Cast
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Rajesh Khanna
as Akash Chandra
Mumtaz Askari
as Chanda
Om Prakash
as Dharamdas
Jagdeep
as Shambhu
Madan Puri
as Satyanarayan
Manmohan Krishna
as Dinanath Chandra
Satyendra Kapoor
as Chanda's Brother
Rajan Haksar
as Doctor
Manmauji
as Malak
Kanhaiyalal Chaturvedi
as Sevaram
Mukkamala
as Mrs. Dinanath Chandra
C.S. Dubey
as Villager
Roja Ramani
as
Sunder
as Balak
Gurnam Singh
as Akash's Senior officer
Crew
Director
- Jambulingam
Writer
- Inder Raj Anand
- Raj Baldev Raj
Producer
- A.V. Subramaniam
- T.Govindarajan
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Apna Desh examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Jambulingam brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1972, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Apna Desh took approximately 15 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 172 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 198 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 6 weeks before filming began.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 11 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 12 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 1972, when this film was released:
- The Watergate scandal changed public perception of political institutions.
- Disco music dominated popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While Apna Desh shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike City Lights, which focuses more on action than character development, Apna Desh offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Taarzan: The Wonder Car and Lakshya explore similar territory, Apna Desh stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 26, 1972
- Runtime: 2h 52m
