Movie: This song appeared in 1966 action, adventure and costume drama Badal (Cloud, a name) produced and directed by Aspi under Super Pictures banner. The movie starred late Sheikh Mukhtar, Vijayalakshmi, late Sanjeev Kumar, Ratnamala, Helen, Shammi, Ali Raza, Hiralal, etc.
Badal (Sanjeev Kumar) is a happy-go-lucky chap, who falls for every single girl in his village. One day, his mother (Ratnamala) tells him to meet the ailing king and show him an old talisman. He sets off for the city. He reaches an inn, where he meets the dancer Bijuria (Helen). He befriends her father Sheru (Sheikh Mukhtar) after a fight. Badal is also the sole eye-witness of the king being killed by his own minister Uday Singh (Hiralal). Badal, thus, begins to organize the citizens against the minister, who has usurped the kingdom. For this purpose, Badal has taken up the pen name of Azad and uses his talent of writing poems to the country’s advantage.
Minal (Vijayalakshmi) is the brat sister of the commander-in-chief of the army (Ali Raza) and has had many altercations with Badal before. When Badal and Minal meet alone, she tells him that she knows he is Azad and lets him go. Badal leaves the palace without a care in the world.
The new king has been torturing the citizens by taking away all the food and in other ways. Azad’s speeches in different places (disguised as different people) make the people protest against the new government. When the king and his commander-in-chief are anxiously discussing Azad, Minal tells them that she knows who Azad is. She makes them promise that they would not compel her to marry the much older king and would not snatch the freedom that Azad has. The king sends the commander-in-chief with Minal to make sure that Azad is arrested.
Minal sees Badal romancing Bijuria in Sheru’s inn. She gets upset and prepares to leave. But, the commander-in-chief takes his soldiers to arrest Azad. Immediately, Sheru tries to kidnap Minal and gets caught, intentionally. Badal visits the prison and tells the jailer that he is Azad. The man does not believe him. Badal suggests that they ask Sheru. Sheru lies that he is not Azad. Badal realizes that his friend is trying to save him and sings this song.
Song: The lyrics of this song were penned by Jawed Anwar and the music was scored by Usha Khanna.
The man says, “If you live for yourself, life is not worth it. You have to live for others.”
Video: Cinematography is by Dali Daruwala-P John. Dance choreography is by Surya Kumar.
The video opens with Sanjeev Kumar beginning the song. His assistant begins to play the clarinet. Sheikh Mukhtar is being tortured by stretching him. The jailor begins to dance. Outside, the guards are confronted with some hooded people.
Sanjeev Kumar climbs a few stairs and pushes a guard. The guard is seen being taken away by a hooded figure. The hero’s assistant opens a prison door and the people inside imprison the lone guard. The assistant pushes the jailor also into the prison and the people, who were inside before, close the door of the jail. The video ends as several hooded figures attack the guards.
Artists: The playback singers of this song are Lata Mangeshkar and the onscreen performances are by Vijayalakshmi.
Cultural Influence: The hero has gone to the prison to get his friend released by admitting that he is the one they were originally looking for. But, the friend lies that he is not. Impressed by his friend’s humanity, the hero sings this song. The typically filmi song and the artists are good. The video is watchable for the same.
