Bombai Ka Babu (1960) is a classic Hindi crime drama and romantic musical directed and produced by Raj Khosla. The film stars Dev Anand as Babu/Kundan and Suchitra Sen as Maya, with Jeevan, Achala Sachdev, Nasir Hussain, Dhumal, and others in supporting roles. Bollywood Hungama lists its release date as 1 January 1960.
The story follows Babu and Malik, two childhood friends whose lives take very different paths after a youthful crime. Malik grows up to become a police inspector, while Babu falls into a life of crime. After becoming involved in a murder case, Babu goes on the run and eventually assumes the identity of a deceased heir, placing himself inside an unfamiliar family and a complicated emotional situation.
As Babu tries to hide his criminal past, he develops an emotional bond with Maya, the daughter of the family whose home he has entered. His false identity becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, creating a powerful conflict between crime, love, identity, guilt, and redemption.
Movie: Bombai Ka Babu
Release Date: 1 January 1960
Language: Hindi
Genre: Drama, Crime, Romance, Musical
Director: Raj Khosla
Producer: Raj Khosla
Writer: Rajinder Singh Bedi
Screenplay: G. R. Kamath
Music: S. D. Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Cinematography: Jal Mistry
Editing: D. S. Parmar
Production Company: Naya Films
Runtime: Approximately 154 minutes
Country: India
Babu and Malik are childhood friends who grow up together. A youthful act of theft changes their lives. While Malik receives support from his family and eventually becomes a police inspector, Babu is sent to a juvenile institution and later becomes involved in criminal activities.
After serving time, Babu returns to his criminal associates and becomes involved in another crime. Circumstances eventually force him to flee after being connected with a murder.
While trying to escape, Babu encounters an opportunity to assume the identity of a dead heir. He enters the man's family and is accepted as their long-lost relative.
Inside the household, Babu meets Maya. As their relationship develops, Babu begins to experience genuine affection and becomes increasingly uncomfortable with the deception that brought him there.
His new identity provides him with safety, but it also traps him in a moral dilemma. He must choose between continuing his criminal life and accepting responsibility for his past.
Meanwhile, Inspector Malik, his childhood friend, remains connected to the law and eventually becomes part of the conflict.
The story gradually builds toward a confrontation between Babu's criminal past, his new identity, his love for Maya, and his desire for redemption.
The music was composed by S. D. Burman, with lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Popular songs include:
The music is one of the film's enduring attractions, particularly the melancholy "Chal Ri Sajni Ab Kya Soche" and the romantic "Deewana Mastana Hua Dil."
The major themes of Bombai Ka Babu include:
The film particularly explores whether a person who has lived a criminal life can genuinely change when given an opportunity to begin again.