Imtihaan (1949 film)

Imtihaan (transl. "Test") is a 1949 Bollywood Hindi romantic drama film directed by Mohan Sinha^[1] and starring Madhubala and Surendra in lead roles.^[2]

Cast[]

• Madhubala as Roopa
• Surendra
• Sajjan
• Gulaab
• Madan Puri
• Cuckoo Moray

Plot[]

The train was steaming away in terrific speed; a tender pair of cruel hands emerged through the

window of the fateful First Class compartment and mercilessly dropped an innocent child - evidently

to be doomed. But, the Protector is always mightier than even the most powerful murderer - True !

mysteriously enough the child escaped an even slight bruise, was picked and brought up in the family

of Zaminder BEHARI BABOO as his own son and was sent to Delhi for study. The boy was named

ROOP.

Roop was going round in a fair; close by he noticed a Sea-saw suddenly giving way - a girl was about to

meet a fatal fall. Rushing forward, Roop received her in his arms and saved her from death. This lovely

girl was ROOPA. She was living in the locality of Dancing girls as a ward of one shrewd old dancer

REKHA. Roopa's youthful bloom had driven many a romantic youth into infatuated madness and her

so-called guardian Rekha was eager to bag a big price for her elegant, enchanting and budding beauty.

Roopa, however, was adverse to all allurements; and scorned at the surroundings. The sole longing of

her soul was that some kindly person may rescue her from that "Hell" of hers. Intuitionally it struck her

that there must have been the Divine hand and purpose behind the chance mediation of Roop in saving

her from the fatal fall ! This very thought was enough to turn her a devotee of Roop and with firm

determination she directed her efforts to win over the heart of Roop. But the greater her efforts to get

Roop, the greater the attempts of the latter to get away from her !

DOCTOR DILEEP flung a piece of advice at his friend Roop - "It is courageous and noble to lift up the

fallen ones. How many innocent girls who are under the clutches of dancing girls sincerely desires to

break away from that immoral life of theirs ! Have we got no moral responsibility towards them ? Shall

we leave them there to be helplessly drowned into the Sea of Immorality?"

Half suspicious, half convinced Roop asked - "But what is proof of Roopa's chastity? What is the

guarantee that she will remain pure? How to know that her love for me is real?"

Dileep turned on him with firmness in his voice - "Why not put her to test? Nothing better than that".

Roopa passed through trying tests, severe situations and came out successful at last - Roopa and Roop

were engaged.

Soundtrack[]

The soundtrack was composed by Shyambabu Pathak and lyrics were written by Indeevar and Harikrishna. Surendra, leading man of the film, had also sung a song named "Har Nafrat Ki Mohabbat Ne" for the film.^[3]

Reception[]

Madhubala's biographer Mohan Deep called Imtihaan "a shabby film".^[4]

The film was successful commercially and was among the films that helped Madhubala establish herself as a leading lady. Her close friend and retired IAS officer Latif told, "After Mahal (her breakthrough film), Madhubala did eight films in 1949; all hits in some measure or the other. However Dulari, Singaar and Imtihaan stand out."^[5]

References[]

External links[]

• Imtihaan at IMDb