Qurbani Ki Kahaani: Firoz Khan’s ‘Qurbani’ became a blockbuster not because of propaganda, but because of Zeenat Aman’s cabaret-disco.

Firoz Khan, Vinod Khanna, Zeenat Aman’s film Qurbani was once again in the news recently. Before the film started, tribute was paid to late leader Sanjay Gandhi. For this reason it was called a propaganda film. In the tribute of about one and a half minutes, Sanjay Gandhi was also addressed with great words like ‘Prince’ and ‘Vinjari Neta’. Such tribute is probably commonly seen in any Hindi film. In films, tributes have been paid many times to deceased famous personalities with their photographs, but in a masala film, like a documentary, such a tribute was not seen to a young leader who did not even hold any constitutional post.

This is why in recent times Propaganda to Dhurandhar In response to this, this part of the film was shared extensively on social media. In the film, Firoz Khan had his own voice over on photographs of some of Sanjay Gandhi’s public meetings and real footage of his funeral. In that voice over, Sanjay Gandhi was described as a great leader. But did the story of the film or any character have anything to do with this incident? Probably not. There was a lot of action in the film by Firoz Khan and Vinod Khanna and cabaret and disco dance by Zeenat Aman, which was a new spice for the audience of that time.

Search for propaganda in sacrifice films

Let us tell you that the film Qurbani was produced and directed by Firoz Khan. It is also said that the film was about to be released when Sanjay Gandhi died suddenly in a plane crash. For this reason, considering the atmosphere and public sentiment in the country, the release of the film was postponed. And when it was released, a part paying tribute to Sanjay Gandhi was added before the original film. This film was dedicated to his memories.

But the most interesting thing is that when this film was released in 1980, not only the common audience but even the educated intellectual audience hardly looked for propaganda in films. His first aim was to go to the cinema hall and entertain himself for three hours by watching the action and dance-songs on the screen. The film which came with action, emotion and something new in the songs, the audience used to make it a superhit. The audience doesn’t even realize where the propaganda is hidden in it.

Vinod Khanna’s action, Zeenat Aman’s glamour.

This is the secret behind the success of Qurbani. There was definitely no substance to the story of Qurbani except the action drama of tall actors like Vinod Khanna, Amjad Khan, Firoz Khan, Amrish Puri, Shakti Kapoor. But on the contrary, the actress whose glamorous presence added to the success of the film is Zeenat Aman. Hare Rama Hare Krishna Daam maar daam… or in the procession of memories Now that you have stolen my heart… As Zeenat Aman had already created the magic of her glamor on screen through songs, she was already in the headlines.

Now Firoz Khan allowed that glamor to shine even further by making Zeenat a cabaret dancer in Qurbani. Vinod Khanna’s action along with Zeenat Aman’s performance, cabaret and disco made Qurbani a superhit. Collection records show that the film made for Rs 2.5 crores earned more than Rs 25 crores. It became the highest collecting film of that year. It is also said to be inspired by the story and characters of the 1972 German film The Master Touch.

In today’s times, when we watch the film Qurbani, it seems very superficial. Like any typical masala film of the eighties. The kind of fantasy that Firoz Khan is known for showing in his films, Qurbani also had a grand touch of it. Along with this, the role of Zeenat Aman also had all the ingredients to attract the young audience. The songs and music of the film gained the most fame at that time. All the songs of the film were hits. Some songs are still heard today, for example We love you like this, like someone who is dying wants life… There was a freshness in the voices of Manhar Udhas and Kanchan, who provided voices for Vinod Khanna and Zeenat Aman.

Laila me Laila… The song wreaked havoc

Let us tell you that along with the glamor of Zeenat Aman, some experiments were done in songs and music to popularize Qurbani. These experiments proved to be sensational for that period. All the songs of the film were written by Indeevar and music was given by Kalyan ji Anand ji. But Biddu had given the music of a song written by Indeevar. Today many people may have forgotten Biddu but it is Biddu who is credited with bringing disco music to India. There is a cabaret dance scene at one or two places in the film. In this, Zeenat Aman is seen singing as a cabaret dancer- If someone like you comes into my life, things will be resolved… The music of this song was composed by Biddu himself. The voice was that of Pakistani singer Nazia Hassan. बिद्दू ने ही भारत में नाजिया हसन और जोहेब हसन का परिचय कराया. Zeenat Aman’s captivating performance on this song proved to be the USP of Qurbani. Someone like you… The song became the identity of sacrifice and Zeenat its face.

Some other songs of Qurbani became quite popular during that period. Laila I am Laila…this is how I am Laila… Everyone wants to meet me alone… It was sung by Kanchan along with Amit Kumar. Laila me Laila… The song spreads the same colors even today. Its remix also became an equal hit. Apart from this Mohd. Song sung in the voices of Rafi and Asha Bhosle-What do you see about your face… Was also recorded as a classic song. So Kishore Kumar and Anwar sang Allah loves sacrifice… The title song also became a chartbuster.

That is, Qurbani’s success was not because of being a propaganda film but because of the songs, modern music, strong actors and Zeenat Aman’s cabaret dance, glamor and body performance. Qurbani is also credited with the fact that disco music was used for the first time. Bappi Lahiri and Mithun Chakraborty’s film Disco Dancer is generally remembered for its disco music. But the truth is that the foundation of disco laid in Qurbani was further taken forward in the films of Bappi Lahiri and Mithun Chakraborty duo. Mithun was called the superstar of disco.

Story of friendship, sacrifice of a friend

However, in the story of the film Qurbani, neither the animal is actually slaughtered nor is there any mention of Sanjay Gandhi’s thoughts and personality in it. Qurbani means sacrifice. Rajesh, played by Firoz Khan in the film, is a thief and has been to jail several times. Zeenat Aman plays the character of cabaret dancer Sheela, a single girl. Both love each other. Later, a new twist comes in the story with the entry of Vinod Khanna.

The name of Vinod Khanna’s character is Amar. He was also a part of a don’s gang. But tries to live a noble life. His wife has passed away, he has a daughter of 5-6 years. Due to circumstances Vinod Khanna and Zeenat Anam come close to each other and Firoz Khan and Vinod Khanna become friends. At the end of the film, Vinod Khanna stands before the gun of villain Shakti Kapoor and sacrifices himself to save the life of his best friend Firoz Khan. This is the sacrifice made by one friend for another friend. After this, the lines of the title song emerge in the background-

Angels don’t get this emotion, it’s human emotion.

Those whose luck favors them are the ones who make sacrifices.

Also read: Gandhi’s roles were widely seen in Hindi films, but despite being close to the stars, a biopic was not made on Nehru!