Independent India's first hit film, released on August 15, 1947, had superstar as extra, people queued for days for it

August 15 marks the anniversary of India’s independence. This was the day in 1947 when the British Raj formally came to an end and India became an independent nation governed by its own people. Among other things, that day also happened to be a Friday. And as is the custom on all Fridays since the 1920s, films released in theatres on that day. Two Hindi (in those days it was Hindustani) films released in theatres on August 15, 1947. Among those was independent India’s first box office hit.

Independent India’s first box office success

Shehnai was the first film that registered success in a newly independent India. Directed by PL Santoshi, the film was a Muslim social. The film starred Rehana alongside Nasir Khan, the brother of superstar Dilip Kumar. Shehnai was a success, earning just under Rs 1 crore at the box office and becoming the fifth-highest grossing Indian film of the year. Contemporary reports say that crowds queued for days outside the halls. While Nasir did not gain much from the film’s success, Rehana did become a star. She had had another hit that year – Ashok Kumar-starrer Sajan. The success of the two films back-to-back made the media dub her an ‘overnight star’.

The superstar who was an extra in Shehnai

But more than even Rehana, one extra from the film succeeded. 18-year-old Abhas Kumar Ganguly was an extra in the film. He later became famous as Kishore Kumar, one of the most successful singers in Indian cinema history, and also a successful actor.

The other film that released on August 15, 1947 did not do as well as Shehnai. Mera Geet starring Sushil Kumar and Junior Naseem bombed at the box office, leaving all the earnings to Shehnai.

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