Rajnigandha – a simple tale
At a roadside stall selling old books near Santa Cruz Station, I spotted a pocket-book titled Rajnigandha. I picked it up and it turned out to the screenplay of my favourite film Rajnigandha. Yes, the same film that won the Best Picture at the Filmfare Awards in the year 1974, both the Popular Award and the Critics Award. Many of you will be surprised to know that in the early seventies, screenplays of films were published and sold in a pocket-book format. So, I bought the screenplay from that stall for ten rupees and since then, I’ve read it at least a hundred times.
Rajnigandha is a simple tale. Even the characters are simple, not complicated at all. One of my seniors at FTII used to say, a good film is either a complicated tale about simple characters or a simple tale about complicated characters. But this film does not fall in either category. Still it works. It is based on a short story by famous Indian Author Mannu Bhandari called “Yehi Sach Hai”. It’s about a woman who meets her ex-boyfriend after almost 5 years and starts comparing him with her current boyfriend thus losing her sleep in the process thinking whether she has taken a right decision or not. Lyricist Yogesh had shown the stroke of a master by writing these lines which summarise the whole story – ?? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??, ?? ?? ?? ?? ???? ???? ??, ?? ????? ???? ??. ??????? ?? ?? ????, ??????? ????? ?? ????, ?? ????? ???? ??. (It so happens, many a times, that the heart tries to break into the forbidden lines. It runs for unknown desires and unknown thirst)
The dialogues were witty and the performances by Amol Palekar and Vidya Sinha were the most natural acts you’ll ever come across. Of course, it was directed by Basu Chatterji and had the soul-stirring music by Salil Chaudhary. But if you start looking for so-called “commercial” elements, there were none. New faces, no twists and turns in the story, no huge sets, no action-thrills. Still the film was a hit and is still remembered by many. Because it touched many a chords.
Many such simple films followed suit, most of them starring Amol Palekar. Chhoti Si Baat (1977), Chitchor (1977), Gharaonda (1980) and Golmaal (1980). Came to know through a tabloid that Chhoti Si Baat is to be remade!! One sincere request! Please don’t do what “Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon” did to “Chitchor”.
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
- screenplay of Rajnigandha in print!!! Manasvi, is it possible to contact the publisher and see if we can publish it on online?
Gr8 idea oz! aur bhe screenplays honge ……:d
The book according to a signature on the first page was bought on the 1st of May, 1975. It was published by Hind Pocket Books. There is no contact number, just an address – Hind Pocket Books Pvt. Ltd., G.T.Road, Shahdara, Delhi-32
Manasvi,
I may be wrong but Rajinigandha’s screenplay could be among first to be published.
In other cases it can be transcript of the film. Like a pocket book was published about Shalimar where actualy scenes of the films were used to tell the story in the form of something like a novel. Same was happened with Andha Kanoon where whole story was published after the realse of the film to promote it. It was like a comics.
But in reality this can be a rare occasion when a screen play of a hindi film is published.
Whose name is given on the book of screen play? because film perhaps showed name of Basu Chaterji as screen play writer. Though in reality Mannu Bhandari had written the expanded and detailed version of her short story so that it can be adapted on screen.
Perhaps screen play of Sara Akash can also be found, it was based on novel written by Rajendra Yadav, (renowned hindi author and husband of Mannu Bhandari). Incidently Basu Chaterji had made that film also.
Recently died Arun Kaul was key person in these transfer of literature on the screen.
Late Arun Kaul himself had made hindi film “Deeksha” starring Nana Patekar.
@Rk bhai aap kaha the??? aap ke bina PFC kuch sonna soona tha jaise Ganga ke bina Banaras
:):)
The screenplay is credited to Basu Chatterji.
It says:
Katha – Mannu Bhandari
Patkatha – Basu Chatterji
I have similar screenplay of Gharaunda too (bought from the same stall).
I had seen screenplay of Rajinder Singh Bedi’s Dastak at the FTII Library printed by same Hind Pocket Books.
=Manasvi,
Thanks for further info.
Dastak was based on Rajendra Singh Bedi’s own story (perhaps published).
This seems that some writers cum directors who made small budget films, earned some little revenue this way also and its a good way to publish screen plays.
@Shatrughan,
Ganga aye kahan se, Ganga jaye kahan pe?
Was trying to save me from plunging in the Ganga of life. could research that still can swim.:)
the story was..”yehi sach hai” of Munnu bhandaari..wife of Rajendra yadav…in which the film is based..it is one of the best example of adaptation of literature…dialougues of the film was written by kamleshwar…an old friend of Yadav and a famed screenwriter…Basu Da has done a terrific job in this film as well as saara akash..saara akash was the first novel written by yadav when he was only 14 years old
Dipankar,
Rajendra ji might have written his first novel after doing Graduation. “Sara Akash” was first published with another title “Pret Bolte hain” perhaps in 1951 or 1952 and later again with present title in 1960 by Rajkamal Prakashan.
I may be wrong but perhaps youngest author can be
Late Dr Dharmveer Bharati, who had written his first Novel, “Gunahon ka Devata” while doing Graduation, hence at the age of 18-19 Years.
According to Rajendra Ji, Sara Akash, was based on his childhood friend from Agra, who now lives in Canada.
@RK and Dipankar,Dharmveer Bharati’s
@rk..if u read the autobiography by kamleshwar..i don’t exactly remembering the name..some dariya was there…kamleshwar has written “raja nirbansiya” much early at the age of 14 and a publisher went into his mainpuri kasba asking who kamleshwar is..a boy comes up in his nicker and told he is kamleshwar and he has written “Raja Nirbansiya ” …later when he grew up to 18 he has rewritten the story and the whole contemprory part of the story was written at that time …earlier the story has only the king’s story….then he goes on with his stroies like…”kasbe ka aadmi’ and “maans ka dariya..”…Manohar shyam Joshi has also written a story at the age of 21…rajendra Yadav’s “andekhe anjane pool ” is more or less is his own family’s story….”andekhe..” is nice idea of adaptation
@ shatru..there are films in the name of “gunaaho ka devta” but i don’t think that they have any connection with the book..but The first one made in 1967 might be based on that book but not confirmed..the other one is starring mithun and sangeeta bijlaani…no way..
@Shatrughan,
Jitenmdra and Sulakshana Pandit starrer “Sanjog” was based on “Gunahon ka Devata”, some other inspired versions have been there over the years.
But most famous and truely authorized version was started by Gulzar saab with Title “Ek thee Sudha ek Tha chandar” with Jaya Bhaduri playing Sudha and Amitabh Bachchan playing Chander. Unfortunately film was shelved. Since then no other sincere efforts.
If you arrange finance then I should adapt it, keeping hope Smt Pushpa Bharti will grant us permission;):):d
Dipankar:
every known author/poet might have written something good between the age of 14-19, which he improved and refined over the years and when he ultimately published it then his age was 18-20. Its same story with everybody. This is most recycled story of every writer or creative person.:)
@Dipankar and RK ji,kya aap logo ne Munnu bhandari ki “Aap ka bunty” padh rakha hai???
Maine kahi padha tha ki singer Mukesh is novel pe movie banana chahte the magar Munnu bhandari ne novel ka right nahi diya.
@Shatrughan,
Dont know abt Right’s issue, but have read the book. That book remains still relevant and brings out child psychology in very good manner.
Mannu ji had taken inspiration from real life of famous author, late Mohan Rakesh, his separated wife and son. How a child has to suffer from such separations, is shown so beautifully through the plot and dialogues. Still contemporary book. If someone adapt it.
i wish there was a website or a library of indian film screenplays. I think it’ll be amazing to have a proper channel to make these availabale. it’ll be so much intresting to read the scripts of the indian films we’ve liked over the years.
@RK and All,
Gulzar saab’s almost all screen plays are available in print for years.. namely Meera (must buy), koshish, kitaab.. Last year Radhakrishna prakashan (Delhi) has released a series of his screen plays titled Manzarnaama with titles like Aandhi, Khushbu, Meera, Libaas, Hututu (another important one as you’d know a lot was edited in the film) and Mere Apne
Check out for it.. and if you are unable to find them.. let me know
@RK
>>Jitenmdra and Sulakshana Pandit starrer
BTW One of the Jitu starrrer Gunahon Ka Devta (late 60s) was based on the novel of Gulshan Nanda (not Mr. Bharti’s)
There is Jeetendra-jayaprada and vinod mehra starrer Sanjog aslo. released in 1985 and directed by K. Vishwanath. a good family movie
@Shatrughan
Aapka Bunty was eventually made in mid 80’s. The film featuring Shatughan Sinha and Shabana was titled “Samay Ki Dhara”.. Incidentally the producers legally bought the rights to make the film but after the film got completed Mannu Bhandari took them to court for distortions in screenplay.. The release got delayed and ofc decided the fate of the film on BO…
still remember the film for a fantastic Kishore da solo “ghar se beghar kar gayi karawatein naseeb ki, door kitni ho gayi jo manzilen kareeb thi”
@manasvi
Thanks a lot for writing on Rajnigandha.. but to tell you the truth I hate this film. Such a beautiful film.. Such a beautiful soundtrack… but just two songs!!! Kai baar and title song.. and very well placed.. (Kai baar with Vidya Sinha and Dinesh Thakur in a Taxi was beautifully placed in the film).. beautiful compositions of Maestro Salil Chowdhury and superlative lyrical contribution by one of the most underrated lyricist of our times, Yogesh ji..
I wish the film had more songs..
Pavan jha, u have not give answer to my question?
while commenting in the post of Rekha Bhardwaj, u mentioned about dhola maroo. now what is Dhola Maroo? a hit gujarati film or something else?
@Pavan,
Thanks a lot abt info regarding Screen plays of Gulzar saabs.:)
—
Re: Sankoch/Sanjog, Thanks, I had doubt about right name but still I typed, yes it was Sankoch. Ya its more similar to Parineeta, But it was mentioned that writer Director took inspiration from Gunahon ka Devata also. moreover Some parts of the novels, Devdas, Parineeta and Gunahon ka Devata are common, like childhood friends/lovers and marriage of girl with someone else.
—
Did not see “Samay ki Dhara” because that time Shabana Azami used to play roles always sheding tears (Thori si bewafai, Avtar, Arth etc) but recall this song of Kishor Kumar ( was not it composed by LP?)
@Thanks to RK ji aur Pavan ji…
Shatrughan, Please sell “Ji” and perhaps you still can watch another new film with that much asset atleast in single screen theatres ;):-?:)>-:)
Ha ha RK JI oops RK… :d:d:d
pavan my anwer????:((:((:((:((:((
@RK bhai,
Izzat to yahaan Single Screen theaters se bhi sasti hai..
@Shailesh
ook. Dhola maaru was a full length film part of tele series titled “Rajasthan ke Prem Kathaayein” directed by Bhanu Bharti for DoorDarshan(Mid 90s). Vishal gave the music and Gulzar saab penned lyrics for some beautiful songs sung by Asha ji, Rekha and Sanjeev Abhyankar (a genuine talent lost in the daur of pakistani singers, himeshsss)
oh, thanks Pavan for information… i thought u mentioned about Gujarati hit film Dhola Maru and i was quite surprised!
what a beautiful screenplay! its worth seeing, this is a memorable film i had everseen. thank you Mannu ji you will be remembered in the days to come…..
what a pleasent scrript!
Hi Manavsi! I am very interested in reading original screenplays of our classics – specially Hindi films. Find it next to impossible to get my hands on them. If you come across another copy could you mail it to me. Will ofcourse pay for the charges incurred! Hoping to hear from you! THanks!