The passing of legendary actor Dharmendra on Monday has revived a special memory in Tonk, a city that once witnessed the superstar’s charisma up close. Few know that Tonk’s serene Banas River and its golden dunes played a memorable role in the making of the 1983 historical epic Razia Sultan.
When Tonk Turned Into a Movie Set (1981)
In 1981, the banks of the Banas River near the Fraser Bridge transformed into a vibrant movie set. It was here—amidst rippling dunes and moonlit sand—that the soulful song “Aye Dil-e-Nadaan, Arzoo Kya Hai, Justuju Kya Hai” was filmed on Dharmendra and Hema Malini.
The timeless melody was penned by Jan Nisar Akhtar and sung by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar. Several other scenes—about 15 to 20 minutes of the film—were shot around Rasiya ki Tekri, Annapurna Doongri, and the surrounding rocky landscapes.
A City Gathers for a Glimpse of Stardom
Back then, the Dharmendra–Hema Malini craze was unmatched. The moment word spread about the shoot, people from Tonk and nearby villages rushed to the riverbanks. Thousands gathered, some trekking on foot across the dunes, hoping for just one glimpse of their favourite stars.
Local resident Mehboob Ali recalls that during a scene where a sword strike lands on Dharmendra’s arm, crowds climbed every vantage point around Rasiya ki Tekri. “Three to four rounds of shooting happened here,” he says. “Each time, the crowds were even bigger.”
A Memory Rooted in Moonlight: Meena Kumari’s Moment in Tonk
Interestingly, Tonk’s connection with Razia Sultan began years before filming.
Producer-director Kamal Amrohi and iconic actress Meena Kumari once passed through Tonk and stopped near the Fraser Bridge. Meena Kumari insisted on climbing down to the river. Sitting on the cool, icy sand, the two enjoyed sweet melons and watermelons as a gentle breeze swept across the moonlit river.
The reflection of the moon and stars shimmering in the water enchanted her.
“This place would make a beautiful film location,” she told Amrohi.
The idea stayed in his heart—even after Meena Kumari’s death. In 1981, he finally fulfilled her wish by shooting Razia Sultan in Tonk, exactly where she had once sat mesmerized.
A Song in the Sands, a Legend in the Making
The moonlit dunes of Tonk became the backdrop for Hema Malini’s hauntingly beautiful shots, creating imagery that fans still cherish. The riverbanks that once echoed with film music remain a beloved memory for the people of Tonk.
The Legend of Razia’s Resting Place
There is also a long-standing local belief that Razia Sultan’s tomb lies in Tonk, at the site known as Rasiya ki Tekri. Although not universally agreed upon, many locals say the name “Rasiya ki Tekri” is a linguistic distortion of “Razia ki Tekri.”
Whether fact or folklore, the tale adds another layer of mystique to the city’s cinematic history.