Sanyasi

About the film

Sanyasi (transl. Hermit) is a 1975 Hindi film directed by Sohanlal Kanwar, starring Manoj Kumar and Hema Malini as leads. The film is noted for its music by Shankar Jaikishan. The film was the third highest-grossing film of the year.

Plot

Renukadevi is widowed and the mother of a son named Ram. Her husband had indulged in all possible vices, and died. Her father-in-law, Rai, does not want Ram to repeat his father's mistakes, and teaches him all the positive values of the Hindu religion, in particular the contents of the Bhagavad Gita. As a result, Ram refrains from all known vices, is an expert in yogic exercises, decides to live the life of a celibate, and refuses to marry anyone. When Rai dies, Renuka asks Ram to fulfill his grandfather's last wishes, one of which was to get married. She even arranges his introduction to Aarti, an attractive young woman. But Ram is convinced that marriage is not for him. Renuka is overjoyed when her estranged brother, Gopinath, and his son, Rakesh return from abroad. With their help she hopes to get Ram married with Aarti. Then things get complicated when Rakesh falls in love with Aarti. Ram leaves town to attend to business, and circumstances propel Renuka to will her entire estate to Rakesh and change his name to Bharat, with the blessings of a renowned saint named Ishwar Baba. After this ceremony, the people around Renuka start showing their true colors, and after an open-palmed stinging slap from Aarti, Renuka realizes that her place in this house is now worse than that of a lowly servant. Renuka now finds out that Aarti, Gopinath, and Rakesh are not who they claim to be.

Awards

Best Lyricist – Visveshwara Sharma for "Chal Sanyasi"

Best Male Playback Singer – Manna Dey for "Kya Maar Sakegi"

Soundtrack

Music Director for all songs: Shankar-Jaikishan

Key details