indian cinema heritage foundation

Bada Bhai (1957)

  • Release Date1957
  • GenreFamily Drama
  • FormatB-W
  • LanguageHindi
  • Length3940.45 meters
  • Gauge35 mm
  • Censor RatingU
  • Censor Certificate NumberU-21152/57-MUM
  • Certificate Date14/08/1957
  • Shooting LocationTechnicians United, Ranjit Studios
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Test of courage is often to endure. Ajit, it appears, was marked by destiny to prove this maxim. Circumstances had reduced him to a poor rickshaw walla but he didn't accuse God or curse his fate but endured life as it came his way. By pulling rickshaw round the clock, he earned hardly more than what was essential to keep his family going which comprised his wife Lakshmi, daughter Munni and younger brother Prakash who was in the final year of his B.A.

Ajit and his wife curtailed the family budget to such an extent that even some of the bare necessities of life had to be abandoned in order to save money for Prakash's fees for the term. They put some money every day in an improvised bank made of an empty wooden carton and every time pleged not to use a single pie on any other account. Prakash was conscious of his brother's plight and wanted to share his burden by coaching some students but Ajit didn't let him deviate himself from his studies. He hoped Prakash's passing with flying colours shall land him in a good job in Public Service and the family shall enjoy a respite from privation.

At one time Providence seemed to smile magnificently on the family. Laxmi gave birth to a bonny son and Prakash topped the list of successful candidates. Besides, Prakash had fallen in love with the daughter of the Police Commissioner, who instead resenting, appeared agreeable to even a matrimonial alliance. He held Ajit in high esteem due to his industry, honesty and truthfulness. But Umesh, his son and a senior Police Officer hated the very idea of his sister Uma's friendship with the brother of a rickshaw walla. He tried to frighten Uma out of wits and argued with his father and when nothing could stop the impending marriage of Uma with Prakash he conspired Ajit's murder at the hands of a gang of crooks responsible for every crime committed in the city of Hyderabad.

Ajit was shot at point blank range and was removed to hospital in a precarious condition and when he recovered he was advised by the doctors not to move from the bed for a few weeks but Ajit knew that the family fed on what he earned every day. He sneaked from the hospital and returned home to discover that during his absence some thief had stolen the bank in which he deposited money for the fees. He despite medical advice being against his returning to work, took part in a rickshaw race and won a reward of 500 rupees and paid up the fees but his trial of courage almost costed him his life.

Prakash with the help of Police Commissioner entered the Police department as a junior officer and soon his betrothal was arranged with Uma. It appeared for a time that good days were on hand. Police Commissioner one day visited Ajit's house to complete the preliminaries but there came a bolt from the blue and Prakash stopped the ceremony in the name of law and searched the house and found out the jewellery belonging to a dancer who was murdered and robbed the previous night. Younger brother Prakash arrested elder brother Ajit on charge of murder and robbery. Neither brotherly affection nor the voice of his conscience could change his course his course of duty. 

Did temptation win Ajit? What happened to the family after Ajit's arrest? What was Prakash's plight between tears of his niece and brother's wife and his duty as custodian law? What happened to the matrimony which was going to take place out of traditions and between members of two classes of society who prefer to remain apart, shall remain a guess till you witness the whole story yourself on the screen.

(From the official press booklet)

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