Daasi(1981)
Daasi is a 1981 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Raj Khosla and produced by Subhash Verma. The film stars Sanjeev Kumar, Rekha, Moushumi Chatterjee, and Rakesh Roshan. The story follows Mangala, an orphaned girl who marries a blind singer named Anand after her first groom dies. Anand is still in love with a courtesan named Tara, leaving Mangala to fight for his affection. The film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and caste hierarchy. It is one of several Raj Khosla films centered on the character of the 'other woman'. The music was composed by Ravindra Jain. Daasi was released on 26 June 1981 and did not perform well at the box office.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- ShemarooMe, Airtel Xstream Play, Plex, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1981
- Director
- Raj Khosla
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 18m
- Rating
- 6.3/10
Storyline
Mangala is an orphan whose groom dies on her wedding day. Her aunt quickly marries her to Anand, a blind singer. But Anand's heart belongs to Tara, a courtesan. Mangala becomes a servant in her own home. She must fight for love and respect in a house that sees her as a burden.
“A servant in her own home.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Daasi
Cast reunions in this film: Rekha & Rakesh Roshan (8 films together), Moushumi Chatterjee & Sanjeev Kumar (5 films together), Rekha & Sanjeev Kumar (4 films together), and Rekha & Moushumi Chatterjee (2 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally titled 'Daasi' but was also released as 'Patita' in some regions, causing confusion with another 1953 film of the same name.
- Director Raj Khosla was known for thrillers and melodramas, making this social drama a slight departure from his usual style.
- Actress Anita Raj, who played the lead, was relatively new to Hindi cinema at the time, with this being one of her early prominent roles.
- The film's music was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, but it did not produce any major hit songs compared to their other works of the era.
- It explores themes of widow remarriage and social stigma, reflecting common concerns in early 1980s Indian cinema.
- The movie performed modestly at the box office and is not widely remembered among Raj Khosla's filmography today.
- Some filming took place in rural Punjab settings to emphasize the traditional backdrop of the story.