It was first Hindi film to depict the partition of India, and Hindu fundamentalism, Dharmputra (1961) directed by Yash Chopra, two years after he made his debut with Dhool Ka Phool (1959), steeped in Nehruvian secularism, wherein a Muslim brings up an 'illegitimate' Hindu child and featured classic song, Tu Hindu banega na Musalman banega, insaan ki aulaad hai, insaan banega, the theme was reverse in this film as herein a Hindu family brings an illegitimate Muslim child, who grows up to become a Hindu fundamentalist. The film was critically acclaimed, and won the 9th National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi., however its release saw near riots at the theatre, discouraging other Hindi film directors from approaching the theme for another decade, although subtly.
