Wahan Ke Log


Wahan Ke Log is a 1967 Indian Hindi-language science fiction film. Directed by Nisar Ahmed Ansari, the film stars Pradeep Kumar, Tanuja, Johnny Walker. One of the Science [fiction films in India|earliest sci-fi films made in India], it tells the story of a supposed martial threat on India by aliens from outer space intending to rob the rich of their diamonds. Made on a low budget, the film was promoted with the tagline "The strange visitors from Mars are on the way".

Plot

Agent Rakesh is assigned by Chief Sheikh of the Central Intelligence Service to investigate the murder case of Dinanath from Karolbagh, with speculation of a possible involvement of aliens from Mars. Rakesh, who lives with his mother and is to marry Anita, embarks on a journey to Bombay along with private detective Neelkanth, from Blue Bird Detective Agency.

Cast

The music was composed by C. Ramchandra. The lyrics were written by Shakeel Badayuni. The songs are as follows:
SongSinger
"Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Karke"Mukesh
"Tum Kitni Khoobsurat Ho"Mahendra Kapoor
"Woh Pyara Pyara Pyara"Mahendra Kapoor
"Aawaz Meri Sunkar"Asha Bhosle
"Zindagi Ka Nasha"Asha Bhosle

Reception

A review carried by Link magazine was critical of the film, writing: "Credibility is not by any means its forte and there is very little in its length to distinguish it from the stock brew that Bombay is known to bottle under various labels". Being one of the only sci-fi pictures from India, the film has been discussed by a number of scholars. According to Sami Ahmad Khan, author of the essay Bollywood's Encounters with the Third Kind, Wahan Ke Log seems to have taken inspiration from the Sino-Indian War which took place five years before, even though no mention of China is made in the film. The Times of India listed the film as one of India's "Super C grade movies", dismissing it as the worst of India's sci-fi films. A retrospective review by The Hindu, however, called it "an unusual film, an interesting blend of a ghost and thieving aliens".