What you don't know about Naya Daur 
By Screen Weekly, August 3, 2007 - 16:48 IST
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Akhtar (father to filmmakers Saeed Mirza and Aziz Mirza) Mirza’s story for Naya Daur had been rejected by some other filmmakers like the
legendary Mehboob Khan. And it took both the acumen and commitment of Chopra, who believed in making films that focussed on human
weaknesses and strengths and on social evils, to recognize that he had a winner on his hands.
Dilip Kumar was the obvious choice for the role of Shanker. At that point of time, Dilip Kumar had never worked with B R Chopra, though the
filmmaker had delivered hits like Afsana, Chandni Chowk and Ek Hi Raasta. So the actor refused to hear out the script!
Chopra then went to his favourite actor and person Ashok Kumar, who heard out the script patiently and then remarked, “The script is very good.
But I feel that I will not suit the role. I will end up looking too urban for the character. You must take Dilip Kumar for this role!” Chopra explained
his predicament to Ashok Kumar, and the senior actor went and met Dilip Kumar and convinced him to have a narration. “After he heard the
script”, recalls Chopra, “Dilip was so excited that he refused to leave my home till he signed a contract and got a signing amount! I gave him a
token shagun. I can never forget Dada Moni’s magnanimous gesture and help.”
The film won tremendous publicity during its production when the original heroine Madhubala refused to shoot at a particular outdoor location.
B.R. Chopra took her to court and Dilip Kumar swore eternal allegiance to her in court to rule out any involvement on his part in her ouster.
When Vyjayantimala stepped in, the full-page ads prominently had Madhubala’s name emblazoned with a black cross to signify that she had
been sacked. And after that came Vyjayantimala’s name.
Naya Daur was the first-ever film to celebrate a Silver Jubilee at more than one theatre in Mumbai. Among the eminent celebrities who spoke at
the formal celebration at Liberty cinema was none other than Mehboob Khan. He took up the podium and courageously admitted his error of
judgement. "He has proved me wrong yet again!" he thundered, mentioning the first film from the BR Films’ banner, Ek Hi Raasta, whose subject,
he had told Chopra, was "box-office poison"!
Screen India
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Subhash K. Jha speaks about Naya Daur
