The world behind the scenes of 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' (1957 release)

The iconic film 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath,' directed by Shantaram, is a landmark film in Indian cinema, known for its innovative story concept and social message, the film tells the story of an idealistic prison warden who rehabilitates six of the most ruthless, dangerous murderous criminals while feeling like a failure at times but ultimately humanity triumphs. The film is based on a true story that was inspired by a real social experiment in the princely state of Aundh in Maharashtra, where Maurice Friedman once implemented Gandhiji's principles of self-rule.

The film won the National Award and Indian cinema's first Golden Globe Award, leading to its international fame and appreciation. Notably, it features memorable music by Vasant Desai, whose lyrics remain influential in the discussion of prison reform in India.  The way this film inspired the filmmakers, directors, and audiences of the fifties, it is considered to be an equally relevant film even today. Watch the glimpses of some songs of the film, 'Ae Malik Tere Bande Hum', 'Saiyan Jhoothon Ka Bada, Umadh Ghumd Kar Aayi Re Ghata', Main Gaon Tu Chup Ho Ja, these songs became so popular at that time that they started playing in every house.

'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' is a cult and important film of Indian cinema which was released in the year 1957 when mostly romantic and devotional films were made and were also hits. 

The great filmmaker of that period V. Shantaram. Directed the film which is notable not only for its narrative and technical achievements but also for its deep social message. It is regarded as a memorable classic film and its influence can still be felt in contemporary Indian film production. 

It is worth mentioning here, that this story was inspired by a real-life experiment conducted by Maurice Friedman, a Polish engineer and social reformer/humanitarian. He was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi's principles of rehabilitation and self-rule. Friedman worked at the Princely State of Aundh, where he implemented a unique approach to reforming criminals through community involvement and personal responsibility. V. Shantaram was very impressed by his experiment of reforming dangerous criminals, by keeping them not in jail but in the open air and he tried to convert this innovative treatment into a cinematic experience which he knew the audience would like. In lieu of giving the story idea, Shantaram wanted to put Friedman's name in the credit list, but Friedman flatly refused.

The story of 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' directed/starred by V. Shantaram revolves around a dedicated jail warden, Adinath who takes upon himself the responsibility of rehabilitating six hardened criminals. The film's story reinforces the power of compassion and the belief that everyone has the potential to make a difference, no matter how despicable they may be. The narrative was groundbreaking for its time, as it challenged the commonly held notions of punishment and retribution in the criminal justice system.

V Shantaram was known for his attention to detail, in directing each of his films and his casting was no exception. Irrespective of the big stars, V Shantaram selected only the talented and pure actors of that time for this film.

V Shantaram himself had acted as Adinath, the main protagonist of this film. Generally he did not work in his own films but 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' is an exception. 
Sandhya, a well-known actress and V Shantaram's second wife, acted in the film as the lead heroine, giving an emotional depth to the story.

Apart from this, artists like Baburao Pendharkar, Ulhas, BM Vyas, Asha Devi, Paul Sharma, SK Singh, Shankar Rao Bhosle played important roles.
Each actor brought his character's struggles and transformations to life with authenticity.

Shantaram was also an innovator in cinematography techniques. He used various methods to enhance his storytelling ability. 
Most films of that era relied heavily on studio sets, but Do Aankhen Barah Haath was shot on outdoor locations in rural Maharashtra. This new idea added a layer of realism and authenticity to the film.

The use of visual metaphors in this film is repeated throughout the film. For example, the contrasting imagery of light and dark symbolizes hope versus despair, reflecting the characters' inner turmoil. The film faced many of the challenges of filmmaking during that era. Like many independent filmmakers of that time, V Shantaram also had to understand the importance of casting choices. Shantaram had to work within strict budgetary constraints while striving for high quality in his films.

The film's subject matter was bold for its time, addressing issues such as crime, rehabilitation and social responsibility. This sometimes came as a shock to the conservative sections of the society who were resistant to such progressive ideas.
The technology available in the 1950s placed limits on cinematography and sound design. However, V Shantaram did not make any compromise. 

Upon its release, 'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' received both critical acclaim and commercial success. The audience was mesmerized by its powerful story and realistic performances. The film won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Feature Film for V. Shantaram, and recognition at international film festivals. V Shantaram's film also received the Silver BR Award during the 8th Berlin International Film Festival.

The film has been considered a "milestone of Hindi cinema". It earned the status of a "cult classic" due to its excellent direction, stellar acting and beautiful music.
Critics said that the film did not let the audience get bored even for a minute and was easily one of the best films made in Hindi.

The emotional scenes of the film, especially the climax, were highly appreciated for touching the hearts of the audience. 
The film's use of symbolism, such as the prison superintendent's "two eyes", which the twelve convicts fear, was highlighted as extraordinary. 
'Do Aankhen Barah Haath' won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, becoming the first Indian film to receive the honour.

The film was also praised by the Hollywood Press Association and received a special award in 1958 as Best Film of the Year, known as the Catholic Award, by a jury chaired by the famous Charlie Chaplin.

The film's revolutionary premise and message about reforming criminals and addressing their human side is still considered modern and path-breaking.
The tone of its storytelling and saving moral made it an "epic", addressing the conflict of good versus evil. Its commercial collection was 2.39 cr.

Do Aankhen Barah Haath proved to be such a hit that it was remade in Tamil in 1975 (Palandu Vaazhaga) and as a Telugu film in 1976 (Maa Daivaan). 
During the shooting of this film, V Shantaram was seriously injured during the scene of fighting a bull with his bare hands.

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