Watch Shirdi Ke Sai Baba

Shirdi Ke Sai Baba is a 1977 Indian biographical film that tells the story of the spiritual leader, Sai Baba of Shirdi. The movie features an ensemble cast that includes Sudhir Dalvi, who portrayed Sai Baba, Manoj Kumar, Hema Malini, Rajendra Kumar, and others. The film takes place in the small town of Shirdi in Maharashtra, India, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The story revolves around a fakir named Sai Baba, who is revered by both Hindus and Muslims in and around the town. Sai Baba's teachings and philosophy of living a simple, humble life have attracted a large following, and people from different parts of the country come to visit him seeking advice and guidance.

The movie opens with the arrival of a new resident, Gopalrao Gund, in Shirdi. He is a devotee of Sai Baba and has come to Shirdi to seek his blessings. The rest of the story is told through a series of flashbacks, where we are shown the life of Sai Baba from his childhood, to his early years in Shirdi, to his later years.

We see how Sai Baba, who was born in a Brahmin family, was orphaned at a young age and was brought up by a Muslim fakir. He spends his childhood years in poverty, but later develops supernatural powers, which attract the attention of the people in the town. Sai Baba never discriminates between people based on their religion or caste, and his teachings emphasize the importance of love, compassion, and self-realization.

The movie also showcases the deep bond between Sai Baba and his followers, who are willing to go to any lengths to help him. One of his closest disciples, Tatya, is portrayed by Manoj Kumar, who also directed the movie. Tatya is a young boy from a poor family who is taken in by Sai Baba and becomes his devotee. Tatya's character serves as a window for the audience to witness Sai Baba's miracles and the love and affection he had for his disciples.

Hema Malini plays the role of Bayajabai, a young woman who is married to a drunkard and is ill-treated by her in-laws. She finds solace in Sai Baba and becomes his devoted disciple. The relationship between Bayajabai and Sai Baba shows the love and care Sai Baba had for his female devotees.

The movie also addresses some of the controversies surrounding Sai Baba's life, including his association with a woman named Radha Bai, which was frowned upon by the society at that time. The film portrays Sai Baba's relationship with Radha Bai as a platonic one, where Sai Baba was trying to help her in achieving spiritual enlightenment.

The film's music, composed by Pandurang Dikshit, was a huge success, and the songs became quite popular. The soulful music helps to create a calming and soothing effect on the audience, and the devotional numbers like "Sai Baba Bolo" and "Jab Jab Bolenge Sai Ram" still resonate with the followers of Sai Baba.

Overall, Shirdi Ke Sai Baba is a heartwarming tale of a man who dedicated his life to promoting the values of love, compassion, and self-realization. Sudhir Dalvi did a great job of portraying Sai Baba, and the supporting cast of Manoj Kumar, Hema Malini, and Rajendra Kumar also delivered memorable performances. The film beautifully captures the spiritual essence of Sai Baba's teachings and remains a classic in the genre of devotional movies.