Upkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar. The film held the top spot at the box office in 1967. Manoj Kumar started his Mr. Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism and fearless courage with this film.
Plot
Manoj Kumar played a village man 'Bharat', who sacrifices everything to get his brother educated. His brother Puran goes abroad and comes back a selfish man wanting his share of the property. But when war of 1965 between India and Pakistan breaks out, Bharat is off to the war; while his selfish brother, with the help of his greedy uncle, Charandas and some partners, try to gain profit by selling drugs and black marketering in the market. In the end, Bharat returns as a war hero defeating the demon designs of the enemy and his brother repents as he is caught by the police. Hence, he vows to be a good & hardworking brother just like his Indo-Pak war veteran brother Bharat. The movie also stars Asha Parekh as a doctor promoting family planning, Kamini Kaushal and Pran in his first positive character role. Madan Puri played the main villain with ease, full ability, and command. The film won several major awards. Many years later, Manoj Kumar said that one of the most beautiful screen images that stuck in his mind was a "half-lit Asha Parekh" in this film.
Background
Prime MinisterLal Bahadur Shastri praised his earlier film Shaheed and enthused Manoj Kumar to make a film on the Jai Jawan Jai Kisan slogan. The slogan shaped into Manoj Kumar's official debut as a director for Upkar, where he believably played both a jawan and a kisan. A huge hit, Upkar made Manoj an authority on screen patriotism. According to movie expert Rajesh Subramanian, Rajesh Khanna was originally signed for the film, but before the shooting kicked off he won the All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare and thus had to withdraw. Prem Chopra replaced him. Most parts of the movie were shot in Ghoga Village in Narela, Delhi. The Shiv Temple shown in the film is located in Ghoga, including the songs "Kasme Vaade" and "Mere Desh Ki Dharti", then Manoj Kumar purchased a Bagh in that area named Vishal Bagh on Main Bawana Road at Narela, Delhi NCT.
Laxmi Chhaya - Guest Dancer in "Gulabi Raat Gulabi"
Soundtrack
The film's music was given by Kalyanji Anandji. Lyrics for Upkar were penned by Qamar Jalalabadi, Indeevar, Gulshan Bawra, and Sitaram Dhawan. The song, "Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle Ugle Heere Moti, Mere Desh Ki Dharti", sung by Mahendra Kapoor was a chartbuster.
