Watch Jagte Raho

Jagte Raho (Stay Awake) is a Hindi film from 1956 starring Pradeep Kumar, Sumitra Devi, Smriti Biswas, and others. The film was directed by Amit Maitra and Sombhu Mitra and produced by Raj Kapoor. The movie tells the story of a poor peasant, who comes to the city in search of work to support his wife and children. He ends up in a wealthy apartment complex, where he hopes to find someone who will give him a job. But as he wanders around the complex, he unwittingly becomes the subject of suspicion and fear among the residents. They mistake him for a thief and chase him through the complex, forcing him to hide in various rooms to avoid being caught. In each room, he witnesses the hypocrisy and moral decay of the people living there, who lead double lives and indulge in all kinds of vices behind closed doors.

As the night wears on, the peasant becomes increasingly desperate and tired, and his attempts to find a way out of the complex become more and more futile. Meanwhile, the residents become more and more unhinged, as their secrets and lies are exposed and their worst fears realized. The film raises questions about class, morality, and human nature, and delivers a scathing critique of the upper classes and their delusions of superiority.

The film's standout feature is its innovative use of sound and music, which creates a sense of suspense and claustrophobia that heightens the tension and immerses the viewer in the action. The music, composed by Salil Chowdhury, is haunting and atmospheric, with themes that recur throughout the film to build a sense of unity and coherence. The sound effects are also used creatively, with the sounds of footsteps, creaking doors, and dripping water adding to the sense of unease and uncertainty.

The acting in the film is also noteworthy, with Pradeep Kumar delivering a powerful and nuanced performance as the peasant, who undergoes a transformation over the course of the film from a naive and hopeful outsider to a disillusioned and cynical observer of the world. The supporting cast, especially Sumitra Devi and Smriti Biswas, also give strong performances, conveying the selfishness and cruelty of their characters with conviction and depth.

Overall, Jagte Raho is a timeless classic of Indian cinema, whose themes and messages are still relevant today. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of Indian cinema or in social commentary and critique.

Jagte Raho is a 1956 thriller with a runtime of 2 hours and 23 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2.