Performances

As a bandit, Vinod Khanna’s role gave him visibility and made him a star. Dharmendra plays a reformed criminal who helps a one armed retired army man protect a village from the dacoits. Asha Parekh played Dharmendra’s love interest. However, it was supporting actress Laxmi Chayya who stole the film by dancing circles around Dharmendra and Asha to the evergreen hit “Maar diya jaaye ya chhod diya jaaye, bol tere saath kya sulook kiya jaaye”. As the audience holds its collective breath, the sexy vamp cuts the ropes that bind the hero’s hands after she has drugged the villains.

The film is particularly noted for a rural setting, and it became a super hit, taking second place at the box office for 1971. It is also said to have many elements that inspired one of the box office champs of all time, Sholay(1975).

The climax fights are still remembered for the realism and are very convincing although a single man is fighting a horde of bandits.

Awards and nominations

Dharmendra received a Filmfare nomination as Best Actor, the only one for the film.

Cast

Dharmendra …. Ajit

Asha Parekh …. Anju

Vinod Khanna …. Jabbar Singh

Laxmi Chhaya …. Dacait/Dancer

Jayant …. Hawaldaar-Major Jaswant Singh