1942: A Love Story

1994 film by Vidhu Vinod Chopra February 2020 1942: A Love Story 1942 A Love Story 1994 film poster.jpg Film poster Vidhu Vinod Chopra Vidhu Vinod Chopra Screenplay:Sanjay Leela BhansaliShiv Kumar SubramaniamVidhu Vinod ChopraDialogues:Kamna Chandra Kamna ChandraShiv Kumar SubramaniamVidhu Vinod Chopra Anil KapoorManisha KoiralaJackie ShroffDanny DenzongpaAnupam KherChandniPran Songs:R. D. BurmanScore:Manohari SinghBabloo Chakravorty Binod Pradhan Renu Saluja SLB FilmsVinod Chopra Productions 1994 07 15 y 157 minutes India Hindi 4.75 crore 11.48 crore1942: A Love Story (1994) https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3095 live Box office India 9 June 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20161223104310/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/movie.php?movieid=3095 23 December 2016 1942: A Love Story, also known as 1942 A Love Story, is a 1994 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. It stars Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Jackie Shroff, with Danny Denzongpa, Anupam Kher, Pran and Brian Glover. The film revolves around lovers Naren (Kapoor) and Rajjo (Koirala), who come from contrasting family backgrounds and depicts how their relationship is threatened owing to the outbreak of the Indian revolutionary movement. The film's core plot was reported to be inspired by the 1992 Kannada-language film Mysore Mallige,http://prekshaa.in/contributions-of-kannada-cinema-to-historical-dramas/#.WzkGorc5ZPy Contributions of Kannada Cinema to Historical Dramas prekshaa.in 10 October 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20180701165115/http://prekshaa.in/contributions-of-kannada-cinema-to-historical-dramas/#.WzkGorc5ZPy 1 July 2018 dead which itself was based on the 1942 work of same title by K. S. Narasimhaswamy.https://vijaykarnataka.com/news/vk-special/k-s-narasimhaswamy-a-prominent-indian-poet-in-the-kannada-language/articleshow/50700135.cms ಕನ್ನಡದ ಅನನ್ಯ 'ಪ್ರೇಮಕವಿ' Kannada's unique 'love poet' kn 9 October 2022 9 October 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221009091402/https://vijaykarnataka.com/news/vk-special/k-s-narasimhaswamy-a-prominent-indian-poet-in-the-kannada-language/articleshow/50700135.cms live The screenplay was jointly written by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Kamna Chandra and Chopra. Binod Pradhan acted as the cinematographer while Renu Saluja edited the film. This was the last film work of R. D. Burman, who died before the release of the film.https://theprint.in/feature/reel-take/1942-a-love-story-the-swansong-that-brought-r-d-burman-back-to-stay/344818/ 1942: A Love Story — the swansong that brought R.D. Burman back to stay ThePrint 5 January 2020 Upon release, the film did not perform well commercially. It was praised for the performances, soundtrack, cinematography, and theme, but criticized for its story, screenplay, and pacing. Over the years, the film developed a cult following and is now remembered more fondly than its box office numbers suggest.Watch: Anil Kapoor gets nostalgic as'1942: A Love Story' clocks 27 years of release today The Times of India 15 April 2021 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/watch-anil-kapoor-gets-nostalgic-as1942-a-love-story-clocks-27-years-of-release-today/articleshow/82084180.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com Plot The film is set in 1942, when the British Raj was declining in power. It was a time when many Indian citizens were either working for the British regime or rallying in underground meetings and protests against them. In this atmosphere, Narendra Singh falls in love with Rajeshwari Pathak. Their romance is shown to develop in spite of the political and social unrest at the time. Narendra's father, Diwan Hari Pratap Singh, is a loyal British employee working for the brutal British General Douglas, who is infamous for tracking down and executing citizens who are believed to be revolutionaries. Rajeshwari's father, Raghuveer Pathak, is a revolutionary fighting against British rule, as he holds a grudge against Douglas for murdering his son. When Narendra asks Raghuveer for Rajeshwari's hand in marriage, Raghuveer becomes livid. However, Narendra declares that he is willing to sacrifice everything for Rajeshwari and convinces Raghuveer of his love for her. Raghuveer relents but tells Narendra to talk to his father first. When Narendra does so, Hari is angry that his son has chosen the daughter of a revolutionary, but he pretends that he will do anything for Narendra's happiness. However, Hari tricks Narendra into revealing Raghuveer's secret location and leaks the information to Major Bisht and the British authorities. Soon, police barge into Raghuveer's hideaway and try to kill him, only to find him waiting to light a bomb, killing both himself and the men. Rajeshwari, who was out at that time, realizes what has happened and runs away. She is taken into refuge by Shubhankar, a compatriot of Raghuveer who has learned of his death. Under Shubhankar's tutelage, Rajeshwari follows her father's revolutionary path. Meanwhile, Narendra gets furious at his father for using him to kill Raghuveer and drive Rajeshwari away. Promising to make up to Rajeshwari and help her cause, Narendra pledges to become a revolutionary by severing all ties with his father; even Bisht's daughter Chanda does the same after witnessing Bisht murdering her teacher Abid Ali Baig, who is a revolutionary allied with Shubhankar, much to Bisht's remorse. To prove his point, Narendra attempts to murder Douglas in front of the city but is caught in the act after shooting down a few soldiers. Narendra is then convicted and sentenced to hang for attempted murder. Douglas then orders his troops to fire at the town square, resulting in the deaths of several citizens, including Chanda. However, Shubhankar saves Narendra from being hanged, and Bisht develops a change of heart after witnessing Chanda's death, helping Shubhankar and Narendra finish off Hari and the remaining loyalists and stabbing Douglas with a flagpole. With the loyalists dead, Narendra reconciles with Rajeshwari while Shubhankar hangs Douglas to death, avenging all those who perished under Douglas' wrath. The film ends with Narendra, Rajeshwari, Shubhankar, Bisht, and the surviving citizens hoisting and saluting the Indian flag. Cast Anil Kapoor as Narendra Singh "Naren", Rajjo’s love interest Jackie Shroff as Shubhankar, Pathak’s accomplice, secretly had a crush on Rajjo Manisha Koirala as Rajeshwari Pathak "Rajjo" Danny Denzongpa as Major Bisht, Chanda’s Father Chandni as Chanda Bisht, Naren’s drama partner who secretly likes Naren Anupam Kher as Raghuveer Pathak, Rajjo’s father Pran as Abid Ali Baig, Chanda’s, Rajjo’s and Naren’s drama teacher, Pathak’s accomplice in plotting General’s murder Ashish Vidyarthi as Ashutosh Pathak, Rajjo’s brother Raghuveer Yadav as Munna, Naren’s Driver and Rajjo’s neighbour Sushma Seth as Gayatri Singh, Naren’s Mother Manohar Singh as Diwan Hari Pratap Singh, Naren’s Father Brian Glover as General Douglas Production Development Vinod told me that he only makes dark films. I said I have a love story and asked him to listen to it. I read him two or three ideas and he liked one and asked me to develop it. After a year's hardship and constant quarrels and bickering, I finished the script and dialogues. Then one day Vinod called and said, 'I don't want a love story set in today's time. What if we take this story and set it in another era?' —Chandra, about writing the script for 1942: A Love Story right 25% Kamna Chandra, one of the scriptwriters of the film, had gone to the United States to meet her daughters Tanuja and Anupama (whom Vidhu Vinod Chopra would later marry) as they were studying there. Having watched Chopra's film Parinda on video and being impressed with it, both of them asked their mother to write a story and approach him to direct it. Chandra had previously written Prem Rog and Chandni; both were love stories. She knew Chopra made "dark films", but decided to meet him.4 April 2012 Movies: How 1942 A Love Story was made https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-part-of-the-cost-of-the-set-was-borne-by-jackie-shroff/20120404.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20210427112237/https://m.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-part-of-the-cost-of-the-set-was-borne-by-jackie-shroff/20120404.htm 27 April 2021 8 June 2022 Rediff.com en After returning, Chandra met Chopra at Natraj Studios. She made him listen to two or three of her ideas, among which he liked one and asked her to develop it. Chandra finished the script and dialogues by a year, until a day when Chopra himself called her and suggested that they should make a love story set in another era instead of the present time. This provoked Chandra, who could not sleep that night. However, she became excited in the next few days. Having grown up amidst the Indian freedom struggle, she decided to place the story at that time. This formed the core plot for 1942: A Love Story. Casting Aamir Khan had initially been offered the role of Narendra, but he declined.शुक्ल पंकज 15 April 2021 Bioscope S2: शाहरुख के लिए सोचा गया था '1942 ए लव स्टोरी' में ये वाला रोल, ऐसे हुई मनीषा की एंट्री Bioscope S2: This role in '1942 A Love Story' was thought for Shah Rukh; Manisha's entry happened in this way https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/entertainment/bollywood/bioscope-by-pankaj-shukla-1942-a-love-story-jackie-shroff-anil-kapoor-manisha-vidhu-chopra-rd-burman live https://web.archive.org/web/20210416044909/https://www.amarujala.com/amp/photo-gallery/entertainment/bollywood/bioscope-by-pankaj-shukla-1942-a-love-story-jackie-shroff-anil-kapoor-manisha-vidhu-chopra-rd-burman 16 April 2021 6 June 2022 Amar Ujala hi Anil Kapoor was then approached, who was hesitant to do the film and suggested Bobby Deol and Aamir Khan for the role. However, he was later convinced. To prepare himself for the role, Kapoor worked hard — he lost weight, cut short his hair, trimmed his moustache and worked on his costumes to create the character.Bhasin Shriya 4 November 2019 Anil Kapoor reveals why he initially refused '1942: A Love Story' https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/anil-kapoor-reveals-why-he-initially-refused-1942-a-love-story-561279 live https://web.archive.org/web/20191105204425/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/celebrities/anil-kapoor-reveals-why-he-initially-refused-1942-a-love-story-561279 5 November 2019 7 June 2022 India TV en Shah Rukh Khan was under consideration for the role later portrayed by Raghuvir Yadav. He did not feature as he had already been playing lead roles. Jackie Shroff, being cast as Shubankar, gave financial assistance to the film. For instance, some (extra) houses built at the film's set (which were first disapproved of by Vidhu Vinod Chopra due to the limited budget) were paid for by Shroff. Moreover, he also paid composer R. D. Burman on behalf of Chopra when he made them listen to the music of the film for the very first time. Chopra had crafted the role of Rajeshwari Pathak in accordance to Madhuri Dixit, with lyricist Javed Akhtar also keeping her in mind while penning the lyrics for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To". By the time the film was launched, Dixit had packed schedules, which subsequently prevented her inclusion in the film. Manisha Koirala, who had auditioned for the role of Rajjo's sister (the role being later excluded), was then asked by Chopra to give a screen test. But, after seeing Koirala enacting a scene, Chopra deemed her a "terrible actress". Koirala, however, asked him for a second chance. She went back home, practised her lines and came back prepared the next day. She pleased Chopra with her performance and was thereafter signed. 3 January 2019 When Manisha Koirala Almost Got Rejected for '1942: A Love Story' https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/when-manisha-koirala-almost-got-rejected-for-1942-a-love-story-2 live https://web.archive.org/web/20190203122928/https://www.thequint.com/amp/story/entertainment/when-manisha-koirala-almost-got-rejected-for-1942-a-love-story-2 3 February 2019 9 June 2022 The Quint en Ashwini Bhave was also one of those who had auditioned for the role. She was rejected on the spot.6 December 2020 Revisiting 1942: A Love Story – 42 interesting facts about the epic romance https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2020/dec/06/revisiting1942-a-love-story---42-interesting-facts-about-the-epic-romance-1206.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20220609064750/https://m.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2020/dec/06/revisiting1942-a-love-story---42-interesting-facts-about-the-epic-romance-1206.amp 9 June 2022 9 June 2022 Cinema Express en Nana Patekar, who had previously worked with Chopra in Parinda (1989), was selected to portray Raghuvir Pathak. But he insisted on being cast as Shubankar, which caused a rift between him and Chopra. Anupam Kher was later signed for the role. Mithun Chakraborty had also been briefly considered for the role of Shubankar, when Shroff developed date issues. The distributors, however, somehow made Chopra retain Shroff in the film. Since the production started in the early 90s, it was speculated that Sanjay Kapoor was to replace his brother Anil as the latter's film Lamhe (1991) had not been successful. Nevertheless, it did not materialize. Filming Principal photography for the film, being handled by Binod Pradhan, took place mainly at various locations in Himachal Pradesh, including the district Chamba, Dalhousie, Khajjiar and the Kalatop Sanctuary to depict pre-independence India. An artificial set resembling Dalhousie was created in the Mumbai Filmcity, since it was an expensive proposition to take the entire cast and crew there. It was erected by art director Nitin Desai at a cost of 80 lakhs. According to Desai, many people told Chopra not to hire him, as he was a newcomer; yet Chopra had full faith in him. Music The music composer of the film was R. D. Burman who died before the release of the film, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar.https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bollywood/1942-a-love-story-rd-burmans-posthumous-album-made-romance-blossom-against-rebellion-6448031.html 1942: A Love Story — RD Burman's posthumous album made romance blossom against rebellion Firstpost 15 April 2019 The background score was by Manohari Singh and Babloo Chakraborty. R. D. won his last Filmfare Award for Best Music Director and Javed Akthar bagged his first Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha". Kumar Sanu won his 5th consecutive and the last Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" and Kavita Krishnamurthy won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer for "Pyar Hua Chupke Se", the first of her hat-trick feat. The soundtrack was #13 on the list of "100 Greatest Bollywood Soundtracks of All Time", as compiled by Planet Bollywood. The music in the introduction of the film is from Gustav Holst's The Planets - Mars the bringer of war. RD Burman passed away before the completion of the music of the film as a result the female version of the song Kuch na Kaho was re-recorded in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar as tribute to the late composer whereas Kavita Krishnamurthy had already provided her vocals for a copy of the song. According to Box Office India, with around 35,00,000 units sold, this film's soundtrack was the year's third highest-selling album, behind Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Mohra.2010-01-02 BoxOffice India.com http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 2024-11-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010439/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 2 January 2010 # Song Singer1. "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha" Kumar Sanu 2. "Pyar Hua Chupke Se" Kavita Krishnamurthy3. "Rooth Na Jana" Kumar Sanu4. "Kuchh Na Kaho" (Happy) Kumar Sanu5. "Rim Jhim Rim Jhim" Kavita Krishnamurthy, Kumar Sanu6. "Yeh Safar" Shibaji Chatterjee7. "Kuch Na Kaho" (Sad) Lata Mangeshkar Release 1942: A Love Story was released on 15 April 1994.Roy Chowdhury Rishita 15 April 2021 Anil Kapoor celebrates 27 years of 1942: A Love Story https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/anil-kapoor-celebrates-27-years-of-1942-a-love-story-1791306-2021-04-15 live https://web.archive.org/web/20210416181557/https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/movies/celebrities/story/anil-kapoor-celebrates-27-years-of-1942-a-love-story-1791306-2021-04-15 16 April 2021 2022-10-04 India Today en It opened to positive reviews from critics, with praise drawn towards the cast performances, cinematography, and the soundtrack by R. D. Burman.Chandra Anupama 15 June 1994 Soundtrack of '1942: A Love Story' marks the revival of romance, poetry in Hindi film music https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/story/19940615-soundtrack-of-1942-a-love-story-marks-the-revival-of-romance-poetry-in-hindi-film-music-809283-1994-06-14 live https://web.archive.org/web/20221108084813/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/story/19940615-soundtrack-of-1942-a-love-story-marks-the-revival-of-romance-poetry-in-hindi-film-music-809283-1994-06-14 8 November 2022 2022-11-08 India Today en Amitabh Bachchan had attended the preview screening of the film and congratulated Chopra for his endeavour The film was restored in 8K and re-released on 21 August 2026.Agarwal Amit 31 May 1993 Commercial, but not cliched https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19930531-movie-preview-vidhu-vinod-chopra-1942-a-love-story-and-dilip-kumar-kalinga-811112-1993-05-30 live https://web.archive.org/web/20221109114550/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19930531-movie-preview-vidhu-vinod-chopra-1942-a-love-story-and-dilip-kumar-kalinga-811112-1993-05-30 9 November 2022 2022-11-09 India Today en Accolades AwardAwards, festivals and organizations are in alphabetical order. Date of ceremonyDate is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible. Category Recipient(s) Result Ref. Reference Filmfare Awards 25 February 1995 Best FilmVidhu Vinod Chopra http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368622.cms 40th Filmfare Awards 1995 Nominations Indian Times 24 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20070708210420/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/368622.cms 8 July 2007 The Times Grouphttp://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/368623.cms 40th Filmfare Awards 1995 Winners Indian Times 24 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20070708210526/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/368623.cms 8 July 2007 The Times Group Best Director Best Actor Kapoor Anil Kapoor Best Actress Koirala Manisha Koirala Best Supporting Actor Shroff Jackie Shroff Best Music Director Burman R. D. Burman Best Lyricist Akhtar Javed Akhtar for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To" Best Male Playback Singer Sanu Kumar Sanu for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To" Best Female Playback Singer Krishnamurthy Kavita Krishnamurthy for "Pyaar Hua Chupke Se" Best Cinematography Pradhan Binod Pradhan Best Art Direction Desai Nitin Chandrakant Desai Best Editing Saluja Renu Saluja Best Sound Design Chaudhary Jitendra Chaudhary, Nayak Namita Nayak Screen Awards 1995 Best Supporting Actor Kher Anupam Kher http://www.screenindia.com/screenawards/award94.html Screen Award winners for the year 1994 are Screen India 24 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20020116211217/http://www.screenindia.com/screenawards/award94.html 16 January 2002 Indian Express Limited Best Music Director Burman R. D. Burman Best Lyricist Akhtar Javed Akhtar for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To" Best Male Playback Singer Sanu Kumar Sanu for "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To" Best Art Direction Desai Nitin Chandrakant Desai Best Cinematography Pradhan Binod Pradhan Best Sound Design Chaudhary Jitendra Chaudhary, Nayak Namita Nayak Notes References External links 0109010 1942: A Love Story Category:Films directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra Category:Films scored by R. D. Burman Category:1994 romance films Category:Films set in 1942 Category:Films set in the Indian independence movement Category:1994 Hindi-language films Category:1994 Indian films Category:Hindi-language romance films Category:Indian romantic drama films Category:Indian historical romance films Category:Films set in Himachal Pradesh Category:Films shot in Himachal Pradesh