Today’s cabaret video song is from the film ‘Jailor’ (1958).
The film from the stable of Minerva Movietone was a remake of its own film ‘Jailor’ made in 1938 with Sohrab Modi, Leela Chitnis, Sadiq Ali etc. The story, dialogues and song lyrics were by 2 persons – Kamaal Amrohi and Amir Hyder. The screenplay was by JK Nanda and music by Meer Sahib. The film was about a good person turning into a cruel and bad person due to personal troubles and again turning into a philanthropic good man, due to change of heart and regrets.
The story has shades of a famous novel ‘Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde’, written by Robert L Stevenson in 1886. It was made into a silent film in 1920 and then talkie films were made in 1931, 1941 and 2006 in Hollywood. It seems the 1931 film was the inspiration for the original film ‘Jailor’ of 1938. However, it is difficult to understand why Sohrab Modi decided to make a remake of this film in 1958.
In the interval of 1938 and 1958, Sohrab Modi’s image had been formed as an expert in historical films and for his unique style of delivering long Urdu mixed Hindi dialogues in his sonorous solid voice. Films like ‘Pukar’ (1939), ‘Sikandar’ (1941), ‘Prithvi Vallabh’ (1943), ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ (1952), ‘Rajhath’ (1956), ‘Nausherwan e Adil’ (1957) and ‘Yahudi’ (1958) (released before ‘Jailor’ (1958)) had confirmed his image in the minds of Indian audience in this way. For them to accept Modi as an emotional pervert was simply not possible.
It was a mystery why Modi chose such a film for a remake which would be a mismatch to his current image. The audience neither accepted the film nor Modi in the role of a cruel and bad man and the film was a failure at the Box office. Modi must have remembered his early debacle film ‘Atma Tarang’ (1937) which was made without caring for what the audience wanted ! A film made to satiate self satisfaction not caring for the audience faces this result undoubtedly ! And Modi had a choice of many hit films like ‘Pukar’ (1939) or ‘Sikandar’ (1941) etc.
Making remakes of earlier Hit and successful films was a trend not only for the South made films, but even many Hindi films were remade again in Hindi. Here are a few examples….
The most famous remake is ‘Aurat’ (1940), remade as ‘Mother India’ in 1957 by Mehboob Khan. Actor Kanhaiyalal did the same role of Sukhi Lala in both films.
‘Miss Mala’ of 1941 was remade as ‘Amar’ in 1954. Naushad was the MD for both versions. Actor Jayant played the same role in both films.
Film ‘Pugree’ of 1948 was remade as ‘Dil Daulat Duniya’ in 1972. Comedian Dikshit had played the role of Ramu Chacha in ‘Pugree’ accompanied with a small dog – Chikoo. This role was played by Om Prakash in ‘Dil Daulat Duniya’ with a small dog Pickoo.
Film ‘Grihasthi’ of 1948 was remade as ‘Ghar Basake Dekho’ in 1963.
Film ‘Malkin’ of 1953 was remade as ‘Biradari’ in 1966.
Film ‘Panghat’ of 1943 was remade as ‘Chitchor’ in 1976.
These are just a few examples but there are hundreds of films remade in different languages from other languages. The most were in Hindi from Southern languages. Why are remakes done? Why are film stories copied? There are many reasons. Most importantly, for a remake, a ready-made story, screenplay, dialogues and even the songs are available. Secondly, since the original is a hit film, success of the remake is expectedly almost certain and thirdly, the shootings can be done in a short period, thereby saving money.
There is one more reason. Read the following. . .
In 2004, a book called ‘Why We Tell Stories’, written by Christopher Booker was published. It is a book having more than 700 pages-728 pages to be exact. The book says
“There are only 7 (Seven) basic plots in the whole world. They are recycled again and again in novels, movies, plays and operas. These are
- Overcoming the Monster
- Rags to riches
- The quest
- Voyage and return
- Rebirth
- Comedy, and
- Tragedy “.
After this book was published, there was chaos and criticism started. ‘New York Times’ also jumped in. The author coolly replied to all points and stuck to his statements. If we look at Hindi films, I personally feel that what the author has said is true in our case. Only thing is that our film stories are always a clever mixture of all or some of the above points.
Now let us see the story of the film ‘Jailor’ (same in both the 1938 and 1958 film). . .
Dilip (Sohrab Modi) is a good natured kind hearted jailor. He has a good looking wife Kanwal (Kamini Kaushal) and a doting girl child – Bali (Daisy Irani). Kanwal likes to enjoy modern life , like attending clubs etc, which Dilip does not like. Kanwal does not like her husband. She contacts her ex-lover Dr. Ramesh (Abhi Bhattacharya) and they both elope. She is not worried about her child either. This shock changes the life of Dilip and he becomes cruel, hot tempered and a nasty person, as if to avenge the world for what happened to him.
Kanwal and her lover meet with an accident. Ramesh loses his sight and Kanwal’s face is badly injured. When Dilip learns about her accident, he brings a repentant Kanwal back home. However he locks her in a room and tortures her, taunts her and tries to take revenge. She is not allowed to meet her daughter, who is told that her mother has died. Once the daughter Bali falls sick, but Dilip does not allow Kanwal to tend her daughter also. Frustrated and sad Kanwal commits suicide. Due to illness the daughter also dies.
This is another shock for Dilip, but it changes him to his old good nature. He becomes more kind, loving and helpful to others. One of his ex-convicts Prem (Rajkumar Khatri) kills the village rowdy when he tries to trouble his blind sister Chhaya (Geeta Bali). In the jail, Prem requests Dilip to look after his sister. Dilip meets and helps her. He starts loving Chhaya. Unknown to him, Dr. Ramesh, now blind, comes to the same temple in which Chhaaya lives. They get to know each other and develop love.
When Dilip comes to know about their love, he spends his savings and helps both blind people to get operated upon. They regain sight. Dilip ensures that they are united.
Rajkumar Khatri who had been famous for his roles in dharmik films so far did a role of a murderer, contrary to his background. This too did not go too well with the audience.
Here is the song video. Sung by Asha Bhosle and lip synced by dancer Lilian on screen.
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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