Mujhe Jeene Do (transl. Let Me Live) is a 1963 Indian Hindi film, directed by Moni Bhattacharjee and written by Aghajani Kashmeri. This dacoit drama stars Sunil Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, Nirupa Roy, Rajendranath and Mumtaz.
Shot in the Chambal Valley ravines of Bhind-Morena under police protection in Madhya Pradesh state, the film highlights the acting talents of its star cast: Waheeda Rehman and Sunil Dutt. The music is by the composer Jaidev. It was the seventh highest grossing Bollywood film of the year, and the official selection at the 1964 Cannes Film Festival. The film was also the second success in a row of actor Sunil Dutt's production banner, Ajanta Arts, after Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke, which had been released earlier that year. Mujhe Jeene Do was India's third "dacoit" film, a genre loosely inspired by Hollywood westerns, but more so by the menace of dacoity in Central India in the early 1960s.
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Synopsis
A story about how love can lead to the redemption of even a hardened criminal like Thakhur Jernail Singh, who is a noted dacoit in Chambal Valley.
One night, he happens to meet Chameli a courtesan (tawaif), at a wedding she was performing at. They elope and fall in love, later they have a son. But their romance is short-lived as he is about to be captured by the police, that is when Jernail sends Chameli away to a neighbouring village to raise their son, as he is sure of his end.
Unfortunately, the village she goes to has an old grudge to settle and attacks the hapless mother and son as a mob, but the police save them in time, and even promises them the seized property of Jernail.
Cast
Sunil Dutt as Thakur Jarnail Singh
Waheeda Rehman as Chameli Jaan
Nirupa Roy as Champa
Durga Khote as Dara Khan's Mom
Rajendra Nath as Dara Khan
Manorama as Chamelijaan's Mom
Siddhu as Thakur Kirpal Singh
Anwar Hussain as Phool Singh
Tarun Bose as Superintendent of Police
Kumari Naaz as Chauthi Begum (as Naaz)
D.K. Sapru as Zamindar
Mumtaz as Farida - Dhara's Sister
Wasi Khan
Mohan Choti as Kripal Singh's Goon
Madhumati as item number
Cuckoo as item number
Krishan Dhawan as School-teacher
Asit Sen as Pandit Ram Avtar
Rashid Khan as Maulana Sheikh Rahim
Dulari as Phool Singh's Wife
Soundtrack
The music of Jaidev, coupled with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, add to the tragic nature of the film. Also standing out is the cheerful song Nadi Naare sung by Asha Bhosle, noted for perfect rendition of the high-pitched song.
Reception
The film was a major success, like the earlier two other big films in the same genre, Ganga Jamuna (1961) and Raj Kapoor's Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960). Sunil Dutt's performance was highly appreciated and found his performance terrific.
Awards
1964 Filmfare Best Actor Award: Sunil Dutt
1964 Cannes Film Festival: Official selection, in competition for awards