Movie: This song appears in 1967 social drama Baharon Ke Sapne (Dreams of Spring) directed and produced by Nasir Hussain under the banner of Nasir Hussain Films. The movie starred late Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh, late Prem Nath, late Madan Puri, late Rajinder Nath, late Anwar Hussain, late Nana Palsikar, Sulochana Latkar, etc.
Mill worker Bholanath (Nana Palsikar) lives in a small industrial town near Bombay (Mumbai) with his wife Gauri (Sulochana Latkar), his son Ramaiya (Rajesh Khanna) and daughter Champa (Kumud Chugani). Ramaiya is the only one in the town, who has completed graduation in Arts and is currently looking for a job. Times are difficult and jobs are all the more difficult to come by.
When Bholanath returns home from the mill, the family is waiting for Ramaiya to return with a new job. But, he returns home dejectedly without a job. However, Bholanath is optimistic and plans to speak to his manager the next day regarding a job for his son. Ramaiya is very depressed. He goes outside and gets seated in a rejected plot. As he thinks about his family’s expectations from him, a girl’s voice is heard singing a song. It is Geeta (Asha Parekh), his childhood friend. Soon after the song is over, Geeta’s aunt (Manorama) comes to abuse her emotionally. Ramaiya stands up against it. Even Geeta’s uncle (Shivraj) tries to appease his wife, to no avail.
The next day, Bholanath takes Ramaiya to the owner of his mill Mr. Kapoor (Prem Nath) to request him to give his son a job. The richer man categorically refuses and insults them. That evening Ramaiya does not return home and Gauri requests Geeta to find him. Geeta asks everybody in their shanty about Ramaiya and finally lands near the railway tracks, on which he is walking. Geeta pulls him away from the path of the oncoming local train. When she cries that he was trying to commit suicide, he explains to her that he wasn’t.
The shanty that night is holding a get-together and Ramaiya waits in front of Geeta’s home to go together for the event. It is at this event that the cycle repair shop owner Lachchoo (Anwar Hussain) begins to sing this song. The female fruit vendor and Geeta join him in the song.
Song: The music of this song was composed by R D Burman and the lyrics were penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
The man warns the girl to take care of her dupatta, which might fall off her shoulders. He also cautions her that she might slip and fall. Another girl replies to him that when people like them walk the route of sorrow, they will not slip. Even when they stumble, they smile, since they belong to the kingdom of hearts. At every step, they would stagger but hold their balance, too. This girl gives motivation to her beloved – the darkness will go in a few seconds. The night is not theirs. But, theirs would be the day. The day always follows the night.
Video: Cinematography by Jal Mistry is an award-winner. Dance choreography is by Suresh Bhatt.
The video commences with Anwar Hussain playing the harmonium, tied up on his shoulder. Rajinder Nath takes to dancing in his typical style. Some men dance with a large dhol (a percussion instrument) and lezim. Rajesh Khanna is seen waiting for Asha Parekh near her home. When she comes out, they join the get-together. Asha Parekh shows to Sulochana that Rajesh Khanna has returned.
A couple of men tumble across the ground together. A female dancer also begins the dance. She removes the edge of her sari from her shoulder and Rajinder Nath pants like a dog. Manorama comes and sits with a couple of people. But, they all fall down. Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh are looking at each other. Anwar Hussain observes it and asks Asha Parekh to begin singing.
The video ends when the song attains a crescendo with Manorama dancing with Rajinder Nath and Anwar Hussain with some other female artist.
Artists: The playback singer of this song is Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. Onscreen performances are by Rajesh Khanna, Asha Parekh, Anwar Hussain, Rajinder Nath, Sulochana, Nana Palsikar, etc.
Cultural Influence: There is a get-together in a slum area, where this dance is performed. This is a typical village dance. The artist dances well. The song is good and the video is watchable.
