Released on 30 June 1971, Mela was a hit film of that year. This was the first time the two Khan brothers, Feroz Khan and Sanjay Khan appeared together in a film. Mumtaz was the heroine of the film. This film was the second directorial venture of Prakash Mehra after Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968).
The film is a lost and found story, a very popular subject of the 70s. It was based on a rural background where a Shahri Babu(Sanjay Khan) comes and falls in love with a village girl(Mumtaz). There is a dacoit Shakti Singh(Feroz Khan who does not permit anyone to plow his land as he believes that his evil paternal uncle(Randhir) forged documents to make him the owner, and he blames himself for losing his brother, Kishan, during a Mela 20 years ago. Kanhaiya buys the land from his uncle in the city who dies soon after out of shock upon receiving such a large sum of money.,Now Kanhaiya comes with his foster mom to reside at the Uncle s home in the village.
The music of the film was given by R D Burman and the lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. Few of the songs were popular but none of the songs is great.
Soundtrack
| # | Title | Singer(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Dekho Re Hua Lahoo Se Lahoo Kaise Judaa" | Manna Dey |
| 2 | "Ek Baar Rakh De Kadam Zara Jhoom Ke" | Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi |
| 3 | "Gori Ke Haath Mein Jaise Ye Challa" | Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi |
| 4 | "Kya Soch Raha Re" | Lata Mangeshkar |
| 5 | "Meri Sakhiyo Bolo" | Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle |
| 6 | "Rut Hai Milan Ki Sathi Mera Aa Re" | Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi |
