Phir badhee wo raaj dulaaree
Posted on: April 12, 2026
This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a contributor to this blog. This article is meant to be posted in atulsongaday.me. If this article appears in other sites without the knowledge and consent of the web administrator of atulsongaday.me, then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
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Today’s song is from a less known historical film – Pahela Admi-1950.
The film was made by New theatres, Calcutta. It was directed by Bimal Roy. This was his last film as a Director of a New Theatre film. After this film, he came to Bombay and settled here. His first film in Bombay as a director was a film by Bombay Talkies- Maa-1952. Both New Theatres and Bombay Talkies were on the anvil of closure when Bimal Roy directed their films. The Music Director for today’s film was R.C.Boral. The cast of the film consisted of Smriti Biswas, Balraj Vij, Pahadi Sanyal, Zahar Roy, Heeralal Asit Sen, Bela Bose and many others. The 11 songs of this film were written by Prakash, Shyamal Gupta, Anant Krishnan and Deshraj. This film was based on an actual event of the Indian National Army, headed by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
India became an independent nation on 15th August, 1947. It saw the end of about 100 years of protest, riots, mutinies and revolutionary attacks on the British Raj, who had ruled us for so many years – 190 years, to be exact. That is after Robert Clive won the battle of Plassey in 1757. Besides political upheaval, independence had a different impact on different people in India.
Firstly, those millions of freedom fighters who were busy 24 x 7, shouting, protesting and marching against the British, suddenly had no work to do. They faced a big void in their life. Those students who had left their education halfway to join the freedom struggle found that they were nowhere now. No education, no jobs and no activity. This led to finding ways of making quick money – like black marketing, political exploitation of the society to make quick bucks, illegal activities etc.
Secondly, the writers and authors who were suppressed and prohibited from writing anti-British articles or even patriotic songs and dramas, found that they now could do so, but there were no takers. The relevance of such writings was lost because India was independent now.
Thirdly, the film makers, who could not express their patriotic urges through films were now free to make such films. There was no need to be symbolic now. Direct expressions were now allowed without restraint.
Even in patriotism or the independence struggle, there were two divisions. One, which followed the footsteps and teaching of Ahimsa by Mahatma Gandhi and two was the revolutionary explosive type who believed in bloodshed, punishment and overthrowing the rulers by weapons. For making a film the Gandhi ji’s way was too mild, without any drama, suspense or heroism. So it was the revolutionary way to the independence struggle which was opted by filmmakers. There were many films about freedom struggle – Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, but very few on Gandhi ji’s teachings like ‘The Last Message’, ‘Ahimsa Path’ (both 1949) and some docu-films.
On the other hand, some films were made about the freedom struggle of revolutionaries like, ‘Azaadi Ki Raah Par’, ‘Desh Seva’, ‘Hua Savera’, ‘Refugee’, ‘Shaheed’, ‘Soldier’s Dream’ (all in 1948); ‘Apna Desh’, ‘Matrubhoomi’ (both in 1949); ‘Hindustan Hamara’, ‘Kashmir Hamara Hai’, ‘Pehla Aadmi’, ‘Samadhi’, (all in 1950); ‘Andolan’ (1951), ‘Anand Matth’ (1952) etc. As the euphoria diminished, such patriotic films too were made infrequently.
A cursory look at the Film Index book for 1931 to 2012, I found some names of films which were made on Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Film ‘Samadhi’ (1950), like today’s film, had a background of I.N.A. or Azad Hind Fauz.
Netaji Subhash-1947
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose-1966
Subhash Chandra Bose-1978 and
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose – The forgotten Hero-2004.
While surfing on the Internet for more information, I found an article in The Economic Times dated 23-1-2023, which listed the names of 5 films that brought Netaji to life on screen….
1. ‘Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose- The Forgotten Hero’ (2004), written and directed by Shyam Benegal. The main actor was Sachin Khedekar.
2. ‘Bose – Dead/Alive’ (2017). This was based on the novel ‘India’s Biggest Cover Up or Netaji Rahasya Gatha’ by Anuj Dhar. The main actor was A. Raj kumar Rao. This was a Web Series.
3. ‘Gumnami’ (2019). This was based on Mukherjee Commission hearings and the book ‘Counundrum’ by Anuj Dhar. Movie focuses on Bose’s retreat into anonymity post the plane crash and forging a career as a sadhu. He became known as The Gumnami Baba, an ascetic in Uttar Pradesh. The film starred Anirban Bhattacharya.
4. ‘Subhash Chandra’ (Bengali) (1966), directed by Piyush Bose. Shows his early years life, from a student to a fighter, childhood and his ICS exam etc.
5. ‘Ami Subhash Bolchi’ (2011). Directed by Mahesh Manjrekar. Hero Mithun Chakraborti. This film is about the spirit of Netaji which motivates Deb Brata Bose to boost up his self confidence.
The life and times of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose has always fascinated every Indian. Despite the step motherly treatment and a total neglect many times by the Congress Party, Netaji occupies the number one position as a revolutionary, who had a clear goal, organisational skill, leadership qualities and a well cut out plan to achieve independence. But for the support of Congress leaders of the times, he sure would have achieved his target. Most Indians believe this even today. So, no wonder film makers made films on Netaji in every Indian language.
Calcutta’s New Theatres too did not lag behind and they made a film on the life and times of Netaji. The title of this film ‘Pehla Aadmi’ is very intriguing. To know the background of how this title was selected, let us go back a little and peep into history which few Indians know.
Following the outbreak of World War II, Japan invaded Southeast Asia. At that time 70,000 troops were stationed in the region, most of them along the Malayan coast. Japan conducted a lightning campaign which culminated in the fall of the Malayan peninsula and Singapore in 1942. In the Singapore campaign alone, 45,000 Indian prisoners of war were captured. It was from these prisoners of war that the Japanese decided to create an auxiliary army which would fight against the British.
The first INA was formed under Mohan Singh, a former officer of the British Indian Army captured during the Malay campaign. Conditions in the prisoner-of-war camps, as well as resentment against the British in general, saw many prisoners of war volunteer to join the Indian National Army. The initiative received considerable support from the Imperial Japanese Army and from the ethnic Indian population of Southeast Asia. However, disagreements between Mohan Singh and the Japanese Army Command regarding the autonomy of the Indian National Army led to the disbandment of the first INA in December 1942.
Although Mohan Singh had angered the Japanese Army Command through his actions, they relented to form a second Indian National Army. Mohan Singh himself recommended Subash Chandra Bose for the leadership role. His reputation as a committed nationalist was known to both the Indian diaspora of Southeast Asia and the Imperial Japanese Army. As such, they were more open to the idea of a nationalist army led by Subash Chandra Bose. The activities of Subash Chandra Bose in India had forced the British authorities to imprison him, but he escaped and reached Berlin in 1941.
Although the German leadership were sympathetic to his cause, logistic problems prevented them from granting any support to his quest for raising an army to fight the British. However, the Japanese were ready to support him and upon their personal invitation, Subash Chandra Bose arrived in Singapore in July 1943 to take command of what would be known as the Second Indian National Army, now known by its alternative name, the Azad Hind Fauj.
Rash Behari Bose had founded the Indian Independence League in March 1942. During the Second World War, Bose convinced the Japanese authorities to support the Indian independence movement. He was instrumental in raising support for the Indian freedom movement abroad. In the League’s second conference in June 1942, it was decided to invite and appoint Subhash Chandra Bose as the President of the League. The Indian National Army (INA), built by Subhash Chandra Bose on the broad framework given by Rash Behari Bose, was the military arm of the League.
After Subhash Chandra Bose took command of the Azad Hind Fauj, there was a swell of volunteers looking to join the INA. Although Subash Chandra Bose agreed for the INA to remain subordinate to the Japanese Army, he saw it as a necessary sacrifice towards the fulfillment of the ultimate goal of freeing India from the British Empire. The Azad Hind Fauj participated in Operation U-Go, the 1944 Japanese campaign towards British India. Although the INA saw initial success during the early phases of the operation, they were forced to withdraw during the Battle of Imphal and the Battle of Kohima (Fought on April 4th, 1944) which saw a disastrous defeat for the Japanese Army at the hands of the British.
The INA lost a substantial number of men and materiel in this retreat. A number of units were disbanded or used to feed into new divisions of the now-declining Japanese Army. Following the Japanese defeat in World War 2, most of the members of the INA were captured by the British. Subhash Chandra Bose himself eluded capture and was reported to have died in a plane crash near Taiwan in September 1945. (adapted from notes by Karthik of Byju’s study PDF, with thanks).
Moirang in Manipur was the headquarters of INA. Colonel Shaukat Malik hoisted the Tricolour for the first time on Indian soil on 19 March 1944, in Moirang with the help of Manipuris like Shri Mairembam Koireng Singh and others who were members of the INA. It is on this historical episode that Bimal Roy made the film ‘Pehla Aadmi’ in 1950.
The story of the film was…..
Vijay Kumar and Chaudhari are thick friends, living in Rangoon, Burma. They have a son Kumar and daughter Lata. The children fall in love when young, and decide to get married, with elders’ consent. The year is 1943. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose arrives in Singapore and tours Far Eastern areas. He invites the youngsters to join his INA to serve the motherland.
Kumar decides to join INA and promises Lata that they will get married after the war is over. Before going, Kumar’s father gives him a sword to use in the war. Kumar, after his training is over, is sent to the war front. During a battle, his leader is shot. Before dying he gives the Indian flag to Kumar and asks him to hoist it after victory.
The battle is won by Kumar’s unit and Kumar proudly unfurls the Indian Flag for the first time on a liberated Indian town. He becomes the ‘Pehla Aadmi’ to do so. Unfortunately, after hoisting the flag Kumar is shot dead. His body is brought to Rangoon for last rites. Lata is weeping. Kumar’s colleague in the war tells Lata to fulfill Kumar’s job in liberating the country. Lata too joins INA.
One of the actors in this film was Asit Sen, a longtime assistant to Bimal Roy and one who worked with New Theatres, Calcutta. He was one of the pair of ‘Same Name Confusion’ artists. This was an actor but the other Asit Sen was a Director throughout. To complicate the issue, this actor Asit Sen had also directed 2 films !
In the midst of all the Hit films of 1957, Bimal Roy’s “Apradhi Kaun ” gave a tough fight. It was neither a musical,nor a meaningful film nor a comedy film. It was a Murder mystery film. The film was produced by Bimal Roy and directed by Asit Sen,his faithful assistant of 10 years. Asit Sen is a case of ‘Same name confusions”. This Asit Sen became a popular comedy actor later in his career. There was another Asit Sen, who was only a Director throughout.
The roly poly, slow speaking, heavily built comedian would have actually been an A-class Director, but for his laziness. Born in Gorakhpur-UP in 1917, his Photographer father put him in New Theatres Camera Department. Doing small bit roles, he slowly became an assistant to Bimal Roy and shifted to Bombay in 1950. He was the production executive for Do Bigha Zameen(1953) as well as the asst. director for Parineeta(1953) and Biraj Bahu(1954). He directed two films- Pariwar(1956) and Apradhi Kaun(1957). Though his work was appreciated, perhaps due to his heavy body, he preferred to work as an actor rather than a director. Unfortunately, these two well directed films of roly poly Asit Sen are mistakenly often credited to the other Asit Sen.
After doing small roles in Bimal Roy’s films like Sujata, Parakh, Anuradha, Memdidi and Kabuliwala, he did his first comic roles in Junglee(1961) and Sautela Bhai(1962). It was here that he perfected his slow delivery style.
He worked in almost 450 films in all languages. I like his comedy role in the unforgettable film ” Anand”-72. He also tried doing serious roles, like in Chetana, Zaroorat, Aradhana, but he was rejected. The audience wanted him as a comedian only.
He succumbed to a heart attack on 18-9-1993.
Here is a song from the film Pahela Admi-1950, sung by Sandhya Mukherjee and A.R.Oza. Enjoy….
Song- Phir badhee vo Raaj dulaaree (Pahla Aadmi)(1950) Singers- Sandhya Mukherjee,A.R.Oza, Lyricist- Prakash, MD- R C Boral
Lyrics
Phir badhee vo Raaj dulaaree
phir badhee vo Raaj dulaaree
aayee le hathhiyaar jab
aayee le hathhiyaar jab
paas mein preetam ke apne
saunp dee talwaar jab
daud kar laayee kaheen se
aartee kee thhaal bhee ee
daal kar maala waheen teeka lagaane ko chalee
tab kunwar ne
ae ae
tab kunwar ne munh phiraaya
ye usey bhaaya naheen
haathh uske ruk gaye ae ae
haathh uske ruk gaye
par kuchh samajh aaya naheen
kuchh samajh aaya naheen
soch kar usne kanwar se
phir kataaree khench lee
ae
cheer kar unglee lahoo
maathhe pe uskey chaanp dee ee ee ee
hans pade donon ??
hans pade donon ??
?? apna hua
poornima ka chaand bhee
aakaash pe hansa raha
haaye hansa raha
poornima ka chaand bhee
aakaash pe hansa raha
haaye hansa raha
haaye hansa raha
haaye hansa raha
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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