Banarsi Thug
| Banarsi Thug | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Lekhraj Bhakri |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Iqbal Qureshi |
Production company | NH Studioz |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
Banarsi Thug (lit. 'The Thief of Banaras') is 1962 Hindi drama film directed by Lekhraj Bhakri. It stars Manoj Kumar and I. S. Johar as leads.[1][2] The film has music by Iqbal Qureshi.[3]
Summary
[edit]Set in the ancient and spiritually significant city of Banaras (modern-day Varanasi), the film presents a rich tapestry of human emotions, moral dilemmas, and social dynamics against one of the most evocative backdrops in Indian cinema.
The story revolves around Shyam, a complex protagonist who embodies the archetypal anti-hero common in Hindi films of the era. Shyam is portrayed as a charming yet morally ambiguous character whose life as a small-time criminal in the narrow lanes and ghats of Banaras sets the stage for a transformative journey. His world is one of petty crimes, quick schemes, and survival tactics that reflect the socio-economic realities of post-independence India.
The romantic subplot introduces Koili, whose presence in Shyam's life becomes the catalyst for his moral awakening. Their relationship develops against the mystical atmosphere of Banaras, with its ancient temples, sacred Ganges, and spiritual undertones that permeate every aspect of the narrative.[4]
Cast
[edit]- Manoj Kumar as Shyam[5]
- Vijaya Chaudhari as Koili
- I. S. Johar as Veer Banarasi
- Lalita Pawar
- Malika as Mala
- Brahm Bhardwaj
- Radha krishan
- Gopal Sehgal as Ramu
- Soda Water
- Shukla
- Renu Maker
- Madhu Mati
- Jeevan Kala
- Vijay Dutt as Guest Artist
Soundtrack
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2020) |
The film had music composed by Iqbal Qureshi and its songs were written by five lyricists namely Prem Dhawan, Gulshan Bawra, Hasrat Romani, Akhtar Lucknow and Aziz Qaisi. Playback was done by Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and others.
References
[edit]- ^ "Banarasi Thug | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Banarasi Thug 1962 VCD: Buy at Hemantonline.com". Hemantonline.com. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Banarsi Thug 1962 B.W. Bollywood Hindi Movie VCD Manoj Kumar, Vijya Chaudhary ". eBay. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Banarasi Thug". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ Raj, Ashok (1 November 2009). Hero Vol.1. Hay House, Inc. ISBN 978-93-81398-02-9.
External links
[edit]- Banarsi Thug at IMDb
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