''Hum Ek Hain'' () is a 1946 Indian

Hindi Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...

-language film co-written and directed by P. L. Santoshi in his directorial debut. The film stars

Durga Khote Durga Khote (née Vita Lad; 14 January 1905 − 22 September 1991) was an Indian actress, beginning as one of the foremost leading ladies of her time. She remained active in Hindi and Marathi cinema, as well as theatre, for over 50 years, starr ...

, along with Kamala Kotnis,

Dev Anand Dev Anand (; born Dharamdev Pishorimal Anand; 26 September 1923 – 3 December 2011) was an Indian actor, writer, director and producer known for his work in Indian cinema, Hindi cinema. He is considered as one of the greatest and most succes ...

, Rehana and Rehman in their cinematic acting debut. It was released on 8 June 1946.

Plot

Zamindari Ma, the old landlady of a village supports its people during a famine and raises three orphaned children of differing religions. The children, although encouraged to practice their separate religions, are taught to remain united at all times. Chhote Babu, who wants to marry Vidya, the girl who is engaged to Zamindari Ma's biological son Shankar, sows discord and hatred, causing great enmity between the trio until reason prevails and they reunite.

Cast

as Zamindari Ma * Kamla Kotnis as Vidya *

as Shankar * Rehana * Rehman as Yusuf * Ranjitkumari as Durga * Rane.R.V. as John * Baby Achrekar * Ramsing as Chhote Babu * Gokhale * Ganpatrao * Manajirao * Bhagwat * Karadkar * Baby Sarpotdar * Master Sharad Kulkarni * Master Afzul Khan * Abdul Hamid * Master Tazmul Hussain * Shaikh Buranuddin *

Cuckoo Cuckoos are birds in the Cuculidae ( ) family, the sole taxon in the order Cuculiformes ( ). The cuckoo family includes the common or European cuckoo, roadrunners, koels, malkohas, couas, coucals, and anis. The coucals and anis are somet ...

as a dancer

Production

''Hum Ek Hain'', which was produced under

Prabhat Film Company Prabhat Film Company (popularly known as Prabhat Films) was an Indian film production company and studio facility founded in 1929 in Kolhapur. It was established by filmmaker V. Shantaram, along with Vishnupant Govind Damle, Keshav Rao Dhaibar, ...

, was the directorial debut of P. L. Santoshi, and the acting debut of

, Kamala Kotnis, Rehana and Rehman in cinema. Santoshi also worked as writer alongside Saleh Mohammed Qureshi and Tony Lazarus. Cinematography was handled by Surendra Pai.

Guru Dutt Guru Dutt (born Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone; 9 July 1925 – 10 October 1964; also known as Gurudatta Padukone) was an Indian film actor, director, producer, choreographer, and writer.Rajadhyaksha, Ashish, and Paul Willemen. 9941998 ...

worked as an assistant director and choreographer.

Themes

''Hum Ek Hain'' focuses on the idea of

religious harmony in India Religious harmony in India is a concept that indicates that there is love, affection between different religions throughout the history of the Indian subcontinent. In the modern-day Republic of India, the Indian constitution supports and encou ...

, particularly

Hindu–Muslim unity Hindu–Muslim unity is a religiopolitical concept in the Indian subcontinent which stresses members of the two largest faith groups there, Hindus and Muslims, working together for the common good. The concept was championed by various persons, s ...

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by the duo

Husnlal Bhagatram Husn Lal and Bhagat Ram were the first legendary music director duo in Bollywood. They are two brothers, Husn Lal (8 April 1920 – 28 December 1968) and Bhagat Ram (1914 – 29 November 1973). Husn Lal was also a renowned violinist, vocalist ...

, while all songs were written by P. L. Santoshi.

Release and reception

''Hum Ek Hain'' was released on 8 June 1946. ''

Filmindia ''filmindia'' is an Indian monthly magazine covering Indian cinema and published in English language. Started by Baburao Patel in 1935, ''filmindia'' was the first English film periodical to be published from Bombay. The magazine was reportedly ...

'', a magazine which was then revered and feared by the Indian film industry, wrote positively about the film: "It has a theme with a purpose ..that ought to find a response in the hearts of millions in our country." The reviewer also praised Anand's acting skills.

References

Bibliography

* *

External links

* {{IMDb title, 0269343 1940s Hindi-language films 1940s Indian films 1946 directorial debut films 1946 films Films about religion Indian black-and-white films Prabhat Film Company films Indian drama films 1946 drama films Hindi-language drama films