Elaan (1947)

Elaan ("proclamation") is a 1947 Hindi social drama directed by Mehboob Khan, a decade before Mother India. It stars the singing actor Surendra and Munawar Sultana, and its music was composed by Naushad, Mehboob's regular collaborator in the 1940s. The film is generally described as a reformist drama about education and progress within the Muslim community, a theme close to the social concerns that ran through Mehboob's work. It is a rare surviving title from a landmark year and of real interest to students of the director.