"Chhalia" is Manmohan Desai's first film, with telltale signs of the emerging showman's narration skills. The story is set around the Partition era when Kewal (Rehman) leaves behind his newly wedded wife Shanti (Nutan) in Lahore, for reasons not divulged to the viewer. Shanti makes it to India a few years later with her little son, in the hope of being reunited with her husband.
Kewal is overjoyed to meet his wife and son, but everything goes wrong when the boy introduces himself as "Anwar". As for his father's name, he replies "Abdul Rehman". Kewal abandons his wife and son. After leaving the boy in an orphanage, Shanti tries to kill herself but is rescued by Chhalia (Raj Kapoor), who shelters her. Chhalia falls in love with Shanti only to learn of her previous marriage and her son.
The story now meanders tortuously towards the inevitable reunion of Kewal and his family. A subplot involves a meaningless showdown between Abdul Rehman (Pran), and Chhalia. The climax is set at the scene of Dussehra festivities, where the effigy of Ravana is to be burnt. Chhalia draws parallels between Shanti and Sita in a seemingly unending Rafi song to convince Kewal of her fidelity.
Nutan and Raj Kapoor are largely wasted in this movie. The plot lacks substance and lacks credibility at times, while the narration meanders meaninglessly. The climax is almost insufferable. Music by Kalyanji Anandji is a definite plus though. "Chhalia mera naam", the timeless "Dum dum diga diga" and "Mere toote hue dil se" are among Mukesh's most popular renditions.
Kewal is overjoyed to meet his wife and son, but everything goes wrong when the boy introduces himself as "Anwar". As for his father's name, he replies "Abdul Rehman". Kewal abandons his wife and son. After leaving the boy in an orphanage, Shanti tries to kill herself but is rescued by Chhalia (Raj Kapoor), who shelters her. Chhalia falls in love with Shanti only to learn of her previous marriage and her son.
The story now meanders tortuously towards the inevitable reunion of Kewal and his family. A subplot involves a meaningless showdown between Abdul Rehman (Pran), and Chhalia. The climax is set at the scene of Dussehra festivities, where the effigy of Ravana is to be burnt. Chhalia draws parallels between Shanti and Sita in a seemingly unending Rafi song to convince Kewal of her fidelity.
Nutan and Raj Kapoor are largely wasted in this movie. The plot lacks substance and lacks credibility at times, while the narration meanders meaninglessly. The climax is almost insufferable. Music by Kalyanji Anandji is a definite plus though. "Chhalia mera naam", the timeless "Dum dum diga diga" and "Mere toote hue dil se" are among Mukesh's most popular renditions.
