WHEN Roti Kapada Aur Makaan was released in cinemas on October 18, 1974, it strongly resonated with audiences and became the highest-grossing film of the year.
This all-time classic, written, produced, directed, and headlined by movie star Manoj Kumar, transcended conventional storytelling, delivering powerful social commentary on the struggles of the common man. Powered by a strong cast, this social drama about essential human needs explored themes of dignity, survival, economic disparity, and life in a turbulent era.
Eastern Eye decided to celebrate the drama’s golden anniversary by sharing fascinating facts connected to it:
Manoj Kumar visited several unemployment offices and interacted with job seekers to authentically portray his role. He also drew on his early job-hunting struggles for inspiration, with scenes where his character searches for a job reflecting these real-life observations.
Rajesh Khanna was initially considered for the role of Mohan Babu but had to decline due to other commitments. Navin Nischol, approached next, opted out, not wanting to act in a multistarrer. Although Rajendra Kumar was offered the role, he requested improvements that Manoj Kumar declined to make. Shashi Kapoor was ultimately cast, earning great acclaim.
Sharmila Tagore was first offered the role of Sheetal, but she preferred the character played by Moushumi Chatterjee. Kumar, however, ultimately cast Zeenat Aman as Sheetal.
Zeenat Aman initially hesitated to play the morally ambiguous role of a woman leaving her struggling partner for a wealthier man but was eventually persuaded, solidifying her status as a leading lady willing to break norms.
Amitabh Bachchan was relatively unknown when he was cast in the film but had become a star by its release. His presence helped it become a blockbuster. Despite a suddenly packed schedule, Bachchan made special efforts to accommodate the film, shooting some of his most intense scenes between other projects.
Manoj Kumar had offered Smita Patil a role when she was still an unknown, which she declined. Patil would later become one of India’s greatest film actresses.
It was widely reported that Mehmood had been promised a role that did not materialise, leading to public expressions of displeasure by the legendary actor.
Legendary playback singer Mukesh, despite being unwell, completed the popular song Main Na Bhoolunga with Lata Mangeshkar.
Bachchan sustained an injury during an action sequence but continued shooting to avoid disrupting the schedule.
Chatterjee, pregnant during filming, could not shoot for the song Haye Haye Yeh Majboori. The song was shot with Zeenat Aman, though it didn’t suit her character’s story arc. Chatterjee later revealed that Kumar never fully forgave her for her inability to perform in that song.
During the filming of a rape scene, a significant amount of cooking flour fell on Chatterjee. A lot of it went into her mouth, leading to her vomiting the entire night. It also took hours to remove the flour from her hair.
In keeping with his patriotic Bharat persona, Manoj Kumar included no physical romantic scenes with Zeenat Aman in their roles.
This was the first film for which actor Ajay Devgn’s father, legendary stunt director Veeru Devgan, took full charge of the action scenes.
The project was Manoj Kumar’s most ambitious to date, leading him to mortgage his house to fund the film, which became that year’s biggest Bollywood success.
The film employed a lot of symbolism to reflect the socio-political climate of India at the time. Lead characters Bharat (Manoj Kumar) and Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) symbolised India and victory, respectively, representing hope for a better future amidst struggles.
Indian cultural references were deliberately included in the dialogues to enhance resonance with the audience.
Kumar had filmed an alternate ending in which his character, Bharat, succumbs to life’s pressures and dies. He eventually chose a positive ending to convey a message of resilience and hope.
The initial cut of Roti Kapada Aur Makaan was much longer than the final 160-minute version, with Kumar editing out scenes to keep the narrative focused and concise.
Unused sub-plots that were excluded from the final edit involved a more in-depth exploration of the relationship between Bharat and his younger brother Vijay.
Kumar organised screenings for workers and lower-income groups to gauge the film’s impact on its target audience.
The film’s distributors and many Bollywood insiders initially disliked the title Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, but Kumar maintained it to encapsulate the film’s social message.
Following the film’s success, Kumar organised special screenings for the impoverished in various rural areas and held charity screenings, with proceeds donated to local initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty. This ultimately reflected the film’s core message.
Some sets used in Roti Kapada Aur Makaan were repurposed for other films of the time.
The song Hai Hai Yeh Majboori was later sampled by hip-hop artist Bubba Sparxxx in the song Ugly and remixed by Bally Sagoo on his album Bollywood Flashback 2.
Roti Kapada Aur Makaan was later remade in Telugu as Jeevana Poratam (1986) and continues to inspire Bollywood movies with its themes.
The timeless classic remains relevant today, highlighting the struggles of the poor and working class to secure basic necessities such as food, clothing, and shelter, as the title suggests. Many filmmakers have been inspired by its themes to create movies about the common man’s struggles, using it as a reference point for addressing similar social issues in subsequent decades.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.