Probably the only solo hit Chunky Pandey gave in his entire career, Mitti Aur Sona also starred Neelam and Sonam. In a typical love triangle, Neelam is in love with her collegemate Chunky who friendzones her to fall in love with the new joinee Sonam. One night, he gets shocked to see his lady-love working as an escort!!

While Prem Chopra and Gulshan Grover played the villains, Pran was cast in positive role of Sonam's biological father who loses her early as a kid and ends up fathering Neelam instead.

With plot inspired from Chetan Anand's 'Hanste Zakhm' (1973), the film had some hit numbers composed by Bappi Lahiri. "One two three pyaar karo ghadi ghadi", "Mitti ban jaye sona" as well as "Zindagi mein pehli pehli baar" topped the music charts that year.

Mitti Aur Sona became famous for newbie Sonam's bold scenes and the audience went to theatres multiple times just for her. (Those were the days of no internet and online apps, remember!!). Interestingly, the film was produced by Pahlaj Nihalani who later became Censor Board chief and refused to allow James Bond kiss his heroine in 'Spectre' (2015). Hypocrisy ki hadh, really!!!

Initially, Neelam was offered Sonam's role but refused as it required lot of skin show. She then accepted the second lead but on condition of getting a guest appearance billing. Expectedly with the author backed role, Sonam stole the show from everyone including Chunky who just couldn't capitalize on this hit.

I saw Mitti Aur Sona at Badal Bijlee cinema, Matunga where it ran housefull for weeks together. In the current lockdown situation, I caught it again on YouTube and it brought back the nostalgia.