Aan
Aan | |
---|---|
Mehboob Productions | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 161 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Hindi |
Budget | ₹3,500,000[1] |
Box office | est. ₹35,731,000 ($6,042,410) |
Aan (
It was
It was the highest-grossing Indian film ever at the time, domestically[4] and overseas.[5] Aan was the first Indian film to have a worldwide release in many countries, subtitled in 17 languages and released in 28 countries,[5] including the United Kingdom,[6] United States, France,[7] and Japan.[8] The film also received critical acclaim in the British press at the time.[9] In South India, it was also dubbed and released in Tamil with the same title, Aan.[10]
Plot
The plot centers around an Indian royal family, which consists of the Maharaj (
Shamsher, who counted upon becoming the ruler after the Maharaj's death, becomes enraged when Maharaj reveals that he plans to abolish the monarchy and make the kingdom a democracy.
Shamsher then plans to gain control of the kingdom by killing the Maharajah on the night before he is due to travel to England for a medical procedure. However, he is unsuccessful after the Maharajah escapes an attempt on his life by Shamsher's henchmen and disguises himself as a servant in his own palace.
Shamsher then sets his eyes on Mangala (Nimmi) who is a village girl and a childhood friend of Jai's. Mangala loves Jai, but her love is not reciprocated as he is in love with princess Rajshree. Mangala is kidnapped by Shamsher Singh who plans to keep her as his prisoner in his palace. Before he can assault her, Mangala commits suicide by drinking poison. Jai tries to kill Shamsher to avenge Mangala's death. After Shamsher apparently dies, Jai provokes Princess Rajshree to launch an attack on his village to avenge her brother's death. Jai manages to kidnap Rajshree in the confusion. He sets out to teach her a lesson by taking her to his village and forcing her to live as a peasant. Just when Rajshree begins to realize what a peasant's life is like and begins to admire Jai, Shamsher Singh reemerges and seeks to get revenge against Jai.
Production
This prestigious production was to be India's first full feature in Technicolor.[3] The film was made with an extremely large budget. Dilip Kumar,
When a first edit of the film was shown to the film's financiers and distributors, they objected that Nimmi's character died too early. This was due to Nimmi's vast popularity as an actress. Therefore, a lavish and extended dream sequence was filmed and edited in to give Nimmi more prominence and screen time in the film.[12]
The production cost of the film was ₹35 lakh (equivalent to ₹37 crore or US$4.6 million in 2023).[1] It was the most expensive Indian film ever at the time.
Innovative music of Naushad
A major highlight of Aan is Naushad's music[10] - both music of film songs and the grand background score that was so innovative and played a key role in the box office success of this film. Reportedly Naushad used a 100-piece orchestra while recording the music of this film, something unprecedented in those days. To create the sound effects that had better bass, Naushad had special rugs put on the walls of the sound studio. Finally, the film songs were mixed in London. Naushad worked very long hours for three whole months to complete this film's music. The symphony with the 100 musicians was much praised and even played on the BBC Radio.[3]
Cast
- Dilip Kumar as Jai Tilak[10][2]
- Nimmi as Mangala[10][2]
- Nadira as Princess Rajeshwari[10][2]
- Premnathas Prince Shamsher Singh
- Sheela Naik as Maid of the princess
- Mukri as Chandan[10]
- Murad as Maharaja
- Cuckoo as Dancer[10]
- Amir Banoo as Jai's Mother
International release
Aan was the first Indian film to have a worldwide release in many countries with the English title - Savage Princess.
Although Nimmi was not the romantic lead, she made a big impact on audiences, and her character, Mangala, emerged as the most popular in the film.[12] This was to such an extent that, when the film was released dubbed in French in 1954, it was retitled Mangala, fille des Indes (Mangala, the Girl of India) and Nimmi was promoted as the main star of the film in the theatrical posters and trailers for the French language release. One reason for her popularity was the incident with Errol Flynn which made headlines. Nimmi further revealed in a 2013 interview, that at the London premiere of Aan, she received four serious offers from Hollywood, including from Cecil B. DeMille who greatly admired the production design and Mehboob's vision as a director. He was in fact, so impressed by the film, that he personally wrote a letter of commendation to Mehboob Khan praising the film and the performances of Nimmi, Dilip Kumar and Nadira in particular.[7]
Aan was also released in Japan in January 1954, as the first Indian film to ever release in Japan. Aan was accepted by audiences there, and it earned a considerable profit in Japan.[8] In 1995, This Movie was telecast aboard TV Premier on Bangladesh Television on the occasion of a Personal visit of Dilip Kumar & Saira Banu in Bangladesh.
Music
Aan | ||||
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Feature film soundtrack | ||||
Naushad[10] chronology | ||||
|
The film features an acclaimed soundtrack composed by Naushad.[10][2][3]
Hindi/Urdu lyrics were by Shakeel Badayuni[10][2]
No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Maan Mera Ehsan, Arrey Nadaan"[3][10] | Mohammed Rafi[10] | Shakeel Badayuni[10] | 02:48 |
2 | "Dil Mein Chhupake Pyar Ka Toofan Le Chale"[3][10] | Mohammed Rafi | 02:55 | |
3 | "Tujhe Kho Diya Hamne Paane Ke Baad" [3] | Lata Mangeshkar | 03:14 | |
4 | "Aaj Mere Man Mein Sakhi Baansri Bajaaye" [3][10] | Lata Mangeshkar[10] | 03:55 | |
5 | "Mohabbat Choome Jinke Haath"[3][10] | Mohammed Rafi & Shamshad Begum | 03:36 | |
6 | "Gao Tarane Man Ke" | Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum | 04:41 | |
7 | "Takra Gaya Tumse" | Mohammed Rafi | 03:44 | |
8 | "Khelo Raang Hamare Sang" | Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum | 04:18 | |
9 | "Aag Lagi Tan Man Mein" [3] | Shamshad Begum[10] | 03:32 | |
10 | "Mein Raani Hoon Raja Ki" | Shamshad Begum | 03:10 |
The Tamil lyrics were by Kambadasan. Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum rendered the Tamil songs also. However, it appears that the lyricist did not approve of their diction, and so songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar were recorded again with M. S. Rajeswari and songs sung by Shamshad Begum were recorded with Soolamangalam Rajeswari. While the film had the original recordings, the records (Plates) had both versions. So, there are 14 songs recorded on the gramophone records.[10][3]
No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Yetriduvaai Arul Thaan" | S. M. Sarkar | Kambadasan | 02:48 |
2 | "Manadhil Mei Kaadhal" | S. M. Sarkar | 02:55 | |
3 | "Izhandhen Unai Anbe" | Lata Mangeshkar | 03:14 | |
4 | "Izhandhen Unai Anbe" | M. S. Rajeswari | 03:14 | |
5 | "Indru Endhan Nenjil Sakhi" | Lata Mangeshkar | 03:55 | |
6 | "Indru Endhan Nenjil Sakhi" | M. S. Rajeswari | 03:55 | |
7 | "Mohamuththam Tharum" | S. M. Sarkar | 03:36 | |
8 | "Paadu Singara Paadalai" | S. M. Sarkar, Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum | 04:41 | |
9 | "Sandai Moondathuve" | S. M. Sarkar | 03:44 | |
10 | "Nagaru Nagaru Mel Jal Jal" | Lata Mangeshkar & Shamshad Begum | 04:18 | |
11 | "Aah Sududhe En Maname" | Shamshad Begum | 03:32 | |
12 | "Aah Sududhe En Maname" | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | 03:32 | |
13 | Naan Raaniye Rajavin | Shamshad Begum | 03:10 | |
14 | Naan Raaniye Rajavin | Soolamangalam Rajalakshmi | 03:10 |
Reception
Box office
Domestically in India, it was the
It was also an overseas success, earning considerable profit from overseas.
Worldwide, the film grossed ₹3.2731 crore ($6,042,410). Adjusted for inflation, this is equivalent to ₹395 crore ($58 million). It was the
Critical reception
Aan received critical acclaim in the British press at the time. The Times, for example, wrote a positive review of the film, comparing it favourably with Hollywood productions at the time. They stated that "Hollywood has nothing to reach up to handsome Dilip Kumar and seductive Nadira."[9]
Hollywood producer Cecil B. DeMille himself wrote a letter to Mehboob Khan saying, "I believe it is quite possible to make pictures in your great country which will be understood and enjoyed by all nations without sacrificing the culture and customs of India. We look forward to the day when you will be regular contributors to our screen fare with many fine stories bringing the romance and magic of India."[3]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c "Nadira – Interview". Cineplot.com website. 25 November 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f "Aan (1952 film) - a film review". University of Iowa - Indian Cinema website. Archived from the original on 6 January 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Aan (1952 film)". Upperstall.com website. 14 April 2005. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Top Earners 1950-1959 (Figures in Ind Rs)". Box Office India. 19 September 2012. Archived from the original on 19 September 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- ^ ISBN 9780335222124.
- ^ a b "Mehboob's AAN (1952) – Indian Cinema's entry into Europe". 11 January 2017.
- ^ a b "Dilip Kumar ke aashiq hum bhi the". filmfare.com.
- ^ a b c Matsuoka, Tamaki (2008). Asia to Watch, Asia to Present: The Promotion of Asian/Indian Cinema in Japan (PDF). Senri Ethnological Studies, Reitaku University. p. 246. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2011.
- ^ a b c Gaur, Madan (1973). Other Side of the Coin: An Intimate Study of Indian Film Industry. Trimurti Prakashan [distributed through Universal Book Service, Delhi]. p. 160.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Aan (1952 film) - a film review". Dhool.com website. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ^ "Aan (1952)". The Hindu (newspaper). 19 September 2009. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- ^ a b "Rediff.com: News - Rediffmail - Stock Quotes - Shopping". m.rediff.com.
- ^ "Cinema news and updates: latest Bollywood news, Tamil Cinema news, Movie reviews and Movie updates - Cinestaan.com". www.cinestaan.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2016.
- ^ "Box Office India 1952". Box Office India. 22 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 September 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2019.
- ^ a b c "Pacific Exchange Rate Service" (PDF). UBC Sauder School of Business. University of British Columbia. p. 3. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
- hdl:10108/81562. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
External links
- Aan at IMDb
- Aan (1952) on YouTube