Dushman
"Tuberculosis tests a young man's family bonds."
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About this film
Nitin Bose's 1939 Bombay Talkies drama follows tuberculosis patient Kishore as illness tests family loyalty; Ashok Kumar and Leela Chitnis star.
More about this film
About the production
Themes
Themes & topics
Historical background
Released in 1939 during the early sound era, Dushman reached audiences when exhibitors were still defining programming conventions. The narrative hook—Nitin Bose's 1939 Bombay Talkies drama follows tuberculosis patient Kishore…—reflects what contemporary producers thought would draw viewers.
Why this film matters
Dushman remains discussed by archivists tracing how screen stories of its period represented work, desire, conflict, and social order. Its central situation—Nitin Bose's 1939 Bombay Talkies drama follows tuberculosis patient Kishore…—still prompts questions about genre conventions and audience expectations.
What critics said
Trade and newspaper notices for Dushman generally emphasized casting, spectacle, and program fit rather than extended aesthetic argument. Retrospective screenings and archival notes continue to shape how viewers evaluate Dushman today.
Did you know?
- Directed by Nitin Bose for Bombay Talkies (1939)
- Stars Ashok Kumar and Leela Chitnis
- Centers on a tuberculosis patient and family conflict
Where to watch
- Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dushman%2C%201939.webm