Shri 420

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Shri 420
श्री ४२०
420 شری

Original poster
Directed by Raj Kapoor
Produced by Raj Kapoor
Written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas
V.P. Sathe
Starring Raj Kapoor
Nargis
Nadira
Music by Shankar-Jaikishan
Editing by G.G. Mayekar
Release date(s) September 6, 1955
Running time 168 min
Language Hindi
IMDb profile

Shri 420 (Hindi: श्री ४२०, Urdu: 420 شری, translation: Mr. 420, also transliterated as Shree 420) is a 1955 Bollywood film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor. The film centers on Raj, a poor, but educated orphan who comes to Bombay with dreams of success. Kapoor's character is heavily influenced by Charlie Chaplin's "little tramp", much like Kapoor's character in his 1951 Awaara.

The film is a collaboration between director/producer Kapoor and writer Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, with music composed by the team of Shankar Jaikishan. The song "Mera Joota Hai Japani" ('My shoes are Japanese'), became hugely popular and a patriotic symbol of the newly independent India.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

Shri 420 is the tale of a country boy, Raj (Raj Kapoor), who travels to the big city to earn a living. He falls in love with the poor but virtuous Vidya (Nargis), but is soon seduced by the riches of a freewheeling and unethical lifestyle presented to him by an unscrupulous businessman Seth (Nemo) and the sultry temptress Maya (Nadira). He eventually becomes a swindler, or "420." Ultimately, Raj forsakes his greedy and dishonest ways.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Title and character names

[edit] Music

# Title Singer(s) Time
1 Dil Ka Haal Sune Dilwaala Manna Dey 5:36
2 Eechak Dana Beechak Dana Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar 5:08
3 Mera Juta Hai Japani Mukesh 4:33
4 Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh Asha Bhosle 6:34
5 O Janewale Lata Mangeshkar 2:20
6 Pyaar Huwa Ikraar Huwa Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey 4:22
7 Ramaiya Vasta Vaiya Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar 6:10
8 Sham Gayi Raat Aayi Lata Mangeshkar 4:00

[edit] Trivia

  • The movie also proved to be popular in the Soviet Union. It was also said that Raj Kapoor was as popular as Nehru in Russia due to the success of the film.[citation needed]
  • The words "Ramayya vasthaavayya" in the song by same name are from Telugu, while the rest of the song and the film are in Hindi.
  • The film grossed over Rs.20 million. This record was beaten 2 years later by Mother India in 1957.

[edit] External links