The black and white Hindi Romantic Classic, ‘Chori Chori’ starring Raj Kapoor and Nargis was released in the year 1956. The film was directed by Anant Thakur and produced by L.B. Lachman. The music director was Shankar Jaikishan. The lyricists were Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. The film is inspired by the Hollywood film, ‘It Happened One Night’. Similar films were made later in Hindi namely, ‘Dil Hain Ke Maanta Nahin’ by Mahesh Bhatt and it was a big success. This film’s writer was Aga Jani.
A rich daughter, Kammo (played by Nargis) of a multi-millionaire widower, Seth Girdharilal, played by Gope live in a big bungalow. Kamoo has all the luxuries of life and a dream man who will love and care for her forever. She loves a pilot, Sumankumar, played by Pran, who is greedy for Kammo’s wealth and is also a womaniser.
Girdharilal has a different wish for his simple daughter. He wants to marry her to a man who is not after his wealth but is a gem at heart. When Girdharilal tells his wish to Kammo, she is dismayed. She tells her father to get her married to Sumankumar. Knowing the real deeds and intentions of Sumankumar, Girdharilal disapproves of the marriage. Kammo runs away. Girdharilal is upset and spreads the news that whosoever brings back his daughter to him safe, will be awarded 1.25 lakhs.
After a gap of four days, Ammo returns home. She is a changed person. The arrogant, adamant girl is sober, humble and respectful to her father and everyone else. Girdharilal agrees to marry her to Sumankumar but Kammo tells him that she loves a simple, poor man named Sagar, played by Raj Kapoor. Sagar visits Girdharilal to collect the expenses incurred on him while he took care of his daughter. Sagar is also offered the ransom amount of Rs. 1.25 lakhs which he refuses. Girdharilal is impressed with Sagar and realises he is the man Kammo loves.
After some misunderstandings between Sagar and Kammo are cleared, Girdharilal insists Kammo to marry Sagar. In the end, the love birds are married and Girdharilal is also satisfied. Surmankumar is left alone with his ill deeds in hand.
The film was a big hit for the lead actors, songs, story and good direction. Some popular numbers are ‘Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandni mein hum’, ‘Jahan Main Jaati Hun’, ‘Panchhi Banu Urdi Phiroon’ and so on. The lead singers were Mohd. Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. It is a treat to watch this film even today. The success rate of this kind of a film story is well proved and a hit.
