Amanush (1975 film)

Amanush (transl. Inhuman) is a 1975 Indian action drama film made in both Hindi and Bengali languages, produced and directed by Shakti Samanta. The film stars Sharmila Tagore, Uttam Kumar, Utpal Dutt and Asit Sen. Both the versions were hits. The film was based on Shaktipada Rajguru novel Naya Basat which he written based on Sundarban. The film music composed by the popular Bengali singer-composer Shyamal Mitra.

The film's plot line is simple enough, but it's the complexity of human emotions depicted that makes it a classic. It is a flood that restores faith in boundless human spirit. Amanush that means half human, and half beast to marvel scope of the histrionic capabilities. The Bengali version of the film achieved immense popularity amongst Bengalis and featured many memorable songs by Kishore Kumar like Bipinbabur Karansudha and Ki Asha-y Baandhi Khelaghar. Also, this film featured the Bengali film star Uttam Kumar at the height of his popularity and Utpal Dutt turned in a typically stellar performance as the villain.

The film was later remade in Telugu as Edureeta (1977), starring N.T. Rama Rao, in Malayalam as Ithaa Oru Manushyan and in Tamil as Thyagam, with Sivaji Ganesan. After Amanush, Samanta once again made another double version, Anand Ashram (1977), with the same lead actors, however, that film didn't do well at the box office. The Bengali version create record and become all time block buster and highest grossing Bengali film ever at that time.