Hum Ek Hain (1946 film)

Hum Ek Hain
Film poster
Directed byP. L. Santoshi
Written bySaleh Mohammed Qureshi
Tony Lazarus
P. L. Santoshi
StarringDurga Khote
Kamala Kotnis
Dev Anand
Rehana
Rehman
Ranjit Kumari
R. V. Rane
Ram Singh
CinematographySurendra Pai
Music byHusnlal Bhagatram
Production
company
Release date
  • 8 June 1946 (1946-June-08)
Running time
121 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Hum Ek Hain (transl. We are one) is a 1946 Indian Hindi-language film co-written and directed by P. L. Santoshi in his directorial debut. The film stars Durga Khote, along with Kamala Kotnis, Dev Anand, Rehana and Rehman in their cinematic acting debut. It was released on 8 June 1946.

Plot

Zamindari Ma, the old landlady of a village supports its people during a famine and raises three orphaned children of differing religions. The children, although encouraged to practice their separate religions, are taught to remain united at all times. Chhote Babu, who wants to marry Vidya, the girl who is engaged to Zamindari Ma's biological son Shankar, sows discord and hatred, causing great enmity between the trio until reason prevails and they reunite.

Cast

  • Durga Khote as Zamindari Ma[2]
  • Kamla Kotnis as Vidya[2]
  • Dev Anand as Shankar[3]
  • Rehana
  • Rehman as Yusuf[2]
  • Ranjitkumari as Durga[2]
  • Rane.R.V. as John[2]
  • Baby Achrekar
  • Ramsing as Chhote Babu[2]
  • Gokhale
  • Ganpatrao
  • Manajirao
  • Bhagwat
  • Karadkar
  • Baby Sarpotdar
  • Master Sharad Kulkarni
  • Master Afzul Khan
  • Abdul Hamid
  • Master Tazmul Hussain
  • Shaikh Buranuddin
  • Cuckoo as a dancer

Production

Hum Ek Hain, which was produced under Prabhat Film Company,[1] was the directorial debut of P. L. Santoshi,[4] and the acting debut of Dev Anand, Kamala Kotnis, Rehana and Rehman in cinema.[2] Santoshi also worked as writer alongside Saleh Mohammed Qureshi and Tony Lazarus. Cinematography was handled by Surendra Pai.[1] Guru Dutt worked as an assistant director and choreographer.[5]

Themes

Hum Ek Hain focuses on the idea of religious harmony in India,[6][7] particularly Hindu–Muslim unity.[8][9]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by the duo Husnlal Bhagatram, while all songs were written by P. L. Santoshi.[10]

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Nadiya Kinare Mora Gaon Re"Manik Varma3:05
2."Sapnon Mein Aanewale"Zohrabai Ambalewali2:08
3."Meri Aai Hai Teen Bhabhiyan"Amirbai Karnataki, Zohrabai Ambalewali3:25

Release and reception

Hum Ek Hain was released on 8 June 1946.[11] Filmindia, a magazine which was then revered and feared by the Indian film industry, wrote positively about the film: "It has a theme with a purpose [...] that ought to find a response in the hearts of millions in our country." The reviewer also praised Anand's acting skills.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 306.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Gahlot, Deepa (2015). "Hum Ek Hain (1946)". Take-2: 50 Films That Deserve a New Audience. Hay House.
  3. ^ a b Chowdhury 2004, p. 13.
  4. ^ Narwekar, Sanjit (2005). Eena meena deeka: the story of Hindi film comedy. Rupa & Co. p. 161. ISBN 9788129108593. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  5. ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 93.
  6. ^ Ramachandran, Naman. "Obituary | Dev Anand". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Book review: Take 2 – 50 Films That Deserve a New Audience". The Indian Express. Indo-Asian News Service. 19 December 2015. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  8. ^ Rajagopal, Arvind; Rao, Anupama, eds. (2017). Media and Utopia: History, imagination and technology. Routledge. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-138-96264-4. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Dev Anand". The Telegraph. India. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
  10. ^ "Hum Ek Hain". JioSaavn. 31 December 1946. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 23 January 2019.
  11. ^ Chowdhury 2004, p. 11.

Bibliography