Some lesser-known facts about Rajesh Khanna’s blockbuster movie “Hathi mere saathi”

“Haathi Mere Saathi” is a 1971 Indian film directed by M.A. Thirumugam, starring Rajesh Khanna in the lead role. The film revolves around a man named Raju, who forms a close bond with elephants and fights against their exploitation by humans.

Here are some lesser-known facts about the film:

1. The film was simultaneously shot in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu, with different casts and crews. The Tamil version was titled “Nalla Neram,” and the Telugu version was titled “Adavi Ramudu.”
2. The film was shot in various locations in India, including Jaipur, Mysore, and Madras (now Chennai).
3. The elephants used in the film were real, and the production team had to take special precautions to ensure their safety during filming. Rajesh Khanna reportedly developed a strong bond with the elephants and even named one of them “Rajoo.”
4. The film’s famous song “Duniya Mein Rehna Hai Toh” was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and sung by Kishore Kumar. The song’s lyrics were written by Anand Bakshi.
5. “Haathi Mere Saathi” was a huge commercial success and became one of the highest-grossing films of 1971. The film’s success also led to the creation of a comic book series based on the character of Raju.
6. The film was remade in several languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada. A Hindi remake of the film, also titled “Haathi Mere Saathi,” was released in 2021, starring Rana Daggubati in the lead role.
7. The film’s title is a reference to a popular Hindi song of the same name from the 1971 film “Chhoti Bahu.” The song was also composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal and sung by Kishore Kumar.