''Raja Aur Runk'' () is a 1968

Bollywood Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...

film, directed by

Kotayya Pratyagatma K. Pratyagatma (born Kolli Kotayya Pratyagatma), also known as K. P. Atma (b: 31 October 1925 - d: 8 June 2001) was an Indian film journalist, director and producer known for his works in Telugu and Hindi cinema. He has garnered three National ...

and starring

Sanjeev Kumar Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala; 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985) was an Indian actor. He is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrill ...

and Kumkum. It is an Indian adaptation of

Mark Twain Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), known by his pen name Mark Twain, was an American writer, humorist, entrepreneur, publisher, and lecturer. He was praised as the "greatest humorist the United States has p ...

's 1881 novel,

The Prince and the Pauper ''The Prince and the Pauper'' is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. Set in 1547, ...

Synopsis

''Raja Aur Runk'' is the story of a prince and a pauper. Two children, born on the same day at the same time: one to the king, Raja Sahib, and one to a poor man, Hariya (Ajit). The king is thrilled at the birth of Yuvraj, the heir to the throne, while Hariya is cynical about the birth of his son, Raja. The children grow up looking identical, but there is a constant contrast in their lives and upbringing. One day, Raja runs away from home and somehow ends up in the palace, where he meets Yuvraj. The boys discover how different their lives are. Being tempted to see the world outside, Yuvraj changes identities with Raja and leaves the palace. They now struggle in vain to adjust to their new identities. Raja's mother (Nirupa Roy) and sister Sujjo (Nazima) are miserable with his changed behavior and the king is very distressed about Yuvraj. Sudhir (Sanjeev Kumar) comes in as a pivotal player in this saga of gripping twists and turns. This Prasad Productions' costume drama has effective performances by Sanjeev Kumar, Nazima and child artiste Mahesh Kothare. The hit team of Anand Bakshi and Laxmikant Pyarelal created melodious songs like 'Tu Kitni Achchi Hai...O Maa', 'O Phirkiwali', 'Mera Naam Hai Chameli' and 'Sang Basanti Ang Basanti'.

Cast

as Sudhir/Vijay * Kumkum as Rajnartaki Madhvi * Ajit as Hariram ''Haria'' *

Mukri Mohammed Umar Mukri (5 January 1922 – 4 September 2000), popularly known as Mukri, was an Indian actor, who worked as a comedian in Hindi films. Born as Muhammad Umar Mukri in Uran, in Kokani Muslim Family. He started his film career with t ...

as Sunder (Sudhir's friend) *

Mohan Choti Mohan Choti (1935 – 1 February 1992) was an Indian actor who worked as a comedian in Hindi films. The name Mohan Choti came from a fictional character of the same name from the 1957 film '' Musafir'', in which he plays a tea shop delivery boy ...

as Gangu (Hariram's friend) *

Kamal Kapoor Kamal Kapoor (22 February 1920 – 2 August 2010) was an Indian actor and producer who acted in around 600 Hindi, Punjabi and Gujarati films. Early and personal life Kamal Kapoor was born in 1920 in Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, Brit ...

as Senapati Vikram *

Mahesh Kothare Mahesh Amber Kothare (Marathi pronunciation: əɦeːʃ koʈʰaːɾe born 28 September 1953) is an Indian film actor, director and producer of Marathi and Hindi films. He started his acting career as child artist. Kothare acted in well-known mo ...

as Yuvraaj Narendradev/Raja (as Master Mahesh) *

Nirupa Roy Nirupa Roy (born Kokila Kishorechandra Bulsara; 4 January 1931 – 13 October 2004) was an Indian actress who had appeared in Hindi films. Noted for her portrayals of tragedy and sorrow, Roy was known for her acting ability, and was uncharita ...

as Shanta *

Nazima Nazima (25 March 1948; née Mehr-un-Nissa) is a Bollywood actress who was most famous for her roles as supporting actress in films in 1960s and early 1970s. She was born in Nashik (Maharashtra) and was known as the "Resident Sister" of Bollyw ...

as Sujata ''Sujjo'' *

Aruna Rai Aruna may refer to: Religion and mythology * Aruna (Hinduism), the charioteer of Surya in Hinduism * Aruna (Hittite mythology), a Hittite sea god * Aruna Stambha, a monumental religious pillar in Puri, Odisha, India * Arunachala (''red mountai ...

as Chanchala (Madhvi's friend) *

Bipin Gupta Bipin Gupta (21 August 1905 – 9 September 1981) was an Indian actor and artist during the 1930s and 1960s. He acted in Bengali and Hindi cinema, most notably in '' Baiju Bawra'' (1952), ''Jagriti'' (1954), ''Gharana'' (1961) and '' Khilona'' ...

as Maharaj * Badri Prasad as Guru Shivanand

Soundtrack

The film's music was composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal with lyrics by

Anand Bakshi Anand Bakshi (21 July 1930 – 30 March 2002) was an Indian poet and lyricist. He was nominated for the Filmfare award for Best lyricist a total of 40 times, resulting in 4 wins. Early life Anand Bakshi (Bakshi Anand Prakash Vaid) was bor ...

. * "Mera Naam Hai Chameli",

Lata Mangeshkar Lata Mangeshkar () (born as Hema Mangeshkar; 28 September 1929 – 06 February 2022) was an Indian playback singer and occasional music composer. She is widely considered to have been the greatest and most influential singers in India. Her con ...

* "Mere Raja Mere Lal",

Asha Bhosle Asha Bhosle (; Mangeshkar; born 8 September 1933) is an Indian playback singer, entrepreneur and occasional actress and television personality who predominantly works in Indian Cinema. Known for her versatility, she has been described in th ...

Usha Mangeshkar Usha Mangeshkar (born 15 December 1935) is an Indian singer who has recorded many Marathi, Manipuri, Hindi, Bengali, Kannada, Nepali, Bhojpuri, Gujarati and Assamese songs. Personal life Usha Mangeshkar is an Indian singer. She is the fo ...

* "Kanhaiya Kanhaiya", Lata Mangeshkar,

Manna Dey Prabodh Chandra Dey (May 1, 1919 − October 24, 2013), known by his stage name Manna Dey, was an internationally acclaimed and celebrated Indian playback singer, music director, and a musician. As a classical vocalist, he belonged to the Bhe ...

, Kaumudi Munshi & Vinod Sharma * "O Phirkiwali, Tu Kal Phir Aana, Nahin Phir Jaana",

Mohammad Rafi Mohammed Rafi (24 December 1924 – 31 July 1980) was an Indian playback singer and musician. He is considered to have been one of the greatest and most influential singers of the Indian subcontinent. Rafi was notable for his versatility and ...

* "Sang Basanti, Ang Basanti, Rang Basanti Chha Gaya", Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey * "Tu Kitni Achhi Hai", Lata Mangeshkar

References

External links

* {{The Prince and the Pauper Indian children's films 1968 films 1960s Hindi-language films Films scored by Laxmikant–Pyarelal Films based on The Prince and the Pauper Hindi remakes of Telugu films Films directed by Kotayya Pratyagatma