Ankhen (1968 film) explained

Ankhen
Director:Ramanand Sagar
Producer:Ramanand Sagar
Starring:Mala Sinha
Dharmendra
Mehmood
Kumkum
Sujit Kumar
Cinematography:G. Singh
Editing:Lachhmandass
Music:Ravi
Distributor:Sagar Art International
Runtime:174 minutes
Country:India
Language:Hindi

Ankhen (The Eyes) is a 1968 Hindi spy thriller produced and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The film stars Mala Sinha, Dharmendra, Mehmood, Lalita Pawar, Jeevan and Madan Puri.[1] [2]

It was estimated to be the most profitable Indian film of 1968 in India.[3] [4]

Plot

Shortly after independence, India faces terrorists attacks in Assam, resulting in many deaths and casualties. A group of concerned citizens, who are not connected with the government, decide to do something to stop this carnage. While Salim is already at work in Beirut, his cover is blown, and he is shot dead. Now Sunil Mehra (Dharmendra) must travel to Beirut and take over. Once there, he meets a former flame, Meenakshi Mehta, and a female admirer by the name of Zenab.

The terrorists are headed by a man named Syed, who deputes one of his assistants, Madame, to spy on Sunil's dad, Diwan Chand Mehra, by posing as Mehra's daughter's aunt, forcing her to obey by abducting her son, Babloo, and holding him captive. Soon Syed and his associates, including Doctor X and Captain, find out all secrets of Mehra, as a result of which Sunil is trapped and held by Syed. Then Diwan's world is shattered when Meenakshi telephonically informs him that Sunil has been killed. The question remains what will happen to Babloo, Diwan, and the rest of the concerned citizens, especially when they have become vulnerable due to Madame's presence in their very household.

Cast

Songs

The music is by Ravi and the lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

Awards

AwardsCategory NomineeResult
16th Filmfare AwardsBest FilmRamanand Sagar
Best Director
Best Storyrowspan="4"
Best Music DirectorRavi
Best LyricistSahir Ludhyanvi
Best Female Playback SingerLata Mangeshkar
Best Cinematography
(colour)
G. Singh
[7]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Upadhyay . Amit . 16 September 2018 . Ankhen, India’s first big spy film had a Doctor, Madam, Captain, and of course, Lily . . 17 July 2024 . 17 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110105/https://theprint.in/feature/reel-take/ankhen-indias-first-big-spy-film-had-a-doctor-madam-captain-and-of-course-lily/119002/ . live .
  2. News: Saxena . Poonam . 9 December 2023 . Code name - Blockbuster: Poonam Saxena on Bollywood’s infatuation with the spy . . New Delhi . 17 July 2024 . subscription . 17 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110106/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/code-name-blockbuster-poonam-saxena-on-bollywood-s-infatuation-with-the-spy-101702140749975.html . live .
  3. Web site: Top Earners 1960-1969. Boxofficeindia.com. 18 October 2009 . 18 January 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080118030710/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=123&catName=MTk2MC0xOTY5 . dead .
  4. News: . 9 August 2023 . Ankhen To Kanyadaan, 5 Highest Grossing Films Of 1968 . . 17 July 2024 . 11 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230811133305/https://www.news18.com/movies/ankhen-to-kanyadaan-5-highest-grossing-films-of-1968-8529501.html . live .
  5. News: Sharma . Sampada . 28 January 2023 . Decades before Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan vowed to save Bharat Mata, Dharmendra played the fan-favourite spy in Ankhen . . New Delhi . 17 July 2024 . subscription . 19 August 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230819184508/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/decades-before-shah-rukh-khan-pathaan-bharat-mata-dharmendra-filmy-spy-ankhen-8407660/ . live .
  6. News: Gupta . Arun . 10 January 2021 . Cocktail of Mao and Hitler — how 1968’s Ankhen defined Bollywood villains . ThePrint . 17 July 2024 . 17 July 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110109/https://theprint.in/pageturner/excerpt/cocktail-of-mao-and-hitler-how-1968s-ankhen-defined-bollywood-villains/581361/ . live .
  7. Web site: Filmfare Nominees and Winners. Deep750.googlepages.com. 19 December 2021. 12 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090612065210/http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf. dead.