Prahlad Aggarwal & Hindi Cinema

Prahlad Aggarwal

• Born in Madhya Pradesh in 1947, the year of India's independence, in Jabalpur city
• Earned an M.A. in Hindi
• Developed an early interest in the history of Hindi cinema, the lives of filmmakers, and their acting styles
• Currently working as a professor at the Government Autonomous Postgraduate College in Satna
• Written extensively on film-related topics and is committed to continuing to write, regarding cinema
• Major works include 'Saatvan Dashak', 'Tanashah', 'Main Khushbu', 'Super Star', 'Raj Kapoor: Aadhi Hakikat Aadha Fasana', 'Kavi Shailendra: Zindagi Ki Jeet Mein Yakeen', 'Pyaasa: Chir Atrript Gurudutt', 'Uttal Umang: Subhash Ghai Ki Filmakala', 'O Re Manjhi: Bimal Roy Ka Cinema', and 'Mahabazar Ke Mahanayak: Ikkeesvin Sadi Ka Cinema.'

Path Pravesh (Introduction)

• Hindi films are released nearly every Friday, some succeed, some fail
• Some films are remembered for a while, some are forgotten quickly
• When filmmakers adapt literary works with dedication and honesty, the resulting films become memorable
• Films entertain, and convey a message
• When a poet and lyricist adapted Phanishwar Nath Renu's immortal work 'Teesri Kasam Urf Mare Gaye Gulfam', as a film, it became a milestone
• 'Teesri Kasam' is considered one of the immortal films of Hindi cinema
• The film earned fame through its songs, music, and story
• Showman Raj Kapoor's acting was noteworthy
• Actress Waheeda Rahman, delivered a great performance
• 'Teesri Kasam', despite being a memorable film, it also shows how challenging and risky it is to make a meaningful and purposeful film in the Hindi film industry.

Teesri Kasam Ke Shilpkar Shailendra (Shailendra, the Craftsman of Teesri Kasam)

• The success of Raj Kapoor's 'Sangam' filled him with self-confidence, leading him to announce four films: 'Mera Naam Joker', 'Ajanta', 'Main Aur Mera Dost', and 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram'
• Raj Kapoor started filming 'Mera Naam Joker' in 1965, it took six years to create
• During those six years, many films starring Raj Kapoor were released, including poet Shailendra's 'Teesri Kasam' in 1966
• Raj Kapoor's performance in 'Teesri Kasam' was the best of his career and it was successful in adapting a literary piece
• 'Teesri Kasam' received the 'President's Gold Medal', the Bengal Film Journalists Association Award for Best Film, and other awards
• The film was also awarded at the Moscow Film Festival.
• Shailendra's sensitivity was evident, and only a true poet's heart could create it
• Shailendra gave words to Raj Kapoor's emotions.
• Raj Kapoor worked with dedication in his friend's film, without expecting any remuneration.
• Shailendra wrote that when he approached Raj Kapoor with the story of 'Teesri Kasam', Raj Kapoor was enthusiastic to work but seriously said, "give me my payment in advance."
• Shailendra was surprised that Raj Kapoor would be this way.
• Raj Kapoor smiled, gave one rupee, and said "one rupee, payment in advance!"
• Shailendra was well aware of Raj Kapoor's friendly nature, yet even a producer with business sense would get confused.

Continuing Story of Shailendra's Film

• Shailendra was unfit to be a film producer.
• Raj Kapoor, as a friend, warned Shailendra of the dangers of the film's failure
• Shailendra was an idealistic and emotional poet, he sought for self-satisfaction
• Despite its greatness, 'Teesri Kasam' struggled to find distributors
• Despite Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rahman, the music of Shankar-Jaikishan, and the popular songs, no one wanted to buy the film
• The film's message was beyond those who were only focused about money-making
• The compassion could not be measured.
• 'Teesri Kasam' was released without promotion and then disappeared
• Shailendra was aware of the film industry's ways, but didn't lose his originality by getting stuck in it
• In the popular song 'Pyar Hua, Ikrar Hua Hai, Pyar Se Phir Kyu Darta Hai Dil' from 'Shri 420', Jai Kishan had objection to the line 'Raatein Daso Dishaon Se Kahengi Apni Kahaniyan'
• Shailendra did not change it, as he believed that, one should not enforce shallowness, and artists should refine people's interests.
• Shailendra did not accept false aristocracy
• He wrote songs that were approachable
• One of songs was "Mera Joota Hai Japani, Ye Patloon Inglistani, Sar Pe Lal Topi Russi, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani."
• Shailendra's writing was like a flowing river with depth

Importance of Teeesri Kasam

• 'Teesri Kasam' did justice to the literary work
• Shailendra transformed Raj Kapoor into 'Heeraman'
• The simple saree-clad 'Heerabai' surpassed Waheeda Rehman's fame
• When Heeraman asks Heerabai, 'Man Samjhati Hai Na Aap?', Heerabai does not answer with words, but with her eyes, an expression that no language in the world can express.
• 'Teesri Kasam' resonated with subtleties

Elements in film

• A cart driver intoxicated, singing 'Chalat Musafir Moh Liyo Re Pinjde Wali Muniya'.
• Children running behind Heerabai in a "tappar-gaadi" singing 'Laali-Laali Doliya Mein Laali Re Dulhaniya'.
• Our films lack "lok-tattva" - the element of simple, everyday life.
• If tragic situations are depicted, they are glorified, displaying a horrifying version of misery.

Distinct Fact About Film

• The film presents sorrow in a natural way, relative to life.
• Shailendra provided the best expression of his emotionality
• The song sung by Mukesh became unique
• Shailendra's song is - "Sajanwa Bairi Ho Gaye Hamaar Chithiya Ho To Har Koi Baanche Bhaag Na Baanche Koy..."

Perspective of Acting

• 'Teesri Kasam' has been Raj Kapoor's finest film
• Raj Kapoor touched the peak of innocence
• Raj Kapoor's best acting is in 'Teesri Kasam' Raj Kapoor portrayed 'Heeraman'
• Raj Kapoor's character is an unadulterated "deharti baccha gaadi" (villige bumpkin)
• Raj Kapoor has been one of Asia's biggest showmen, and his persona was legendary, but in 'Teesri Kasam', he fully embodied the soul of Heeraman
• Raj Kapoor's Heeraman dotes on Heerabai's simple nature