Insan Aur Gadha (Man and Donkey) is a 1973 Pakistani Urdu satirical comedy film produced and directed by Kamal. The comedy actor Rangeela played the title role of a donkey-turned-human. The other lead cast included Nisho, Kamal, and Rozina. The central idea of the film was taken from Krishan Chandar's novel "Gadhay Ki Sarguzasht".[1] After a few weeks of its release, Insan Aur Gadha was banned by the Bhutto Government due to a parody speech scene.
| Insan Aur Gadha | |
|---|---|
 | |
| انسان اور گدھا | |
| Directed by | Syed Kamal |
| Written by | Syed Kemal (Idea: Tanvir Kazmi) |
| Based on | Gadhay Ki Sarguzasht (novel by Krishan Chandar) |
| Produced by | Syed Kamal |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Azhar Zaidi |
| Music by | Nashad |
Release date | 31 August 1973 |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Language | Urdu |
Plot edit
A donkey desires to be a human, so he prays to God to fulfill his wish. But when his prayer is actually answered and he transforms into a man, he quickly finds that his life purpose and moral duties were more meaningful and easily identifiable when he was a donkey than when he is a human being. He eventually asks God to change him back into a donkey since he is so disappointed in humanity (or its lack thereof).[2]
Cast edit
- Rangeela — as the donkey
- Kamal — as the master
- Nisho
- Rozina
- Nirala
- Aslam Pervaiz
- Hanif
- Mehmood Ali
- Reshma
- Shakeel
- Sikandar
- Guests appearances: Ghazala Kaifee, Iqbal Hassan, Kemal Irani, Afzaal Ahmad, Sultan Rahi, Ilyas Kashmiri
Release and ban edit
Insan Aur Gadha was released on 31 August 1973.[3] Soon after its release at theaters, the Pakistan People Party's government banned the film due to a satirical speech by the donkey-turned-human character, delivered before a large gathering of donkeys. The political government of the time took the satire as an offense. According to the film expert Mushtaq Guzdar, the scene did not conceal the fact that it was parodying PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto's distinctive brand of populist oratory.[2][4][5]
Though, a month later, the film was allowed to be screened again.[6]
Awards edit
| Year | Film | Award | Category | Awardee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Insan Aur Gadha | Nigar Award | Best Comedian | Rangeela | [7][8] |
References edit
- ^ Sardar, Shahid (12 January 2019). "انسان اور گدھا". Express News (in Urdu).
- ^ a b F. Paracha, Nadeem (October 18, 2020). "SMOKERS' CORNER: BANNING CULTURAL PRODUCTS". Dawn.
- ^ "Insan Aur Gadha 1973". Pakistan Film Magazine. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022.
- ^ "From Joyland to Khamosh Pani: A list of Pakistani films that have been banned over the years". Dawn (Image magazine). 15 November 2022.
- ^ Alvi, Umair (16 November 2022). "وہ پاکستانی فلمیں جنہیں سینسر بورڈ کی گرفت اور پابندیوں کا سامنا کرنا پڑا". Voice of America (Urdu).
- ^ "All Pakistani movies banned since 1959". Samaa News. November 14, 2022.
- ^ "Pakistan's "Oscars"; The Nigar Awards". Desi Movies. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020.
- ^ "Nigar Awards (1972 - 1986)". The Hot Spot Online website. 5 January 2003. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
