In the history of Hindi cinema, there are many films that not only entertained the masses but left a deeper impact on society that will last forever. 1957 is the year when movies like Mother India, Naya Daur, and Pyaasa come out and not only mesmerize the audience but also leave a mark on society, the same year comes Cine Maverick V. Shantaram’s “Do Ankhen Barah Haath”, which is a prime example of the influence, movies can have on people and how they can be used as a catalyst to social change.
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Willum Skeener
V. Shantaram wrote a story around the Gandian philosophy that everybody deserves a second chance, and made a movie on prison reforms. Apart from a being master story teller and famous for making larger than life musicals with elaborate sets, dreamy situation and beautiful songs and dances, V. Shantaram was also among the few who recognised the power of filmmaking in its early days. He saw cinema not just as a form of entertainment but as a tool for social change. Successfully wielding this medium, he championed humanism and shed light on issues of bigotry and injustice in his films.
G. D. Madgulkar wrote the story and screenplay, after inspired by a true event involving the concept of Open prison in Swatantrapur in the princely state of Aundh near Satara, Maharashtra.
The story starts when a progressive, reform-minded young jail warden, “Adinath (V. Shantaram)” gets permission to take six surly murderers from prison to dilapidated country farm, to rehabilitate it and themselves through hard work and kindly guidance.
The movie wove a narrative through the struggles Adimath faces in his task of reform the dreaded criminals and teach them, that with hard work, dedication, and focus, anyone can achieve their goals.
He treats them with humanity and respect, despite their ill behaviour, cooks for them, does all the hard work as an equal, slowly his fruit of his hard work start to show and he sees changes in the demeanor of the prisoners, they started to gain the confidence, self respect and humanity.
The belief of Adinath in redemption was wavered many times, but his resilience was always greater then the difficulty ahead. The film ends with the death of Adinath from a OX attack, instigated by a jealous neighbour, V. Shantaram, who gets seriously injured when he shoots for the bull fight sequence in the climax. In the last scene, the reformed criminal’s decision to live at the same place where Adinath turn them into human beings means that they can feel that Adinath’s eyes are always watching them, a comparison to the presence of God.
In all the drama, the presence of a singing toy seller, “Champa,” played by Sandhya, represent the little joys of life scattered here and there between the difficulties and struggles of life
Despite being a film with a deep message, it never becomes preachy, does not loose the entertainment quotient and remains light and cinematic.
Music maestro Vasant Desai and Kaviraj Bharat Vyas craft the timeless “Aye Maalik Tere Bande Hum,” delivering an enduring message of love and compassion. The songs like “Saiyaan Joothon Ka Bada Sartaj Nikla” and “Tak tak dhoom dhoom” are beautifully rich, relevant and still hummable.
The film won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. V Shantaram was the first Indian to win the Golden Globe, as he was awarded the special Samuel Goldwyn Award in 1959 for Do Aankhen Barah Haath.
In India, the film won the President’s Gold Medal in 1957. As Shantaram belonged to the old school, the performances might appear a little theatrical today, but the thought makes it a timeless piece.
