The story of Zebakatre made star, the first blockbuster was Ashok Kumar’s fate

Last Updated:March 18, 2025, 05:16 is

Ashok Kumar’s film ‘Kismat’, which came in 1943, was the first blockbuster of Indian cinema. The film broke the record at the box office and made Ashok Kumar a superstar.

Hit, superhit and blockbuster of films… It is all decided on the basis of box office number in today’s time. But what do you think? What will be the first blockbuster film? If you are thinking of the name of a film of Salman Khan, Aamir Khan or Amitabh Bachchan, then stop. Because neither Rajinikanth nor Shah Rukh Khan nor Big B is the first blockbuster. These are the actors who once used to be a lab technician. The same film made him the biggest star. Let us tell you.

This is the year 1943. When Indian cinema got the first blockbuster film. This was Ashok Kumar’s ‘luck’. Which was proved by Bombay Talkies and proved a new milestone. This film not only broke the box office records, but also born the first superstar in the Hindi film industry. This was none other than Ashok Kumar, who became the first big film stars of the country with this film.

The first blockbuster film is luck
‘Kismet’ was the first film of Indian cinema which set a record of running in theaters for 3 consecutive years. It continued for about 200 weeks in ‘Radha Talkies’ of Kolkata, it was a big record in itself.

Kismet film was directed by Gyan Mukherjee, and was produced by Bombay Talkies Studio. The success of this film is also important because when the world was struggling in the difficult times of World War II. If there was an economic crisis everywhere, ‘Kismet’ did wonders to pull people to theaters.

Kismet film collection and budget
According to reports, Ashok Kumar’s film was made in a budget of about Rs 2 lakh. About 82 years ago, this film earned Rs 1 crore in that era. With this, it got the first blockbuster of Hindi cinema.

Ashok Kumar’s journey till lab technician to superstar
Ashok Kumar, who was originally a lab technician. His real name is Kumudlal Keylal Ganguly. He used to work as a technician in Bombay Talkies at that time. But one day his luck turned such that this film changed everything.

Who made the star
Himanshu Rai, the doer of Bombay Talkies, decided to make him a hero. His decision was successful. Later, in Hindi cinema, Ashok Kumar raised flags through many films.

Unique story
‘Kismet’ was also a big experiment for Hindi cinema. It was a drama film in which an innocent girl (Ashok Kumar) helps an innocent girl and her family. Where a virgin girl becomes pregnant. The film first introduced the concept of ‘Anti-Hero’, which later became the foundation of Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Angry Young Man’ image.