Arjun Pandit

Review By Kamal K

The story of the man who came to be called ARJUN PANDIT begins in the small town of Chandapur in the years immediately after Independence.

Arjun was then the chief henchman of the local Zamindar, and a figure hated throughout the village. He was a widower, blasphemous, heretic and totally cynical, caring for nothing and no one except his young daughter, Kusum, a child, frightened of her father as the rest of the village.

One day while in the process of evicting the local schoolmaster, Arjun is confronted by the new village doctor, Dr. Shukla, who almost comes to blows with Arjun.

The following night, Kusum falls seriously ill. Arjun is forced to ask Dr Shukla's help. To his surprise the doctor rushes with him to the hospital in the dead of night to attend to Kusum.

The following day Arjun observes his daughter laughing and happily listening to the doctor as he tells her a story. This unlikely friendship between a breaker of bones and a healer of bodies, thereafter blossoms.

Arjun leaves the Zamindar's employ and begins to study, hungry now for the learning which could bring a smile and sparkle of joy to the face of his daughter. He is transformed from Arjun Sardar who inspired fear and hatred to Arjun Pandit, the pride of the entire village.

To the doctor's son, Vinod, Arjun was a member of the family, Arjun Kaka. After obtaining his Matric Certificate, Vinod comes away to Bombay to study medicine. Vinod also falls in love with a young girl, Shobha Acharya, a good student and accomplished singer.

And then one day, Dr. Shukla dies, suddenly leaving to Arjun the task of carrying on his life's work and making his dreams come true.

The story of Arjun Pandit is a story of nobility, warmth and understanding. It is a story of spiritual ascendance.

I saw the movie in 1976 in Regal Cinema Hall in New Delhi. It is an excellent movie and I would rate it it better than Arohi,the Bengali adoption of Banaphul's writings. It is one of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's memorable creations. S D Burman's music was ordinary. Tamil actress Srividya had a small role. Ashok Kumar played the role of a village doctor, assisted by Sanjeev Kumar whom he converted from an illiterate villager to a compounder. Unfortunately, I haven't come across the VCD. If anyone can help.I haven't come across in the television,ever.I have, extensively, tried in Mumbai and Delhi to get the CD but not been fortunate enough.

This movie is amazing from start to end. It's mainly about relationships. Sajneev Kumar gives an award winning performance in this flick as Arjun Pandit. While Ashok Kumar supports him magnificently. The movie also stars Vinod Mehra who suits his role very well. The film needs to be watched at least once...I don't think many people have viewed this film yet. Its not on DVD, but do look for it at on VHS. The chemistry between Sanjeev and Ashok Kumar is what makes the film worth watching. The storyline is good, while the editing is crisp. This movie will make you cry in some parts because that's how good of an actor Sanjeev is and thats how good of a director Hrishikesh is.