"Dushman" a Rajesh Khanna movie

A few years back, when I was a kid, I had watched a movie of Rajesh Khanna, called "Dushman". Dushman means enemy. I enjoyed it as it was a typical Hindi movie. I did not understand the message behind the it. Songs were good and performances were better. The first part of my story ends here.

A few years back (not as many as years as in the previous paragraph), I watched the movie again. This time I was older and was able understand the message. The movie was on television last week and I watched it again. So, I thought to share it.

It starts with a typical "bad boy" hero, Rajesh Khanna. He is a drunkard driver, with no family and careless attitude. And to add some massala, we get to see a beautifully composed song, Waada tera waada. The song ends with the beginning of the story. After the song, he gets back to driving truck with loads of hard drink. As expected, he meets with an accident. He kills a farmer Ramu. He was caught by the police. The usual thing that should follow, would be the punishment. Here comes the twist and the moral of the movie. The judge, played by Rehman, decides to do something different. He takes the permission of the jury and punishes Rajesh Khanna. The punishment is to serve for two years, but not in jail. He has to work in place of Ramu, do farming and earn bread and butter for Ramu's family that consists of Ramu's wife, two kids, one sister and old parents. It is obvious that no one was happy with the punishment, neither Rajesh Khanna nor the victim's family. Some how the punishment is enforced and Rajesh Khanna moves to Ramu's village. He gets the name of "Dushman" from the villagers and the family. Ramu's kids call him Dushman chacha.

The events unfold one after another and change the life of all the characters. Especially Rajesh Khanna. He becomes the saviour of the family and leader of the village bringing unexpected reforms.

After this, the film becomes ordinary Hindi films. He puts efforts and wins heart of everyone, including the family of Ramu.

The moral of the story is the concept that was introduced. Our system punishes the culprits. But does the punishment serve those who suffered? What about the victim? Is putting someone in jail a worth thing to do? At the other end, one can say that not everyone is like Rajesh Khanna. He became the hero in real sense for all. But in real life, it is tough.

I will not give any conclusion. I am not in a place to conclude. I leave it here.