Anokhi Raat (1968) Produced by L. B. Lachman and L. B. Thakur and directed by Asit Sen, this off-beat film is widely regarded as one of the most unconventional and distinctive Hindi films of its era. Departing markedly from the dominant conventions of mainstream Hindi cinema in the 1960s, the film established itself as a thoughtful and atmospheric drama. The cast features Sanjeev Kumar, Zaheeda Hussain, Aruna Irani, Keshto Mukherjee, and Parikshit Sahni. The film's musical dimension was shaped by two celebrated composers: Roshan composed the songs, while Salil Chowdhury created the background score.
At the centre of the narrative is Sanjeev Kumar's portrayal of a gentle and compassionate caretaker of a remote guest house who, through force of circumstance, is transformed into a feared dacoit. During the production of the film, Parikshit Sahni briefly adopted the screen name “Ajay Sahni” at Sanjeev Kumar's suggestion, before later returning to his original name.
The narrative unfolds over the course of a single storm-laden night, a structural choice that lends the film an unusual dramatic unity. Apart from a series of essential flashbacks, the story progresses in real time, with minimal costume changes and an emphasis on continuity of mood and atmosphere. Through the interactions of several stranded travellers who gradually reveal their personal histories, the film offers a poignant exploration of poverty, gender inequality, and social marginalisation in Indian society—issues that continue to resonate in contemporary discourse.
Released at a time when colour cinema was rapidly becoming the industry standard, Asit Sen made the striking artistic decision to shoot the film in richly textured black-and-white cinematography. Although critically admired for its visual sophistication and emotional depth, the film failed to achieve significant commercial success during its theatrical run.
Despite its modest box-office performance, Anokhi Raat gradually acquired a strong critical legacy and attained cult status. The film received multiple honours at the Filmfare Awards, including the award for Best Screenplay awarded to Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Best Dialogue for Anand Kumar. In the technical categories, Ajit Banerjee won the Filmfare Award for Best Art Direction (Black & White), while Kamal Bose received the Filmfare Award for Best Cinematography (Black & White).
The soundtrack remains among the film's most enduring achievements. The songs, composed primarily by Roshan, include memorable classics such as Oh Re Taal Mile, Mahalon Ka Raja Mila, Mile Na Phool To, and Dulhan Se Tumhara Milan Hoga. Lata Mangeshkar lent her voice to Mahalon Ka Raja Mila while Asha Bhosle performed the immensely popular Meri Beri Ke Ber Mat Todo, both of which continue to be celebrated and reinterpreted by contemporary singers and musicians.
Tragically, Roshan suffered a sudden heart attack while attending a social gathering and passed away before the completion of the film's music. As a result, several songs, including Meri Beri Ke Ber and Mahalon Ka Raja Mila, were subsequently completed by his wife, Ira Roshan (née Moitra), whose contribution ensured the preservation of the soundtrack's artistic integrity.