghroo Bole" Asha Bhosle
"Piya Piya, Na Laage Mora Jiya" Asha Bhosle
"Shokh Shokh Aankhen Tujhko Bula Rahi Hai" Asha Bhosle
"Teer Yeh Chhupke Chalaaya Kisne" Asha Bhosle
"Sun Jaa Pukar, Beet Na Jaaye Yeh Bahaar" Asha Bhosle

Reception

Box office

Phagun was the sixth highest-grossing film of 1958. It grossed ₹1.4 crore, including a net of ₹0.7 crore. Adjusted for inflation, its gross was equivalent to ₹167 crore in 2016.[1]

1958 was a very successful year for Madhubala, as she had four major critical and commercial successes in this year: Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Howrah Bridge, Phagun and Kala Pani.[2]

Critical reception

Phagun opened to mixed reviews , with the music receiving the most praise. Saiam Z. U. stated that the film's story was a "predictable fare", although it was "engaging". She found the music to be "superb" and melodious.[3] Khatijia Akbar explained that Phagun was a success only due to its musical score, and the film had "little substance".[4] A retrospective review by Volterra observed in the film that Madhubala "expresses a wide range of passion [in the role of a dancer]" and compared her performance to that of Hollywood actress Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra (1963).[5]

References
  1. Box Office India. "Top Earners 1958". boxofficeindia.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2009.
  2. "Madhubala Biography For Students & Children". Kids Portal For Parents. 14 February 2019. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  3. U, Saiam Z. (2012). Houseful The Golden Years of Hindi Cinema. Om Books International. ISBN 978-93-80070-25-4.
  4. Akbar, Khatija (1997). Madhubala: Her Life, Her Films. UBS Publishers' Distributors. ISBN 978-81-7476-153-8.
  5. Volterra (1998). Of Happiness: An Essay. Andover Books. ISBN 978-0-9660806-0-5.
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