Ramesh Sippy’s film ‘Sholay’ was awarded the moniker ‘Film of the Millennium’. However, there was another movie that got the audience to follow a certain protocol in theatres.
In 1975, two films dominated the silver screen making audience throng to the theatres. Your first guess could be ‘Sholay’ directed by Ramesh Sippy, and that would be right. This film starring Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Amjad Khan, Sanjeev Kumar and others ran for months and was sleeper hit. Initially, it did not do well but eventually gained momentum becoming the highest grosser of the year and today retains the supremacy as a cult classic. During the same time another film hit the screens, became as popular but not many people remember it today.
The movie in focus was neither a classic action drama, romantic, comedy or thriller, yet managed to gave a run for the money to Ramesh Sippy’s directorial at the box office. Reportedly, it also made a 2000 per cent profit too. The film is Jai Santoshi Maa.
People Removed Slippers, Got Prasad After the Movie
‘Jai Santoshi Maa’ is a religious film directed by Vijay Sharma and written by R. Priyadarshi. It starred Kanan Kaushal and Anita Guha. The movie ran in theatres for about 50 weeks. Much like ‘Sholay’ this also did not commence on a good note. It was only later that it garnered love and appreciation. Even for Sholay, Sippy had pinned all his hopes on this movie but it seemed to fade away, so much so, he was ready to re-shoot the climax .
The mythological earned Rs 56 for hits first show, only. Eventually it earned a profit of 2000 per cent. It brought a spiritual evolution where people used to remove their slippers before entering the theatres on Fridays. Some would even put garlands on the poster of Maa Santoshi and got prasad at the end as well. The songs of the film raked numbers and phenomenal love. Main to aarti utaroon re, Santoshi Mata ki’ sung by Usha Mangeshkar and composed by C. Arjun was loved so much so that it became an aarti in various temples.
Audience was so emotionally touched that people would also offer money in form of coin as one does at a temple.