Amanush is a 1975 Indian action drama film made in both Hindi and Bengali, produced and directed by Shakti Samanta. The film stars Sharmila Tagore, Uttam Kumar, Utpal Dutt and Asit Sen. Both the versions were hits. The Bengali version of the film achieved immense popularity amongst Bengalis and featured many memorable songs by Kishore Kumar like Bipinbabur Karansudha and Ki Asha-y Baandhi Khelaghar. Also, this film featured the Bengali film star Uttam Kumar at the height of his popularity and Utpal Dutt turned in a typically stellar performance as the villain. The film was later remade in Telugu as Edureeta, starring N.T. Rama Rao, in Malayalam as Ithaa Oru Manushyan and in Tamil as Thyagam, with Sivaji Ganesan. After Amanush, Samanta once again made another double version, Anand Ashram, with the same lead actors, however, that film didn't do well at the box office.
Plot
"Amanush" to marvel at the scope of the man’s histrionic capabilities. Kumar shines as Madhusudan Roy Chaudhary, or Madhu, a straightforward scion of a zamindar family settled in a fishing village in the Sunderbans. He reflects angst and anger with understated ease after his life is ripped asunder by the machinations of the family munim, Maheem Ghosal. Reduced to a penniless drunkard, he is condemned to live the life of an amanush — half human, and half beast. As a debauched vagabond, he raises his voice on behalf of the downtrodden who suffer under the highhanded and corrupt Ghosal. This brings him face to face with the law enforcers, who are often hand in glove with the wily Ghosal. It is in this backdrop that Inspector Bhuvan lands in the village, where Ghosal ‘fills his ears’ against Madhu. Bhuvan, without going into merits of the case, acts harshly on Madhu, even whipping him at the police station. However, soon he comes to know the story of Madhu and his estranged love interest, Rekha. In a flashback, Madhu tells him how he was entrapped in a fake case of theft in his own house, whereon his ailing paternal uncle, under the influence of the munim, handed him over to the police. He is also accused of fathering a child through a prostitute. Before he can prove his innocence the woman is abducted and killed at the behest of Ghosal. On completing his prison sentence, Madhu returns to his village, only to find that his uncle has been murdered by the munim, who shows it as a case of natural death. Thereon, Bhuvan embarks on a mission to reform Madhu and gets him a contract for building a dam in an adjoining village. A determined Madhu, with his two sidekicks, completes the job commendably. He even wins back the confidence of Rekha, whom he saves from drunken streamer operators one night. But the ice is finally broken when the village is endangered by raging flood waters that threaten to breach the dam. All villagers persuade Madhu to take the mantle of saving the village, but he spurns them, blaming them for his misery. Finally, on a visit by Rekha he relents, and saves the dam and the village from havoc. His honour is restored, as is his love interest. Ghosal is arrested for his wrongdoings by Bhuvan, even as he is transferred to a new posting.
Jodi Hoi Chor Kata - Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
Ki Ashay Badhi Khelaghor - Kishore Kumar
Na Na Omon Kore Daga Diye - Asha Bhosle
Awards
The film won total 2 award from 9 nomination it received at 1976 Filmfare Awards. Uttam Kumar received a Filmfare Special Award through a ceremony held in Kolkata by the Filmfare committee. Won
Best Playback Singer, Male - Kishore Kumar for "Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera Toda"
Best Lyricist - Indeevar for "Dil Aisa Kisi Ne Mera Toda"
