Jugnu
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShaukat Hussain Rizvi
Written byA. S. Usmani
Screenplay byKhadim Mohyuddin
Story byA. S. Usmani
Produced byShaukat Hussain Rizvi
StarringDilip Kumar
Noor Jehan
CinematographyP. Issac
Edited byMohsin T. Bangriwala
Music byFeroz Nizami
Production
company
Shaukat Art Productions
Distributed byShaukat Art Productions
Release date
23 May 1947 (1947-05-23)
CountryBritish India
LanguageHindustani

Jugnu (transl. Firefly) is a 1947 Indian musical romantic comedy film directed and produced by Shaukat Hussain Rizvi. The film stars Dilip Kumar and Noor Jehan in lead roles with Ghulam Mohammad, Jillo, Latika, and Shashikala in supporting roles. It also features a cameo appearance by Mohammed Rafi.[1] It revolves around Suraj, the son of a rich landlord, and Jugnu, an orphan, who fall in love with each other.[2]

Jugnu was released on 23 May 1947 and faced controversies because of its way of depicting romance. The elitarian society including film critics even demanded the film to be banned. Despite these protests, the film was praised for its actors' performances, and became a major commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of 1947.[3][lower-alpha 1] The film was Dilip Kumar's first major hit and marked the beginning of his stardom.[4][5]

Cast

Music

No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Yahaan Badala Wafa Ka Bewafai Ke Siwa Kya Hai"Noor Jehan, Mohammed Rafi04:47
2."Woh Apani Yaad Dilaane Ko"Mohammed Rafi03:14
3."Aaj Ki Raat Saaz-E-Dil-E-Purdard Na Chheirr"Noor Jehan04:43
4."Hamein To Sham-E-Gham Mein Katni Hai Zindagi Apni[8]"Noor Jehan04:04
5."Umangein Dil Ki Machleen Muskarai Zindagi Apni[8]"Noor Jehan03:49
6."Desh Ki Purkaif Rangi Si Fizaon Mein Kahi[6][8]"Roshan Ara Begum04:48
7."Tum Bhi Bhula Do Mein Bhi Bhula Dun"Noor Jehan03:47
8."Laut Jawaani Phir Nahin Aani[8]"Shamshad Begum05:55
Total length:35:07

Release

Jugnu was released on 23 May 1947. The film was conceptualized and filmed in pre-independence India however, the film's censored version was subsequently released after the partition.[2] The film drew significant controversy upon release, for two major reasons. The first reason was its depiction of romance, flirting and dancing on a college campus setting, which led to negative reviews from film critics. This led to 28 minutes of content being censored by the Indian government. The second reason was the film's director Rizvi and lead actress Noor Jehan becoming Pakistanis after the partition of India.[2]

Critical reception

In 1948, the biggest Indian film magazine at the time, Filmindia, was very critical of the film. The magazine's editor, film critic Baburao Patel, wrote a negative review, calling Jugnu a "dirty, disgusting, vulgar picture!" Patel stated, it "tells us that college life in India is nothing more than a long sex hunt in which boys chase girls, explore their hand bags, rob their tiffin boxes and sing suggestive love ditties while making vulgar gestures; while girls sigh about heavily, seduce boys to tea, pimp for their friends, puncture their cycle tyres and sing songs of frustrated love," and added, "no decent exhibitor with any pride for his profession or any self-respect should exhibit it in his theatre." He also criticized the director Rizvi for becoming a Pakistani national, falsely accusing him of having connections with Hyderabad State separatist Kasim Razvi. Another 1948 Filmindia editorial attacked Muslim filmmakers such as Rizvi for working in both India and Pakistan, stating "censors must watch carefully such anti-social and anti-religious activities of these fanatic producers who live with us to stab us from day to day," while referencing Jugnu as an example.[2]

Box office

Jugnu (1947 film) grossed ₹50 lakh (US$5 million) in India, making it the highest-grossing Indian film of 1947. When adjusted for inflation, its gross in 2016 value is equivalent to ₹363 crore (US$66 million).[lower-alpha 1] This is the highest for any Indian film at the time, until it was surpassed by Andaz, which also stars Kumar in lead role along with Nargis and Raj Kapoor.

Notes

  1. 1 2 ₹50 lakh[3] (US$5 million)[lower-alpha 2] in 1947 (equivalent to US$66 million or ₹363 crore[10] in 2016)
  2. ↑ 1 Indian rupee per US dollar in 1947[9]

References

  1. ↑ Firoze Rangoonwalla, Indian Filmography, publisher: J. Udeshi, Bombay, August 1970, pp. 224.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "How Dilip Kumar's Jugnu lost 28 minutes to confused morality of a young India". Indian Express. 17 July 2021. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Top Earner Films of 1947". BoxOfficeIndia.com website. 6 February 2009. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  4. ↑ Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen, Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema, British Film Institute, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 2002, pp. 132.
  5. ↑ NFAI on Twitter: "Shaukat Hussain Rizvi’s #Jugnu (1947) was one of the first hits of #FaceOfTheWeek #DilipKumar. Though the film faced criticism for its way of depicting romance, the success of the film marked the beginning of Dilip Kumar’s stardom. The film starred Noor Jehan along with him."
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Cast of Jugnu (1947 film)". Muvyz.com website. Archived from the original on 21 September 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Film Jugnu (1947 film)". Complete Index To World Film (CITWF) website. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Soundtracks of Jugnu (1947)". Hindigeetmala.net website. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Journey of Indian rupee since independence". The Times of India (newspaper). 16 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  10. ↑ 67.175856 INR per USD in 2016
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