Buddha Purnima 2025: Bollywood’s First Silver Jubilee Hit Was Based on Buddhist-Hindu Conflict— 1934’s ‘Amrit Manthan’ Carried a Message of Peace and Compassion

New Delhi- This year, Buddha Purnima will be observed on 12th May. For the Buddhist and Bahujan communities, this is a deeply significant day as they commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and Mahaparinirvana of Lord Buddha. This year’s Buddha Purnima holds special importance because, for the past three months, the Mahabodhi Mahavihar Mukti Andolan (Liberation Movement) has been ongoing. This movement demands the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, be freed from the control of Brahmin mahants and non-Buddhists, and its management handed over to the Buddhist community.

The primary objective of the movement is to repeal the 1949 Bodh Gaya Temple Act, ensuring the Buddhist community gains full authority over the sacred site. Currently, Buddhist monks and followers are on a hunger strike, pressing for their demands.

But did you know that Bollywood’s first Silver Jubilee hit, Amrit Manthan (1934), was based on the clash between Buddhism and Hinduism?

The film was made by V. Shantaram, a close associate of Babasaheb Ambedkar. Shantaram held such deep reverence for Buddhism that the design of his Plaza Cinema in Dadar was inspired by the Sanchi Stupa. The cinema hall featured subtle Buddhist motifs, reflecting Shantaram’s respect for the faith. Interestingly, the term ‘Silver Jubilee’ itself was coined by Babu Rao Painter, the distributor of Shantaram’s production house, Prabhat Films.

The 1930s marked the early days of Indian cinema. During this time, V. Shantaram, under his banner Prabhat Films, created Amrit Manthan, released in Hindi and Marathi in 1934. The film was so loved that it ran for over 25 weeks in Bombay (now Mumbai), earning the rare distinction of being the first Silver Jubilee hit—a monumental achievement for that era.

The story challenged the social evils of its time, championing Buddhism’s principles of compassion, equality, and non-violence. It featured stellar performances by Shanta Apte, Nalini Tarkhad, and Chandra Mohan. Shantaram employed groundbreaking techniques, like using a telephoto lens to magnify the priest’s menacing eyes. The song “Kaamsini mein dil pe gam ka…” became Bollywood’s first-ever ghazal, sung by Shanta Apte. According to Researcher and film historian Vijay Kumar Balakrishnan, these elements combined to make Amrit Manthan a cinematic milestone that mesmerized audiences.

The plot revolved around a fictional Buddhist king, Kantivarma, who bans animal and human sacrifices. This enrages the Rajguru (Chandra Mohan), the fanatical high priest of the Chandika cult, who conspires to assassinate the king. Though the assassin, Yashodharman, hesitates, he is forced to comply. After the king’s murder, Yashodharman is betrayed and sentenced to death, while his children, Madhavgupta and Sumitra, flee. A storm separates them, leading to a dramatic climax where the Rajguru’s own zeal for sacrifice becomes his downfall—he beheads himself as an offering to the goddess.

Baba Sahab's fight against Hindu orthodoxy

The film released in 1934, the same year Dr. Ambedkar was battling caste oppression and Hindu orthodoxy. In 1935, Ambedkar famously declared at the Yeola Conference: “I was born a Hindu, but I will not die a Hindu.” He eventually embraced Buddhism in 1956.

Amrit Manthan’s narrative echoed Ambedkar’s ideals of equality and justice. Shantaram and Ambedkar shared a profound friendship, united by their vision for social reform. Through his films, Shantaram tackled themes like caste, women’s rights, and religious dogma. He was one of the early filmmakers to realize the efficacy of the film medium as an instrument of social change and used it successfully to advocate humanism on one hand and expose bigotry and injustice on the other.

In an article published in Round Table India, Dr Spva Sairam tells how Shantaram actively supported Buddhist causes, donating funds and film equipment for Ambedkar Jayanti and Mahaparinirvan Diwas (6th December). His studio housed a Buddha statue, and his daughter Rajshree and actor Jeetendra studied at Ambedkar’s Siddharth College. His friend Master Krishna composed music for Buddha Vandana at Ambedkar’s request and even learned Pali.

Thus, Amrit Manthan was not just Bollywood’s first blockbuster—it was also a radical social commentary, one that remains relevant even today.