Waqt (1965 film)
Waqt (transl. Time) is a 1965 Bollywood drama film, directed by Yash Chopra, and written by Akhtar Mirza and Akhtar-Ul-Iman. It made it onto the BFI’s long list of films in consideration for their top ten of Indian films award.[2] It was produced by B. R. Chopra and starred an ensemble cast including Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Sadhana, Balraj Sahni, Madan Puri, Sharmila Tagore, Achala Sachdev and Rehman. It pioneered the concept of films with multiple stars, starting a trend followed by other films.[3] The film took the top spot at the box office in 1965.[4] The plot of this movie re-introduced the lost and reunite formula in Bollywood, originally featured in the 1943 Ashok Kumar, Mumtaz Shanti starrer Kismet (fate). A happy family separated by Waqt (time) goes through a series of trials trying to reunite. The film was later remade into the Telugu as Bhale Abbayilu (1969) and in Malayalam as Kolilakkam (1981).[5][6]
It is still considered one of the blockbuster movies of actress Sadhana. The film contains the popular Hindi songs “Hum Jab Simat Ke”, sung by Mahendra Kapoor and Asha Bhosle, Waqt se din aur raat, sung by the legendary Mohammed Rafi, Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu, sung by Asha Bhosle and Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen, sung by Manna Dey, composed by Ravi and picturised on Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev.
Lala Kedarnath Prasanta (Balraj Sahni) has three sons whose birthdays are on the same day. On the occasion of their birthday celebration, they are visited by a well-known astrologer, who advises Lala Kedarnath not to be proud for his past achievements and to not be too optimistic about the future as fate (kismat) plays a key role in life. Lala Kedarnath ignores the prediction and is busy making plans for an even wealthier future. Later that night, as he is proclaiming his grand plans for the future to his wife, Laxmi (Achala Sachdev), there is a sudden earthquake and the whole town crumbles. When Lala Kedarnath regains consciousness, his house has been destroyed and his family is gone.
The oldest son, Raju, ends up in an orphanage, while middle son, Ravi, is found on the road by a rich couple who take him to their home to raise him as their own son. The youngest son, Vijay, who is still an infant, is with his mother. Unable to find the rest of the family, Laxmi and Vijay live in poverty.
