Aag Ka Darya (film) explained

Native Name:
Director:Humayun Mirza
Story:Riaz Shahid
Screenplay:Riaz Shahid
Producer:Amanullah Khan
Starring:
Cinematography:Raza Mir
Music:
  • Abdul Latif
  • Ghulam Nabi
Studio:Films D. Orient
Country:Pakistan
Language:Urdu

is a 1966 Pakistani black and white film, directed by Humayun Mirza. The dialogues and story writer was Riaz Shahid, with cinematography by Raza Mir. It stars Shamim Ara and Mohammed Ali in leading roles. An unofficial remake of the 1963 Hindi film Mujhe Jeene Do, it revolves around a bandit and a dancing girl. The film features songs and milli naghmay by Noor Jehan, Naseem Begum, Mala Begum, Irene Parveen, Saleem Raza, Ahmad Rushdi and Masood Rana. is one of the few films for which the poetry is done by the renowned Urdu poet, Josh Malihabadi.[1] Theatrically released on 24 January 1966, the film was a commercially successful film of the year, it was released. The film received praise due to its cinematography but was criticised for copied the plot, and is known for its Nigar Award-winning music and national songs.[2] It became a landmark in Ali's career, establishing him as one of the leading actors of the Pakistani cinema.[3] [4]

At annual Nigar Awards, it won in 4 categories, including best actor for Ali, best lyricist for Malihabadi and best cinematographer for Mir.

Plot

The plot revolves around a bandit and a dancer girl who falls for each other, and yells at the same due to other's deeds. The legal authorities tries to catch the bandit but he manages to escape every time. After the brith of her son, the girl wants a safe and sound future for the son while on the other hand, the bandit also wants to give up his this life for which she helps him.

Cast

Release and reception

was released on 24 January 1966. The film celebrated its Silver jubilee in the Karachi circuit.

In November 2017, it was screened at the Lok Virsa Museum to showcase the historical film records.[2]

Critical reception

In his book "Pakistan Cinema, 1947–1997", film critic Mushtaq Gazdar praised the cinematography for the depiction of rural and urban Sindh, despite its resemblance with Bollywood flicks Gunga Jumna and Mujhe Jeene Do.[5]

Awards

width=5% YearAwardCategoryAwardeeResultwidth=5% class="unsortable"
1966Nigar AwardsBest ActorMuhammad Ali[6] [7]
Best LyricistJosh Malihabadi
Best CinematographerRaza Mir
Best Playback female singerNoor Jehan

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ‘Pearls Raining From The Air’: Songs Josh Malihabadi Wrote. 16 February 2023. Outlook India . https://web.archive.org/web/20220909064840/https://www.outlookindia.com/culture-society/-pearls-raining-from-the-air-songs-josh-malihabadi-wrote-news-183624/ . 9 September 2022.
  2. Web site: ‘Aag Ka Darya’ screened at Lok Virsa. 6 November 2017. The News International (newspaper). Aijaz Gul. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330104901/https://www.thenews.com.pk/amp/242169-Aag-Ka-Darya-screened-at-Lok-Virsa . 2018-03-30 . live.
  3. Web site: . Dawn News . 19 March 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230216153916/https://www.dawnnews.tv/news/1054198 . 2023-02-16 . live.
  4. Web site: Mohammad Ali: Remembering the legend of Pakistani films on his 12th death anniversary . 19 March 2018 . Daily Times . https://web.archive.org/web/20200813002827/https://dailytimes.com.pk/216908/mohammad-ali-remembering-the-legend-of-pakistani-films-on-his-12th-death-anniversary/ . 2020-08-13 . live.
  5. Book: Gazdar, Mushtaq . Mushtaq Gazdar . 1997 . Pakistan Cinema, 1947-1997 . Oxford University Press . 96 . 0-19-577817-0 .
  6. Web site: The Nigar Awards 1957 - 1971. The Hot Spot. https://web.archive.org/web/20080803194443/http://www.thehotspotonline.com/moviespot/bolly/Lollywood/NigarAwards.htm. 3 August 2008.
  7. Web site: Pakistan’s "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards. The Hot Spot Film Reviews website. https://web.archive.org/web/20200613171619/https://www.desimoviesreviews.com/index.php/2017/11/24/pakistans-oscars-nigar-awards/. 13 June 2020. 16 February 2023.