Nausherwan-E-Adil


Nausherwan-E-Adil also called Farz Aur Mohabbat, is a 1957 Indian costume action drama Hindi/Urdu film directed by Sohrab Modi.
Produced by Minerva Movietone, it had music composed by C. Ramchandra with lyrics by Parwaiz Shamshi. The story, screenplay and dialogue writer was Shams Lucknowi. The cinematographer was Lateef Bhandare. The cast included Sohrab Modi, Raaj Kumar, Mala Sinha, Naseem Banu, Bipin Gupta and Shammi.
The story is about an unbiased ruler, Nausherwan-E-Adil, whose fair sense of justice brings about tragedy in his personal life involving his wife and son. The theme had some resemblance to Modi's earlier success Pukar.

Plot

The Sultan-e-Iran is a just ruler, known as such. He is also known as Nausherwan the Just. His laws apply to everyone equally, and he follows them when dispensing justice. However, when questioned about a certain ruling by the Christian priest David, he realises that the laws he is following have been passed down through the ages in an unwritten form. He therefore decides to rectify this, instructing his Wazir to begin work on the task. Nausherwan then goes incognito into his country to see for himself whether his people are content and happy. Upon his return, he begins to reform the laws with the help of his judiciary. He introduces two new laws: anyone who deceives a girl will be walled up, and anyone who rebels against the state will be put to death.
Nausherwan and his wife, Naseem Banu, had two sons: Naushahzad, played by Raaj Kumar, and Hormuz. Nausherwan declares his eldest son, Naushahzad, as heir to the throne. Naushahzad saves a young girl by fishing her out of the water with the help of his friend Altaf. They take her to the priest, David, who discovers that she is his long-lost daughter, Marcia. Naushazad claims to be a Christian named Joseph. Marcia and "Joseph" soon fall in love.
Joseph tells his mother, who is also Christian, that he is a Christian too. However, she asks him to hide this from his father, as only someone of Iranian descent can become king. Complications arise when David and Marcia come to Nausherwan demanding justice, as they feel that Naushahzad has deceived them. When Nausherwan delivers a judgement in accordance with his laws, Naushahzad rebels and is overpowered by the Commander, who fatally wounds him. Marcia kills herself with a dagger. Nausherwan renounces his kingdom and appoints his younger son, Hormuz, as the new ruler.

Cast

Soundtrack

The film had music direction by C. Ramchandra and the credited lyricist is Parwaiz Shamsi. In reality, the songs were written by Shams Lucknowi. He asked Sohrab Modi to credit the name of Perwaiz Shamsi because he wanted to leave something on her name. The playback singers were Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Zohrabai Ambalewali and Chandbala. The film had some popular songs including the ghazal, "Yeh Hasrat Thi Kay Is Duniya Mein Bas Do Kaam Kar Jaate", sung by Mohammed Rafi for Raaj Kumar.

Trivia

Raaj Kumar was unable to make his mark following this film, even though he was cast as a hero opposite Mala Sinha.