50 years of UPKAR-The birth of Mr Bharat
Upkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar.It was released on 1st Jan 1967.The film held the top spot at the box-office in 1967. Manoj Kumar started his Mr. Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism & fearless courage with this film.
It was the Late Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji who praised Manoj Kumar for his earlier film Shaheed and enthused Manoj Kumar to make a film on the Jai Jawaan Jai Kissan slogan.
The film story moves around a widow mother (Played by Kamini Kaushal) having 2 sons Bharat (Manoj Kumar) and Puran (Prem Chopra). While she would like to educate her sons, and ensure that they lead good lives, she cannot do so on her own, and must sacrifice the career of one son so that the second can achieve this goal. For this purpose, Bharat willingly sacrifices his life, toils hard so that Puran can get a decent education, which he does, excels in his studies, and also goes abroad. But Puran on returning back didn't fulfilled the dreams of his mother and brother.He became cruel, self-serving man who now calls himself Kumar (also Prem Chopra), and whose one goal is to usurp and divide the family property, so that he can continue to live a comfortable life.
The story moves further with the 1965 Indo Pak War . Bharat is off to the war; while his selfish brother, with the help of his greedy uncle, Charandas(Madan Puri) and some partners, tries to gain profit by selling drugs and blackmarketering in the market. In the end, Bharat returns as a war hero defeating the demon designs of the enemy and his brother repents as he is caught by the police (by the brother-in-law of Bharat). Hence, he vows to be a good & hardworking brother just like his Indo-Pak war veteran brother Bharat.
The highlight of the film was Pran,who played his first positive character role. Pran has performed the role of the handicapped, carefree and outspoken Malang Chacha so well that you can never forget him after watching this movie. The song - Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa has been picturized on him only.For this role he was given many awards. The film also won several major awards.The music was given by Kalyanji Anandji which was super hit,The song Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle is immortal,other songs like Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa and Deewanon Se Ye Mat Poocho were hit.
This film still appeals and should not be missed by the people interested in watching golden oldies. It has a great repeat value and the first time watcher will definitely like to watch it again.
The movie was super hit of 1967,it earned 3.5 crores that time.