Ardhangini (1959 film)

Ardhangini (transl. The better half) is a 1959 Indian Hindi-language romance film produced and directed by Ajit Chakrabarty. The film stars Meena Kumari and Raaj Kumar. It was later remade in Tamil as Panithirai (1961).[1]

Ardhangini
Directed byAjit Chakrabarty
Screenplay byVishwamitter Adil
Shashi Bhushan
Story byChandrakant
Produced byAjit Chakrabarty
StarringMeena Kumari
Raaj Kumar
CinematographyR. M. Sabnis
Edited byC. Ramrao
Music byVasant Desai
Production
companies
Mars and Movies
Release date
  • 1959 (1959)
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Plot

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A woman dies while giving birth to her daughter Chhaya. The girl's father loses his job and the family home is burned. For this reason, everyone around her superstitiously see her as a harbinger of bad luck. Chhaya falls in love with Prakash, a non-superstitious airline pilot who treats her normally, but problems arise when Prakash's aeroplane goes missing.

Cast

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Production

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Ardhangini was produced and directed by Ajit Chakrabarty under Mars and Movies. The film's story was written by Chandrakant, the screenplay by Vishwamitter Adil and Shashi Bhushan, and the dialogues by Vishwamitter Adil. Cinematography was handled by R. M. Sabnis, and editing by C. Ramrao.[3]

Themes

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The film speaks against untouchability and superstitious beliefs. Many commentators have identified it as a "romantic tragi-comedy".[4][5]

Soundtrack

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The soundtrack was composed by Vasant Desai, and the lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri.[2][6]

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Dil Hum To Haare"Geeta Dutt, Mohammed Rafi3:32
2."Tera Khat Leke Sanam"Lata Mangeshkar3:24
3."Kal Saajna Milna Yahan"Geeta Dutt, Mohammed Rafi3:15
4."Tu Ne Jo Idhar Dekha"Geeta Dutt, Mohammed Rafi3:16
5."Bade Bhale Ho"Lata Mangeshkar3:30
6."Apne Saiyan Se Naina Ladaibe"Lata Mangeshkar3:17
7."Oh Pyaar Main Milna Sanam Hota Hai Takdeer Se"Subir Sen, Lata Mangeshkar 

Reception

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The Indian Express wrote, "Imaginatively directed by Ajit [Chakrabarty], the film should appeal to family audiences".[7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ardhangini". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  2. ^ Grodal, Larsen & Laursen 2005, p. 85.
  3. ^ Grodal, Larsen & Laursen 2005, pp. 83–84.
  4. ^ Hogan 2009, chpt. 1.
  5. ^ "Ardhangini". JioSaavn. 31 December 1952. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Ardhangini". The Indian Express. 29 September 1961. p. 3. Retrieved 14 December 2021.

Bibliography

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