Pujari is a 1946 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Aspi Irani and produced by Ardeshir Irani in his final production venture. The film stars Mumtaz Shanti, Masood and Bipin Gupta, and features Madhubala as a child actor credited as "Baby Mumtaz". The film's music was composed by Hansraj Behl in one of his early breakthrough works in Hindi cinema.
Cast Mumtaz Shanti Masood Bipin Gupta Baby Mumtaz
Production The film was the final production by Ardeshir Irani.
It was one of the earliest films featuring Madhubala, who appeared as a child actor under her contract with Ranjit Studios."Baby Mumtaz played her earlier child roles in Ranjit's Mumtaz Mahal, Dhana Bhagat, Pujari and Phoolwari.""...she appeared in a succession of films which were both popular and distinctive. Of these, Pujari, Badal, Shirin Farhad and Howrah Bridge are notable examples."
Music The music for Pujari included ten songs composed by Hansraj Behl. The film marked Behl's breakthrough in the Hindi cinema.
The soundtrack included the devotional song "Bhagwan Mere Gyaan Ke Deepak Ko Jala De," sung by a young Madhubala. Additionally, there were two songs rendered by the classical vocalist Firoz Dastur of the Kirana gharana.
Reception The film received a scathing review from Baburao Patel of filmindia, who panned it as a "rotten show" with a dull screenplay and poor direction. While he praised Bipin Gupta's performance and Mumtaz Shanti's dancing, Patel ultimately dismissed the venture as a boring experience and a risky proposition for film exhibitors.
References
External links