Watch Dastaan

Dastaan (1972) is a romantic drama film directed by B.R Chopra and starring Dilip Kumar, Sharmila Tagore and Prem Chopra in lead roles. The film explores themes of love, betrayal, sacrifice and patriotism in the backdrop of India's partition in 1947. The film revolves around the lives of Salim Mirza (Dilip Kumar), a Muslim writer, and his wife Sakina (Sharmila Tagore), a Hindu school teacher, who reside in the town of Lahore. Their idyllic life together is shaken when the communal riots break out during India's partition. As violence engulfs the city and their neighbourhood, the couple is forced to migrate to India along with their son Rahim.

However, the journey is far from easy as they face several trials and tribulations on the way. Their relationship is also tested as Sakina struggles with her identity and faith while Salim tries to protect his family from the brutalities of the riots. They end up losing their son Rahim in the chaos, which further divides them emotionally.

Years pass as the couple tries to rebuild their lives in India, but the memories of their past haunt them. Sakina suffers from a mental breakdown, and Salim dedicates his life to writing a book about their journey, which he hopes will help his wife recover.

As Salim's book becomes successful, he is approached by a publisher named Balraj (Prem Chopra) who convinces him to adapt the story into a play. However, Balraj has ulterior motives, and soon, Salim discovers that he has been betrayed. The rest of the film deals with how Salim fights to maintain his integrity and not let go of his identity as a writer despite the hurdles.

Dilip Kumar delivers one of his finest performances as Salim Mirza, the idealistic writer who believes in the power of the written word. Sharmila Tagore is equally impressive as Sakina, the woman torn between her love for her husband and her conflicted identity as a Hindu in a Muslim-majority country. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and they convey emotions without going overboard.

The film is also known for its strong supporting performances. Prem Chopra is excellent as the conniving publisher who tries to exploit Salim's talent. Bipin Gupta and Pratima Devi, who play Salim's parents, deliver touching performances in their limited screen time.

The film's music by Laxmikant Pyarelal is memorable, with songs such as "Baiyan Na Dharo" and "Hum Hain Mataye-Kuch Bhi Ho Jaye" still remembered by audiences today. The screenplay, written by Akhtar-Ul-Iman, is the film's strongest aspect. It sensitively portrays the plight of people during the partition and highlights the emotional turmoil of individuals caught in such situations.

Overall, Dastaan is a poignant and emotional film that leaves a lasting impact on the viewer. It is a timeless classic that explores human emotions and relationships in the backdrop of one of India's darkest times, making it a must-watch for every Indian cinephile.