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Caravan (1971 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Caravan' (; ; ) is a 1971 Indian thriller film directed by Nasir Hussain and produced by his brother Tahir Hussain, under the Nasir Hussain Films and T.V. Films banners. The film stars Jeetendra and Asha Parekh. Three Hussain fixtures were involved in the music production: composer R.D. Burman, lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, and singer Mohammad Rafi. The film's plot was loosely inspired by 'Girl on the Run' (1953).
'Caravan' was a superhit domestically in India. It found even greater success abroad in China when it released there in 1979, becoming the highest-grossing foreign film in China. The film is estimated to have sold over tickets in Asia, mostly in China. Adjusted for inflation, it is still one of the highest grossing Indian films of all time.
Plot
The film is an action thriller about a young woman, Sunita (Asha Parekh) and her father Mohandas (Murad), who finds out that his trusted employee, Rajan (Krishen Mehta), has been embezzling money from him. He confronts him but Rajan attacks him, flinging him out of the window of the multi-storied building, but the police think that the death was accidental. This leaves the coast clear for Rajan to wed Mohandas' only daughter, Sunita. Sunita is distraught and ends up married to this "wrong" man, Rajan. Shortly after the wedding, Sunita finds out the truth. She thinks that Rajan has conspired with his girlfriend Monica (Helen) to murder her. So she runs away to find her father's old friend in Bangalore, who may be able to help. On the way, she experiences an accident and ends up with a band performing gypsies. She meets caravan van-driver Mohan (Jeetendra) and she is attracted to him. Sunita does not know that she has put herself in danger again - this time at the hands of knife-thrower, Nisha (Aruna Irani), who loves Mohan, and will kill anyone who gets in her way. To make matters worse, Rajan has not given up his search for Sunita.
Cast
* Jeetendra as Mohan
* Asha Parekh as Sunita / Soni
* Aruna Irani as Nisha
* Mehmood Jr. as Monto
* Helen as Monica
* Krishen Mehta as Rajan
* Ravindra Kapoor as Johny
* Madan Puri as Mithalal Tota
* Sanjana as Tara
* Manorama as Mrs. Tota
* Anwar Ali as Bhola
* Murad as Mohandas
* Dulari as Mohan's mom
* Shivraj as Karamchand
Production
The film was largely a KhanHussain family production, directed by Nasir Hussain (father of future filmmaker Mansoor Khan) and produced by his brother Tahir Hussain (father of future superstar Aamir Khan), under the Nasir Hussain Films banner.
The film's plot was loosely inspired by the 1953 film 'Girl on the Run', a little-known crime drama set against the backdrop of a carnival burlesque show, which was changed to a gypsy show in 'Caravan'.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of the film is one of the hit compositions by R. D. Burman. The lyrics of the songs are provided by the veteran poet Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Box office
'Caravan' was declared a "Super Hit" domestically according to 'Box Office India'. The film grossed in India. It was the sixth highest-grossing film of 1971 at the domestic Indian box office. Adjusted for inflation, the film's domestic box office gross is equivalent to {{INR| billion}} in 2017.
Overseas, 'Caravan' released in China in 1979 and became a blockbuster there, surpassing Raj Kapoor's 'Awaara' (1951). 'Caravan' became the highest-grossing foreign film ever in China up until then, with 88million box office admissions in its initial run. It reportedly sold a total of nearly 300million tickets including re-runs, the highest for any foreign film ever released in China. At an average ticket price of , the film grossed an estimated , equivalent to . Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to ({{INR| billion}}) in 2017.
In total, the film grossed an estimated in Asia. Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to in 2017, or in .
In terms of footfalls, the film sold an estimated million tickets in India, and nearly 300million tickets in China,for an estimated total of nearly million tickets sold in Asia.
Legacy
Along with 'Awaara' and 'Noorie' (1979), 'Caravan' left a strong impression on Chinese audiences in the 1980s. It took decades before Tahir Hussain's son Aamir Khan later had a similar impact in China, with films such as 'Lagaan' (2001), '3 Idiots' (2009), 'PK' (2014), and 'Dangal' (2016). During his visit to China, Aamir Khan said his father's film 'Caravan' is still fondly remembered there.
Awards and nominations
; '19th' 'Filmfare Awards'
'Won'
* Best Female Playback Singer Asha Bhosle for "Piya Tu Ab To Aaja"
'Nominated'
* Best Supporting Actress Aruna Irani
* Best Music Director R. D. Burman
See also
* List of highest-grossing Indian films in overseas markets
Notes
References
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