Kismet (1943)

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Briefly

Sameeksha Sharma, March 18, 2025: MSN

Bollywood’s First Blockbuster

This is a story from 1943 when Indian cinema witnessed its first true blockbuster. Kismet, starring Ashok Kumar, was produced by Bombay Talkies and became a milestone in the industry. Not only did it shatter box office records at the time, but it also gave Hindi cinema its first superstar, Ashok Kumar.

Directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies, Kismet set a record by running in theatres for three consecutive years. It played for around 200 weeks at Kolkata’s Radha Talkies, a remarkable feat for its time.

Box Office Collection and Budget

According to reports, Kismet was made on a budget of approximately Rs 2 lakh. Despite being released during the difficult times of World War II, when economies were struggling, the film pulled audiences to theatres. It went on to earn Rs 1 crore, securing its place as Hindi cinema’s first blockbuster and achieved an extraordinary achievement 82 years ago.

From Lab Technician to Superstar

Ashok Kumar, originally named Kumudlal Kunjilal Ganguly, worked as a lab technician at Bombay Talkies before fate intervened. Himanshu Rai, the studio’s owner, took a chance on him and cast him as a hero. The gamble paid off, and Ashok Kumar went on to deliver numerous hits, solidifying his place in Bollywood history.

A Film Ahead of Its Time

Kismet was a ground-breaking film for Hindi cinema. It introduced audiences to a morally complex protagonist, a pickpocket (played by Ashok Kumar) who helps an innocent girl and her family. It also tackled bold themes, including an unmarried woman’s pregnancy, a rarity in films of that era. This film also introduced the ‘anti-hero’ concept, which later became the foundation of Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘angry young man’ persona.