Shree 420

Shree 420 poster for sale.

Featured here is a vintage original Bollywood poster of the Raj Kapoor cult classic, Shree 420 (1955).

Shree 420 (translated as Mr. 420 and sometimes also spelled as Shri 420) is a 1955 Bollywood classic directed and produced by the Showman of Indian cinema Raj Kapoor, featuring him in a leading role opposite Nargis. Written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, Shree 420 also starred actress Nadira in a supporting role.

The number 420 is a reference to Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes the punishment for fraud. The literal interpretation of “Mr. 420” is fraudster or scammer.

Printed and circulated during the theatrical release of the film (somewhere in the 1960s), this Shree 420 poster was originally designed for publicity of the film but never ended up being used.

Raj Kapoor is seen in a small black and white photographic still in his classic Tramp avatar in this Shree 420 poster. Actress Nargis appears alongside in a much larger black and white still. A soothing plain blue background is seen in this vintage Bollywood poster. Typography appears entirely in English, with the title seen in striking yellow font encased in a black border.

Shree 420 is widely regarded as a classic in Indian cinema. Raj Kapoor is remembered as the greatest showman in Indian cinema – an all rounder who produced, directed as well as starred in some of the leading films of his time.

In Shree 420, Raj Kapoor’s character is heavily influenced by Charlie Chaplin’s “little tramp”, similar to his character in a film that released four years prior in 1951 called Awaara.

The soundtrack album of Shree 420 was composed by Shankar Jaikishan and the lyrics were penned by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. The film has to its credit some of the greatest songs ever made in Bollywood such as “Mera Joota Hai Japani” (My shoes are Japanese), which went on to become a patriotic symbol of the newly independent India.

The “Pyar hua ikrar hua” image depicting Raj Kapoor and Nargis singing and dancing under a shared umbrella in pouring rain is regarded as one of the most iconic images in Bollywood.

Other songs from the film such as “Mudh Mudh Ke Na Dekh,” “Pyar Hua Iqrar Hua,” “Ramaiya Vastavaiya” and “Ichak Dana Beechak Dana” are fondly remembered and played till date.

In India, Shree 420 became the highest grossing film of all time in the year that it was released in. In Russia, Shree 420 received mass appeal and made Raj Kapoor a household name.