33 years: Four films released with similar storylines
Over the course of 33 years, Bollywood released four family dramas with similar storylines – Meherbaan, Avtaar, Swarg, and Baghban. Notwithstanding released years apart, each film touched audiences so profoundly that many left the cinema teary-eyed. All four were box office successes, with one turning out to be a certified blockbuster.
Bewilderingly, these emotional stories trace their origins back to a single source: the 1953 Bengali novel Jog Biyog by renowned author Ashapurna Devi. The title translates to ‘Addition and Subtraction’, and the novel was first published by the Calcutta Book Club.
*1967: Meherbaan
adapts story from page to screen:- The moving plot of Jog Biyog inspired several adaptations across Indian cinema. A Bengali film was made under the same title, directed by Pinaki Bhushan Mukherjee, followed by a Tamil adaptation by A. Bhim Singh in 1960 and a Telugu version in 1962. In 1967, Bhim Singh brought the story to Hindi audiences with Meherbaan.
Released on April 21, 1967, Meherbaan starred Ashok Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Mehmood, Shashikala, and Nutan.
Ashok Kumar played Shanti Swarup, a wealthy businessman who faces financial ruin after a stock market crash. His downfall exposes the harsh reality when the society, and even his own sons, abandon him. One of the film’s most memorable lines came from Shanti Swarup: he had heard that children are tied to their parents by blood, but today he sees they’re tied to their wealth. His character dies of a heart attack, and Sunil Dutt, playing his loyal nephew, remains by his side until the end.
*Avtaar- the 1983 released film was Rajesh Rajesh Khanna comeback film.
Inspired by the same story, director-producer Mohan Kumar released Avtaar in 1983, featuring Rajesh Khanna and Shabana Azmi. The screenplay was adapted by Mohan Kumar, with dialogues by Mushtaq Jalili, lyrics by Anand Bakshi, and music by the legendary Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
The film’s devotional track Chalo Bulawa Aaya Hai, Mata Ne Bulaya Hai, emerged incredibly popular. Portions were filmed at Vaishno Devi over four days. Initially titled Radha, the name was changed to Avtaar to align with Rajesh Khanna’s character, Avtaar Kishan. This film arrived when Rajesh Khanna’s stardom was fading, and it revived his career in a big way. Avtaar went on to inspire remakes in multiple languages and set the tone for many family dramas in the 1980s.
*Swarg released on May 18, 1990 was inspired by Meherbaan and once again tugged at audience’s heartstrings.The David Dhawan directorial with a screenplay by Anees Bazmee, featured Rajesh Khanna, Govinda, Juhi Chawla, Paresh Rawal, and Mandakini.
The Anand-Milind, featured emotional songs like Aye Mere Dost Laut Ke Aaja… and the famous Filmon Ke Saare Hero, Mere Aage Zero…, reportedly dedicated to Raj Kapoor. Produced by Nandu G. Tolani, Swarg was another emotional hit. The scenes between Govinda and Rajesh Khanna left audiences teary-eyed, cementing its place as a classic family drama.
*Baghban, the Ravi Chopra’s directorial featured Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini. It was a commercially successful version of a timeless story released in 2003. Though it opened to empty cinemas, strong word of mouth turned it into a box office. It also featured Salman Khan and Mahima Chaudhry. The film drew inspiration from both Meherbaan and
Swarg. According to Ravi Chopra’s wife Renu Chopra, Salman Khan agreed to the film instantly, saying he related to the role because of the respect he holds for his own parents.
With a budget of Rs 10 crore, Baghban earned over Rs 43 crore worldwide, becoming one of the year’s biggest successes and a staple in emotional family drama.
News Edit KV Raman
