Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon recently took to social media to commemorate a significant milestone for a classic Hindi cinema gem. She celebrated the 51st anniversary of the release of her father, director Ravi Tandon's superhit action thriller 'Majboor', which featured the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role.
Sharing the original poster from the 1974 film on her Instagram Stories, Raveena penned a nostalgic note. She wrote, "it's 51 yrs of the super hit 'Majboor'... Release on 6 Dec 1974 (sic)." This heartfelt tribute brought the spotlight back on a film that remains a notable part of Indian cinematic history.
The Hollywood-Inspired Screenplay by Salim-Javed
The foundation of 'Majboor' was laid by the iconic writer duo Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar. Reports suggest the screenplay was loosely inspired by two 1970 Hollywood projects: 'Zig Zag' and 'Cold Sweat'. Interestingly, the writers first narrated the story to filmmaker Ramesh Sippy.
While Sippy liked the concept, he envisioned a project on a much larger canvas. Consequently, Ravi Tandon took the directorial reins for 'Majboor'. The story eventually found its epic scale when Ramesh Sippy collaborated with Salim-Javed to create the monumental blockbuster 'Sholay' in 1975.
An Ensemble Cast and a Gripping Plot
'Majboor' boasted a powerful ensemble cast that included some of the finest actors of the era. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan as Ravi Khanna, alongside Parveen Babi, Pran, Farida Jalal, Sulochana Latkar, D. K. Sapru, Iftekhar, Satyen Kappu, Rehman, and Mac Mohan in key roles.
The plot follows the journey of Ravi Khanna, a man diagnosed with a terminal illness. In a desperate bid to secure his family's financial future after his death, he frames himself for a murder. However, after a successful operation saves his life, he must escape police custody and race against time to find the real killer and prove his innocence.
A Lasting Musical and Cinematic Legacy
The film's memorable music was composed by the celebrated duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, with lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack added to the film's mass appeal, contributing to its success at the box office.
The impact of 'Majboor' extended far beyond its original Hindi version. It was successfully remade in several South Indian languages:
- In Telugu as 'Raja' (1976) by director K. Raghavendra Rao.
- In Tamil as 'Naan Vazhavaippen' (1979).
- In Malayalam as 'Ee Kaikalil' (1986).
Furthermore, the film's core narrative is said to have inspired the 2008 Bollywood film 'Jimmy'. Ravi Tandon's directorial portfolio, apart from 'Majboor', includes other notable hits like 'Khel Khel Mein', 'Anhonee', 'Nazrana', 'Khud-daar', and 'Zindagi'.
Raveena Tandon's social media post serves as a warm reminder of the enduring legacy of classic cinema and the creative brilliance of filmmakers like her father. 'Majboor' remains a testament to a compelling story, powerful performances, and its successful adaptation across Indian film industries.
