Upkar - Misplaced Pages

1967 Indian film

Upkar

Directed by	Manoj Kumar
Written by	Manoj Kumar
Produced by	Harkishen R. Mirchandani R. N. Goswami
Starring	Manoj Kumar Asha Parekh Prem Chopra Pran
Cinematography	V. N. Reddy
Edited by	B. S. Glaad
Music by	Kalyanji Anandji
Production company	Vishal Pictures
Distributed by	Vishal Pictures
Release date	11 August 1967 (1967-08-11)
Running time	175 min.
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Upkar (transl. Favour) is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. Set in the backdrop of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Upkar celebrates village life and the contributions of farmers and soldiers to India. The film was inspired by Indian prime minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, who suggested that Kumar make a film based on his motto for India, "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" (transl. Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer). It stars Kumar, Prem Chopra, Asha Parekh, Kamini Kaushal, Pran, and Madan Puri.

It was Kumar's directorial debut film. The film held the top spot at the box office in 1967 and was the highest-grossing Indian film of the year. Upkar was highly acclaimed, winning seven Filmfare Awards including Best Film. It also won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film.

The film was remade in Telugu as Padipantalu in 1976.

Plot

A village man from Atali village (Ballabgarh, Haryana), Bharat, sacrifices everything for his brother's education. The brother, Puran, goes to study in the city and becomes attracted to the high-society lifestyle. When Puran returns to the village, he is a selfish man and wants to sell his share of the family's property. Bharat is unwilling to divide the property and transfers the disputed land to Puran's son.

When the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 begins, Bharat joins the fight. With the help of his greedy uncle Charandas and some partners, Puran tries to profit by hoarding and selling grains on the black market. Puran eventually discovers Charandas' plan to separate the two brothers. Ridden with guilt and shame, Puran surrenders to the police.

Bharat fights bravely in the war but is captured by the enemy. He escapes but is badly injured and loses both hands. When Bharat returns home as a war hero, Puran apologizes to him. Reunited in the village, the two brothers farm the family fields together.

Cast

Manoj Kumar – Bharat
Mahesh Kothare – Younger Bharat

Asha Parekh – Dr. Kavita
Prem Chopra – Puran "Kumar"
Kanhaiyalal – Lala Dhaniram
Pran – Malang Chacha
David – Major saab
Kamini Kaushal – Radha
Asit Sen – Lakhpati
Tun Tun – Lakhpati's Wife
Madan Puri – Charan Das
Manmohan – Kavita's Brother
Aruna Irani – Kamli
Manmohan Krishan – Bisna
Sunder – Sunder
Gulshan Bawra – Som
Mohan Choti – Mangal
Laxmi Chhaya – Guest dancer in "Gulabi Raat Gulabi"

Production

According to an interview with Manoj Kumar, Rajesh Khanna was originally signed in a supporting role for the film. However, he won the All India Talent Contest and had to withdraw from the film. Prem Chopra replaced him.

Some portions of Upkar were filmed at Rajkamal Kalamandir, Kamal Studio, Guru Dutt Films, and Mehboob Studio. However, the principal photography took place in the village of Nangal Thakran in Delhi & Atali Village (Ballabgarh, Haryana). The film unit borrowed bullock carts and plows from the Atali villagers for filming. Bharat's house and field were actual locations in Nangal Thakran & Atali Village, including the field where the "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" song was filmed. The cast and production stayed in Delhi while filming in Nangal Thakran, traveling to the village each morning. However, they stayed in Nangal Thakran during the filming of night sequences.

Soundtrack

The film was scored by Kalyanji Anandji. Qamar Jalalabadi, Indeevar, Gulshan Bawra, and Prem Dhawan wrote the lyrics for the songs. The music from the film was highly successful. The patriotic song "Mere Desh Ki Dharti" (transl. Land of my country) has become a staple of Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations in India.

No.	Title	Lyrics	Singer(s)
1	"Deewanon Se Ye Mat Poocho"	Qamar Jalalabadi	Mukesh
2	"Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa"	Indeevar	Manna Dey
3	"Mere Desh Ki Dharti"	Gulshan Bawra	Mahendra Kapoor
4	"Aayi Jhoomke Basant"	Prem Dhawan	Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum, Mahendra Kapoor & Manna Dey
5	"Gulabi Raat Gulabi"	Indeevar	Asha Bhosle
6	"Har Khushi Ho Wahan"	Gulshan Bawra	Lata Mangeshkar
7	"Yeh Kali Raat Kali"	Indeevar	Mohd. Rafi

Awards and nominations

15th Filmfare Awards

Won

Best Film – V. I. P. Films

Best Director – Manoj Kumar
Best Supporting Actor – Pran
Best Lyricist – Gulshan Bawra for "Mere Desh Ki Dharti"
Best Story – Manoj Kumar
Best Dialogue – Manoj Kumar
Best Editing – B. S. Glaad

Nominated

Best Actor – Manoj Kumar
Best Music Director – Kalyanji–Anandji
Best Male Playback Singer – Mahendra Kapoor for "Mere Desh Ki Dharti"

Other awards

National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film -- Manoj Kumar
National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer – Mahendra Kapoor for the song "Mere Desh Ki Dharti"
BFJA Award for Best Dialogue (Hindi) – Manoj Kumar

References

^ "Upkar — film born of churn in newly-Independent India gave Bollywood a hit formula". 15 August 2021.
"Worth Their Weight in Gold! - Box Office India: India's premier film trade magazine". Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
Manoj Kumar recounts the life and times of Rajesh Khanna on YouTube
"Story of a movie and a Delhi village". Hindustan Times. 12 January 2020. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
^ The Times of India, Entertainment. "National Awards Winners 1967: Complete list of winners of National Awards 1967". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 24 March 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
"69th & 70th Annual Hero Honda BFJA Awards 2007". Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2010.

External links

Upkar at IMDb

National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film

1957–1965

Certificate of Merit	Andhare Alo (1957) Jalsaghar (1958) Heera Moti (1959) Kshudhita Pashan (1960) Paava Mannippu (1961) Abhijan (1962) Nartanasala (1963) Haqeeqat (1964) Atithi (1965)

1965–1980

– (1966)
Upkar (1967)
Thulabharam (1968)
Dibratrir Kabya (1969)
Pratidwandi (1970)
Anubhav (1971)
Calcutta 71 (1972)
Kaadu (1973)
Ankur (1974)
Mausam (1975)
Pallavi (1976)
– (1977)
– (1978)
– (1979)
Oppol (1980)

1981–1992

Pokkuveyil (1981)
Kharij (1982)
Maya Miriga (1983)
– (1984)
– (1985)
– (1986)
– (1987)
– (1988)
Parshuramer Kuthar (1989)
Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990)
Firingoti (1991)
Padma Nadir Majhi (1992)

v t e Filmfare Award for Best Film
1954–1975	Do Bigha Zamin (1954) Boot Polish (1955) Jagriti (1956) Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1957) Mother India (1958) Madhumati (1959) Sujata (1960) Mughal-e-Azam (1961) Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1962) Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1963) Bandini (1964) Dosti (1965) Himalay Ki God Mein (1966) Guide (1967) Upkar (1968) Brahmachari (1969) Aradhana (1970) Khilona (1971) Anand (1972) Be-Imaan (1973) Anuraag (1974) Rajnigandha (1975)
1976–2000	Deewaar (1976) Mausam (1977) Bhumika (1978) Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1979) Junoon (1980) Khubsoorat (1981) Kalyug (1982) Shakti (1983) Ardh Satya (1984) Sparsh (1985) Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1986) Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1989) Maine Pyar Kiya (1990) Ghayal (1991) Lamhe (1992) Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1993) Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1994) Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1995) Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1996) Raja Hindustani (1997) Dil To Pagal Hai (1998) Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1999) Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (2000)
2001–present	Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2001) Lagaan (2002) Devdas (2003) Koi... Mil Gaya (2004) Veer-Zaara (2005) Black (2006) Rang De Basanti (2007) Taare Zameen Par (2008) Jodhaa Akbar (2009) 3 Idiots (2010) Dabangg (2011) Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2012) Barfi! (2013) Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2014) Queen (2015) Bajirao Mastani (2016) Dangal (2017) Hindi Medium (2018) Raazi (2019) Gully Boy (2020) Thappad (2021) Shershaah (2022) Gangubai Kathiawadi (2023) 12th Fail (2024)

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