Khazanchi (1941) Poster

(1941)

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7/10
A pre-independence blockbuster that pushed bollywood cinema ahead in compilation of multiple features.
SAMTHEBESTEST3 March 2021
Khazanchi (1941) : Brief Review -

A pre-independence blockbuster that pushed bollywood cinema ahead in compilation of multiple features. Khanzanchi is dated but honorably felicitates mainstream filmmaking of its time which stayed for 8-9 years at least, until Raj Kapoor and Mehmood Khan went ahead with Critical+Commercial blockbuster in late 40s. Khazanchi was also the biggest hit of its time which is enough to prove how people accepted this film with open hands. Now the question is why people accepted it? So i am trying to put my cards on table, see if it helps. Khazanchi came an year before August Kranti movement and by that time many People have actually been robbed by goons in the country. Khazanchi showed the current topic and additionally it featured multiple elements like Romance, Honesty, Sacrifice and Terrible Consequences faced by naive guys. So it was obvious that audience would make it a roaring hit because the mainstream cinema had just begun attracting viewers. Khazanchi is about a honest bank cashier who faces false allegations for killing an actress and stealing Money which shatters all the sweet plans of his family members. It wasn't a typical storyline considering the time but yes the storytelling is definitely typical. However, the entertainment provided in the first half keeps it engaging before it drags a little in post interval portion. The songs are nice and dialogues are pretty good. M. Ismail delivers a fantastic performance with two different shades while S D Narang and Ramola shares an amusing chemistry. In the director's chair Mr. Gidwani tries to make this one more audience friendly than cinematic, where except for one or two things nothing goes wrong. Overall, a fine combo of Romance, Drama, Tragedy and much common Scam of the nation of that time.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest
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9/10
a reflection of per independence India culture
arun_singh30015 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
i bought Khazanchi video as it was written on front cover that it starred Rajendra Kumar (the tragedy prince of60's) and Shashikala(the glamorous garrulous heroine of the 60's).

when i saw it i was amazed it was actually a 1941 film Khazanchi which actually starred S.D.Narang,Ramola,Manorma and Jankidas (the world no.1 cyclist who participated in Olympics).it was made in India in undivided Punjab's capital in Lahore before partition.produced by Puncholi art pictures.music by Ghulam Haider and dialogs and lyrics by Wali.dialogs are good by Wali.recorded on R.C. A. sound system .the picture quality on Eagle was quite bad but watchable,what was irritating were lots of advertisement in between.also picture length was less than 2 hours when actually it was 171 minutes.

it starts with a song which you can still hear on radio "Saawan Ke Nazare Hain" and the song ends with the collision of a group of cycling girls and another group of cycling boys.

the "Diwali song" and "Ek Kali Nazon Me Pali" are good others are a little dated.film has funny and witty dialogs.its a very sweet very nice film showcasing Indian culture and way of living in per independence India.film star-rs S.D. Narang in lead who is a mix of Dilip Kumar and Gregory Peck.now its 5 rupees bus fare for the shortest distance then it was just 3 Anna's.his sister Asha played by Manorma (Who twenty years later was playing the fat,comic and evil lady of Indian cinema whom you can see in classic films like "Bahoron Ke Sapne" and Caravan) sings on the radio.

now S D Narang's package changes with the package of Madhuri played by Ramola at a shop ,ladies undergarments changed for chest expander.this mistake bring them closer.Narang's father Shadilal who works in a bank in Lahore has to go to Bombay for some bank work.

Madhuri has a nice fat slightly crippled father Lala Durgadas played by Durga Mota .his servant takes him outside for fresh air and takes his hands off the wheelchair .Lala Durgadas left at the bridge on a wheel chair while dozing of, his wheelchair slides down the road and he was just going to be crushed by a car when S D Narang saves him.

Shadilal checks into a hotel in Bombay .a clever vile characterless mischievous women Tarawati is also staying in the hotel trying to catch a prey in her net.she dresses attractively in latest fashion does plays on stage.

Shadilal takes out money from the bank.Tarawati intercepts him and takes him to a night club.a foreign dancer in scant clothing is dancing there Shadilal being a conservative man closes his eyes before this nudity.Tarawati makes him drink lots of wine.later she steals money from him.when she is just leaving ,Tarawati gets killed by her two male accomplice who try to snatch money from her.when shadilal wakes up he finds himself with a dead body and all money stolen.

the Tribune headlines" Khazanchi Kills Actress".Shadilal runs away from law wanders here and there becomes like a beggar.he changes so much that his son couldn't recognize him.when his father comes at his doorstep he gives him food to eat .he has now become an advocate.

his sister (Manorma) gets sick on diwali.she catches fire with diwali Dian when worshiping Tulsa .her beggar father saves her.

Madhuri writes a letter to elope and run away.Narang refuses to do so as their family name is already maligned and this will just make it worse.his father gets caught and he is the prosecuting attorney.meanwhile tribune reporter (Janki Das) stumbles upon important facts regarding stage actress murder.but is caught by the miscreants who hide him in far off village.he manages to escape and after some heart stopping stunts manages to reach court. narang's father get acquitted.and happiness returns to their family.

its a miracle that i found this film very few films of per 48 are available it was about a time when India didn't had such large population roads were lined with lush green trees.people were nice and courteous. a tale of days gone by a film reflecting its period.a lovely film a entertaining film.acting direction music all is top class.the print may be bad the film isn't.
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10/10
Old Lahore
mahmoodcan12 February 2017
This is an amazing pre-partition movie. The character of Khazanchi is well played by M.Ismail. Bombay, Calcutta and Lahore were film cities in undivided India. There is a lot to see for those who, like myself, always wanted to see how it looked like Lahore before the partition. Huge trees of Lawrence garden...Garhi Shahu railway Bridge and of course the famous Mall Road of Lahore can be seen in the movie. M.Ismail and Ajmal continued appearing in the movies made in Lahore and of course Manorma, one of my childhood favorite funny actress, moved to Bombay after the partition. Melodious songs composed by Master Ghulam Haider, Noor Jehan and Lata's GURU. Over all it is a very nice movie filmed in 1941.
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