indian cinema heritage foundation

Pehchan (1970)

  • GenreAction, Drama, Crime
  • FormatColour
  • LanguageHindi
  • Gauge35 mm
  • Censor RatingU
  • Censor Certificate NumberU-60691-MUM
  • Certificate Date30/04/1970
  • Shooting LocationRooptara, Ranjit, Filmalaya, Mehboob, K Asif & Famous Studios
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"PEHCHAN" is the simple story of a simpleton who discovers that life in a big city today is a very complicated affair. It also the heart warming story of a man whose good deeds lit up a story ridden with evil, intrigue and hypocrisy. 

Ganga sets out from his village for the city of Bombay to search for a suitable bride for himself. In the city, he comes across many people who try to take advantage of his innocence. But Ganga sticks to his time-tested principles. He comes across a helpless girl who has been forced into the profession of prostitution. Champa is her name and Ganga buys her freedom from the Madame of the establishment, calls her his sister and offers her a new ray of hope of respectable existence.

Ganga also meets Barkha, a beautiful, modern, educated girl who is engaged to Raju, an unscrupulous young man. One day Raju beats up Baba, a former fire brigade officer who had risked his life and lost his job to save Barkha from being burnt alive when she was still a child. When Barkha comes to know the truth about Raju, she sees things in a new light and develops admiration and affection for Ganga.

Barkha does not know that her own brother was responsible for spoiling the life of Champa and forcing her into the profession of prostitution from which Ganga had rescued her. Now her brother makes a condition for Barkha to be married to Ganga that Champa must return to her life of sin and not cast her shadow upon his sister.

But Ganga is not prepared to let go off his adopted sister so easily. And Barkha, confronted with proof of her brother's villainy, is determined to know the truth and be with Ganga. In a thrilling climax, the simple man from the village, Ganga thwarts the intrigues and villainy of the sophisticated rich people of the city and succeeds in getting both; and wonderful bride and a sweet sister... because his heart was pure and he had always had that love for humanity which alone guarantees ultimate happiness.

"PEHCHAN" illustrates the age old truth that the true identity of a man is recognised not by his clothes nor by his words but by his deeds.

(From the official press booklet)