Victoria No. 203 (1972)

Numerous plot lines intersect in this comedic romp about a female Victoria-carriage driver who disguises herself as a boy, and the hunt for the stash of diamonds hidden in her Victoria.

Director:

Brij

Writers:

Indivar (lyrics), Verma Malik (lyrics),

Stars:

Ashok Kumar, Pran, Navin Nischol

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ashok Kumar	...	Raja
Pran	...	Rana
Navin Nischol	...	Kumar
Saira Banu	...	Rekha
Anwar Hussain	...	Seth Durgadas
Ranjeet	...	Bandit - killed Ranjeet
Anoop Kumar	...	Havaldar Murali
Helen	...	Girl on beach
Jankidas	...	Marwari
M.B. Shetty	...	Shetty (as Shetty)
Mohan Choti	...	Hospital wardboy
Pratima Devi	...	Beggar (as Protima Devi)
Meena Rai	...	Meena
Lolita Chatterjee
Moolchand	...	Cafe owner

Storyline

After a daring diamond robbery, the thief, while attempting to double-cross his partners, is mortally wounded, and hides the diamonds in a lamp of a horse-carriage(Victoria) No.203. The owner of this Victoria is blamed for wounding the thief and is arrested. The wounded thief gives a key, a piece of paper, and verbal instructions to a hospital ward boy, and dies. The wardboy follows the instructions, goes to Bori Bunder Railway Station, opens the locker with the key, deposits the paper in the locker, and goes on his way. Then Raja and Rana are released from prison, and come across the key and hilariously set about trying to find the lock to this key, not knowing that they are putting their very lives, as well as the lives of the owner of the Victoria, her boyfriend, and a child, in jeopardy.

---

Plot Keywords:

key | diamonds | double cross | robbery | dirty old man | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Musical | Thriller

---

Details

Country:

India

Language:

Hindi

Release Date:

8 December 1972 (India)

Filming Locations:

India

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dynamo International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Remade as Victoria No. 203: Diamonds Are Forever (2007)

---

Soundtracks

"Do Bicharey, Bina Saharey, Dekho Puch Puch Kar Haarey"
Performed by Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor
Lyrics by Indivar, Verma Malik
Music by Kalyanji Veerji Shah, Anandji Veerji Shah

User Reviews

Fun all the way

This is pure escapist entertainment. A handful of diamonds are hidden in a Victoria (horse cart) and world goes mad about it. All the cast is perfect with a absolutely amazing chemistry between Pran and Ashok Kumar. Film also has a sultry Saira Bano.

Such 70s films were made with keeping a popular appeal in mind. That was also the time when Hollywood started to cast its giant shadow over Hindi films. The escapist art is all right if it is not a direct takeoff from any other source. This is certainly the original one. Many films on a similar plot have been made but none comes anywhere near to this one. See it on a holiday and it will be a time worth spending.