Mother India, released in 1957, is one of the most celebrated films in Indian cinema. Directed by Mehboob Khan, it became India’s first film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
The story
The film follows Radha, a poor village woman played by Nargis, who struggles to raise her sons after her husband leaves the family. She fights poverty, floods and a greedy moneylender, Sukhilala. In the climax, she shoots her own rebellious son Birju to protect the honour of the village, choosing justice over love.
Radha became a symbol of a strong, self sacrificing mother and of a newly independent India building itself through hard work.
Cast and crew
- Nargis as Radha
- Sunil Dutt as Birju
- Rajendra Kumar as Ramu
- Raaj Kumar as Shamu, Radha’s husband
- Kanhaiyalal as the moneylender Sukhilala
Music was composed by Naushad, with lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni. Songs like Duniya Mein Hum Aaye Hain and Holi Aayi Re Kanhai remain popular.
Mehboob Khan had earlier made a film called Aurat in 1940 on a similar theme, and Mother India is often described as a remake on a grand scale.
The Oscar nomination
Mother India was India’s official entry to the 30th Academy Awards, held in 1958. It was nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category alongside films from Italy, France, Denmark and West Germany. The award went to the Italian film Nights of Cabiria by Federico Fellini.
In the decades that followed, Salaam Bombay in 1989 and Lagaan in 2002 became the next Indian films to be nominated in the same category.
Also Read: How India Picks Its Oscar Entry: Film Federation of India, Best International Feature and Past Nominees | Alam Ara: The Story of India’s First Talkie Film and How It Changed Indian Cinema
Off screen story
During the filming of a fire scene, Sunil Dutt is said to have rescued Nargis when the fire went out of control. The two later married in 1958.
Legacy
The film was a major box office hit and won the Filmfare Award for Best Film. Nargis won the Filmfare Best Actress award. The film is still shown on television and at film festivals, and is studied in film schools for its story and themes.
Bottom line
Mother India put Indian cinema on the world stage and remains a powerful story of struggle, dignity and sacrifice.
Source / स्रोत: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, National Film Archive of India
