Tohfa

Tohfa (English: Gift) is a 1984 Bollywood drama film produced by D. Rama Naidu on Suresh Productions banner, directed by K. Raghavendra Rao. Starring Jeetendra, Sridevi, Jaya Prada in the lead roles and music composed by Bappi Lahari.^[1] The film is a remake of Telugu movie Devata (1982). The film became a hit and took the top spot at the box office in 1984.^[2]

It featured a hit pair of the 1980s, Jeetendra and Sridevi, known for their dancing skills, who appeared in numerous films together: hits like Himmatwala (1983) and Justice Chaudhry (1982).^[3] Tohfa, a heroine-centered story about two sisters and their love triangle with the hero, was a direct remake of K. Raghavendra Rao's earlier hit Telugu film Devata (1982), with Jayaprada and Sridevi playing the same roles. The story was similar to earlier films: 1959 Tamil film Kalyana Parisu directed by C. V. Sridhar, who also directed its Hindi remake, Nazrana (1961) starring Raj Kapoor and Vyjayanthimala and the 1960 Telugu version Pelli Kanuka.^[4] At the 32nd Filmfare Awards, Tohfa received three nominations: Shakti Kapoor for Best Comic Actor, Bappi Lahiri for Best Music and Indeevar received Best Lyrics nomination for "Tohfa Tere Pyaar Ka."^[5]

Plot

Janaki (Jayaprada) and Lalita (Sridevi) are sisters who love each other dearly. Lalita and Ram (Jeetendra) fall passionately in love with each other. Unknown to them, Janaki is also in love with Ram. When Lalita finds out, she decides to sacrifice her relationship with Ram. In haste, she marries a good-for-nothing man (Shakti Kapoor), who is arrested by the police immediately afterwards. Unaware of Lalita's true motive, Ram and Janaki are furious with her.

Lalita moves away and is not seen for several years. Ram and Janaki get married and live happily; their only sorrow is their inability to have children. Many years later, Ram meets Lalita again. She is working in an office and singlehandedly bringing up her son. To his shock, Ram realises that he is the father of Lalita's son. The child had been conceived in a moment of passion between Ram and Lalita before they separated. Ram is torn between his loyalty to his wife Janaki and the pull of affection towards his son. Janaki, now expecting a child, finds out about her sister's reappearance but misunderstands the whole situation. She begins to suspect Ram and Lalita of cheating on her. However, at last, all the misunderstandings are cleared up. The true extent of Lalita's sacrifice becomes known to Janaki, who feel very guilty. Janaki gives birth to a daughter and passes away, leaving the baby and Ram in Lalita's care.

Cast

• Jeetendra as Ramu
• Sridevi as Lalita
• Jayapradha as Janki
• Kader Khan as Raghuveer Singh
• Shakti Kapoor as Kaamesh Singh
• Asrani as Poojari
• Aruna Irani
• Jagdeep
• Leela Mishra as Dadi
• Mohan Choti as Jamoore

Soundtrack

All songs^[6] are composed by Bappi Lahiri and lyrics are penned by Indeevar.

Marketing and reception

Producer D. Rama Naidu employed huge billboards and cut outs for film's publicity before its release and managed to create considerable public interest. Upon its release, Tohfa was immediately notice for its item number "Pyar Ka Tohfa Tera" picturised on Jaya Prada and the risque "Ek Ankh Marun To", sung by Asha Bhonsle which became a chartbuster.^[1]

References

External links

• Tohfa at the Internet Movie Database