| Ek Hi Raasta | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | B. R. Chopra |
| Written by | Mukhram Sharma |
| Screenplay by | Mukhram Sharma |
| Story by | Mukhram Sharma |
| Produced by | B. R. Chopra[1] |
| Starring | Ashok Kumar Sunil Dutt Meena Kumari Daisy Irani Jeevan Shrinath |
| Cinematography | M. N. Malhotra |
| Edited by | Pran Mehra |
| Music by | Hemanta Mukherjee |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | B. R. Films |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Ek Hi Raasta (lit. 'Only one way') is a1956family-drama IndianHindi film directed and produced byB. R. Chopra. It starredSunil Dutt,Meena Kumari,Ashok Kumar,Daisy Irani,Jeevan andShrinath in main roles. The music for the film was scored byHemanta Mukherjee.[2][3] Having directed a few films earlier, Chopra formed his own production house B.R. Films in 1955 andEk Hi Raasta was the first film produced under this banner. The film was remade in Telugu asKumkuma Rekha (1960) and in Tamil asPudhiya Pathai (1960).
The film starts with the portrayal of a happily married couple, Amar and Malti who have a son, Raja. Amar and Malti are both orphans and hence are sympathetic towards orphans generally. Prakash is a rich bachelor businessman for whom Amar works. While working in Prakash's factory, Amar catches another worker Munshi stealing money from the factory locker.
To take revenge for his humiliation at the hands of Amar, Munshi murders him. To escape his depression over the loss, Prakash begins helping Malti and her child. Munshi tries to humiliate the family by spreading rumors of an affair between Prakash and Malti in public. To save the honour of Malti, Prakash marries her. The child Raja however refuses to accept Prakash as his father. Munshi provokes Raja against Prakash and claims that Prakash was the real murderer of Amar. Out of anger, Raja tries to shoot Prakash but fails. Raja runs away from home carrying with him the infant son of Prakash and Malti. Prakash rescues the two children from the railway track. After being convinced of Prakash's sincerity, Raja accepts him as his father
The music for the songs was composed byHemanta Mukherjee.[4] He also sang few of the songs himself, of which "Chali Gori Pi Se Milan Ko Chali" was based onBhairavi raga.[5]
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Bade Bhaiyya Laaye Hain London" | Asha Bhosle | 8:07 |
| 2. | "Bhola Bachpan Dukhi Jawani" | Hemanta Mukherjee andLata Mangeshkar | 2:22 |
| 3. | "Bhola Bachpan Dukhi Jawani (2)" | Lata Mangeshkar | 5:10 |
| 4. | "Chali Gori Pi Se Milan Ko Chali" | Hemanta Mukherjee | 5:44 |
| 5. | "Chamaka Ban Kar Aman Ka Taara[1]" | Hemanta Mukherjee andLata Mangeshkar | 6:51 |
| 6. | "Kaisi Lagi Kaisi Lagi Jaaye" | Asha Bhosle andUsha Mangeshkar | 6:49 |
| 7. | "Sanware Salone Aaye Din Bahaar Ke" | Hemanta Mukherjee andLata Mangeshkar | 1:16 |
| 8. | "Udale Hain Mere Gham Ki Hansi" | Lata Mangeshkar | 2:85 |
The film was directed and produced by theDadasaheb Phalke Award winnerB. R. Chopra under the B. R. films banner.[1][6][7][8][9] Founded in 1955, the production house's first creation was this film.[10]
The music was directed by well known singerHemanta Mukherjee,[8][11] with the lyrics written by one of the dominating musical forces inIndian Cinema,Majrooh Sultanpuri.[1][8][12] The story, along with the screenplay and dialogue were written by Mukhram Sharma.[8] Assistant directors includedBalbir Kumar,O. P. Bedi andB. R. Chopras' brother,Yash Chopra.[8][13]
The film proved to be successful at the box office and was screened for more than 25 weeks; which was called "Jubilee Hit".[14] The banner went on to produce many more successful films such asNaya Daur (1957),Sadhana (1958),Dhool Ka Phool (1959),Waqt (1965) and more.[15] Child actress Daisy Irani's role asRaja was also well appreciated.[16][17] She was also seen in Chopra's next filmNaya Daur.[18]