indian cinema heritage foundation

Abe Hayat (1955)

  • Release Date1955
  • GenreAction, Adventure, Fantasy
  • FormatB-W
  • LanguageHindi
  • Run Time140 mins
  • Length4160.82 meters
  • Number of Reels16 reels
  • Gauge35 mm
  • Censor RatingU
  • Censor Certificate NumberU-14777-MUM
  • Certificate Date03/12/1955
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Jalal, a happy-go-lucky dashing young man is the son of the State Vazir in the Kingdom of Halam. He is popularly known as the King of beggars as he helps the poor from being oppressed by the rich.

The King of Halam who owes 80 lacs of Dinars to the King of Ajam, sends his Vazir to Prince Akil of Ajam, who is camping in Halam, to get some time for the payment. Akil gives one week's time.

Princess Sherzad, daughter of the King of Halam, often goes about incognito to understand the grievances of the common man. When she is on one of her study tours she meets Jalal and falls in love with him.  During one of their secret meetings, a Tiger attacks her, but Jalal rescues her. Princess Sherzad tells her father about this accident and the king calls Jalal to the Darbar and asks him to select anything by way of reward. Jalal asks the hand of Princess in marriage. The King is shocked at this and Jalal is forced to leave the kingdom immediately.

Failing to receive the money in one week's time, Prince Akil comes to the King of Halam and demands the payment of the loan. The King cannot meet the demand for the money he owes, but he entertains the Prince lavishly.

The Prince having come to know that King has no money to pay immediately, asks for the hand of Sherzad in marriage in settlement of the loan. The King hesitates to give consent because his other two daughters were earlier kidnaped by the Magician Samri on the occasion of their wedding. Akil boasts that he will defend the princess against any mighty force and thus the King and the Queen have to reluctantly agree to the proposal. The news of the proposed marriage reaches Jalal who is in exile through his friend Sarfoo. He comes back to rescue the Princess from the clutches of Akil.

Akil complains to the King about the re-entry of Jalal in the Kingdom of Halam. The King is very angry and orders the Vazir to capture Jalal within 12 hours or face disgrace. Jalal is captured by his father and brought before the King. The King orders Jalal to be hanged.

The father of Prince Akil, also comes to Halam for the wedding of his son. The arrangement for marriage is made and while the actual ceremony is being performed, the magician Samri, kidnaps Princess Sherzad. On hearing this news, the King of Halam faints and becomes seriously ill. The King of Ajam feels that he is solely responsible for this incident and declares that whosoever brings ABE HAYAT (heavenly water) and Princess Sherzad will be rewarded with his kingdom.

Jalal who is about to be hanged, volunteers to get ABE HAYAT. He is set free on the condition that if he fails to return, his father would be hanged instead.

Prince Akil, who also desired to marry Princess Sherzad, set out on the errand. Thus the race begins between Jalal and Akil for the hand of Sherzad and the Kingdom. Will Jalal come back? Who will win Princess Sherzad and Kingdom? Let the Silver Screen reveal!

(From the official press booklet)

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