How Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) Became a Classic Bollywood Film About Human-Animal Bonding
Haathi Mere Saathi: A Classic Bollywood Movie About Friendship and Love
Have you ever watched a movie that made you laugh, cry, and cheer at the same time? A movie that touched your heart with its story of friendship and love between humans and animals? A movie that showcased the talent and charisma of one of Bollywood's most popular stars? If you have not, then you are missing out on one of the most beloved movies of Indian cinema: Haathi Mere Saathi.
Haathi Mere Saathi Old Movie 20
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Introduction
Haathi Mere Saathi (transl. Elephants Are My Companions) is a 1971 Hindi-language drama film, directed by M. A. Thirumugam, with screenplay written by SalimJaved and dialogues by Inder Raj Anand. The movie has a Disneyesque appeal with an Indian twist.
The film stars Rajesh Khanna as Raju, an orphan who grows up with four elephants as his best friends. He falls in love with Tanu (Tanuja), a rich girl who initially dislikes his animal companions but later accepts them. However, their marriage faces trouble when Tanu's father (Madan Puri) tries to separate them and a villain (K.N. Singh) plots to harm Raju's elephants.
Haathi Mere Saathi is a classic movie because it has everything that makes a good film: a captivating story, memorable characters, emotional drama, comedy, action, romance, music, and message. It is also a landmark film in Bollywood history for being one of the first collaborations of Salim-Javed, who went on to become the most successful screenwriters of Indian cinema. It is also one of the biggest hits of Rajesh Khanna's career, who was known as the first superstar of Bollywood.
The Making of Haathi M ere Saathi
The idea of Haathi Mere Saathi came from the producer Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar, who was a fan of animals and had made several films featuring them. He wanted to make a film that would appeal to children and families, and he thought of using elephants as the main attraction. He approached Salim-Javed, who were then new in the industry, to write the script. They agreed, but they also wanted to add some elements of drama and social commentary to the story.
The next challenge was to find the lead actor who could convincingly play the role of Raju, a man who loves his elephants more than anything else. Thevar had initially thought of casting Dharmendra, but he was busy with other projects. He then approached Rajesh Khanna, who was at the peak of his popularity and had a huge fan following. Khanna liked the script and agreed to do the film, but he had one condition: he wanted his girlfriend and co-star Tanuja to play the female lead. Thevar agreed, and the casting was finalized.
The most difficult part of making the film was to train the four elephants who played Raju's friends: Ramu, Rani, Moti, and Lakshmi. Thevar hired an animal trainer named Surya Narayanan, who spent months teaching the elephants how to perform various tricks and stunts. He also taught Khanna how to interact with them and ride them. The elephants became so attached to Khanna that they would follow him everywhere on the sets. They also developed a bond with Tanuja, who overcame her fear of animals and learned to love them.
The film was shot in various locations in India, including Mumbai, Chennai, Kerala, and Mysore. The production faced many challenges and risks, such as bad weather, technical glitches, accidents, and animal rights protests. However, the film was also a rewarding experience for everyone involved, as they witnessed the amazing feats of the elephants and the chemistry between Khanna and Tanuja. The film was completed in about a year and cost around Rs. 4 million.
The Themes and Messages of Haathi Mere Saathi
Haathi Mere Saathi is not just a fun-filled movie about a man and his elephants; it is also a movie that conveys some important themes and messages that resonate with the audience. Some of these are:
Friendship between humans and animals
The movie shows how Raju and his elephants share a deep friendship that transcends species barriers. They understand each other's emotions, communicate through gestures and sounds, help each other in times of need, and have fun together. They also respect each other's individuality and choices, such as when Raju lets Ramu go with his mate or when Rani saves Tanu from drowning. The movie celebrates the bond between humans and animals and shows how they can enrich each other's lives.
Love and sacrifice
The movie also explores the theme of love and sacrifice in different ways. Raju loves Tanu so much that he is willing to give up his elephants for her happiness. Tanu loves Raju so much that she is willing to accept his elephants as part of their family. Raju's elephants love him so much that they are willing to risk their lives for him. The movie shows how love can overcome any obstacle or difference, but it also requires sacrifice and compromise from both sides.
Social issues and values of its time
The movie also reflects some of the social issues and values of its time, such as class conflict, animal welfare, environmental conservation, and family values. The movie portrays how Raju faces discrimination and hostility from Tanu's father and society because of his lower-class background and his association with animals. The movie also highlights how animals are exploited and abused by humans for their selfish interests, such as when the villain tries to kill Raju's elephants for their tusks or when Tanu's father tries to sell them to a circus. The movie also advocates for the protection of wildlife and nature, such as when Raju saves a baby elephant from poachers or when he builds a sanctuary for his elephants in the forest. The movie also emphasizes the importance of family values, such as loyalty, respect, honesty, and unity.
The Reception and Legacy of Haathi Mere Saathi
Haathi Mere Saathi was released on 1 May 1971 and became an instant hit with the audience. It was the highest-grossing Indian film of 1971 and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time at that point. It received rave reviews from critics, who praised the film's story, direction, performances, music, and message. The film won several awards and nominations, including the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for Salim-Javed and the National Film Award for Best Children's Film. The film also became popular in other countries, such as the Soviet Union, where it was dubbed in Russian and released as Мой друг - слон (My Friend - Elephant). It was also remade in several languages, such as Tamil (Nalla Neram), Telugu (Andamaina Anubhavam), and Kannada (Majaa Maadi Sakkare).
The film has also left a lasting legacy in Indian cinema and culture. It is considered as one of the best films of Rajesh Khanna's career and one of the finest examples of his acting skills and screen presence. It is also regarded as one of the best films of Salim-Javed's career and one of the pioneers of the masala genre, which combines various elements of drama, comedy, action, romance, and music. It is also remembered as one of the most successful and influential films about animals and their relationship with humans. It has inspired many filmmakers and actors to make films with similar themes or use animals as characters. It has also influenced many people to adopt or support elephants and other wildlife. It has also become a part of popular culture, with its songs, dialogues, scenes, and characters being referenced or parodied in various media.
Conclusion
Haathi Mere Saathi is a classic Bollywood movie that deserves to be watched by everyone who loves cinema. It is a movie that tells a beautiful story of friendship and love between a man and his elephants. It is a movie that showcases the talent and charm of Rajesh Khanna and Tanuja. It is a movie that conveys some important themes and messages that are relevant even today. It is a movie that has entertained and inspired millions of people across the world. It is a movie that has made a mark in the history and culture of Indian cinema.
If you have not seen Haathi Mere Saathi yet, I urge you to do so as soon as possible. You will not regret it. And if you have seen it before, I suggest you watch it again and relive the magic. You will enjoy it even more.
Haathi Mere Saathi is not just a movie; it is an emotion.
FAQs
Q: Where can I watch Haathi Mere Saathi?
A: You can watch Haathi Mere Saathi on various online platforms, such as YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hotstar, etc. You can also buy or rent the DVD or Blu-ray from any store or website that sells them.
Q: What is the meaning of Haathi Mere Saathi?
A: Haathi Mere Saathi means Elephants Are My Companions in Hindi. It is also the title song of the movie, sung by Kishore Kumar and composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
Q: How many elephants are there in Haathi Mere Saathi?
A: There are four elephants in Haathi Mere Saathi: Ramu, Rani, Moti, and Lakshmi. They are Raju's friends since childhood and help him in various situations.
Q: Who is the villain in Haathi Mere Saathi?
A: The villain in Haathi Mere Saathi is K.N. Singh, who plays a poacher named Dhanraj. He tries to kill Raju's elephants for their tusks and also kidnaps Tanu.
Q: Is Haathi Mere Saathi based on a true story?
A: No, Haathi Mere Saathi is not based on a true story. It is a fictional story written by Salim-Javed for the movie. However, some aspects of the story may be inspired by real-life incidents or people. b70169992d