Maya Mohini

<p>While dispensing charity, Hatim Tai ( ), a kind-hearted Shehzada (Prince) of Yemen meets a young beggar who is the rich Shezada Munir. The girl Munir loves, Husn Bano, has been cursed by a fairy, Gulnar Pari ( ), that if she gets married she will turn to stone due to her father Saudagar (merchant) Bardoz’s unwelcome advances towards Gulnar. On finishing the curse, Gulnar herself turns into a stone statue as a human hand has touched her. The father is repentant and has tried to get wise men from all over to find a way out of this predicament. There are seven questions written on the wall and on finding the answers for all, the curse will be lifted and Gulnar too will return to her normal self. Hatim Tai agrees to undertake the mission and extracts a promise of marriage between Munir and Husn Bano. Bardoz agrees to the promise and keeps Munir with him. Hatim Tai sets out with his companion Nazroo Dhobi on the journey, coming across mermaids from an undersea kingdom, and are able to answer the first question. They go through several similar adventures meeting Gulnar pari’s twin sister Husna Pari (Shakila), who helps them. Hatim Tai and Husna Pari fall in love, but the marriage can only take place if Husna gives up her wings. However, they have to wait as Hatim has to complete his task and Husna’s father has to agree. Finally all the questions are answered along with several other adventures and Gulnar resumes normal form. Husna pari’s father gives permission for Hatim to marry Husna and Munir and Husan Bano also get married. The film has been remade several times since 1929, but Homi Wadia’s in Gevacolour is cited to be the “most popular version”. The film, though produced at Basant Studios, was credited as a Wadia Brothers production. The special effects for this rare A-Grade film from Basant were by and were regarded as the main draw for the large audiences. The film was dubbed into with the title and released in 1956. wrote the dialogues and lyrics for the Tamil version. composed the music for the Tamil songs. The music direction was by , and according to the credits of the film he was assisted by JBH Wadia. The lyricists were Chand Pandit, B.D. Mishra, Akhtar Romani and . The songs were sung by Mohammed Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur, Shamshad Begum, Asha Bhosle, and Sheikh. The song “Parwar Digaar-e-Alam”, sung by Mohammed Rafi with lyrics by Akhtar Romani became popular. At the screening of the film in Hyderabad, the then had the song repeatedly shown eleven times. composed the music for the Tamil songs. All the tunes for all the songs for both languages are the same.</p>