Dastak (1970 film)

The film was known for its unusual storyline set in a red-light area. A newlywed couple, Hamid and Salma, unwittingly rent a flat, and thus begins their daily turmoil at the knocks (dastak) on their door. The previous occupant was Shamshad Begum, a mujrewali (nautch girl). ==Cast==

• Sanjeev Kumar as Hameed • Rehana Sultan as Salma • Anju Mahendru as Maria • Shakeela as Shamshad • Kamal Kapoor as Brijmohan • Manmohan Krishna as Shahid • Anwar Hussain as Marativale • Dev Kishan as Mirza • Niranjan Sharma • Jagdev • Yash Kumar ==Music ==

The film's music director stood his ground as a maestro of classical rhythms on the dholak and raga-based melodies. The music of Dastak stood out for its allegiance to the classical traditions of raga-based melodies by its music director Madan Mohan, who managed to get from Lata Mangeshkar, ostensibly her best performance as a playback singer. Lyrics The film is known for its poignant lyrics by lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri, especially in capturing the painful state of the story's female protagonist, Salma — be it a dramatic statement about the society: "Hum hai mataye koocha bazaar ki tarah, Uthti hai har nigaah kharidaar ki tarah" or the silent pain of "Mai Ri mai ka se Kahoon peer apne jiya ki..." Songs • Baiyan Na Dharo - Lata Mangeshkar - based on Raga Charukesi • Hum UnHain Mata-e-Koocha-o-Bazaar Ki Tarah - Lata Mangeshkar - based on Raga Bhairavi (Hindustani) • Mai Ri Mein Kaa Se Kahoon Pirr Apne Jiya Ki – Lata Mangehskar/Madan Mohan - based on Raga Puriya Dhanashree • Tumse Kahoon Ek Baat - Mohammed Rafi ==Critical reception==

Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com described it as rejecting "conventional ideas of filmmaking to produce a nuanced, uncompromised vision, which slams the inconsistencies and ethics of social structure through ordinary, imperfect people." Dastak was featured in Avijit Ghosh's book, 40 Retakes: Bollywood Classics You May Have Missed. In a retrospective review, Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com wrote, "It [Dastak] rejects conventional ideas of filmmaking to produce a nuanced, uncompromised vision, which slams the inconsistencies and ethics of social structure through ordinary, imperfect people. Yet shows how it’s these very ordinary, imperfect people who battle it in spirit till the very end." ==Awards==

• 1971 National Film Award for Best Actor - Sanjeev Kumar • 1971 National Film Award for Best Actress - Rehana Sultan • 1971 National Film Award for Best Music Direction - Madan Mohan • 1972 Filmfare Best Cinematographer Award - (B&W) - Kamal Bose ==See also==