Yaadon Ki Baaraat (transl. Procession of Memories) is a 1973 Indian Hindi-language masala film, directed by Nasir Hussain and written by Salim–Javed (Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar). It featured an ensemble cast, starring Dharmendra, Vijay Arora, Tariq, Zeenat Aman,Neetu Singh and Ajit.
The film was influential in the history of Indian cinema. It has been widely identified as the first masala film, combining elements of the action, drama, romance, musical, crime and thriller genres.[3][4] The masala went on to become the most popular genre of Indian cinema,[5] and Yaadon Ki Baaraat has thus been identified as “the first” quintessentially “Bollywood film.”[4] It also launched the careers of several actors, as the commercial breakthrough Hindi film for Zeenat Aman and Neetu Singh, who became leading actresses of the 1970s,[6][7] and as the debut film for Nasir Hussain’s nephews Tariq Khan and Aamir Khan, the latter a child actor who grew up to be one of the biggest movie stars in Hindi cinema.[8]
It is still remembered fondly for its Hindi soundtrack, composed by music director R.D. Burman. The film was later remade in Tamil as Naalai Namadhe, in Telugu as Annadammula Anubandham, and in Malayalam as Himam.[9]
. . . Yaadon Ki Baaraat . . .
The film starts with three brothers Shankar, Vijay and Ratan celebrating their father’s birthday with their mother, and their maid. The mother sings Yaadon ki baarat song, which she sang every year and the boys loved the song. Later, the father goes out. However, on the way he witnesses a theft done by Shakal and his henchmen.
Shakal realises that he will be in danger if the father reports it to the police and decides to kill him before any further action. Later, Shakal and his henchmen break into their house and shoots the father. The mother, hearing all the commotion goes to check only to find her husband dead. Shakal shoots her too. The incident is witnessed by Shankar and Vijay and they flee. They reach a railway station where Shankar manages to catch a train. He tries to take Vijay with him but unfortunately they separate. With nowhere to go, Shankar spends time in begging. He meets Usman another boy like him who spends time in stealing food from shops for quenching his hunger.
The maid approaches the police station who file a missing case for Vijay and Shankar. With the police’s advice the maid decides to adopt Ratan. Vijay was found unconscious by a groundkeeper of a mansion owned by a wealthy man. The groundkeeper adopts him.
The brother have grown up into mature adults. Shankar, the eldest is now joined by Usman on a crime spree around the city. However, he is still haunted by the murder of his parents and vows to kill the culprit and find his brothers. Vijay, the second, is now an unemployed and charming youth. Ratan has now started a band in heavens hotel and does gigs to make a living.
Vijay meets Sunita and flirts with her through Sunita shows dislike towards Vijay. Later, Vijay returns home and finds Sunita there. As later, it’s revealed that Sunita is the daughter of the wealthy man. A party is organised by Sunita in the mansion. Where, she sings a song. Vijay falls in love with her. Sunita who knew this, acts as if she too fell in love. Later, she publicly mocks him.
Vijay feigns as if he is sick, Sunita who gets to know of this feels pity for him. Vijay and his friend, Salim does a drama to make Sunita fall for him. They act as if Vijay is suffering with Cancer and may die soon. Sunita decides to make him happy and goes to a trip with him. However, she falls in love with Vijay. Later, Vijay reveals to Sunita that he has no cancer. Ratan falls in love with his co-dancer and singer.
Meanwhile, the brothers meet several times, however, they never know that they are brothers. In a concert, Ratan sings ‘Yaadon ki Baarat’ to find his brothers. Vijay and Shankar who were present there are amused Vijay sings along with him. Vijay and Ratan unite. Shankar is happy but he cannot contact his brothers because of his boss who is none other than Shakal. Shankar discovers that Shakal is his parents’ murderer.
Later, Shankar and Shakal are involved in a scuffle. Shakal tries to run away. However his leg is caught in the railway track. Soon, a passing train kills Shakal. The film ends with Shankar, Vijay and Ratan uniting, glad to have defeated Shakal.
- Dharmendra as Shankar
- Master Rajesh as Young Shankar
- Zeenat Aman as Sunita
- Vijay Arora as Vijay
- Master Ravi as Young Vijay
- Tariq Khan as Ratan / Monto
- Aamir Khan as Young Ratan
- Ajit Khan as Shakaal
- Ashu as Mother of Shankar / Vijay / Monto
- Satyen Kappu as Jack
- Jalal Agha as Salim
- Archanna
- Master Salsh
- Imtiaz Khan as Roopesh
- Ahmed Ali
- Ravindra Kapoor as Usman
- Bhai Butliwan
- Sham Kumar
- M. B. Shetty as Martin
- Anamika as Jack’s Daughter
- Ram Avtar as Businessman
- Moolchand as Businessman
- Ghafoor
- Nawab
- Jagdish Raj
- Bannerji
- Sanjana
- Ashoo as Mr. Verma
- Sofia
- Pompi
- Mona
- Kamal
- Neetu Singh as Dancer (song ‘Le Kar Hum Deewana Dil’)
. . . Yaadon Ki Baaraat . . .