Prem Nagar (1974 film)

Prem Nagar
Film poster
Directed byK.S. Prakash Rao
Written byInder Raj Anand (Hindi screenplay)
Raj Baldev Raj (Hindi screenplay)
Koduri Kausalya Devi (Telugu original)
K.S. Prakash Rao (Telugu original)
Based onPrema Nagar (1971) by Acharya Athreya
Produced byD. Rama Naidu
StarringRajesh Khanna
Hema Malini
Kamini Kaushal
Prem Chopra
Bindu
Asrani
Nazir Hussain
Sulochana Latkar
Ramesh Deo
CinematographyA. Vincent
Edited byK.A. Marthand
J. Narasimha Rao
Music bySachin Dev Burman
Production
companies
Distributed byVijaya and Suresh Combines
Video Sound
Release date
  • 24 May 1974 (1974-05-24)
Running time
158 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi

Prem Nagar (transl. City of Love) is a 1974 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film, produced by D. Ramanaidu, directed by K. S. Prakash Rao, and starring Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Aruna Irani, Ashok Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Prem Chopra, Asrani and Jagdeep. Actor David was in negative role in the film plotting how to fool the prince Karan by robbing off his wealth and transfer to his brother. The music is by Sachin Dev Burman. Box Office India declared the film a super hit.[1] The box office standing for the year was number 4. It is a remake of the Telugu film Prema Nagar released in 1971.

Plot

Karan Singh lives a wealthy lifestyle in a palace along with his widowed mother and his elder brother's family. His mother Rani Maa had left his upbringing to a nanny, to the extent that Karan believed she was his real mother. Karan has grown up to be a womanizer and an alcoholic. When Karan rescues former air hostess Lata, who is being molested by her boss, he hires her as his secretary and invites her family to move into one of his cottages. Lata attempts to change his bad habits. While she initially meets with opposition, she eventually succeeds and they fall in love. Karan builds a mansion to celebrate their love and names it Prem Nagar. However, their romance is shattered when Lata is accused of interfering in the palace affairs and then of stealing a valuable necklace. A much humiliated Lata and her family move away.

Karan later learns the truth about Lata's innocence but Lata would never return to him due to his initial distrust. Consequently, Karan's health worsens as he struggles with his addiction and eventually meets a tragic end.

Cast

Soundtrack

Prem Nagar
Soundtrack album by
ReleasedMay 24, 1974 (1974-05-24)[2]
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length39:37
LanguageHindi
LabelSaregama
ProducerS. D. Burman
S. D. Burman chronology
Us Paar
(1974)
Prem Nagar
(1974)
Sagina
(1974)

All lyrics are written by Anand Bakshi

Songs
No.TitlePlaybackLength
1."Thandi Hawaon ne, Pt. 1"Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar5:57
2."Thandi Hawaon ne, Pt. 2"Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar5:58
3."Kiska Mahal Hai Kiska Yeh Ghar Hai"Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar3:55
4."Yeh Lal Rang Kab Mujhe Chhodega"Kishore Kumar4:10
5."Yeh Kaisa Sur Mandir"Lata Mangeshkar4:44
6."Jaa Jaa Jaa"Kishore Kumar4:59
7."Bye Bye Miss Good Night"Kishore Kumar4:46
8."Pyase Do Badan Pyasi Raat Mein"Asha Bhosle5:26
Total length:39:37

RD Burman had worked on and completed some songs for the film for his father, as his father was still rehabilitating from his stroke during the preproduction of the film.

Awards and nominations

Reception

The Hindu newspaper in its review of the film in 2015 quoted "Khanna is a perfect choice for the role, the drunkard scion of a royal family, blessed with a heart of gold.Technically the film scores highly on all spheres.Editing by K.A. Marthand and J. Narasimha Rao is slick and keeps the story moving at a steady pace, with no room for slackness."[4] The Hansindia site noted that Khanna had never shied away from portraying roles that were slightly off the regular path and ‘Prem Nagar’ featured him as a decadent prince, Karan, who happily idles away his life as playboy. During the premier of the film, after watching the film Raj Kapoor kissed Khanna's hands and complimented him for the way he used them like swords in the climax. ‘Prem Nagar’ was considered special by Khanna himself, as it featured his favourite song, “Yeh laal rang” sung by his ‘voice’ Kishore Kumar.[5]

References

  1. ^ "BoxOffice India.com". Boxofficeindia.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Prem Nagar". Spotify. 10 November 2023.
  3. ^ "1st Filmfare Awards 1953" (PDF). Deep750.googlepages.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  4. ^ Malhotra, A. p s (5 February 2015). "Prem Nagar (1974)". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  5. ^ India, The Hans (22 February 2015). "The remake that stood out". Thehansindia.com. Retrieved 18 November 2021.