{ "id": "epzjhkbq0t", "slug": "lalkar", "title": "Lalkar", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s", "label": "Hindi films of the 1970s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s.yr-1970-1975", "label": "Released 1970 to 1975", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s.yr-1970-1975" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s.yr-1970-1975", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000: Released 1970 to 1975", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s.yr-1970-1975", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s", "label": "Hindi films of the 1970s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s.yr-1970-1975", "label": "Released 1970 to 1975", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s.yr-1970-1975" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Lalkar (ललकार, The Challenge) is a 1972 Hindi World War II film directed, produced, and written by Ramanand Sagar from his own novel, starring Dharmendra, Rajendra Kumar, and Mala Sinha, with music by Kalyanji-Anandji, released 23 May 1972.", "snippet": "Lalkar (ललकार, The Challenge) is a 1972 Hindi World War II film directed, produced, and written by Ramanand Sagar from his own novel, starring Dharmendra, Rajendra Kumar, and Mala Sinha, with music by Kalyanji-Anandji, released 23 May 1972.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.hindi-films-of-the-1970s.yr-1970-1975", "markdown": "# Lalkar\n\n**Lalkar** (ललकार; English title *The Challenge*) is a 1972 Hindi-language war film directed, produced, and written by [Ramanand Sagar](https://www.edgepedia.org/ramanand-sagar), set on the Burma Front during World War II. It stars [Dharmendra](https://www.edgepedia.org/dharmendra), Rajendra Kumar, Mala Sinha, Kumkum, and [Dara Singh](https://www.edgepedia.org/dara-singh), with music by the composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji.[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) • [2](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972) The film was adapted from a Hindi novel of the same name written by Sagar himself.[3](https://d1f72a6kha0tf8.cloudfront.net/lalkar)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Release | Theatrical release in India on 23 May 1972; censor certificate Bombay U-69855 dated 23.05.1972[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) • [4](https://letterboxd.com/film/lalkar/) |\n| Director, producer, writer | Ramanand Sagar; screenplay with Moti Sagar[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) • [5](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/lalkar/IEMV006335) |\n| Production | Sagar Art International, Bombay; shot at Natraj Studios, Bombay, and Jyoti-Cine (Outdoor) Studio, Chowk; 35 mm color[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) • [2](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972) |\n| Principal cast | Dharmendra as Major Ram Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar as Wing Commander Rajan Kapoor, Mala Sinha as Dr. Usha Choudhury, Kumkum as Rajkumari Toshi[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/lalkar-the-challenge) |\n| Music | Kalyanji-Anandji; eight songs with lyrics by Indivar, Hasrat Jaipuri, Kulwant 'Jani', and Mahendra Dehalvi; record company Polydor Records[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) |\n| Physical format | 17 reels, 4,656.93 meters, censor-listed running time 169 minutes 46 seconds[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) |\n| Rating | IMDb score 6.5 (about 151 votes)[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/lalkar-the-challenge) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot\n\nThe story is drawn from World War II on the Burma Front. The Japanese have nearly completed a secret airfield hidden in the mountain ranges of the Burma-India border, which threatens India, and a small group of Indian soldiers and officers of the British army is sent behind enemy lines to sabotage and destroy it.[2](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972)\n\nThe operation is led by two brothers, Wing Commander Rajan Kapoor and Major Ram Kapoor. Rajan flies reconnaissance over enemy territory and passes vital information to headquarters before his plane is shot down; presumed dead, he is in fact a prisoner of the enemy, resisting torture and even attempting a coup. Ram leads the commando group, crossing swamps and cliffs to reach the enemy hide-out, playing what the press booklet calls a continuous hide-and-seek with the Japanese army and death.[2](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972)\n\nA parallel love story runs through the mission. Rajan, who believes in the immortality of love, is devoted to Dr. Usha Chowdhary, a doctor at a military hospital at an advance base. Ram, who does not believe in love, has among his many girlfriends the tribal princess Toshi, who sincerely loves him. The brothers reunite at the airfield while disguised as tribal laborers, and in the climax Rajan fights a mid-air battle for the mission's success while Ram sacrifices his life for love.[2](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972) Streaming synopses summarize the same premise: two army officer brothers fall for the same lady doctor, one proposes to her, and one is sent on a secret mission and assumed dead.[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/lalkar-the-challenge)\n\n## Production\n\nThe film was made under the banner Sagar Art International, Bombay, with Ramanand Sagar as director, producer, and writer, working from his own novel.[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) • [3](https://d1f72a6kha0tf8.cloudfront.net/lalkar) Prem Sagar was the cinematographer, Lachhman Dass the editor, M B Shetty the action director, and Bhanu Athaiya among the costume designers; sound mixing was by Mangesh Desai and processing at Film Centre.[2](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972)\n\nThe cast was large. Beyond the leads it included Dara Singh, Dev Kumar as Captain Dev, Ramesh Deo, Agha, Sujit Kumar, Roopesh Kumar, Nazir Hussain as Colonel Choudhury, Nana Palsikar, Raj Mehra, Tun Tun as Danko, Keshto Mukherjee, and Sushma Shrestha, among many others.[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) • [6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/lalkar-the-challenge)\n\n## Music\n\nKalyanji-Anandji composed the score, with Babla, Jay Kumar Parte, and Frank Fernand as assistant music directors. The film has eight songs listed by the Hindi Film Database, sung by [Mohammed Rafi](https://www.edgepedia.org/mohammed-rafi), Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Mahendra Kapoor, Manhar, Mala Sinha, and Sushma Shresth, with lyrics by Indivar, Hasrat Jaipuri, Kulwant Jani, and Mahendra Dehalvi. They include \"Aaj Ga Lo Muskara Lo\" in happy and sad versions, \"Sathiya Re Bol Mere Sathiya,\" and \"Kabhi Hamane Naheen Socha Tha Sanam.\" The record company was [Polydor Records](https://www.edgepedia.org/polydor-records).[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468)\n\n## Release and afterlife\n\nThe censor record gives a Bombay certificate U-69855 dated 23 May 1972, and [Letterboxd](https://www.edgepedia.org/letterboxd) lists the Indian theatrical release as 23 May 1972.[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) • [4](https://letterboxd.com/film/lalkar/) Some databases give a 1 January 1972 release date instead.[5](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/lalkar/IEMV006335) Reported running times also differ between sources: the censor record lists 169 minutes 46 seconds,[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) Cinemaazi lists 129 minutes,[2](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972) [JustWatch](https://www.edgepedia.org/justwatch) lists 2 hours 28 minutes,[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/lalkar-the-challenge) and The Times of India lists 2 hours 53 minutes.[7](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/lalkaar/movieshow/62519360.cms)\n\nThe Hindi Film Database notes that one film each with the same title was passed by the Censor Board in 1944 and 1956, so the 1972 film was not the first Indian film called Lalkar.[1](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468) The film is one of the significant titles of Ramanand Sagar's production house, listed alongside Ghungat, Zindagi, Paigham, Arzoo, Aankhen, and Geet in a National Film Award catalog account of Sagar Films.[8](https://nfaindia.org/images/pdf/55th%20National%20Film%20Award%20Catalogue.pdf) An IMDb user note describes it as one of the rare war films of Indian cinema.[9](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268416/)\n\nThe film remains available digitally: as of the most recent checks, it streams in India on the Goldmines Play Amazon Channel, with no free streaming options.[6](https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/lalkar-the-challenge)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Lalkar, Hindi Film Database (Hamraaz)](https://hamraaz.org/filmssite/public/film.php?id=4468)\n2. [Lalkar (1972), Cinemaazi](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/film/lalkaar-1972)\n3. [Lalkar (1972), Moviebuff](https://d1f72a6kha0tf8.cloudfront.net/lalkar)\n4. [Lalkar (1972), Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/lalkar/)\n5. [Lalkar, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/lalkar/IEMV006335)\n6. [Lalkar (The Challenge) streaming, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/lalkar-the-challenge)\n7. [Lalkaar movie details, The Times of India eTimes](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/lalkaar/movieshow/62519360.cms)\n8. [Sagar Films, 55th National Film Awards Catalogue, NFAI](https://nfaindia.org/images/pdf/55th%20National%20Film%20Award%20Catalogue.pdf)\n9. [Lalkar (The Challenge) (1972), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0268416/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Hindi films of the 1970s › Released 1970 to 1975*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/lalkar", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/lalkar.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Lalkar\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/lalkar. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Lalkar](https://www.edgepedia.org/lalkar)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/lalkar](https://www.edgepedia.org/lalkar). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Lalkar\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/lalkar. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Lalkar is a 1972 Hindi World War II film directed, produced, and written by Ramanand Sagar from his own novel, starring Dharmendra, Rajendra Kumar, and Mala Sinha, with music by Kalyanji-Anandji, released 23 May 1972." }