Laila Majnu (1976 film)

Laila Majnu
Film poster
Directed by	Harnam Singh Rawail
Written by	Abrar Alvi Anjana Rawail Harnam Singh Rawail
Produced by	Ram B.C. Seeroo Daryani
Starring	Rishi Kapoor Ranjeeta Kaur Danny Dengzongpa
Cinematography	G. Singh
Edited by	Shyam Rajput
Music by	Madan Mohan Jaidev
Distributed by	De Luxe Films
Release date	11 November 1976 (1976-11-11) (India)
Running time	141 min.
Countries	India West Germany Soviet Union
Language	Hindustani

Laila Majnu is a 1976 Indian Hindustani-language romantic drama film directed by Harnam Singh Rawail and starring Rishi Kapoor, Ranjeeta and Danny Denzongpa in lead roles. The film's music is by Madan Mohan and Jaidev. Based on the legend of Layla and Majnun, it tells the story of two star-crossed lovers: Laila, a princess and Qais a.k.a. Majnu, a common man.

Laila Majnu marked the debut of Ranjeeta. Upon its release in 1976, it garnered highly positive reviews from film critics, and became a box-office success. The humongous success of the film cemented Rishi Kapoor's status as a bankable star; for after his debut in Bobby (1973), he did not have any major success before Laila Majnu. Since its release in 1976, the film is hailed as a cult classic.

Plot

H. S. Rawail's cinematic version of this moving tale of the original star-crossed lovers, Laila Majnu, starring Rishi Kapoor and Ranjeeta, does full justice to this enduring tale. It has the intense pangs of love, the painful obstacles that lie in its path and a soul-stirring performance by its lead actors as they bring Laila and Majnu alive. The musical score was composed by maestro Madan Mohan, who died before completing the film, and hence the baton was carried forward by Jaidev, seamlessly.

To recount the story, Laila and her lover Majnu, better known as Qais, were born to rival clans, the Amaris and the Sharwaris. The two loved each other as children. Their love was such that if one was hurt, the other started bleeding. The film recounts, how as kids at the madarsa, the maulvi asks them to write the name of Allah on their slates. Qais, who is lost in thoughts of Laila, inscribes her name instead. In return, an incensed maulvi canes him on the hand. But it is Laila's hand which starts bleeding. Incidents such as this, spread like wild fire and Laila's father, scared for his daughter's reputation, decides to stop her from going to school. The two clan heads decide to separate their children as it is impossible for them to conceive of the Sharwaris and the Amaris ever being joined by love instead of blood. Laila and her Majnu grow up in different places.

Many years later, Qais and his friends visit Laila's town to buy camels and the stage is set for the two lovers to meet again. One day at the marketplace, they encounter each other and it is love at first sight for both of them. They start meeting each other secretly, all over again. But the villain makes his entry in the form of Laila's hot-tempered brother Tabrez (Ranjeet). He has already had a spat with Qais, with neither knowing the other's true identity. In the turn of events that follow, Qais's father dies at the hands of Tabrez. Qais in turn, avenges his father's murder by killing Tabrez. He is exiled from the town and wanders about in the dunes, like a madman, thirsting for just a look of his beloved. Meanwhile, Laila is married off to a prince, Bakhsh (Danny). Learning of her love for Qais, he promises to keep his distance until such time that he is not able to replace Majnu in Laila's heart. Like all others before him, he is unable to understand the almost divinely ordained love of Laila and Majnu. When he does, it is too late.

The film was co-written by Abrar Alvi, a longtime associate of Guru Dutt.

Soundtrack

Film's music is by Madan Mohan and Jaidev with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi.

Song	Singer (s)
"Husn Hazir Hai"	Lata Mangeshkar
"Tere Dar Pa Aaya Hoon"	Mohammed Rafi
"Hoke Mayoos Tere Dar Se"	Mohammed Rafi, Aziz Nazan, Shankar Shambbhu, Ambar Kumar and Chorus
"Is Reshmi Paazzeb Ki Jhankar"	Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
"Barbad-E-Mohabbat ki Dua"	Mohammed Rafi
"Ab Agar Hum Se Khudai Bhi"	Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar
"Yeh Deewane Ki Zidd Hai Apne"	Mohammed Rafi
"Likh Kar Tera Naam Zameen Par"	Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar

The songs of the movie were hits. Especially "Is Reshmi Paazzeb Ki Jhankar", "Tere Dar Par Aaya Hoon", " Barbad-E-Mohabbat ki Dua" and "Husn Hazir Hai". "Husn Hazir Hai" also reached number one on the Binaca Geetmala annual list 1977, a rarity for a Madan Mohan composed song.

See also

• Yusuf and Zulaikha
• Shirin and Farhad
• Heer Ranjha

External links

• Laila Majnu at IMDb