It stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala in lead roles, along with Ajit, Jeevan, Johnny Walker, Chand Usmani, Nazir Hussain, Manmohan Krishna, Leela Chitnis, Pratima Devi, Daisy Irani, Radhakishan form an ensemble cast.

At the time of its release, it briefly became the highest grossing Indian film ever; later being surpassed by Mother India (1957).

By many sources, it remains one of the top 10 highest-grossing Indian films of all time when adjusted for ticket-price inflation.

Kundan from the city arrives in the village and wants to modernize and mechanize the business which he does so by getting an electric saw thus making several workers at the mill lose their jobs.

Krishna decides to take things up in his own hands and breaks the bridge made by the villagers which was the most important path of the road.

[8] During filming, the Naya Daur production was involved in a highly controversial and widely publicised court case.

[9] All the songs were composed by O. P. Nayyar and the lyrics were penned by Sahir Ludhianvi, with playback by Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Shamshad Begum and S.

[11] On 13 September 1957, Filmfare wrote, "A powerful and vibrantly gripping picture, B. R. Films' Naya Daur is a distinctly successful combination of pertinent social education and moral and top-rate entertainment.

"[12] The critic appreciated Kumar's performance and noted that he "[turns] in a portrayal which is utterly magnificent in every phase and mood".

[12] The Times of India called the film "a picture with a purposeful and distinctly impressive theme ... from almost the beginning to the end", saying that it "remains a brilliant, beautiful and very entertaining".

[13] Bombay (present-day Mumbai) newspaper Bharat Jyoti found the film to be "one of the most ambitious and unusual subjects ventured in India".

[13] Reviewing it in Lucknow, the daily Pioneer described the film as "the straightforward natural drama [that] develops grip as the story unfolds itself and scales the very height of dramatic expression.

"[13] The Hindu's critic felt that it implied Gandhi's quote, "There is no room for machinery that would displace human labor and concentrate power in a few hands.

"[13] Sport and Pastime praised the film for "provides wholesome entertainment with a purpose", stating, "Naya Daur is a picture of which the industry should be proud of.