Prem Nagar (1974 film)

Prem Nagar
Film poster
Directed by	K.S. Prakash Rao
Produced by	D. Rama Naidu
Written by	Inder Raj Anand Koduri Kausalya Devi K.S. Prakash Rao Raj Baldev Raj
Starring	Rajesh Khanna Hema Malini Prem Chopra Asrani Nazir Hussain Prithviraj Babloo
Music by	Sachin Dev Burman
Cinematography	A. Vincent
Edited by	K.A. Marthand J. Narasimha Rao
Production company	Suresh Productions Vauhini Studios Vijaya Studios
Distributed by	Vijay and Suresh Combines Video Sound
Release date	24 May 1974 (1974-05-24)
Running time	158 minutes
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Prem Nagar or Premnagar (City of Love) is a 1974 Hindi drama film, produced by D. Ramanaidu, directed by K.S. Prakash Rao, and starring Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Aruna Irani, Ashok Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Prem Chopra, Asrani and Jagdeep. Actor David was in negative role in the film plotting how to fool the prince Karan by robbing off his wealth and transfer to his brother. The music is by Sachin Dev Burman. Box Office India declared the film a Super hit.^[1]

The producer D. Ramanaidu made the same film in three languages. The Tamil remake was Vasantha Maligai released in 1972 and in Telugu (the original) was made as Prem Nagar released in 1971. In Tamil the pair was played by Sivaji Ganesan and Vanisri and in Telugu Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Vanisree as well. It ran for nearly 750 days in the theatres. Though the movie is remake of original Telugu version, some few scenes which were not in Telugu but in Tamil version was remade in Hindi also.

The Hindu newspaper in its review of the film in 2015 quoted "Khanna is a perfect choice for the role, the drunkard scion of a royal family, blessed with a heart of gold.Technically the film scores highly on all spheres.Editing by K.A. Marthand and J. Narasimha Rao is slick and keeps the story moving at a steady pace, with no room for slackness."^[2]The Hansindia site noted that Khanna had never shied away from portraying roles that were slightly off the regular path and ‘Prem Nagar’ featured him as a decadent prince, Karan, who happily idles away his life as playboy. During the premier of the film, after watching the film Raj Kapoor kissed Khanna’s hands and complimented him for the way he used them like swords in the climax. ‘Prem Nagar’ was considered special by Khanna himself, as it featured his favourite song, “Yeh laal rang” sung by his ‘voice’ Kishore Kumar.^[3]

Plot

Karan Singh lives a wealthy lifestyle in a palace along with his widowed mother, an elder brother, Shamsher, his wife and daughter. His mother, Rani Maa, spending most of her time playing cards, left his upbringing to his nanny. As a result, Karan ended up believing her to be his real mother. Now grown up and turned into a womanizer and an alcoholic, he comes to the rescue of a former air hostess, Lata, who is being molested by her boss. Subsequently he hires her as his secretary and allows her family to move into one of his cottages. Progressively, Lata attempts to change his bad habits. She initially meets with opposition, but eventually succeeds and they fall in love. Karan even builds a palace and names it "Prem Nagar" ("city of love"). However, one day their romance is shattered when Lata is accused of interfering in palace affairs and stealing a valuable necklace. Consequently, a much humiliated Lata and her family move out. Later on, Karan finds out the truth about Lata's innocence but it is already too late, and Lata will never return to him due to his initial distrust. Consequently, Karan's health worsens as he struggles with his addiction.

Soundtrack

Awards and nominations

• Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award — A. Vincent
• Filmfare Nomination for Best Actor — Rajesh Khanna
• Filmfare Nomination for Best Actress — Hema Malini
• Filmfare Nomination for Best Music — Sachin Dev Burman^[4]

References

External links

• Prem Nagar on IMDb