Reshma Aur Shera
Reshma Aur Shera (Hindi: रेशमा और शेरा; translation: Reshma and Shera) is a 1971 Hindi crime drama film produced and directed by Sunil Dutt and starring Waheeda Rehman as Reshma and Sunil Dutt as Shera. It also stars Vinod Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee and Amrish Puri in supporting roles. Sunil Dutt's son Sanjay Dutt, who was 12 years at the time, appears briefly as a Qawwali singer in his first film appearance.
| Reshma Aur Shera | |
|---|---|
 Original poster | |
| Directed by | Sunil Dutt |
| Produced by | Sunil Dutt |
| Written by | S. Ali Raza |
| Starring | Sunil Dutt Waheeda Rehman Raakhee Vinod Khanna Amitabh Bachchan |
| Music by | Jaidev |
| Cinematography | Ramachandra |
| Edited by | Pran Mehra |
Production company | Ajanta Arts |
Release date |
|
Running time | 158 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Reshma Aur Shera was well received by the critics internationally[1] and was nominated for the Golden Bear at the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival.[2] It was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 44th Academy Awards but was not accepted as a nominee.[3]
The film went on to receive three National Film Awards. Waheeda Rehman went on to receive her first National Film Award for Best Actress. The film won music director Jaidev, his first National Film Award for Best Music Direction in 1972, it was noted for classics such as "Ek Meethi Si Chuban, Ek Thandi Si Agan" (lyrics by Udhav Kumar)[4] and "Tu Chanda Main Chandini" sung by Lata Mangeshkar (lyrics by Balkavi Bairagi).[5] The film also won National Film Award for Best Cinematography for Ramachandra.
Synopsis
Set against the backdrop of Rajasthan, Reshma (Rehman) and Shera (Dutt) love each other in the midst of a violent feud between their clans. When their families find out about their relationship, Chotu (Bachchan), Shera's mute sharpshooting brother carries out his father Sagat Singh's (Jayant) orders to kill Reshma's father (K. N. Singh) and her recently married brother Gopal (Ranjeet). Unable to bear the grief of Gopal's widowed bride (Raakhee), Shera kills his own father believing he actually pulled the trigger. After this tragedy, Reshma and Shera's family's feud will end in more tragedy as misunderstandings lead to more bloodshed between the clans.
Shera swears to kill Chotu and protect Reshma's family. Shera searches for Chotu, who hides in Reshma's house and seeks protection from her. The movie's climax is when Shera waits outside Reshma's house to kill Chotu. At the moment, Chotu and Reshma emerge from the house as a married couple. Shera notices sindoor on Reshma's forehead and realizes that he cannot kill Chotu since he is now her husband, thus ending the bloodshed.
Cast
- Waheeda Rehman as Reshma
- Sunil Dutt as Shera
- Amitabh Bachchan as Chhotu, Shera's Brother
- Vinod Khanna as Vijay
- Ranjeet as Gopal, Reshma's Brother
- Raakhee as Gopal's Wife
- Jayant as Sagat Singh, Shera's Father
- K. N. Singh as Chaudhary, Reshma's Father
- Amrish Puri as Rehmat Khan
- Sanjay Dutt as Qawwali Singer
- Naval Kumar as Jagat Singh, Shera's Brother
Music
| # | Song | Singer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Tu Chanda, Main Chandni | Lata Mangeshkar |
| 2 | "Main Aaj Pawan Mein Paaon" | Lata Mangeshkar |
| 3 | "Tauba Tauba Meri Tauba" | Asha Bhosle |
| 4 | "Jab Se Lagan Lagaayi Re" | Asha Bhosle |
| 5 | "Zaalim Meri Sharab Mein" | Manna Dey |
| 6 | "Nafrat Ki Ek Hi Thokar Ne" | Manna Dey |
Awards and nominations
See also
- List of submissions to the 44th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
- List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
- Overview New York Times.
- Awards imdb.com.
- Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- "Ek meethi si chuban".
- "Tu chanda main Chandini".