Saqi (film)

Saqi
Directed by	H. S. Rawail
Written by	Kamal Amrohi (dialogue) Anjana Rawail (story)
Screenplay by	Anjana Rawail
Story by	Anjana Rawail
Based on	Arabian Nights[1]
Produced by	R. C. Talwar
Starring	Premnath Madhubala
Cinematography	Rajendra Malone[2]
Music by	C. Ramchandra
Release date	1952 (1952)
Country	India
Language	Hindi
Budget	est. ₹1 million

Saqi (transl. "Bartender") is a 1952 Indian Hindi-language film directed by H. S. Rawail and starring Premnath, Madhubala in lead roles.[2] The film's music was composed by C. Ramchandra. Saqi was based on Arabian Nights and was one of the most expensive Indian films at the time of its release.[1]

Plot

The film told the story a common man named Ajeeb, who tries to woo the princess Rukhsana.

Cast

• Premnath as Ajeeb
• Madhubala as Rukhsana
• Gope as Genie
• Randhir as Sultan
• Iftekhar as Abdul
• Bipin Gupta as Vazir
• Cuckoo as the item number "Door Door Se"

Production

Saqi was the Indian version of Arabian Nights.[1][3] The film was announced in February 1951, along with Badal, also starring Premnath & Madhubala.[4] While Badal was completed and released in the same year, Saqi took about one and a half year to complete. Saqi was an expensive venture for the producers and it was made on a huge budget of ₹10 lakhs.[1]

Soundtrack

Song	Singer
"Din Pehla"	Lata Mangeshkar
"Paas Na Aaiye"	Lata Mangeshkar
"Gham Ki Vadi Mein"	Lata Mangeshkar
"Khushi Se Door Hoon"	Lata Mangeshkar
"Kise Maloom Tha Ek Din Mohabbat Bezuban Hogi"	Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Mahmood
"Aa Gayi Hai Ishq Pe Bahar, Khatm Hua Intezar"	Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi
"Mera Mizaj Ladakpan Se"	Mohammed Rafi
"O Haseena Sambhal Sambhalke Chal"	C. Ramchandra, Geeta Dutt
"Raat Suhani"	Shamshad Begum

Reception

Saqi had a mixed reception with critics—the soundtrack and lavish sets were noted, but acting and screenplay were poorly received.[5] Nevertheless, the film became a commercial success.[6][7]

References

1. Deep 1996, p. 90.
2. Akbar 1997, p. 139.
3. Bureau, The Meghalayan (15 February 2023). "'Zindagi bhar nahi bhoolegi': Mesmerising Madhubala and her magical spell". The Meghalayan. Retrieved 19 July 2024. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
4. Thought. Siddhartha Publications. 1951.
5. Deep 1996, p. 33.
6. Rawail, H. S. (1985). Mohabbat Ki Adhoori Dastaan Madhubala. Madhuri magazine. p. 16.
7. "H. S. Rawail Biography by Divya Kapoor". www.gomolo.com. Retrieved 25 January 2021.

Sources

• Deep, Mohan (1996). The Mystery and Mystique of Madhubala. Magna Books.
• Akbar, Khatijia (1997). Madhubala: Her Life, Her Films. Hay House.

External links

• Saqi at IMDb