Imtihan meaning examination or test was a commercially successful movie from the 70s. The film was produced by B A Chandiramani and directed by Madan Sinha. It tells the story of a young man who leaves his rich and comfortable background to take up a job as a lecturer in a college. His tricky experiences in the new role test his resolve time and again. How he tackles them forms the core plot of the movie. Imtihan attempts a different theme compared to the other films of its time. Vinod Khanna, Tanuja and Bindu play the key characters.

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The Plot

Pramod Sharma (Vinod Khanna) is the son of a rich man (played by Murad). Pramod is all suited up with a suitcase in hand to leave his father’s bungalow. He has got the job of a lecturer in Adarsh Mahavidyalaya (college). The father is angry because he has been slogging to earn money all his life in the hope that his son will take over the family business. But his son wants to give up everything to work as an ordinary teacher. Pramod counters that for him money is not the focus rather he would like to distribute his knowledge gained among others. The father begs him to stop and reconsider his decision but Pramod has already decided his life’s mission.

The titles roll and the inspirational song Ruk jaana nahi tu kahi haar ke plays in the background. Pramod reaches the college and meets the principal (Abhi Bhattacharya). As they make a tour of the college, the principal introduces Pramod to Rita Sharma (Bindu) who is the chairman’s daughter. Rita’s reaction conveys she is awestruck by the handsome Pramod.

Rita is an important character. She dresses stylishly in modern bold clothes and her arrival in college is considered a happening event by the male students. Everyone vies for her attention probably because of her looks and influence. This behaviour is disgusting and sums up the general condition of the college.

The overaged students look as if they have been spending too many years in the college. They dress in terrible clothes and have no regard for their tutors or studies. They openly throw objects like tomatoes on their professors and play music when the lecture is in progress. The professors (like Asit Sen and C S Dubey) suffer this treatment meekly. No wonder the students have to resolve to mass scale copying during exams. In case they are caught, they openly threaten the invigilator by pulling up a knife. This is the sorry state of affairs. The college is not adarsh in any way! Wonder what the principal has been doing all these years.

Pramod has a tough task on his hand. His colleagues warn him to be careful but he is confident to step in the classroom and get on with his work as a history lecturer. The class is waiting for him to give him the most memorable welcome. But Pramod is ready. He tackles their maneuvers like a skilled player, leaving them impressed. Most importantly, he teaches a lesson to Rakesh (Abhijeet Sen).

Rakesh is the college bully. He has a say in everything and is engaged in illegal activities like supplying liqour, drugs, explicit photos of girls etc. The students are scared to oppose him. His close friend is Paul (Ranjeet in a special appearance), a photographer who aids him in his illegal activities. Rakesh is not amused when he becomes a laughing stock courtesy of Pramod. He is itching to teach a lesson to Pramod.

The story cannot be complete without a love angle. The principal has a daughter Madhu (Tanuja), a heartbroken character. Madhu was once a chirpy student and ace painter. She was in love with an air force officer. Unfortunately, one day, news come in that his plane has crashed. Madhu is unable to bear the news and falls down the stairs. The physical and emotional turmoil is too much for her. Due to the accident, she walks with a limp in one leg. She has given up painting and remains immersed in her own world.

The arrival of Pramod brings a tinge of positivity in her life. Pramod lectures her to admire the beauty around her and suggests her to start painting again. She is resentful but thaws gradually. She starts liking his company. She convinces him to be pose as a model for her painting (she is good at portraits). He agrees leading to some funny moments. He doesn’t have the patience to pose as a model and she is fed up with giving him instructions to stay composed and maintain the pose!

Pramod is instrumental in bringing her out of her self imposed shell. She starts visiting the college campus and interacting with the students. Many of the students are happy to have her in their midst. What follows is Madhu’s acknowledgment of a change in her life. She sings the memorable Roz shaam aati thi in the company of Pramod.

With one exception – Rita. Rita is infatuated by Pramod. She tries multiple ways to get closer to him. Strangely, he doesn’t tell her outright that she is a student and needs to stay within her limits. She could have been given an official warning but that doesn’t happen. Rita resents Madhu’s presence in Pramod’s life. A day comes when she realises that Pramod has fallen for Madhu and she has no chance of gaining his love. She is consumed by a bitter jealousy and vindictiveness and will do anything to teach a befitting lesson to Pramod.

This is the opportunity Rakesh had been waiting for. He poison’s Rita’s mind. The students are set to go on a college trip to a historical site. Pramod will be accompanying them. This is where Rita executes her plan and lures Pramod into a trap in the middle of the night. She accuses Pramod of molesting her. Everyone believes Rita and Pramod faces suspension from the college.

Will Pramod accept his fate or make an attempt to clear his name? Will his ideals help him to overcome the allegations? The exciting climax reveals the outcome.

The Music

The film has only 4 songs. They are written by Majrooh Sultanpuri, with music by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Ruk jaana nahin (Kishore Kumar) and Roz shaam aati thi (Lata Mangeshkar) are the well known songs. The other songs are Dekho idhar bhi jaane tamanna (by Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar) which is a kind of face off between the 2 female characters. Then there is the over the top erotic number Bujhade jal gayi (Asha Bhosle).

My Thoughts

I was expecting a film where the new lecturer is successful in reforming the rowdy students and endearing himself to them. Unfortunately it falls short on these expectations. Rakesh doesn’t change and Rita almost succeeds in her mission to defame Pramod. The ending is a bit ambiguous. What is Pramod’s state of mind? Does he consider himself at least partly successful in achieving what he had seeked?

Vinod Khanna shines as the idealistic lecturer. He has a commanding screen presence with his acting and looks. His chemistry with Tanuja is lacking. Bindu has a meaty role and gives her best. The student characters are irritating to watch. Overall, in spite of its shortcomings, the film makes for an interesting watch and leaves its impact.