Loha Singh is Bhojpuri film released in 1966 produced by Mohan Rai Khaitan and directed by Kundan Kumar under the banner of Vikramsheel Arts. The film stars Sujit Kumar in the title role, alongside Vijaya Chowdhury, Rameshwar Singh Kashyap, Tiwary, Sheel Kumar, and Helen. Based on a play named Loha Singh written by Rameshwar Singh Kashyap, the film centered on character of Loha Singh, a retired British Army veteran who fought in the First World War in Afghanistan. The move to a film format enabled the story to be presented visually rather than through radio; yet its circulation stayed mostly limited to Bhojpuri-speaking audiences in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Loha Singh was produced immediately after the commercial success of three Bhojpuri filmsâÂÂGanga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram, and BidesiyaâÂÂall released during the initial years (1962âÂÂ63) of the âÂÂfirst phase of the Bhojpuri cinemaâÂÂ, which extended from 1962 to 1968. Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo, made on a budget of â¹5 lakhs, earned approximately â¹75 lakhs, yielding a fifteen fold return. Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram was described as a âÂÂmassive hitâÂÂ, while Bidesiya was regarded as a âÂÂmajor hit. The combined success of these three films attracted considerable interest from both Bhojpuri-speaking and non Bhojpuri producers and financiers hoping to make a return ofâÂÂif not fifteen timesâÂÂat least three to four times their investment. Among those who jumped into the fray was producer Mohan Rai Khaitan, who assembled a cast and crew intended to replicate the proven elements of earlier productions. As in Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo and Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram, Kundan Kumar was engaged to direct, while Sujit KumarâÂÂwho had led the star cast of BidesiyaâÂÂwas cast as the main lead. S. N. Tripathi, the composer of Bidesiya, was similarly recruited to score Loha Singh. In this configuration, Loha Singh functioned as a deliberate extension of the practices that had come to define the early commercial architecture of Bhojpuri cinema.
The film follows Loha Singh, a retired British Army veteran who served in Afghanistan during the First World War. It is adapted from Rameshwar Singh KashyapâÂÂs acclaimed play of the same name. Told largely from Loha SinghâÂÂs perspective, the narrative intertwines his personal experiences with the broader social and historical conditions of the time. As he adjusts to life after military service, the story integrates parallel narrative strands that reflect contemporary social and political issues within the community. Through its depiction of Loha SinghâÂÂs perseverance and moral integrity, the film functions both as a character study and a subtle commentary on the social realities of its setting, drawing inspiration from real events and familiar local circumstances.
The filmâÂÂs songs were composed by S. N. Tripathi and the lyrics were written by Rameshwar Singh Kashyap.