Yahudi (1958)
A timeless Hindi epic of forbidden love, hidden identity, and sacrifice set against the grandeur of ancient Rome.
Yahudi - Movie Information
- Original Title: Yahudi
- Release Year: 1958
- Directed by: Bimal Roy
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Romance, Drama, Action
- Runtime: 2h 30m
- Original Language: Hindi
- Spoken Languages: Hindi
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 5, 1958 (India)
- Production Companies: Bombay Berlin Film Productions
- Production Countries: India
Yahudi - Plot
In ancient Rome, a mourning Jewish man raises the kidnapped daughter of Roman royalty as his own - and she grows up without learning her true identity. Years later, she falls in love with a Roman prince.
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Yahudi - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bimal Roy
Main Cast
- Dilip Kumar
- Meena Kumari
- Nazir Hussain
- Sohrab Modi
- Nigar Sultana
- Murad
- Helen
- Ramayan Tiwari
- Cuckoo Moray
- Anwar Hussain
Writers
- Nabendu Ghosh
Yahudi - FAQs
What is Yahudi about?
Yahudi follows a grieving Jewish man in ancient Rome who raises a kidnapped Roman princess as his own daughter. She grows up unaware of her true origins and falls deeply in love with a Roman prince, setting the stage for a heartbreaking conflict between identity, loyalty, and forbidden love.
Does Yahudi have a happy ending?
Yahudi builds toward a deeply emotional and tragic conclusion. The revelation of Hannah's true identity as a Roman princess tears apart everything she has known, and the film resolves with sacrifice and sorrow rather than a conventional happy ending — making it one of Hindi cinema's most poignant finales.
Where can you stream Yahudi online?
You can watch Yahudi on Eros Now Select, available as an Apple TV channel. It's a great way to experience this classic Bimal Roy film from the comfort of your home.
Who are the lead actors in Yahudi?
Yahudi stars two of Hindi cinema's greatest legends: Dilip Kumar as Marcus, the Roman prince, and Meena Kumari as Hannah (also known as Lydia), the woman caught between two worlds. Their on-screen chemistry is widely regarded as one of the finest pairings in classic Bollywood history.
Is Yahudi based on a true story or a play?
Yahudi is adapted from a celebrated Urdu stage play of the same name by Agha Hashr Kashmiri, itself inspired by the 19th-century English melodrama The Jewess. Screenwriter Nabendu Ghosh shaped the theatrical source material into a cinematic narrative suited to Bimal Roy's restrained, humanist style.
Who directed Yahudi and what is his legacy?
Bimal Roy directed Yahudi, bringing his signature sensitivity to the epic material. Roy is one of Indian cinema's most revered filmmakers, known for Do Bigha Zamin and Devdas. His collaboration with editor Hrishikesh Mukherjee and cinematographer Dilip Gupta gave Yahudi its distinctive visual and emotional depth.
How long is Yahudi and when was it released?
Yahudi runs for 2 hours and 30 minutes — a substantial runtime befitting its epic scope. The film was released in India on September 5, 1958, and went on to become a landmark of the golden age of Hindi cinema.
How was Yahudi received by critics and audiences?
Yahudi was warmly received upon release and is now considered a classic of 1950s Hindi cinema. Critics praised Bimal Roy's direction, the performances of Dilip Kumar and Meena Kumari, and its lush production. The film's music by Shankar-Jaikishan also became iconic, cementing its lasting cultural reputation.
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