Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar

Aaj Kaa M.L.A Ram Avtar (transl. Today's MLA Ram Avtar) is a 1984 political satire film starring Rajesh Khanna.^[1] It was a remake of 1983 Telugu language film MLA Yedukondalu. The film was appreciated by critics, especially Khanna's performance, but failed to impress the box-office.^[2][3][4]

Aaj Kaa M.L.A Ram Avtar
Directed by	Dasari Narayana Rao
Written by	Dasari Narayana Rao Rahi Masoom Reza (dialogues)
Based on	MLA Yedukondalu by Dasari Narayana Rao
Produced by	Kranthi Kumar
Starring	Rajesh Khanna Shabana Azmi Shatrughan Sinha
Cinematography	K. S. Hari
Edited by	B. Krishnam Raju
Music by	Bappi Lahiri
Production company	Sri Annapurna International
Release date	23 March 1984 (1984-03-23)
Country	India
Language	Hindi

Plot

Ram Avtar works as a widowed barber in a small village and lives with his second wife, Sushma, who looks after him and his kids. Ram Avtar also personally grooms Minister Digvijay Singh. When Digvijay's political party is in need of someone to stand in the forthcoming election, Digvijay recommends Ram Avtar as his choice. This chance is grabbed by Ram Avtar and he wins the elections and becomes a big politician. Sushma watches the changes in his life from the sidelines.

Cast

• Rajesh Khanna as Ram Avtar
• Shabana Azmi as Sushma
• Shatrughan Sinha as Kranti Kumar
• Asrani as Bhajanlal
• Satyen Kappu as Digvijay Singh
• A. K. Hangal as Balmukund Tripathi
• Madan Puri as Makhanlal Kesari
• Om Shivpuri as Gaurishankar
• Shubha Khote as Mrs. Bhajanlal
• Deven Verma as Digvijay's PA
• Huma Khan as Bhajanlal's Daughter
• Chitti Babu

Soundtrack

Lyrics: Indeevar

Song	Singer
"Tirupati Balaji"	Kishore Kumar
"Shri Ram Avtar"	Kishore Kumar
"Tukur Tukur Dekha Karoon, Tukur Tukur Dekha Karoon"	Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle
"Jaago Re Jaago, Shuru Ho Gayi Hai Aaj Jung Hamari"	Mahendra Kapoor, Asha Bhosle
"Woh Jo Bichhde Hai"	Asha Bhosle
"Chalo Calcutta, Chalo Calcutta"	Bappi Lahiri, Sharon Prabhakar

Reception

The Hindu in its review of the film wrote on Rajesh Khanna's performance, "Like most of his works, it also keeps you engaged with its pulsating heart and potent dialogues. In his climactic speech, Ram Avtar brings out what ails Indian democracy. When he says that those who sell their votes are equally corrupt as those who buy them, it rings a bell. When he points out that Indian public usually claps for bombastic speeches and unrealistic promises, it seems he is addressing aaj ka (today's) voter.^[4]