Fifty years after its release Pakeezah continues to rule the heart of cinema-goers as one of the timeless classics of Hindi cinema. Such is the magic of its dialogue like Aapke paon dekhe, bahut haseen hain. Inhein zameen par mat utariyega… maile ho jaayenge that it is still melts the hearts of the women.
Kamal Amrohi’s dream project took 16 years to hit the screens. It was started with the muhurat shot on July 16, 1956, and reached the theatres on February 4, 1972.
Video of premiere of Pakeezah
50 years of #Pakeezah 📽 February 4, 1972
The mahurat was in January 1957, however, it was stuck in limbo for several years until its eventual release on February 4, 1972, 15 years later. Hope you enjoy these rare clips from the premiere held 50 years ago. #50YearsOfPakeezah pic.twitter.com/fI0Hai6BTs
— सिनेमा आजकल (@CinemAajKal) February 4, 2022
Despite their estranged relations, Meena Kumar agreed to Amrohi’s desire that she should attend the premiere. On that day Amrohi escorted the lead actor from her house to Maratha Mandir in what was known Bombay then.
Ironically the film was doing average business and with Meena Kumari’s passing away nearly two months later on March 31, it became a roaring success as the legendary actor’s swan song.
