Movie World
Rabindranath Tagore’s stories converted into Bollywood Films – Part 1
Milan (1946)
By Dinesh Kamath
Let us take a look at
Rabindranath's memorable stories and novels that were adapted for the screen in
Hindi. The works of Rabindranath Tagore have inspired many cinematic titles in
multiple languages over the years. Some have successfully captured the flavour
of the words penned by him years ago, while others have based their screenplays
on Tagore's unique plots, but modified it into their own contemporary versions.
Many celebrated filmmakers have adapted the Bengali scholar's classic stories
and novels. The audience, in our times too, find Tagore's world engaging and
relatable, feeling attached to the emotions, issues, drama and anxieties
suffered by the characters he created. Here is some information related to the
movie Milan made in 1946 and which is adapted from Tagore’s work.
Milan (1946)
Milan is probably the earliest
Tagore adaptation made in Hindi. It is based on Noukadubi, with a humorous
tone, while also bringing out silent issues like caste inequality. Directed by
Nitin Bose, the film starred Dilip Kumar, Mira Misra, Ranjana and Pahari
Sanyal. The story revolves around a young law student who is forced into an
arranged marriage though he is in love with somebody else. A terrible boat
accident changes his life. The film was important for Dilip Kumar's career, who
had acknowledged this in an interview, "Nitin Bose became a friend after
Milan and he changed the way I interpreted and studied my scripts and roles."
Milan (lit. Union) is a 1946 Hindi
drama film directed by Nitin Bose. The film starred Dilip Kumar, Mira Misra,
Ranjana, Pahari Sanyal and Moni Chatterjee. It was an adaptation of
Rabindranath Tagore's Bengali story Noukadubi (The Wreck). The screenplay
adaptation was done by Sajanikanta Das with dialogues translated into Hindi by
Pyare Lal Santoshi. The film's music was composed by Anil Biswas and the lyrics
written by Pyare Lal Santoshi and Arzu Lakhnavi.
The story revolves around a young
law student who is forced into an arranged marriage though he is in love with
somebody else. Following the wedding the drama focuses on the bride's mistaken
identity and the search for her husband.
Story
The story is set in 1905. Ramesh
(Dilip Kumar) is studying law in Calcutta and has just appeared for his final
exams. He is a friend and neighbour of Jogen who is also studying law. Jogen
(Shyam Laha) lives with his father Annada Babu (Moni Chatterjee) and sister
Hemnalini (Ranjana). Ramesh and Hemnalini are fond of each other and Ramesh
visits their house most days for tea. Their association is disliked by another
friend Akshay (Pahari Sanyal) who also likes Hemnalini. Ramesh has been asked
to come back to his village for the holidays by his father but is dissuaded
from going by Hemnalini. Ramesh's father Braja Mohan (K. P. Mukherjee) is from
the priestly caste and lives in the village. He receives an anonymous letter
stating that his son is involved with the neighbour's daughter who comes from a
tradesman caste and that he spends his entire time there. Braja Mohan goes to
the city and brings Ramesh back with him to the village. He has arranged
Ramesh's wedding with a poor widow's daughter. Ramesh tries to convince his
father about his involvement with Hemnalini. His father after satisfying
himself that Ramesh has as yet not committed himself to Hemnalini prevails upon
Ramesh to marry Sushila because of the promise he had given to the girl's
mother. There is a storm at night when the wedding party from the groom's side
is returning to their village by boat. During the crossing the boat capsizes.
Nearly all on the boat are drowned including Ramesh's father and Ramesh appears
to be the only one to survive. He sees a woman in bridal dress lying
unconscious on the bank. He brings her to his village but soon understands that
this is a case of mistaken identity. She continuously checks him when he calls
her Sushila and tells him her name is Kamala. He realises there was another
bridal procession and their boat too had capsized.
After the formalities of his
father's funeral service Ramesh decides to take Kamala to Calcutta. He finds
out about her only living relative, an uncle, and writes to him. A letter
arrives telling him of the death of Kamala's uncle but the sender has mentioned
the husband's name and profession. His name is Nalin and he's a doctor. Ramesh
starts searching for Dr. Nalin. He has made no mention of his marriage to
Hemnalini or her family nor told anyone regarding the mistaken identity of his
supposed bride to avoid any embarrassment to the girl.
On arrival in Calcutta, Ramesh
suggests that Kamala get an education. After allaying her apprehension
regarding her age he admits her in a girl's boarding school in the same city.
Akshay's sister also studies in the same school and through her Akshay gets to
know the truth about Ramesh's marriage. In the evening he questions Ramesh in
front of Hemnalini. Ramesh deflects the question and asks Hem to trust him.
Preparations are on at Annada's house for the wedding of Hemnalini and Ramesh.
Their wedding is set for the coming Sunday but Ramesh is asked by the principal
to take Kamala home for the weekend. Ramesh postpones the wedding and brings
Kamala back from school. Akshay brings Jogen to Ramesh's house where they see
Kamala and on being questioned Ramesh keeps silent. Hemnalini goes into a state
of shock when she's told about Ramesh's wife. Her father takes her to Kashi to
recuperate. Ramesh decides to leave Calcutta and he takes Kamala with him to
Ghazipur. Kamala reads the letter Ramesh has written to Hem explaining the
entire situation and mentioning Kamala's husband's name. She finally recognises
the truth about her and Ramesh's situation. She decides to kill herself and
leaves the house. She is rescued and comes under Nalin's mother's care. She
realises that Nalin is her husband but finds out that Hem and he are to be
betrothed. However, Nalin is not happy about the betrothal as he refuses to
believe that Kamala is dead and wants to wait a while longer. Finally the truth
comes out and she's accepted by her husband and his mother while Ramesh and
Hemnalini get back together.
The film has Dilip Kumar as Ramesh,
Mira Misra: Kamala, Ranjana: Hemnalini, Moni Chatterjee: Annada, S. Nazeer:
Nalianaksha, Pahari Sanyal: Akshay, Shyam Laha: Jogen and K. P. Mukherjee:
Braja Mohan (Ramesh's father)
Production
Milan was Nitin Bose’s first
directorial venture for Bombay Talkies banner after his shift from New Theatres
in Calcutta (Kolkata) to Bombay (Mumbai). It was also Dilip Kumar's first film under
The Bombay Talkies banner. Dilip Kumar who started his career with Jwar Bhata
in (1944), had his acting groomed by Nitin Bose in this film. Dilip Kumar
acknowledged this in an interview: "Nitin Bose became a friend after Milan
and he changed the way I interpreted and studied my scripts and roles".
Reception
According to one source the film
was not a success but achieved critical acclaim for cinematographer R.
Karmakar. However, another source called the film a success and one of the
reasons cited was its music. The Box Office collections for 1946 were
₹2,500,000 (US$36,000) which in adjusted gross is more than ₹2,050,000,000
(US$30 million).
Discography
The composer was Anil Biswas and
lyricists Pyare Lal Santoshi and Arzu Lakhnavi. Parul Ghosh who sang most of
the songs in the film was Anil Biswas's younger sister and had the distinction
of being one of the first recorded playback singer in the industry. Geeta Dutt
was the other female singer in the film. The film had songs like "Gungun
Gungun Bole Bhanwarva", "Upar Hai Badariya Kari", "Suhani
Beriyan Beet Jaayein", "Who Kahein Aap Ki", "Main Kiski
Laaj Nibhaoon", "Jisne Bana di Bansuri", "Chhan Mein
Bajegi" and "Tumhe Saajan Manaye".
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