Ye Sham Mastani

Ye Sham Mastani download

Bollywood.s Obsession of Festival Releases

 

It is a usual practice of all the big banners and big stars to release their films during festival seasons. They keep & announce the release dates well in advance. Sometimes we have seen a clash of their films on these dates. 

Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Independence Day or Republic Day are few of the festivals which are booked well in advance by these stars. It has been observed that Yash Raj and Shahrukh Khan release their films during Diwali season, Eid is favourite for Salman Khan and Christmas is fixed for Aamir Khan.

In this blog, I look into the release of films during Diwali Season and see their Box Office performance. It is surprising that not all films fared well, there were some disasters also. Perhaps this is the first Diwali season when no film is releasing in Big Screens.

The Bollywood Diwali release is rather more solidly rooted in the Yash Chopra films of the 1990s. Starting with Lamhe (1991), almost every major Chopra production, such as Dil Toh Pagal Hai(1997), Veer-Zaara (2004), and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012 —even those which were directed by his son, Aditya, and produced by him, such as DDLJ(1995) and Mohabbatein(2000)—were Diwali releases. 

Shah Rukh Khan is the name that comes to mind when we think of a Diwali release. And, indeed, blockbusters such as DDLJ, Dil Toh Pagal Hai (1997) and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), which established him as the “king of romance", were Diwali releases.

Let's look into the Diwali releases of Bollywood Films for the last 15 years

In 2006, there was a clash of 2 big films  Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar’s ‘Jaan-e-mann’ released alongside Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Don – The Chase Begins’, Don became a hit while Jaan e mann was a flop.

In 2007 also, there was a clash of 2 big films.Shah Rukh’s Om Shanti Om and Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Saawariya’, which introduced us to Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. Once again Shah Rukh Khan's Om Shanti Om was a hit while Saanwariya was a flop.

2008 again had two films clashing during the Diwali Day and for the first time in a very long time, both films did well at the box office.  Madhur Bhandarkar released his film ‘Fashion’ starring Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut, Golmaal Returns was the other film, both the films were hit.

2009 saw as many as 3 films releasing on the same day. 'All The Best', 'Blue' and 'Main Aur Mrs Khanna' clashed during this period.None of them was a hit.

2010 witnessed yet another big clash. Akshay Kumar's Action Replay and Ajay Devgn's Golmal 3, of these two Golmal 3 was a blockbuster while Action Replay was a flop.

In 2011, Shah Rukh Khan was back to his Diwali releases after a gap of 4 years. It was the hugely-hyped 'Ra One',A big flop.

The 2012 Diwali weekend was filled with controversies. This year saw Yash Chopra’s last directorial venture ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ featuring his favourite Shah Rukh Khan, releasing on the same day as Ajay Devgn’s home production ‘Son Of Sardaar’. Both the films were hit

In 2013, only one film 'Krrish 3,' released, it was a blockbuster.

2014 saw Shah Rukh’s 5th Diwali release in 9 years.'Happy New Year' a blockbuster

2015 – After quite a long time we saw Salman Khan getting a Diwali release.; Sooraj Barjatya's Prem Rattan Dhan Payo' a blockbuster.

In 2016 there was once again a clash of 2 films s Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil takes on Ajay Devgn’s Shivaay. and both emerge victorious at the box office.

In 2017 once again 2 films released both were hit. Rohit Shetty's multi-starrer 'Golmal Again' and 'Secret Superstar' a low budget film by Aamir Khan. Secret Superstar had an average opening but went on to collect Rs 62.63 crore at the domestic box-office

In 2018, Yash Raj Films' Thugs of Hindostan got released. The film broke all the records of the first-day collection because of its star cast Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan. The film was a disaster overall.

In 2019 two films released, Akshay starter Houseful 4 and a small budget film Saand Ki Aankh both the films did average business.

In 2020, no film released on Cinema screen due to Corona Virus. There is a release on OTT platform Akshay Kumar;s 'Laxmi Bomb'

50 Years of Johny Mera Naam

 

Released on 11th Nov 1970, Johny Mera Naam was the Biggest Hit of Dev Anand's career. The movie, a thriller all the way, had the stamp of quality from director Vijay ‘Goldie’ Anand. He and Dev Anand had begun their association with “Nau Do Gyarah” in 1957 and went a long way to give Indian cinema classics like “Guide”, “Kala Bazaar” and “Tere Ghar Ke Samne”. 

With Johny Mera Naam began a Decade of Action cinema. Though Dev Anand was known for Romance his versatility lay in his desire to experiment. It was the first film of Hema Malini with Dev Anand It was also the first Superhit film of her career. Hema Malini is at her best when romancing with the hero especially in ‘Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hame Pyaar Karle’, a song where the Dev Anand keeps popping up from countless windows in a rest house.

 Dev Anand and Pran play the roles of brothers separated in childhood. Years later, Sohan (Dev Anand) goes on to become a CID officer called Sohan Kumar who solves his cases taking up different guises. He takes the identity of Johny, a petty thief and gets himself in jail, befriends Heera (Jeevan), solves a case wooing Rekha (Hema Malini) and finds the criminal.

Despite being fifty years old, the film does not look outdated, thanks to Vijay Anand. This is also testimony to his skills that despite a run time of around 2 hours 45 minutes, unusually long for a thriller but a norm for Indian movies, you never feel the length

Johny Mera Naam marked some of the best music composed by the duo Kalyanji Anandji.

#	Song	Singer(s)	Picturized On	Duration
1	Title Music (Johny Mera Naam)	Instrumental	Credit Title Sequence	01:59
2	"Vaada Toh Nibhaaya"	Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle	Dev Anand and Hema Malini	05:05
3	"Pal Bhar Ke Liye"	Kishore Kumar, Usha Khanna	Dev Anand and Hema Malini	05:05
4	"Mose Mora Shyam Rootha"	Lata Mangeshkar	Hema Malini	05:38
5	"Babul Pyare"	Lata Mangeshkar	Hema Malini	06:19
6	"Nafrat Karne Walon Ke"	Kishore Kumar	Dev Anand and Hema Malini	03:55
7	"Husn Ke Lakhon Rang"	Asha Bhosle	Premnath and Padma Khanna	05:19
8	Music Instrumental	Instrumental		02:00

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1970

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1970

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1970

Sanjeev Kumar- Haye Tabassum Tera

 

This was the first song picturized on Sanjeev Kumar on his first film as a hero in Nishaan released in 1965. The song was sung by Mohammad Rafi and composed by Usha Khanna. The film went unnoticed but this song became popular. 

He made his film debut with a small role in Hum Hindustani in 1960. His first film as a protagonist was in Nishan (1965). In 1968, he acted alongside the famous actor of that time, Dilip Kumar, in Sangharsh. Dilip Kumar was very much impressed with his acting. He appeared in the 1968 film Shikar, he got the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor  He was praised for the 1970 film.Khilona(.

He started accepting the roles of an old man at every young age, recall him in  Arjun Pandit, Sholay and Trishul,. His portrayal of the character Thakur, from Sholay, released in August 1975, was one of his stellar performances. In Naya Din Nayi Raat (1974), Sanjeev Kumar reprised the nine-role  He also proved his ability to do comedy in films such as Manchali, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Angoor, Biwi-O-Biwi and Hero. His double role in the film Angoor was listed among the 25 best acting performances of Indian cinema 

He died on  6 November 1985 at a young age.

Song of Nishaan 1965

Celeberating Karwa Chauth with these Songs

 

Karwa Chauth has a ritual where the wife holds a fast to pray for the health and long life of her husband. The fast is only broken after she sees the moon, followed by the husband feeding her some food. This festival This one-day festival is celebrated in the Northern part of India but Thanks to the Bollywood, Karwa Chauth isn't limited to be a North Indian or Punjabi festival anymore. It is now glamorized and widely popular function in India.

Many songs and scenes were created in Bollywood to attract audiences. The first time a song on Karwa Chauth was created in 1965 film Bahu Beti.Another old song I remember Aaj Hai Karwa Chauth Ka Vrat from the film Karwa Chauth released in 1978. The trend started in the 1990s with the movie Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,1992, Hum Apke Hain Kaun 1994, later it was Punjabitised by Yash Chopra from DDLJ. 

 The fast is traditionally celebrated in the states of Rajasthan, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab.Every state has his own style of celebrating this fast but in films only Punjabi style is shown.In 1994 film Chand Ka Tukda a song was picturised in Gujarati style.
Here are some of the best Karwa Chauth songs from some of our favourite Hindi movies.

Song of Bahu Beti 1965

Song of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, 1992

Song of Dil Wale Dulhania Le Jayenge  1995

Song from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum 2002

Song of Baghban 2003

"D" Alphabet in Shahrukh Khan's Life

 

The English alphabet 'D' seems to be lucky for Shahrukh Khan in his film career. If we look into his journey from TV to Big Screen, we find how the letter D proved to be lucky for him. The first TV serial he signed was 'Dil Dariya' starting from the English alphabet D.But "Fauji" became the first serial telecasted before this in 1989.

"Dil Aashna Hai"(1992) was the first film he signed as a hero but the first film released film was 'Deewana'in 1992. In it, he starred alongside Divya Bharti as the second male lead behind Rishi Kapoor. Deewana became a box office hit and launched Khan's Bollywood career; he earned the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for his performance. He garnered the most appreciation for portraying villainous roles in 'Darr'(1993) He became a superstar with 'Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge. (1995)

If we look into Shah Rukh Khan's filmography we will find most of his films starting from the English alphabet 'D' proved lucky for him. In 1997 his super hit film 'Dil To Pagal Hai' followed by another film 'Duplicate' and in 1998 another film 'Dil Se' consolidated his No1 position in Bollywood.

'Devdas' released in 2002 was a hit and brought him the Best Actor Award. Another superhit films were Don and Don 2, The last hit film was Dilwale (2015) and Dear Zindgi (2016)

Song of Deewana 1992

Song of Dilwale Dukhania Le Jayenge 1995

Song of Dil To Pagal Hai 1997

Song of Dil Se 1998

Song of Devdas 2002

Song of Don 2006

Song of Dilwale 2015

Bollywood's Romance with Railways

.The first railway on the Indian sub-continent ran over a stretch of 21 miles from Bombay to Thane. The formal inauguration ceremony was performed on 16th April 1853, when 14 railway carriages carrying about 400 guests left Bori Bunder at 3.30 pm Since then 163 years have passed. Today Indian Railway is one of the largest railway networks in the world.
This Gigantic engineering marvel has also been a fascination for the Indian Film Industry. since the 1930s. Bollywood has always imbibed and used Railways as a character themselves in the movies. Way back in 1934, ``Toofan Mail" started off a romance between films and trains which is still going strong.

 In1936 Achut Kanya, Ashok Kumar, and Kanan Devi film has Kanan Devi playing the role of a level crossing gatekeeper's daughter who averts an accident towards the end of the film. Miss Frontier Mail was another film released in 1936 starring Nadia.She played Savita whose father is the station master framed for a murder committed by a masked man.The highlights are Nadia's stunts on top of a speeding train fighting a gang of rail-road bandits. 

The train and its associated emblems (the station, the railway tracks and even the sound made by it) have actually been a steady presence in Indian cinema across decades.

There was a 1942 film Station Master The film was about a girl who is a daughter of a station master, who wants her to to marry a man who is also a railway employee but she wants to marry another person who is a train guard.

A 1953 film starring Shammi Kapoor and Madhubala called 'Rail Ka Dibba' was about a young man living in an abandoned Rail coach.,Railway Platform was a 1955 Indian film about Passengers from all backgrounds who get stranded on an isolated railway platform when a natural disaster delays their train for 24 hours. a love triangle between a princess, a poor man, and his lover at a train station The film marked the debut of Sunil Dutt, 

Bollywood and trains have had a long and most affectionate relationship. In fact, Bollywood has a lot to thank the Indian Railways for giving us memorable scenes and songs. Today's youth remembers the fantastic scene from Dilwale Dulhunia Le Jayenge, My generation remember the train scene from Pakeezah when Salim, played by Raaj Kumar sees just Meena Kumari's feet peeping put from the train berth and is instantly smitten."Aapke paao dekhe. Bahut haseen hai.. Inhe zameen par mat utariiyega. Maile ho jaayenge," wrote Salim in a letter to the gorgeous Sahibjaan (Meena Kumari). 

Many murder thrillers associated with train or love stories took shape in ans around trains were made in Bollywood A few of them like The Train(1970), Parwaana(1971), Do Anjane(1976),The Burning Tratn,(1980), Baaton Baaton Mein (1979), Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981) andJab We Met(2007) 

Let us recall those moments when Bollywood movies gained an advantage from railways that started their journey in India on the day of 16th April 1853, 

Song from Jawab 1942

In 1942 this Toofan Mail was used in a song in the film Jawab sung by Actress-singer Kanan Devi.The same year another song of Pankaj Mullick 

Aayi Bahar Aaj from the film Doctor is a beautiful Train song.

  Song from Doctor 1942

                                                              

Song from Dilruba 1950

The 1954 film Jagriti song Aao Bachcho Tumhe Dikhaye Jhankee Hindustan Kee was shot on a train and it chugs away while the teacher in the scene shows a group of children the various sights and sounds of India.

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Song from Jagriti (1954)

There was a film in 1955 Railway Platform the story of this film is entirely railway oriented and much of it has been shot on an actual Railway Platform, As the title song plays along with credits at the beginning of the film, the camera shows the view from the last coach as the train moves along. 

Songs from Railway Platform 1955

In 1956 Bhowani Junction film released. This film was based on the masterpiece from John Masters, this film is about Anglo Indian community in pre-partition India. Set at an imaginary railway town called Bhowani Junction. A large part of the film is set around railways that played an all-important role during war years, before and after partition and were 100% powered by steam. The railway scenes in the film were shot in Lahore and other parts of North-west Pakistan 

A scene from Bhowani Junction 1956

 Dev Anand would have lost his most memorable songs if he hadn’t got a chance to romance on trains. From serenading Waheeda Rahman in the song Hai Apna Dil To Awara Na Jaane Kispe Aayega and Apni To Har Aah Ek Toofan to attempting a jig with Asha Parekh in the song Jiya o, Jiya o Jiya Kuch Bol Do.

Song from Solva Saal 1958

Song from Kala Bazar 1960

Song from Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961

The Kishore Kumar song Cheel Cheel Chillake from 1962 film Half Ticket is a good example of a railway song. Many scenes of the film were on a Railway Platform or on a train.

Song from Half Ticket(1962)

A scene from Half Ticket(1962)

Song from  Hum Sab Ustaad Hain (1965)

Song from Mere Huzoor (1968)

Song from Aashirwaad (1968) 

In the 1969 film Aradhana  Rajesh Khanna in a jeep, trying and succeeding in regaling Sharmila Tagore who was on a train in Mere sapno ki rani kab aayegi tu It was the repeat of Jiya Ho Jiya Kuchh Bol Do type picturization.

Song from Aradhana 1969

By this time Indian Railway modernized itself from Steam to Diesel  and to Electric Engine,in this song from Honeymoon 1973, a group of students shown singing and dancing in an electric train 

 

Song from Honeymoon (1973)

This beautiful song from Ajnabee was shot in a Good's Train which I think the first song picturized on a Goods Train

Song from Ajanabee (1974)

Like the Darjeeling train, this song was picturized on a Toy Train in a Heritage site Kalka Shimla Train Route

Song from Dost (1974)

In the 1975 film Julie an Anglo Indian family living at Shoranur. The father played by Om Prakash is a goods driver while Julie is the eldest daughter who falls in love with a Hindu boy who is visiting his family. There are several scenes depicting AWC, HPS WG & WP class at Sholapur.station, yard, roundhouse 

A scene from Julie 1975

Sholay 1975 There are several railway sequences in the film. Two of these show the inspector and a jailor arriving at a rural station aboard a YP hauled train. The most famous one of course is of the dacoits trying to hijack a goods train hauled by H/4 class No. 026472. Jai and Veeru are prisoners of inspector Sanjeev Kumar and after he agrees to let them help him, Jai and the inspector take charge of the fighting from the guard's van while Veeru mans the engine and runs its through the barrier laid on the rails by dacoits. 

Song from Rafoo Chakkar (1975) 

This song was picturized inside a steam engine on Dilip Kumar and Shammi Kapoor

Song from Vidhaata (1982) 

Railway Coolie is an important component of the Indian Railway, this song is picturized on Amitabh Bachchan

Song from Coolie (1983)

The last song in my list is from the film Dil Se

Song of Dil Se 1998