Community hub
Recent from talks
Contribute something
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Manchali
View on Wikipedia | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2019) |
| Manchali | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Raja Nawathe |
| Written by | Krishan Chander (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | G. R. Kamat |
| Story by | Satyendra Sharat |
| Produced by | Raja Nawathe |
| Starring | Sanjeev Kumar Leena Chandavarkar Nazima Krishna kant Nirupa Roy |
| Cinematography | Fali Mistry |
| Edited by | Raja Nawathe |
| Music by | Laxmikant–Pyarelal |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Manchali is a 1973 Hindi romantic drama movie produced and directed by Raja Nawathe,[1] starring Sanjeev Kumar, Leena Chandavarkar, Nazima and Nirupa Roy. The title track was very catchy and popular. It was one of the best known films with Sanjeev Kumar in a comedy role (others being Vidhaata, Seeta Aur Geeta, and Angoor). The music directors were Laxmikant-Pyarelal. This movie story was based on the novel Swayamber by Satyendra Sharat. There are shades of Taming of the Shrew in how the hero woos the girl.
Plot
[edit]The story is about a rich spoiled girl Leena who does not want to get married and hires a husband. She lives with her uncle and aunt who are her wealthy guardians till she gets married as per the provisions of her late father's will. Being a headstrong and self-willed person, Leena concocts a plan on the advice of her best friend Pushpa, to hire a fake husband under a marriage contract in order to be eligible for her wealth. While her uncle and aunt are looking for suitable marriage proposals for her, She herself gives an advertisement in the newspaper for an eligible bachelor willing to get into a fake marriage contract for some monetary gains. Her advertisement is answered by Sushil Kumar, a good-looking resident of Dehra Dun amongst many. She decides on Sushil Kumar along with her friend Pushpa and conveys to Sushil Kumar that she will come to Dehra Dun to marry him by the contract. She then announces to her uncle and aunt that she has found a suitable life partner and she is going to Dehra Dun to marry him alone.
Uncle and aunt are very upset but since Uncle has a soft corner for her, he gives her some money for the journey with his blessings. On reaching Dehra Dun, she meets Sushil Kumar at the station but on finding him obnoxious looking (not at all like his photo) decides to hide until he goes away, hence not meeting him at all. A street-smart young man who helps her in this (Sanjeev Kumar) becomes her confidante that she is here to hire a fake husband. He helps her in finding a hotel for the night and with his fast-talking street smart ways introduces himself as a candidate for the post. Stuck in a corner and not wanting to go back home without a husband, She agrees to marry him and they both sign a contract that it is a fake marriage and he is to give her divorce after two days of her inheriting her wealth. On reaching her home, to her surprise, Her uncle and aunt are very impressed with her husband (introduced as Sushil Kumar) and take to him very well. He is also able to win over all her friends including Pushpa.
However, he remains civil with her and agrees to behave as she says. She wants her uncle to hand over her wealth and then Sushil Kumar and she will get a divorce but he does not seem to want to go away from her home as he misses his train to Dehra Dun. One day he disappears for a few hours and she thinks he has absconded. But he arrives home and says that he was negotiating a deal for an apple orchard to give her a present. His slick answers irritate her and she sends him with some goons to settle the orchard deal, planning that the goons should beat him up to scare him. Instead after a few hours, Sushil Kumar comes back saying that he bashed up the goons himself. Seeing his cuts and bruises, Leena repents and starts to develop soft feelings for Sushil Kumar. Now Sushil Kumar starts going out to outings and clubs with Pushpa and her friends leaving Leena behind. Leena becomes jealous of Pushpa and they have a fight over Sushil Kumar. After forcefully staying 2 days at her home, Sushil Kumar says he could stay here forever and start a "Husband on Hire" business as all her friends like him.
Leena panics and forbids him from meeting her friends. She then pushes her uncle and aunt to hand over her wealth now that she is married but her uncle says that they will have a reception party to introduce her husband to society and then she will get her wealth. On the morning of the party, uncle and aunt hand over her property papers, cash and jewellery to her and Sushil Kumar, with their blessings, saying that Sushil Kumar is a joint partner in all that she owns, as they find him more sensible and capable than Leena, to handle her wealth. Leena is so upset that she does not notice Sushil Kumar putting everything in a briefcase and driving away. Not able to share her concerns about Sushil Kumar robbing her, with anyone in the house; she speaks to Pushpa as she comes for the reception party and the two friends reconcile. Everyone starts to come for the party and then Sushil Kumar comes. After the Party Leena lashes out at Sushil Kumar that he has deceived her and robbed her of her wealth.
Then Sushil Kumar tells her that he spent the whole day, transferring the property back in her name only, putting the cash and jewellery in a bank locker, the key to which he gives her, and getting special divorce papers made by a magistrate that they just have to sign out of court. Leena is very shamefaced. Then he changes back into his old worn-out clothes and says goodbye to leave her. Then Leena falls at his feet and says that she loves him and can't live without him. To this, he says that he will never live on his wife's money and if she loves him she will have to live in his home in poverty. As she agrees to this, Pushpa and the original Sushil Kumar walk in. Leena is shocked and surprised, but Pushpa tears off Sushil Kumar's false beard and tells her that it was her own fiancé in disguise as Sushil Kumar to scare her at Dehra Dun station. In reality, he is the manager of the real Sushil Kumar, who is this hired husband (Sanjeev Kumar) who is a very rich landlord of Dehra Dun. The real Sushil Kumar then tells Leena that he loves her and they live happily ever after.
Cast
[edit]- Sanjeev Kumar as Sushil Kumar
- Leena Chandavarkar as Leena
- Nirupa Roy Leena's aunty
- Nazima as Pushpa
- Shrikant Moghe guy in Red suite, Mohan Kumar
- Shah Agha
- Krishna Kant as Leena's uncle
- Surekha Naik as Pushpa's friend
- Sabina as Pushpa's friend (Sabeena)
- Yasmin as Pushpa's friend
Soundtrack
[edit]| # | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "O Manchali Kahan Chali" | Kishore Kumar |
| 2 | "Gham Ka Fasana" | Kishore Kumar, Leena Chandavarkar (dialogues only) |
| 3 | "Mile Kahin Do Ajnabee" | Kishore Kumar |
| 4 | "Kali Kali Choome Gali Gali Ghume" | Lata Mangeshkar |
| 5 | "Tan Man Dhan Sab Hai Tera" | Mukesh |
Trivia
[edit]- Raja Nawathe is the director and producer of this film. He had commenced his film career as assistant director to Raj Kapoor, for three productions from R.K. Films, viz. Aag (1948), Barsaat (1949) and Awaara (1951). His debut as independent director commenced with the film, Aah, in 1953, produced by Raj Kapoor. In an interview about the film, Nawathe said the inspiration for the Matrimonial Advertisement was from a real-life story of a couple that met in Mussoorie.
- Shrikant Moghe a renowned Marathi stage and film actor appears in special appearance in this movie, as "Mohan Kumar", the guy in the red suit who comes to receive Leena at Dehradun station.
References
[edit]- ^ Dennis Bartholomeusz; Poonam Trivedi (2005). India's Shakespeare: Translation, Interpretation, and Performance. Pearson Education India. pp. 253–. ISBN 978-81-7758-131-7.
External links
[edit]Manchali
View on GrokipediaProduction
Development
Manchali is an adaptation of the novel Swayamber by Satyendra Sharat, which explores themes of arranged marriages and inheritance disputes within a family setting.[2] The screenplay, penned by G.R. Kamath and Krishan Chander, retained core elements from the book, such as the protagonist's unconventional approach to fulfilling familial obligations for financial gain, while infusing modern comedic twists to suit a romantic drama format.[2] This adaptation transformed the novel's narrative into a light-hearted exploration of relationships, emphasizing humor in marital pretenses.[1] Director Raja Nawathe drew inspiration for the film's central matrimonial advertisement plot device from a real-life story of a couple who met in Mussoorie. Nawathe, who also produced the film under his banner Precept Enterprises, envisioned Manchali as a comedic romantic drama that blended witty dialogue with romantic entanglements to appeal to contemporary audiences.[2] During pre-production, scriptwriting efforts centered on amplifying the novel's dramatic elements into engaging, farce-like sequences that highlighted the absurdities of forced unions. Sanjeev Kumar's involvement was confirmed early in pre-production for the lead role, influencing the script's tonal balance toward subtle humor.[2]Casting
Sanjeev Kumar was cast in the lead role of Sushil Kumar, with director Raja Nawathe selecting him to leverage his comedic timing in a lighter role following acclaimed dramatic performances in films like Dastak (1970) and Koshish (1972).[1] This marked one of Kumar's notable forays into comedy, allowing him to blend humor with his established dramatic depth.[5] Leena Chandavarkar was chosen for the titular role of Leena, a headstrong and spirited heiress, drawing on her experience portraying vivacious young women after her debut in Vishwas (1969).[1] Her selection emphasized her ability to convey playful energy and emotional range, complementing the film's romantic comedy tone.[6] The supporting cast included Nazima as Pushpa, Leena's sister; Nirupa Roy as the authoritative Chachi; Krishna Kant as Chacha; and Shrikant Moghe in a supporting role, providing familial grounding to the narrative.[7] These actors were assigned based on their prior work in ensemble family dramas, ensuring seamless integration with the leads.[6] Key crew assignments featured cinematographer Fali Mistry, known for his visual flair in romantic films, and editor Raja Nawathe, who handled the pacing to enhance the comedic rhythm.[7]Principal photography
Principal photography for Manchali primarily took place at Mehboob Studios in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, where most interior and studio-based scenes were filmed.[8] The production utilized standard 35mm film stock typical of mid-1970s Bollywood cinema, capturing the film's comedic and romantic sequences, including chase scenes and ceremonial moments central to the narrative. Principal photography focused on the lighthearted comedic elements that defined the movie's tone.[9] During the shoot, tensions arose on set, notably a major altercation between lead actress Leena Chandavarkar and co-star Nazima, which became infamous in industry circles and highlighted the challenges of ensemble dynamics.[10] Following the wrap of principal filming, initial post-production work, including editing and dubbing, was completed by late 1973 to meet the film's release schedule.[9]Plot
Synopsis
Leena, a spoiled and headstrong heiress living with her family in Shimla, learns that she must marry by a specific deadline to claim her late father's substantial inheritance, which is currently managed by her guardians due to her unmarried status.[11] Unwilling to enter an arranged marriage that would curtail her independence, Leena, with the help of her best friend Pushpa, places a matrimonial advertisement to find a suitable groom of her own choosing.[12] However, her plan goes awry when she travels to meet the respondent, only to discover he is unsuitable, leading her to impulsively hire Sushil Kumar, a resourceful porter she encounters, to pose as her husband in a temporary arrangement for a fee, after which they intend to divorce quietly.[11] Upon returning home with Sushil Kumar, the couple navigates a series of comedic misunderstandings and family interactions that test their fake union. Leena's aunt and uncle (Chachi and Chachaji) grow increasingly suspicious of Sushil Kumar's background and motives, scrutinizing his behavior and probing into his sudden appearance, while Pushpa assists in covering up inconsistencies to maintain the deception.[12] Sushil Kumar, far from being the subservient hireling Leena expects, charms the family with his wit and resourcefulness, resisting her attempts to control him and even turning the tables by exposing her spoiled nature through playful confrontations. As they feign marital bliss, genuine affection begins to develop between them, complicated by Leena's efforts to sabotage the arrangement—such as plotting to send Sushil Kumar away, which backfires and results in his injury—prompting her to confront her emerging emotions.[11] In the climax, the ruse unravels when Chachi and Chachaji uncover evidence of the deception, and Sushil Kumar temporarily disappears with important documents, leaving Leena and her family in turmoil and questioning his intentions. This revelation forces Leena to realize the depth of her love for Sushil Kumar, leading her to pursue him and confess her feelings. The film resolves with the truth coming to light as a misunderstanding—Sushil Kumar had acted to protect the inheritance from a greater threat—and the pair decide on a real marriage, securing Leena's inheritance while solidifying their romance. Structured in three acts over a 131-minute runtime, the narrative escalates from setup and deception to heartfelt comedy and resolution.[12][11]Themes and style
Manchali explores core themes centered on the critique of arranged marriages and the societal pressures of inheritance on women, portraying the protagonist's resistance to familial expectations as a form of asserting personal agency within a patriarchal framework.[1] The narrative transitions from a pretense of convenience in matrimony to genuine emotional connection, highlighting the evolution of relationships beyond superficial obligations and underscoring the tension between individual desires and traditional norms.[13] This thematic focus draws from 1970s Bollywood's engagement with gender roles, adapting motifs reminiscent of The Taming of the Shrew to comment on women's evolving identities amid cultural constraints.[13] The film blends genres as a romantic comedy-drama infused with slapstick elements, reflecting broader 1970s Bollywood trends that combined light-hearted romance with social commentary to appeal to diverse audiences.[1] Director Raja Nawathe employs a light-hearted pacing and easy-flowing narrative style, allowing for brisk progression that balances comedic interludes with dramatic undertones.[1][14] Musical sequences serve as relief points, integrating effervescent songs to enhance emotional transitions and mirth, a hallmark of Nawathe's robust sense of music evident in his oeuvre.[1] Visually, the film's hill landscapes evoke a sense of freedom and escape, symbolizing the protagonist's yearning for autonomy away from urban familial pressures, with settings inspired by real-life hill station encounters. Nawathe's direction emphasizes ensemble comedy through family dynamics, using witty dialogues and character interactions to explore relational tensions without overt melodrama. Compared to other Sanjeev Kumar-led comedies of the era, Manchali distinguishes itself with deeper dramatic layers on inheritance and love, blending humor with subtle social critique.[1] Narrative techniques include flashbacks that nod to the source novel's elements, enriching the portrayal of pretense evolving into authenticity.[14]Cast
Lead roles
Sanjeev Kumar portrayed Sushil Kumar, a charismatic yet reluctant vagabond who agrees to pose as the fake husband of the protagonist, allowing him to showcase his comic versatility in a role that highlights his transformation from a carefree jobless man to someone entangled in emotional complexities.[1] At 35 years old during filming, Kumar had recently gained acclaim for his dual role in the blockbuster Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), which solidified his status as a versatile leading man in Hindi cinema.[15] Leena Chandavarkar played Leena, the feisty and independent heiress whose bold decisions propel the narrative, revealing her manipulative strategies alongside moments of vulnerability that deepen her character's appeal.[11] Aged 22 at the time, Chandavarkar was an emerging star, building on early successes like Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1968) to establish herself as a dynamic leading actress in the 1970s.[16]Supporting roles
Nazima portrayed Pushpa, Leena's close friend who offers emotional support and practical advice, enhancing the film's relational dynamics with her empathetic presence.[7] Having begun her career as a child artist known as Baby Chand in films like Do Bigha Zamin (1953), Nazima transitioned to supporting roles in her adulthood, bringing a youthful sincerity to characters like Pushpa that grounded the narrative's lighter moments.[17] Nirupa Roy played Chachi, Leena's stern aunt who embodies traditional authority, injecting comic tension through her oppositional interactions within the family setting.[18] Roy, a veteran of Hindi cinema since the 1940s, was often typecast in maternal and authoritative roles due to her commanding screen presence, a pattern that defined much of her work in the 1970s and beyond.[19] Her portrayal here exemplifies this, as Chachi's rigid demeanor heightens familial conflicts while underscoring themes of generational clashes. Krishna Kant appeared as Chacha, Leena's uncle in an advisory capacity, contributing to the ensemble by mediating household tensions with his measured interventions.[7] Shrikant Moghe made a special appearance as Mohan Kumar, adding a memorable flair to key scenes through his distinctive comic timing.[20] The supporting ensemble, including these actors, effectively facilitates the film's blend of humor and family drama by amplifying interpersonal conflicts and resolutions without overshadowing the central romance, creating a lively backdrop of relational interplay.[12]Soundtrack
Track listing
The soundtrack of Manchali features five songs, all composed by the duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal and penned by lyricist Anand Bakshi.[21] The album has a total runtime of 24 minutes and 33 seconds.[22]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Tan Man Dhan Sab Hai Tera" | Mukesh | 4:17 |
| 2 | "O Manchali Kahan Chali" | Kishore Kumar | 5:33 |
| 3 | "Gham Ka Fasana" | Kishore Kumar (Leena Chandavarkar provides spoken dialogues) | 4:31 |
| 4 | "Kali Kali Choome Gali Gali Ghume" | Lata Mangeshkar | 5:08 |
| 5 | "Mile Kahin Do Ajnabee" | Kishore Kumar | 5:01 |