Amrapali 1966

Amrapali is a 1966 Indian Bollywood historical film released on 1966. The film is directed by Lekh Tandon, produced by F. C. Mehra under banner named Eagle Films.

The story revolves around two royal families from Rajasthan. One led by Maharaja Bhavani Singh from Mirtagarh(Sunil Dutt) and the other Maharaj Prithvi Singh from Surajgarh(Dharmendra). The evil deeds of the diwan of Mirtagarh (Prem Chopra) creates bitter enemity between the two families. When Jaswant Singh (Vinnod Khanna) brother of Bhavani Singh returns from England, he too is sucked into the controversy. Jaswant Singh sends his wife and children back to England for their education. The children of Mitragarh family too are send to England for their studies. All the children grow up (Sunny,Divya,Raveena and Sanjay) as friends and fall in love eventually. When they return to India they get to know about the rivalry. So will their love succeed or will the bloodshed continue?

The story revolves around two royal families from Rajasthan. One led by Maharaja Bhavani Singh from Mirtagarh(Sunil Dutt) and the other Maharaj Prithvi Singh from Surajgarh(Dharmendra). The evil deeds of the diwan of Mirtagarh (Prem Chopra) creates bitter enemity between the two families. When Jaswant Singh (Vinnod Khanna) brother of Bhavani Singh returns from England, he too is sucked into the controversy. Jaswant Singh sends his wife and children back to England for their education. The children of Mitragarh family too are send to England for their studies. All the children grow up (Sunny,Divya,Raveena and Sanjay) as friends and fall in love eventually. When they return to India they get to know about the rivalry. So will their love succeed or will the bloodshed continue?

In this age of nuclear tensions and the threat of universal doom it is perhaps particularly relevant to remind ourselves of those elements in our past which have striven for the ideals of peace and Democracy. . The Prince of Peace was Gautama The Budha and the cradle of the democracy in India was the Republic of Vaishali with a government not unlike those of the city states in the classical Greed period but with this difference: there was no slavery and the question of Womans secondary role in society did not arise for women were fully emanicpated. It was time - the fifty century B.C. when the Arts flourished and geninus paved the way which was to lead to such glories as the frescoes of Ajanta. . Art thrives in peace and freedom and because Vaishali was ruled by the elected representatives of the people, there was economic prosperity too. The symbol of the vitality of Vaishali was Amrapali, elected court dancer by the people and called the Bride of the City. For her beauty was great and she was adored by thousands. Amrapali passionately loved the freedom of Vaishali and equally hated Ajatshatru, the Emperor of Magadh, traditional enemy of Vaishali, Alas she was fated to fall in love with this man who dreamt of conquering the world and wariting his name in flames across the pages of history. . The conflict between Amrapali the patriot who loved Vaishali as profoundly as Saitn Joan loved France and Amrapali the beloved who adored Ajathshatru with a Juliet - like intesity - this conflict is the motif of our tapestry but the conflict is not merely personal for it is woven into a huge design which contains the drama and horrors of war the myraid vital activities and arts of great Age and above all, the enduring wisdom of Lord Budha. Two thousands five hundred years back Gautama the Budha walked this earth spreading enlightenment with his message of love and peace. But his preaching were unheeded by Ajatshatru, the mighty warring. King of Magadha who flaunting even his mothers implorings waged an unprovoked war on Vaishali. The tide of time turned against Ajathashatru causing him humiliating defeat. Wounded, Ajatshatru ran for his life from the battle field ultimately took refuge in a Vaishali village now disguised as a Vaishali soldier. It is Amrapali who nursed him. . Ajatshatru fell in love with her discovering for the first time in his life. Through her he saw the strength of Vaishali - which mainly rested in her freedom loving citizens. Soon Amrapali learned the true identity of her soldier lover and desperate the lovers were seperated. Ajatshatru was kidnapped by his lovyal generals of Magadh. But the once mighty conqueror was now a lifeless drifting human having lost all interest in his kingdom. Amrapali sunk deep into unfathomable chasms of despondancy requested her president to be relieved of her courtly duties as a Raj - Nartaki as she was desirous of retiring into a life of meditation. But by now the Chief Prosecutor had unearthed her secret love - affair with Ajatshatru. She was sentenced to be hanged for treason against her motherland. She was thrown into a dungeon awaiting her death. Ajatshatru burst into demonic fury at the news of Amrapalis death sentence and launched a desperate war against Vaishali. . One of the most devastating and bloody wars in human history resulted in complete destruction of Vaishali, and its peace loving people. The battle engulfing the villagers and towns of Vaishali war strewn with hundred of thousands of massacred people. Triumpaht Ajatshatru rescued Amrapali from the dungeon, who was now just an emeciated unconscious body. Later to her horror she saw with her eyes the wantom destruction of Vaishali. Ajatshatru now realised the utter futility of war and was repentant. As if in peneance of brutality of human being, Lord Budha was on his death-bed. From all over the country suffering humanity was making pilgrimage to pay their last homage to that great apostle of love and peace. Amarapali and Ajatshatru grief-stricken went to Lord Budha to pay their homage. Ajatshatru renounced violence and war for ever and the hope of peace dawned on the horrizon. [Source: Booklet] Check out this page for more updates on Amrapali.