For his home production, Dut did not play it safe. He chose to play the role of a ruthless dacoit who kills those who oppose him. He kidnaps a dancer (Waheeda Rehman) and starts a family with her.

Her influence sees him veering towards redemption.

Dutt’s fiery performance won him his first Best Actor award from Filmfare. The role came to be identified with him and proved to be a precursor of the many dacoit sagas on horseback and the negative roles (Geeta Mera Naam, 36 Ghante) he played much later in the 1970s.