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On This Day

02 May, 2021

Cinemaazi remembers Satyajit Ray on his birth anniversary

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films

Bade Sarkar (1957)

Kishore Sahu

Release Date1957
GenreDrama
FormatB-W
LanguageHindi
Length3585.97 meters
Gauge35 mm
Censor RatingU
Censor Certificate NumberU-21099-MUM
Certificate Date06/08/1957
Shooting LocationFilmistan Studios

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On the breakdown of their car, a newly married couple met Rashmi a pleasant old lady in her house nearby. On enquiries, she told them her story.

It begins twenty years ago; when accompanied by her father, mother, etc. she arrived at Gangapur State. There they were received by Zamindar Mansingh. The Zamindar's eldest son, Pratap, was not present, but his other sons, Summer and Ajay met them.

The people of that state lived in constant fear of a "Black Bandit". The Bandit managed to kidnap Rashmi, who was later released when a handsome ransom was paid. However, the bandit rid Rashmi of her jewellery before releasing her and Rashmi happened to notice a prominent scar on the hand of the bandit.

The robbery enraged Mansingh and he swore vengeance.

During a fair Rashmi met a stranger in a curio shop who had a statue in his possession. In spite of all her entreaties, he refused to sell it any price. Later, however, he sold the same to her at his cost price, which surprised her.

On that very night Rashmi learnt that Pratap had returned home. When met Pratap next morning she discovered that he was none other than the stranger who sold her the statute.

The Zamindar treated his tenants very cruelly. Of late he demanded Rupees Five thousand from them, Pratap promised to fetch the amount to the Zamindar. On the plea of paying the amount to the Black Bandit, who had threatened a jeweller, Pratap managed to obtain the money from the jeweller to be handed over to the Zamindar.

In the meanwhile, Rashmi found herself more and more drawn towards Pratap and one night the spent the time together near a waterfall.

Pratap had been ailing for a considerable time and his Doctor diagnosed his disease as Heart trouble. Pratap came to know that the Doctor had declared that he will not survive for more than twelve months. Then he started ignoring Rashmi to avoid ruining her future.

Next day the Zamindar's house was agog with excitement as they had planned to capture the bandit. Rashmi who had noticed the scar on the bandit's hand found a similar mark on the hand of Pratap, and discovered that Pratap himself was the bandit. Knowing that Pratap might be killed by his own people, he implored him to remain indoors on that day. He refused to listen to her. In the melee that followed the Zamindar's party succeeded in capturing some followers of the bandit including a peasant's son who was next to Pratap, in leading the gang. When his Assistant was caught, the Bandit made his appearance and offered to surrender on condition that his Assistant was released. When it was done, that Black bandit revealed his identity which shocked all.

Pratap's father was furious at the turn of events and ordered his son to leave the house for ever.

The parting was sad and painful and Pratap had a severe heart attack at the very moment. His father relented and forgiving his son, handed over the charge of the Zamindari to Pratap. Rashmi on her part, in spite of Pratap's ill health, took him for her husband.

The flashback story now returns to the old lady. The couple asked her to what happened to PratapJust then the gate opened and an old man returned to the house after a fishing strip. He was none other than Pratap who, confounding his doctor, had survived all these years.

(From the official press booklet)