Awaara (Translation: “The Tramp” ) is a 1951 Bollywood film directed and produced by Raj Kapoor who also has the leading role. His real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor also stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Raj’s youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character. Prithiviraj’s father Dewan Bashwanath Kapoor also played a cameo role in his only film appearance.
The film centers on the intertwining lives of poor Raj (Raj Kapoor) and privileged Rita (Nargis). In the film, Kapoor’s poor, innocent “little tramp” character references Charlie Chaplin and was further developed in other Kapoor films such as Jagte Raho and Shri 420.
The film is a collaboration of the famous team of director/producer Kapoor and writer Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, with music composed by the team of Shankar Jaikishan. The song “Awara Hoon (I am a Tramp),” sung by Mukesh with lyrics by Shailendra, became hugely popular across the Indian subcontinent, as well as in Russia, Romania, Turkey and China.
In 2005, Indiatimes Movies ranked the movie amongst the “Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films”.
Plot
Raj lives a life of poverty as a result of being estranged from his vindictive father, a wealthy district judge (played by Kapoor’s real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor). Judge Raghunath threw Raj’s mother out of the house years earlier on suspicion of infidelity. As a child, Raj befriends Rita in school, but the judge (who becomes Rita’s guardian after her parents die) soon tears them apart. Even though they are separated, Rita remains in Raj’s thoughts.
On the streets, Raj turns to a life of petty crime and finds a father-figure in Jagga (K. N. Singh). It is only many years later that Raj realizes that Jagga is the man responsible for his mother’s estrangement. While planning a bank robbery with his friends, they realize they need an automobile. He snatches a woman’s purse after she steps out of the car, but finds no keys, and pretends to pursue the thief to release suspicion from himself. After his elaborate act, he returns the purse to the woman, who is soon revealed to be Rita. As soon as he realizes that Jagga is responsibe for his mother’s misery, in a fit of rage, Raj kills Jagga and then tries to kill the judge, but fails. Due to these actions, Raj is brought to his own father’s court, where Rita serves as his lawyer. In the end, Raj is sentenced to 3 years in prison for his crime, but Rita promises to wait for him.
Trivia
- The film grossed over Rs.12 million. This record was beaten the next year by Aan.
Cast
- Prithviraj Kapoor …. Judge Raghunath
- Raj Kapoor …. Raj Ragunath
- Nargis …. Rita
- Leela Chitnis …. Leela Raghunath
- K.N. Singh …. Jagga
- Leela Mishra …. Raghunath’s Sister-in-law
- Cukoo …. Bar dancer
- Helen …. Dancer (uncredited)
- Shashi Kapoor …. Young Raj (child artist)
- Prem Nath …. Cameo appearance in song
