Karm
Karm is a 1977 Indian Hindi-language drama film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra from a story by Gajendra Kumar Mitra.[1] The story revolves around themes of fate, love, and the consequences of actions, following a young couple who defy astrological predictions and societal norms by choosing to live together without marriage.[2] Featuring a runtime of 2 hours and 36 minutes, the film stars Rajesh Khanna as Arvind Kumar, a law student and aspiring lawyer, Vidya Sinha as his beloved Asha Shastri, and Shabana Azmi in a key supporting role, with additional performances by actors such as Asrani, Iftekhar, and Achala Sachdev.[1] The soundtrack, composed by R. D. Burman with lyrics by Bharat Vyas and Inderjeet Singh Tulsi, includes notable songs that underscore the emotional narrative. The film explores the interplay between predestined karma and human agency as the couple faces social backlash for their choices.[2] Released on 29 April 1977, Karm received praise for its progressive handling of taboo subjects like live-in relationships and astrology's influence on personal lives, at a time when Indian cinema was increasingly tackling social issues.[1] B. R. Chopra, known for films addressing moral and ethical dilemmas, delivers a narrative that blends melodrama with philosophical undertones, contributing to the director's reputation for thought-provoking cinema.[1] The film achieved moderate commercial success amid competition from blockbuster multi-starrers of the era.[1]Production
Development
B.R. Chopra founded and led B.R. Films, serving as both producer and director for Karm, a project that aligned with his longstanding commitment to films addressing moral and social dilemmas in Indian society.[3][1] The film's development occurred in the mid-1970s, positioned between Chopra's successful releases Dhund (1973) and Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978), and was executed as a modest-budget production amid financial strains at B.R. Films following his brother Yash Chopra's departure to establish his own banner.[4][5] The story was penned by Gajendra Kumar Mitra, whose script integrated philosophical undertones to examine ethical consequences and societal beliefs.[6] Pre-production efforts focused on crafting a narrative that critiqued prevailing superstitions through familial conflicts, though the era's industry challenges, including post-1976 commercial setbacks for key talent like Rajesh Khanna, added hurdles to aligning the theme with audience expectations.[7][4] The completed film premiered in 1977, but its underwhelming reception prompted Chopra to abandon a planned follow-up project, Sohni Mahiwal.[4][8]Casting and filming
The lead role of Arvind was portrayed by Rajesh Khanna, with Vidya Sinha cast as Asha and Shabana Azmi as Neelam.[6] Vidya Sinha, who had gained prominence in romantic roles, was selected as the primary female lead following her success in films like Chhoti Si Baat (1975).[4] Shabana Azmi, then a relative newcomer to Hindi cinema after her debut in Ankur (1974), took on the supporting role of Neelam, marking an early collaboration with Chopra.[4] The film also featured the debut of child artist Urmila Matondkar, who played the young version of Asha at the age of three.[9] This casting choice introduced a fresh element to the narrative's generational aspects, with Matondkar's performance integrated into key childhood flashback sequences. B.R. Chopra's directorial style, characterized by a focus on moral dilemmas and restrained emotional depth in social dramas, shaped the actors' portrayals, emphasizing subtle expressions of conflict and karma.[1] Principal photography occurred primarily across northern India to capture the story's cultural and spiritual settings. Sequences were filmed in Chandigarh, including areas near Sukhna Lake, as well as in Shimla, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun, requiring the cast and crew to coordinate multi-location shoots over several weeks.[4] The production faced logistical challenges, including managing large crowds of fans drawn to Rajesh Khanna during outdoor shoots in Chandigarh, which prompted the unit to limit their stay to one week before returning to Mumbai. Tensions arose on set between director B.R. Chopra and Khanna, with Chopra later publicly criticizing the actor for allegedly fostering conflicts among the crew, leading to schedule adjustments and strained dynamics.[4]Content
Plot
Retired Judge Shyamlal Kumar resides in a grand home with his wife and their only son, Arvind, a law student aspiring to become a lawyer.[10] Arvind falls deeply in love with Asha Shastri, the daughter of astrologer Chintamani, and the two plan to marry.[11] However, Chintamani consults the stars and foresees a curse: if they wed, Arvind will die shortly after, leaving Asha a widow, leading her father and even Shyamlal's family to vehemently oppose the union.[2] Defying the warnings, Arvind and Asha begin living together without formal marriage, determined to build a family amid growing societal condemnation and backlash from their community, which blacklists Arvind professionally.[11] Asha soon becomes pregnant, but tragedy strikes when Chintamani dies, prompting her to leave for Haridwar while pregnant to raise the child in seclusion away from the scorn; she gives birth to a son there.[10] Under intense pressure from his family, a heartbroken Arvind eventually marries Neelam and relocates to London, attempting to start anew while haunted by his past.[2] Years later, after marrying Neelam and moving to London, Arvind returns to Dehradun and reunites with Asha (now Sadhna), a nurse raising their son Ajay. Seeking to adopt Ajay, tensions rise; Neelam dies in a car accident, and after Arvind survives surgery, the families reconcile, and he marries Asha.[11] These occurrences highlight the film's cause-and-effect narrative driven by karma, as past deeds lead to redemption and eventual reconciliation within the fractured families.[10] Spanning 2 hours and 36 minutes, the story methodically traces this karmic arc from youthful defiance to poignant resolution.[1]Cast
The principal cast of Karm (1977) includes the following actors in their respective roles:| Actor | Role | Character Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rajesh Khanna | Arvind Kumar | The protagonist, a principled young lawyer confronting the consequences of his past actions through karmic challenges.[6] |
| Vidya Sinha | Asha Shastri / Sadhana | Arvind's first love, a resilient woman who navigates personal hardships with steadfast determination.[6] |
| Shabana Azmi | Neelam Kumar | Arvind's second wife, a dutiful figure who embodies loyalty and moral responsibility in the face of adversity.[6] |
| Urmila Matondkar | Child Artiste | Uncredited child artist in a minor role, marking her film debut at age three.[12] |
Soundtrack
Composition
The soundtrack of Karm was musically directed by R.D. Burman, celebrated for his signature fusion of Indian classical traditions with Western instrumentation and rhythms, which lent a distinctive flavor to the film's score.[14] This approach allowed Burman to craft melodies that resonated with the story's philosophical undertones, employing subtle orchestral arrangements alongside traditional elements like sarangi and flute to evoke introspection.[15] The lyrics were written by Bharat Vyas and Rajkavi Inderjeet Singh Tulsi, whose contributions delved into themes of love, fate, and redemption, infusing the songs with poignant emotional layers that mirrored the narrative's karmic essence.[15] Their poetic sensibility, drawing from Hindi literary traditions, ensured the words complemented Burman's compositions without overshadowing the melodic flow.[6] Recording sessions for the soundtrack occurred between 1976 and 1977, ahead of the film's April 1977 release, and involved esteemed playback artists including Kishore Kumar, who provided vocals for Rajesh Khanna's character sequences, alongside Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor, and Mukesh.[16] These sessions, held at Mumbai studios, highlighted collaborative energy among the singers and Burman's orchestra, resulting in harmonious duets and solos that underscored character emotions.[15] The songs were seamlessly woven into the film's fabric, serving to heighten emotional tension and propel key relational dynamics, thereby reinforcing the overarching exploration of destiny and moral consequences without disrupting the dramatic pace.[15]Track listing
The soundtrack album of Karm, composed by R. D. Burman and released by Saregama, features seven songs with a total runtime of approximately 31 minutes.[16][17]| Title | Singer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Jab Dukh Se Man Ghabra Jaaye | Mahendra Kapoor | 7:03 |
| Samay Tu Jaldi Jaldi Chal | Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar | 4:44 |
| Jab Chaaron Taraf Andhera Ho | Mahendra Kapoor, Asha Bhosle | 5:26 |
| Karm Kaho Kismat Kaho | Mukesh | 2:46 |
| Maine Dekha Tujhe Tune Dekha Mujhe | Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar | 5:04 |
| Samay Tu Dheere Dheere Chal | Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar | 5:46 |
| Karm Kare Kismat Bane | Mukesh | 0:52 |