Top 10 Highest Grossing Films Of 1970 Which Turn 50 In 2020
Posted On: 09 Feb 2020 | Last Updated : 07 Mar 2022 | Views : 1.1k
The beginning of the 70s decade saw the transformation of Bollywood producing big-budget films with action thrillers taking center stage. The year 1970 saw the dominance of Rajesh Khanna at the box-office while other young actors like Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, and Vinod Khanna also delivering hits. Except for Dev Anand, the likes of Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, and Dilip Kumar were fading away. The emergence of actresses like Mumtaz, Hema Malini, Rakhee, Sharmila Tagore, and Jaya Bhaduri came as a breath of fresh air to the audiences. The films released in 1970 were more than 100 of which a majority of them did good business but what came as a rude shock was the massive failure of Raj Kapoor's Mera Naam Joker. Let’s look at the top 10 highest grossers of 1970 (Domestic Collection) Bollywood movies, which turn 50 in 2020:
1. Johny Mera Naam (8.00 Cr)
Starring Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Pran, I. S. Johar and Premnath, this suspense thriller was a follow-up act to director Vijay Anand’s 1966 and 1967 superhit films - Teesri Manzil and Jewel Thief, respectively. Johny Mera Naam was a James Bondish type of spy thriller, which got the better of Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker at the box-office that released a month later in the same year. The movie saw the pairing of Dev Anand and Hema Malini coming for the first time on the screen while Premnath consolidated his position as a dreaded villain and I.S. Johar’s triple role act got him that year’s Filmfare Award for Best Comedian. The climax and the evergreen songs like Palbhar Ke Liye Koi, O Babul Pyare, O Mere Raja, Nafrat Karne Walon Ke and Husn Ke Laakhon Rang, are liked by cine-goers to date.
2. Sachaa Jhutha (5.50 Cr)
Riding high on his newfound stardom was superstar Rajesh Khanna who continued his winning streak with Manmohan Desai’s suspense thriller Sachaa Jhutha that also starred Mumtaz, Vinod Khanna, and Naaz. Songs composed by Kalyanji- Anandji like Meri Pyari Behaniya, Karle Pyar Karle, Dil Ko Dekho Chehra Na Dekho, and Yunhi Tum Mujhse Baat Karti Ho, continue to remain unforgettable. Rajesh Khanna’s double role act earned him that year’s Filmfare Award for 'Best Actor' as the film went on to become the second-highest earner among the top 10 highest box office collection movies in 1970.
3. Aan Milo Sajna (5.00 Cr)
Counted one among the 17 consecutive hit films of Rajesh Khanna between 1969 and 1971, Aan Milo Sajna with Asha Parekh and Vinod Khanna stormed the box-office that year. Released on Christmas that year, director Mukul Dutt’s musical romantic tale had audiences crooning Achcha To Hum Chalte Hain, Jawaani O Deewani Tu Zindabad, Koi Nazrana Lekar Aaya Hoon and Tere Kaaran Mere Saajan composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and penned by Anand Bakshi. The success of the film further consolidated Rajesh Khanna’s stardom at the box-office.
4. Purab Aur Pachhim (4.50 Cr)
Purab Aur Pachhim was Manoj Kumar’s second directorial after the much successful Upkar in 1967. The movie starring himself along with Saira Banu, Ashok Kumar, Pran and Prem Chopra in the main roles dealt with the subject of eastern and western cultural clashes while Indian values and traditions are held in high esteem even today the world over. The film’s patriotic flavour brought goosebumps to audiences and the song Dulhan Chali O Pehen Chali sung by Mahendra Kapoor and composed by Kalyanji-Anandji still makes every Indian nostalgic.
5. Safar (4.00 Cr)
Based on Bengali writer Ashutosh Mukherjee’s novel, Safar was directed by Asit Sen and starred Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore and Feroz Khan in main roles. The film ended up as the fifth-highest grosser at the box-office that year while the audiences could not control weeping after Rajesh Khanna succumbs to cancer in the climax. Music directors Kalyanji – Anandji yet again gave some memorable tunes including Zindagi Ka Safar, Jo Tumko Ho Pasand Wohi Baat Kahenge, Hum The Jinke Sahare and Jeevan Se Bhari.
6. Humjoli (3.75 Cr)
A remake of the Tamil superhit movie Panakkara Kudumbam (1964), starring M.G.R and B. Saroja Devi, Humjoli featured in the list of the top 10 successful movies of 1970 that won the hearts of the audiences with good performances coming from Jeetendra, Leena Chandavarkar, and Mehmood. Humjoli was Jeetendra’s maiden production venture while Mehmood was seen in a triple where he played Grandfather, Father, and Son. The film had some foot-tapping compositions from Laxmikant-Pyarelal that included Hai Re Hai, Dhal Gaya Din Ho Gayi Shaam, Tune Tune O Sanam, Chal Shuru Ho Ja, and others.
7. The Train (3.50 Cr)
Inspired by the 1940 English film Midnight Limited and a remake of the 1967 Malayalam movie Cochin Express starring Prem Nazir, The Train had Rajesh Khanna and Nanda in the main leads. Directed by Ravikant Nagaich, the film was a suspense thriller where Rajesh Khanna plays a cop out to solve a murder mystery that takes place on a running train. The songs by R.D. Burman and penned by Anand Bakshi were topnotch which included Gulabi Aankhen Jo Teri Dekhi, Mujhse Bhala Yeh Kajal Tera, O Meri Jaan Maine Kaha, Kisliye Maine Pyar Kiya and others.
8. Khilona (3.25 Cr)
A remake of the Telugu movie Punarjanma (1963), Khilona was a slow starter at the box-office but with powerful performances by Sanjeev Kumar, Mumtaz, Shatrughan Sinha and Jeetendra got the crowds thronging to the theaters. The film had lilting music once again by duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal that included Sanam Tu Bewafa Ke Naam Se by Lata, Khush Rahe Tu Sadaa and Khilona Jaankar Tum To by Mohd. Rafi. Mumtaz bagged that year’s Filmfare Award for Best Actress while L.V. Prasad received the same for Best Movie that year.
9. Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (3.00 Cr)
Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? was a suspense thriller produced and directed by Arjun Hingorani starring Dharmendra, Babita, Pran and Helen. It was the first time that Arjun Hingorani used K-K-K in the title and its success meant that he would have the same three K-K-K alphabets in all his forthcoming films. Arjun Hingorani who reportedly gave Dharmendra his first break in Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960) further consolidated their association with this film. However, a couple of songs by Kalyanji - Anandji were hummable but a tight script contributed more towards its box-office success.
10. Jeevan Mrityu (2.75 Cr)
Starring Dharmendra and Rakhee in the lead, Jeevan Mrityu was a remake of the 1967 hit Bengali film Jiban Mrityu starring Uttam Kumar and Supriya Devi. The film was a revenge drama, which was directed by Satyen Bose and produced by Rajshri Productions. The film marked the debut of Rakhee in Hindi movies while Dharmendra’s getup as a Sardarji came as a surprise. Songs by Laxmikant-Pyarelal added to the narration very well.
