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Zanjeer (1973 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Zanjeer' is a 1973 Indian Hindi action thriller film written by SalimJaved, directed and produced by Prakash Mehra, and starring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Pran, Ajit Khan and Bindu. The film started a new wave in Bollywood. At a time when India was suffering from corruption and low economic growth, and the common man was left with frustration and anger over the system, 'Zanjeer' began shifting Hindi cinema in a violent and aggressive direction. Reflecting the anger of the masses, Bachchan was seen as the new hero, who had the courage to fight against the wrongs while maintaining moral values at the same time. This film also ended the struggling period for Bachchan, and turned him into a rising star. The film was a blockbuster success, domestically in India and overseas in the Soviet Union.

It was the first of many collaborations between the screenwriter duo SalimJaved and Bachchan. Ever since 'Zanjeer', SalimJaved wrote many of their subsequent scripts with Bachchan in mind for the lead role, and insisted on him being cast for their later films, including blockbusters such as 'Deewaar' (1975) and 'Sholay' (1975), establishing Bachchan as a superstar. In addition to being a turning point for Bachchan's career and Hindi cinema, 'Zanjeer' was also a turning point for South Indian cinema, with Bachchan's acting inspiring future Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth. 'Zanjeer' remains an important film in the history of Indian cinema and is regarded as a classic today. Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raaj Kumar, and Dharmendra were offered the lead role, but they somehow did not accept the role.

Plot



In Diwali, A young Vijay Khanna witness the murder of his parents, committed by a man of unknown identity with a white horse on his charm bracelet, 'Zanjeer', due to this traumatic event, Vijay has recurring nightmares of a white stallion. Even as a child, Vijay stays socially awkward from the other kids, who believes himself to be alone.

20 years later, Vijay has become a Inspector in a town where few are just. He receives complaints about a local man named Sher Khan, who is running gambling dens. When he calls Khan in for questioning, Khan's superiority complex chafes against Vijay's police authority, as he scolds the officer, telling him he only orders him around due to his uniform. Vijay takes him up on his challenge, and meets him in street clothes to fight him. After the fight, Sher Khan not only closes his gambling dens, but has gained respect for Vijay. He becomes an auto mechanic, and reforms his ways.

Various dealings of the crime syndicate continue unabated throughout the town, all tracing back to gang leader named Teja. A mysterious caller continually phones Vijay to inform him exactly when a crime is about to take place, but hangs up before Vijay can extract any more information out of him. When a traffic accident perpetrated by gang members leaves several children dead, a street performer named Mala becomes the witness where she is bribed by Teja's men to keep quiet. When she is questioned by Vijay, He becomes enraged at her and to sway her differently, takes her into the morgue to view the mangled bodies of the children. Mala has a change of heart and comes clean asking that the bribe be donated to an orphanage. She identifies the man behind the traffic accident.

After learning that Mala has broken her word, Teja's men chases after her through the night, narrowly escaping across the train tracks, and arriving at Vijay's house, desperate for shelter. He allows her to stay, and the two discover that they are both orphans, and discuss the fears associated with living alone. Vijay kindly takes her to his brother and sister-in-law, and, under the sister-in-law's tutelage, Mala begins to learn how to keep the house clean, as well as learn English. Eventually, Teja frames Vijay for bribery, who is later jailed for 6 months on false charges. When Vijay is released from jail, He plans to take revenge. Mala, by this time has developed from a frightened stranger seeking his help to a romantic interest for him. She begs him, to seal their relationship, that he must stop being so vengeful. He agrees, but soon must come to terms with such a promise.

In a Christian cemetery, the informant, who had called Vijay in the past when he was an inspector. The man, De Silva, appears half-insane, holding onto an empty bottle. He tells that several years before on Christmas, his three sons drank poisoned moonshine, and died from it. Until the killer is found, he will continue to wander with the bottle. When local criminals mocked him, he vowed to get back at them as he could: by phoning the inspector when a crime was about to happen. After hearing this news, Vijay becomes depressed, torn between his desire to help the grieving De Silva, and his need to keep his promise to Mala.

Eventually, along with a concerted effort by Sher Khan to cheer up Vijay, Mala relents, vowing she will not try to control him, and says he must do what is right. The trail of tainted moonshine leads back to Teja and his men. Upon finally cornering the crook on Diwali, fireworks bursting overhead, Vijay also finds out that the person who murdered his parents, 20 years before, on the same night, is Teja, recognisable by the shackles ('Zanjeer') on his wrist. Sher Khan helps him to fight Teja and his men, and take justice into their own hands, until the police arrive. When the hapless police inspector is held at gunpoint by Teja, Vijay manages to drop to retrieve a pistol from the ground, and shoots Teja dead, who falls into the swimming pool.

Cast



Production



The film's story, script, and screenplay were written by Salim Khan, who also conceived the "angry young man" persona of Vijay, played by Amitabh Bachchan. After Khan completed the script, Khan shared the credit with Javed Akhtar, as the screenwriting duo SalimJaved.

'Zanjeer' was written as a crime film with violent action, and the main character Vijay was conceived as a hard-hitting, 'angry with the system' young man. At a time when Hindi cinema was dominated by romance films with "romantic hero" leads, Prakash Mehra saw the script as potentially groundbreaking and came on board as the film's director. However, they were struggling to find an actor for the lead "angry young man" role, which was turned down by a number of actors due to it going against their "romantic hero" image; at the time, the industry was dominated by the "King of Romance" Rajesh Khanna and similar "romantic hero" actors. The role of the lead was first offered to many leading men of the time, including Raaj Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar, all of whom turned down the offer. Eventually, it went to a newcomer, Amitabh Bachchan, and established his career.

Salim-Javed were responsible for discovering and casting Bachchan. At the time, Bachchan was a "failed newcomer" who, by the age of 30, had twelve flops and only two hits (as a lead in 'Bombay to Goa' and supporting role in 'Anand'). According to Javed Akhtar, they "saw his talent, which most makers didnt. He was exceptional, a genius actor who was in films that werent good." According to Bachchan, Salim-Javed were close to Rajesh Khanna and could've convinced him to play the role, but they instead opted for the unknown Bachchan. According to Salim Khan, they "strongly felt that Amitabh was the ideal casting for 'Zanjeer'". Bachchan stated, "Salim-Javed saw a fight sequence in 'Bombay to Goa' where I was chewing gum throughout the fight, as an indicator that I would be the right choice for 'Zanjeer'. Salim Khan was responsible for introducing Bachchan to Mehra.

For the female lead, Mumtaz was initially offered the role. However, she was engaged at the time, and opted out, choosing marriage over career. Jaya Bhaduri, who was engaged to Bachchan at the time, immediately agreed to take the role, for the sake of her future husband.

For the film's promotion, the posters of 'Zanjeer' initially did not have the names of Salim-Javed on them. Salim-Javed hired a man with a jeep to drive around and paint "Salim-Javed" in stencil font on all the 'Zanjeer' posters from Juhu to Opera House. However, the man was sometimes drunk, which led to him painting "Salim-Javed" on the wrong places, such as Pran's face or Bachchan's hands, for some posters.

Crew



*'Director': Prakash Mehra

*'Writer': SalimJaved (Salim Khan, Javed Akhtar)

*'Producer': Prakash Mehra, Babboo Mehra

*'Production Company': Prakash Mehra Productions

*'Editor': Ramchandra Mahadik (as R.D. Mahadik)

*'Art Director': J. J. Bhende

*'Cinematographer': N. Satyen

*'Stunts': Ravi Khanna, Virendra Kumar

*'Costume and Wardrobe': Vasant Mahajan, Shankar Jadhav

*'Choreographer': Satyanarayan

*'Music Director': Kalyanji Anandji

*'Lyricist': Gulshan Bawra, Prakash Mehra (Dil jalon ka dil jala ke)

*'Playback Singers': Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi

Soundtrack



The music was composed by Kalyanji Anandji and the lyrics were written by Prakash Mehra, with the exception of 'Yaari Hai Imaan Mera', which was penned by Gulshan Bawra.

Box office



With a total domestic Indian gross revenue of 6 crore in 1973, including a nett collection of 3 crore, the film was declared a "Super Hit" according to Box Office India. This was equivalent to a domestic gross of US$7.75 million in 1973, or US$ million ( 282 crore) in 2016.

It was also an overseas blockbuster at the Soviet box office, where it drew an audience of 37.3 million viewers in 1980. Its overseas gross in the Soviet Union amounted to 9.325 million Rbls (US$14.58 million, 11.46 crore), equivalent to US$ million ( 282 crore) in 2016.{{#tag:ref|'Zanjeer' in Soviet Union: 9.325 million Rbls (US$14.58 million, 11.46 crore) in 1980 (US$ million or 282 crore in 2016)|group=n|name=Zanjeer}}

Worldwide, the film grossed a total of crore ($ million). Adjusted for inflation, its worldwide gross is equivalent to crore ($ million) in 2016.

Awards and nominations



'21st Filmfare Awards':

; Won

* Best Lyricist Gulshan Bawra for "Yari Hai Imaan Mera"

*Best Story Salim-Javed

*Best Screenplay Salim-Javed

*Best Editing R. Mahadik

; Nominated

* Best Film Prakash Mehra Productions

*Best Actor Amitabh Bachchan

*Best Supporting Actor Pran

*Best Music Director Kalyanji-Anandji

*Best Male Playback Singer Manna Dey for "Yari Hai Imaan Mera"

Remakes



A remake, with the same name, released on 6 September 2013. 'Zanjeer' featuring Ram Charan Teja as Vijay, Priyanka Chopra as Mala, Sanjay Dutt as Sher Khan, Prakash Raj as Teja, Mahi Gill as Mona, Ankur Bhatia as Bosco, and Atul Kulkarni. Priyanka Chopra contracted the film for 90 million Indian rupee turning her the highest paid Indian actress. The film is also simultaneously shot in Telugu titled 'Toofan', featuring the same cast except Srihari replaces Sanjay Dutt as Sher Khan, and Tanikella Bharani replaces Atul Kulkarni.

Notes



References




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