Paisa Ya Pyaar is a 1969 Hindi comedy-drama film directed by Jawar N. Sitaraman and produced by A. Veerappan. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Biswajeet, Mala Sinha, Tanuja and Shashikala in prominent roles. The music was composed by Ravi, with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi. The film is a Hindi remake of the successful Tamil film Panama Pasama (1968).
The story focuses on Mohanlal, a wealthy and materialistic man whose daughter Shanti marries Shekhar, a man from a comparatively modest background. The marriage forces Mohanlal to reconsider his strong belief in wealth and social status. The film explores the conflict between money and love, while highlighting the importance of family relationships and human values.
The story revolves around Mohanlal, played by Ashok Kumar, a wealthy man who places considerable importance on money and social position.
Mohanlal believes that financial prosperity is essential for a successful and respectable life. His attitude toward wealth influences the way he views relationships and marriage.
His daughter Shanti, played by Mala Sinha, falls in love with Shekhar, played by Biswajeet. Shekhar does not belong to the same wealthy social background as Shanti's family.
Despite the difference in their financial circumstances, Shanti chooses to marry Shekhar because of her love for him.
The marriage creates tension within the family. Mohanlal is uncomfortable with the idea of his daughter being married to a man who does not possess the same level of wealth and status.
Shekhar's family, represented by Shankarlal, also becomes part of the conflict surrounding the marriage and family expectations.
As the story progresses, Mohanlal's obsession with money begins to affect his relationship with his daughter and son. His family members gradually make him confront the emotional cost of placing wealth above affection.
The film uses a mixture of comedy and family drama to show how relationships can become strained when financial considerations dominate people's decisions.
The experiences of Shanti and Shekhar eventually help Mohanlal understand that love, family and emotional happiness cannot simply be measured in terms of money.
The film's central conflict therefore becomes a choice between “Paisa” (money) and “Pyaar” (love).
The principal cast and character information are recorded by available film databases.
Director: Jawar N. Sitaraman
Producer: A. Veerappan
Story: G. Balasubramaniam
Screenplay: K. S. Gopalakrishnan
Dialogues: Mukhram Sharma
Music: Ravi
Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi
Cinematography: Tyagraj Pendharkar
Editing: R. Bhaskar
Language: Hindi
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Runtime: Approximately 165 minutes
Production Banner: Gemini Pictures
The music of Paisa Ya Pyaar was composed by Ravi, while the lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi. The soundtrack includes playback performances by Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi, Hemant Kumar and Kishore Kumar.
The song “Insaanon Ne Paise Ke Liye” particularly reflects the film's central theme concerning the influence of money on human relationships.
Paisa Ya Pyaar explores:
The central message is that money can provide comfort and status, but genuine love and family relationships have a deeper value.
Paisa Ya Pyaar is remembered as a family-oriented Hindi film from the late 1960s. It is notable for bringing together Ashok Kumar, Mala Sinha, Biswajeet, Tanuja and Shashikala, along with Ravi's music and Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics.
The film was adapted from the Tamil film Panama Pasama, directed by K. S. Gopalakrishnan and released in 1968. The Hindi version retained the central theme of a wealthy family confronting the consequences of excessive attachment to money.