Dharmendra was the original He-Man. Before Salman Khan, before Akshay Kumar, even before his own son Sunny Deol, he was the actor who wowed people with his sculpted physique, with his sheer physical aura. And the film that fuelled the He-Man myth was the OP Ralhan directorial Phool Aur Patthar (1966).
It’s said that people used to go and watch the film multiple times just because Dharmendra took off his shirt in it. It was all done so aesthetically that you wonder at the loss of poetry in such scenes today.
The built-up to the crucial scene is huge. Dharmendra is a criminal and Meena Kumari is a widowed woman. She’s not well and, presumably from cold, is pretending to be asleep. He comes home drunk, takes his shirt off, and you feel he’s going to touch her. But at the last moment, he doesn’t and instead covers her with his shirt to provide her with some warmth. It became an iconic scene which is still remembered today. In one scene, director Ralhan demonstrated both Dharmendra’s machismo and his integrity. And showcased the goodness of heart of his character to Meena Kumari.
It’s said that Ralhan based the film’s story on a real-life incident. He took the film’s script to various stars. His initial choices were reportedly Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar. But both said no because of its slightly scandalous story -- at least for that era. Then Ralhan approached newcomer Dharmendra, who immediately said yes. Dharmendra had always admired Meena Kumari. The film gave him a chance to work with her. Their pairing was much admired and they went on to act together in such films as Chandan Ka Palna, Majhli Didi and Baharon Ki Manzil after this.
The story revolves around a gangster named Shaka (Dharmendra) who is asked by his boss to infiltrate the house of a wealthy landowner in a village and come back with the loot. When Shaka goes there, he finds that everyone have run away because of the plague and have left the widowed daughter-in-law Shanti Devi (Meena Kumari) to die.
Shaka nurses her back to health and when later, she’s thrown out of her house, he gives her shelter in his own home. That’s when the neighbours start thinking malicious thoughts about them. They do begin to like each other but their love is platonic. There is an emotional bond between them as Shaka became a criminal because of circumstance. Her goodness inspires him to mend his ways, much to the chagrin of his bosses.
There is a subplot involving a will left for Shanti Devi by a wealthy relative. There is also, Shashikala in a blond wig, playing the vamp very much in love with Shaka.
Shaka redeems himself by saving a child from a fire. His neighbours finally see his goodness. There is a famous court scene in the film as well where Shanti defends his character.
The film went on to celebrate a Golden Jubilee. It was said to be the highest-grossing film of 1966 and established Dharmendra as a bankable star. And thanks to the famous shirtless scene, the He-Man became a sex symbol as well.
from filmfares
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