Waqt is a 1965 Indian film directed by Yash Chopra. It made it onto BFI’s long list of films in consideration for their top ten award.[1] It was produced by B.R. Chopra and starred an ensemble cast including Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Sadhana, Balraj Sahni, Madan Puri, Sharmila Tagore, Balraj Sahni, Achala Sachdev and Rehman.
It pioneered the concept of films with multiple stars, starting a trend followed by other films. The film took the top spot at the box office in 1965.. The plot of this movie pioneered the lost and reunite formula in Bollywood. A happy family separated by waqt (time), goes through a series of trials trying to reunite.
The film contains the popular Hindi song “Aage Bhi Jaane Na Tu” sung by Asha Bhosle, besides the famous ‘Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen’, sung by Manna Dey and picturised on Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev. Waqt also showcases some of the top dialogues in the history of Bollywood movies. Raaj Kumar’s “Jinke apne ghar sheeshay ke hon, woh dusron par pathar nahi phenka karte” and “Yeh bachon ke khelne ki cheez nahi, haath kat jaye toh khoon nikal aata hai” are remembered even today.
Plot
Lala Kadarnath (Balraj Sahni) has 3 sons whose birthdays are on the same day. On one of the annual birthday bashes, a well-known astrologer predicts harsh times ahead for Kedarnath.
Lala Kadarnath ignores the prediction and is busy making plans for an even wealthier future when an earthquake reduces his town and weath to rubble.
proclaims to his wife (Achala Sachdev) that he wants them to be even richer. As he talks of the day when people shout after his car, “There goes Lala Kadarnath!!!!”, there is a sudden earthquake and the whole town crumbles into ruins. When Lala Kadarnath regains consciousness, his house has been destroyed and his family is gone.
The oldest son, Raju, (Raj Kumar) ends up in an orphanage, while middle son, Ravi, (Sunil Dutt) is found on the road by a rich couple who takes him to their home to raise him as his own. Their youngest son, Vijay, (Shashi Kapoor) who is still an infant, is with his mother Laxmi (Achla Sachdev). Unable to find the rest of the family, Laxmi and Vijay live in poverty.
Lala Kadarnath finally traces Raju to the orphanage but finds that he has run away because the orphanage manager (Jivan) beats him up. Frustrated, he kills the manager and is jailed.
The rest of the story is pretty much about how all three brothers are so close together without realizing that they are related. In the end, the family reunites and they reopen their business and live happily ever after.
Awards and nominations
- Filmfare Best Director Award-Yash Chopra
- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award-Raj Kumar
- Filmfare Best Story Award-Akhtar Mirza
- Filmfare Best Dialogue Award-Akhtar-ul-Uman
- Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award for a Colour Film-Dharam Chopra
- Filmfare Nomination for Best Film
- Filmfare Nomination for Best Actress-Sadhana
