High drama, tears, mujras, gripping family confrontations, all helped make Khilona one of the top grossing Hindi films in 1970. Sanjeev Kumar, Mumtaz, Jeetendra, Shatrughan Sinha & Jagdeep act in this social drama.

When a prostitute’s daughter is hired to help ‘cure’ a mentally inbalanced poet, son of a rich Thakur, complications like love, lust and laughter happen, and make for many hysterical moments calling for grand histrionics. Earnest performances and great songs ( Khilona Jaan kar tum to,the aching "Khush Rahe Tu Sada" and Agar Dilbar Ki Ruswai" come to mind) make it an all time favorite for a cold fall evening!

Khilona, based on a prize-winning story by Gulshan Nanda was produced by LV Prasad and directed by Chander Vohra. A blockbuster hit in 1970, it transformed the careers of its main stars, Sanjeev Kumar and Mumtaz.

Sanjeev Kumar was recognized for his outstanding performance as a mentally unbalanced man nursed back into sanity by the pure-at heart( and body) tawaif played by Mumtaz. Mumtaz, known until then for her oomph captured the attention of fans and critics alike with a sensitive performance that got her the Filmare award for best actor that year.

Interesting trivia - Sanjeev Kumar is supposed to have spent four months observing mental patients at a facility to prepare for this role.

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