Charandas Chor

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Charandas Chor, also known as Charandas the Thief, is a 1975 Indian children's film directed by Shyam Benegal. It is based on a Rajasthani folk tale told by Vijaydan Detha and adapted as a stage play by Habib Tanvir; the film carries the play’s spirit to the screen with lyrics by Habib Tanvir.

The screenplay is by Shyam Benegal and Shama Zaidi (screen adaptation), with the story by Vijaydan Detha. The film stars Smita Patil, Lalu Ram, Sunder, Madanlal, and Habib Tanvir, and marks Smita Patil’s first appearance in cinema.

Plot
Charandas is a small-time thief who lives by a strong code of honesty. He makes four vows to his guru: never eat from a gold plate, never lead a procession in his own honor, never become a king, and never marry a princess. Later, the guru adds a fifth vow: never tell a lie. This sets Charandas on a journey that brings him fame and, eventually, political power. A princess falls for him and asks him to marry her, but he refuses. This refusal costs him his life. Through Charandas’s story, the film explores the paradox of truthful living and the difficulties of always telling the truth.

Details
Release date: 1975
Running time: 156 minutes
Country: India
Language: Hindi
Produced by: Children's Film Society of India
Music by: Nand Kishore Mittal