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Despite being fifty years old, the film does not look outdated, thanks to Vijay Anand.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.
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)
This song from Mausam(1976) was written by Gulzar, composed by Madan Mohan, and sung by Bhupinder. The song has two versions, one a solo by Bhupinder and a duet of Lata Mangeshkar with Bhupinder. The solo was used during the titles of the film and the duet was picturized on the young Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore.
The solo version happens to be Gulzar's favorite, is by far the soberer and serene. The duet has a faster tempo. Both versions have three stanzas with different interludes. The Mukhada was taken from a Ghalib ghazal with a slight change. In the ghazal, it is 'Jee Dhoondta Hai', Madan Mohan changed it to Dil Dhoondta Hai., since it worked better for the metre.
This wasn’t the only time Gulzar was inspired by Ghalib. He went a step further in the song Satrangi Re, (Dil Se, 1998), in which he wove Ghalib’s couplet into his lyrics, crediting the source by its name.
This song is the pivot around which the film revolves. It connects the characters in time. the first time when the Doctor(Sanjeev Kumar) is traveling from Calcutta to Darjiling by road where he met Chanda decades ago.
Gulzar in a book told that while composing the interludes of the song Madan Mohan was strolling between his music room and his kitchen. He(Gulzar) had gone to his house for dinner. Madan Mohan was a good cook, he was cooking mutton at that time. During that duration, he composed the tune of this song.
Gulzar was one of the contenders for the National Award for that year. Unfortunately, no award was given to any lyricist that yeat. Similarly, he was nominated for Filmfare's Best lyricist award but lost out to lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi for Kabhie Kabhie.
Madan Mohan had a habit of making 5-6 tunes of one song, he then selects the best out of them. For this song too he made 6 tunes one of which was later used in Veer Zara (2004). Here a clipping is given below, you could see his versatility
Dil Dhoondhta Hai - Madan Mohan sings many tunes for one song
He was born as Iqbal Husain on April 15, 1922.in Jaipur Rajasthan. He got the education of Urdu and Persian from his grandfather Fida Husain. He started writing poems at a young age His mother was not in favor of his Shayari. He came to Bombay at the age of 18 to earnBread & Butter, he started working as a bus conductor, earning a monthly salary of eleven rupees. He worked as a conductor for 8 years In an interview, he told that he never asked for a ticket from beautiful girls. Beautiful girls were his inspiration for writing romantic words. His love for writing Urdu poetry remained intact, he used to participate in Mushairas,
in one of such Mushairas, the late Prithviraj Kapoor heard his poetry and recommended him to his son Raj Kapoor who was planning a musical love story with two new composers, Shanker - Jaikishan. Raj Kapoor heard his poems he invited him to write songs for his film Barsaat, his first recorded song was, 'Jiya Beqaraar Hai' for the film. His second song (and first duet) was 'Chhod Gaye Baalam' for the same film. Both songs became popular. In this film, he wrote 7 songs,
Awara (1951) was his second film.he wrote 4 songs in this film, one of the immortal song is'Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Karke Sanam'. In the same year, his 3rd film Badal got released in the same year. Shankar Jaikishan was the music director of this film also. He wrote 3 songs for this film. In 1951 his 9 films were released, he was now writing songs for other music directors also.
Hasrat Jaipuri wrote lyrics for all Raj Kapoor films till 1971. After the death of Jaikishan and failure of Mera Naam Joker and Kal Aaj Aur Kal, Raj Kapoor turned to other lyricists and music directors. He wrote 1100 + songs in more than 300 films, the last song he wrote was for Saazish with Jatin-Lalitand at the time of his death, he was working on a few small films and a book of Shayari. To his credit, there are more than 2000 recorded songs.He also wrote the screenplay for the movie Hulchul (1951). His last film as a lyricist was Hatya: The Murder (2004 He won many awards and mementos for his Songs and Urdu Poetry. He was also awarded a Doctorate from the World University Round Table and Josh MalihabadiAward, from Urdu Conference. He wroteseveral books of poetry, in Hindi and Urdu. He once said, "Hindi and Urdu are like two great and inseparable sisters. He died on 17th September 1999.
Courtroom scenes were once a favorite genre during the Golden Era of Bollywood. Of late this is completely missing in our films, barring one or two exceptions like Jolly LLB or Pink. The reason I think for creating a courtroom scene, a solid script is required, a lot of groundwork, understanding of law and procedures of a court, and finally a perfect direction. In the 1950s and 1960s, the court scenes usually come at the fag end of the film. Most of these scenes foretold by a quick shot of the national slogan "Satyamev Jayate" or by the shot of Goddess of Justice wearing a black colored bandage on the eyes and carrying a pair of weighing scale on the hand and almost invariably, the truth did prevail.
Courtroom Scene Amar 1954
Each decade presented a peculiar legal drama, in the late 40e patriotic court cases were common, recall the court scene of Shaheed (!949), where Dilip Kumar is being prosecuted. In another film Amar (1954).Dilip Kumar plays the role of an advocate. There was a court scene where Dilip Kumar fights a case for Madhubala.
Courtroom Scene Paying Guest 1957
Dev Anand films had many courtroom scenes. every fourth film of his had a court scene, either he is a lawyer or a convict. In Paying Guest he plays the role of an advocate. Similarly in 1962 film Baat Ek Raat Ki, he once again played a lawyer. In Kala Bazar there was a famous court scene in which Chetan Anand appeared. as a lawyer. In the 1968 film Dev Anand once again played the role of an advocate.
Courtroom Scene Awara 1951
In the 1951 film Awaea, in a very famous court scene, Nargis appeared as an advocate for the convict Raj Kapoor. This was perhaps one of the earliest instances of a female lawyer being shown in our cinema. The film starts with the courtroom scene where Nargis walks in to announce that she is going to defend Raj Kapoor in this case much against the wishes of Prithviraj Kapoor the father-like figure who had brought her up.
Courtroom Scene Pooja Ke Phool 1964
Mala Sinha also appeared as a lawyer in Pooja Ke Phool (1964). Dharmendra, the hero is charged with the murder of an unknown young woman. Mala Sinha who plays a defense lawyer and her father Ashok Kumar who plays public prosecutor is one of the highlights of the film. There were interesting and dramatic courtroom scenes and the confrontation between Mala Sinha and Ashok Kumar. The last 45 minutes were devoted to this courtroom scene.
Courtroom Scene Mamta 1966
Suchitra Sen also played as an advocate in the 1966 film Mamta.Suchitra Sen in memorable double role-playing both mother and daughter. The daughter is brought up by Ashok Kumar without letting her know the identity of her mother. The last scene of the film which is both emotional and impactful has the daughter Suchitra Sen as the defense lawyer pleading her mother’s case and she comes up with a splendid performance that leaves the audience stunned.
Courtroom Scene Kanoon 1960
Kanoon (1960) was an outright courtroom drama film. .A story of a murder mystery, starting with the Judge having Bet with Fellow judge to commit a murder and get Scot free from Law. It was the first songless film. The film was a courtroom drama of a murder case, where the judge's perspective son-in-law (Rajendra Kumar) is the defense lawyer in a case of murder, for which he suspects his would-be father-in-law.
Courtroom Scene BaaT Ek Raat Ki 1962
Baat Ek Raat Ki is a 1962Hindi film directed by Shankar Mukherjee, starring Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, and Johnny Walker. Dev Anand plays the role of a lawyer. Waheeda Rehman is accused of a murder.. The film starts with a court scene. Renowned lawyer Rajeshwar (Dev Anand) decides to represent her, he accepts her guilt, but as he goes deep into the details of her story and the circumstances, he is not sure whether or not she is guilty.Neela's employer Beni Prasad is the mastermind behind Neela's imprisonment. He is after her property. Rajesh disguises himself and appears at the court on the final day and accuses Beni Prasad and tells the whole story.
Courtroom Scene Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke 1963
Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke is a 1963 film. The film was based on a real story and famous case of the sixties "Nanavati" case. In the real-life story of crime and passion, Cdr. Nanavati, on his return from an assignment one day in 1959, was outraged to find that the British-born wife he adored had allowed herself to be seduced by his friend of 15 years, Prem Ahuja. Without a doubt, the courtroom scenes played out by stalwarts Ashok Kumar and Motilal are the highlights of the film. In every scene, one tries to be up on the other and both are an absolute treat to watch. Without these two superb artistes and the riveting courtroom performances, this film would have been hollow. As it is, there are too many empty spaces when Dutt and Naidu are in the same frame.
Courtroom Scene Waqt 1965
Waqt was a 1965 super hit film, it had very classic court scenes. Balraj Sahni’s Lala Kedarnath is reunited with his family against the backdrop of a murder trial, and the court scenes serve a clear dramatic function in a story that is already much larger than life. Never in a Hindi film, such drama is shown in a courtroom. Sunil Dutt plays the defense advocate and acts his heart out, complete with long emotional gazes and melting puppy eyes in a bid to engage the conscience of witnesses. During one cross-questioning, he engages in an entire spectrum of emotions. From screaming at a witness, he moves close and almost whispers to him, urging him to place his hand on the Bhagwad Gita and reverse his earlier statement. Further, in order to prove a point about footprints at the crime scene, he actually drags a sack dripping with red liquid into the courtroom and asks the prosecutor to enact it himself.
Courtroom Scene Mera Saaya 1966
Another iconic courtroom scenes were in 1966 film Mera Saya, directed by Raj Khosla. Sunil Dutt plays an advocate who fights his own case. A lady resembling his wife claims to be his wife. His wife got died on his arms a year back refuses to accept her claim.
Courtroom Scene Mamta 1966
Mamta a 1966 film in which Suchitra Sen had a double role, playing mother and daughter. Ashok Kumar is the judge and the daughter becomes a lawyer. In the last scene of the film which is both emotional and impactful has the daughter Suchitra Sen as the defense lawyer pleading her mother’s case and she comes up with a splendid performance that leaves the audience stunned
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Court Scene Duniya 1968
Duniya 1968 film is having a memorable courtroom scene. There is a beautiful argument between Dev Anand and Balraj Sahni both are the advocate. The movie deals about three friends Amarnath, Gopal, and his sister, Mala, Years later, all three have grown up. Mala's mom is deceased, while she continues to live with her aunt and uncle, Public Prosecutor Ramnath Sharma; Amarnath is now an Advocate working with Senior Advocate Mehta, and is in love with Mala, not knowing that she is his childhood friend; while Gopal has been to prison in Poona, Madras, and the Police in Hyderabad want him for questioning. Soon Amarnath will be defending Gopal, alias Ram Singh, for the murder of one Mohanchand - and it will be an uphill task for Amarnath - for not only do the Police have airtight evidence against Gopal, Mohanchand
Courtroom Scene Gambler 1971
Gambler, 1971 film having a long 30 minutes climax court scene. In this film Dev Anand (Raja) plays a gambler who faces a trial in the court for murder. In the climax in Raja's life is in the Court Room where he will find out about his past, and about his parents.
Courtroom Scene Insaf Ka Tarazu 1980
Insaaf ka Tarazu a 1980 film also had memorable court scenes. In the courtroom scene, Zeenat Aman who has murdered the rapist is the defendant. Pitted against her is Sriram Lagu as Prosecution lawyer. Ifthikhar is the judge. Zeenat Aman says yes she murdered Ramesh Gupta. Andha Kanoon released in 1983 was a film about law and justice. The film takes a shot at how manipulative could be the law. Jan Nisar Akhtar Khan (Amitabh Bachchan) is charged with killing Ram Gupta (Amrish Puri), , tried in Court, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Years later, an angry and embittered Khan is released from prison.Khan finds out that Gupta is still alive and decides to kill him, quite dramatically in the same courtroom where he was convicted for his murder.
Courtroom Scene Meri Jung 1985
MERI JUNG, a 1985 film with a subject revolving around lawyers and their questionable practices in the court playing with the hidden truth. The most electrifying and famous sequence of the film was the one in which Anil Kapoor who plays an advocate shockingly drinks poison from a bottle right within the court in order to prove it hasn’t got any poison at all and his client has just been framed for an undisclosed reason.
Scene of Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986)
Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986) features the case against a teenager for killing his father by stabbing. The film not only focuses on the courtroom arguments but also show how jurors debate to reach out for the truth and what goes on in their head and mind when they declare a verdict. This film is an outright law film.
Courtroom Scene Shehenshah 1987
In the movie SHAHENSHAH starring Amitabh Bachchan where Shahenshah drags JK back to the court and argues his case against JK after JK manages to escape from the news journalist's murder case for lack of evidence.
Court Scene of Damini 1993
Damini 1993 had an unforgettable courtroom scene. Recall Sunny Deol's famous monologue ‘Tarikh pe Tarikh, Tarikh pe Tarikh’ ! in the courtroom. The heroine named Damini (Meenakshi) fights to get justice, for a rape victim. Sunny Deol appears in the court as her advocate
Court Scene , No One killed Jessica (2011)
No One killed Jessica (2011) based on a real case that happened in New Delhi. Jessica, a young attractive model, a per time bartender, got shot dead at a celebrity party!The film follows the murder case trial and her sister Sabrina’s fight for justice. Rani Mukherjee as Meera Gaity, a news reporter, whereas Vidya Balan plays Jessica’s sister Sabrina.
Court Scene of Jolly LLB (2013)
Jolly LLB (2013) is a realistic film. It comments on corruption and exploitative behavior of the rich as lawyer Jagdish (Arshad) fights a case for six innocent wage earners. The monopolistic behavior of the rich and judicial corruption are being focused throughout the film. Its sequel is also equally appreciating.
Court Scene of Pink 2016
Pink 2016 a fantastic film in court proceedings. Amitabh Bachchan played a strong and dominating role as a lawyer who criticizes about the stereotypes about girls and the term and conditions which only applicable (so-called) to girls. Pink is not just a movie, about the attempt to murder case, it questions about the thinking of society and how we judge people and women by looks, actions, and lifestyle. With his every delivery of dialogue, Amitabh takes this Courtroom Drama to its next level of success.
Recall the song 'Gentleman Gentleman Gentleman' sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Yes, this was a very popular song of 1970, picturized on Dilip Kumar in the film Gopi. This film was released on 28th Aug 1970. It stars Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu, Pran, Om Prakash, Durga Khote, Farida Jalal, Johnny Walker, Lalita Pawar, and Aruna Irani. The film was a Jubilee Hit with hit music by Kalyanji Anandji. The film had 5 songs, all the songs were very popular. "Ramchandra Keh Gaye Siya Se" and "Ek Padosan Peechhe Pad Gayi" were very popular.
According to film expert Rajesh Subramanian, Rajendra Kumar was first signed for the film. The producers felt Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar would make a perfect pair and requested Rajendra Kumar to return the signing amount and quit the film.
Dilip Kumar plays Gopi, who is a simpleton of a village. He lives with his elder stepbrother played by Om Prakash, bhabhi played by Nirupa Roy and younger sister played by Farida Jalal. Om Prakash works for a local Lala played by Pran. Om Prakash keeps all his savings with Pran so that in future he needs for the marriage for Farida Jalal.
Saira Banu along with her aunt comes to their home for a few days, Saira Banu fell in love with Dilip Kumar. There are a few songs picturized on them'
Farida Jalal's marriage got fixed so Om Prakash goes to the landlord Lala (Pran) to take back money, which he had saved for Nandini's wedding but gets thrown out of the house. Gopi forcibly gets the money but is accused by the landlord of stealing. Sent out of the house by Girdhari, Gopi leaves for the city and vows to come back only after making enough money for Nandini's wedding.
The highlight of the film was the acting of Dilip Kumar and Om Prakash. It is said that when Dilip Kumar heard the script of gopi he felt only Om Prakash could play his older brother. When Om Prakash was offered this movie as Dilip Kumar wanted only him to play this role Om Ji agreed on one condition that he would be paid 1 rupee more than Dilip Kumar. Dilip Kumar gladly accepted his condition. And what a performance by both actors.
Saira Banu in an interview once said" I was all in love with Dilip Kumar right from the age of 12 after watching 'Aan' I was not just another girl smitten by Dilip Kumar. For me, it was no castle in the air because I had given my dream the strong foundation of faith- faith in myself and faith in God.”
She was only 16, had gone for the show, hoping to get a glimpse of her favorite hero in person. But she was heartbroken as Dilip Kumar was unable to come to the premiere. She still remembers her first encounter with Dilip Kumar “When he smiled at me and remarked that I was a pretty girl, I could feel my whole being taking wing and flying rapturously. I knew somewhere deep within me that I was going to be his wife.”
After the release of Junglee, her first film in 1961, she became a big star, she was offered heroine roles with all the big stars of that time. Dilip Kumar in his biography told that a few films were offered to him with Saira but he refused because he felt to be her too young as his heroine.
It is said that it was Naseem Banu, her mother played the role of the cupid between Dilip and Saira. She got them closer, thanks to which love blossomed between the two.Dilip Kumar mentioned in his biography that when he fell in love with Saira. It was during a party thrown to celebrate her birthday. The actor revealed, "When I alighted from my car and entered the beautiful garden that leads to the house, I can still recall my eyes falling on Saira standing in the foyer of her new house looking breathtakingly beautiful in a brocade sari. I was taken aback because she was no longer the young girl She had indeed grown to full womanhood and was, in reality, more beautiful than I thought she was.
It was one day when Saira Banu was shooting for the film'Jhuk Gaya Aasman' Dilip Kumar proposed Saira. He simply stepped forward and shook her hand and proposed. Dilip Saab said, "Saira, you are not the kind of girl I want to drive around with or be seen around with... I would like to marry you... Will you be my wife?" Promptly came the response from Saira, "And how many girls have you said this to?" She, however, said yes.
They married on 12th Oct 1966 and celebrated the Golden Jubilee of their marriage in 2016. She remained her pillar of strength throughout all these years. There was a time when Dilip Kumar married another lady but Saira continued to look after him. The second marriage lasted for two years since then the two have stood beside each other like a rock, considering one another to be the greatest gift of God.
Saira Banu continued to work in films after the marriage, in fact, Dilip Kumar encouraged her to do films but she restrained herself to one or two films a year. Aman (1967), opposite Rajendra Kumar, was her first release after marriage to the thespian. She acted in three films with Manoj Kumar, Shaadi, Purab Aur Paschim, and Balidan. Cult film Padosan, in 1968, opposite Sunil Dutt, catapulted her to the top league and she continued to play the heroine for several years after that. Victoria No. 203 with Navin Nischol is her biggest hit. She acted in three films with her husband: Gopi. Sagina and Bairaag. Only Gopi was successful at the box office. She acted in three films with Manoj Kumar, Shaadi, Purab Aur Paschim, and Balidan and six with Dharmendra: Jwar Bhata, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Resham Ki Dori, Pocket Maar, International Crook and Chaitali.
She worked with Amitabh Bachchan inAmitabh Bachchan in Zameer and Hera Pheri. Nehle Pe Dehla. She never worked with Rajesh Khanna though once she was offered the role in Chhoti Bahu in 1971 but couldn't do it due to illness.
Dilip Kumar told in an interview that she was signed for the role that Mumtaz did in Ram Aur Shyam but he himself asked her not to do that role. She appeared in a cameo opposite her husband in Duniya (1984), wherein the song "Teri meri Zindagi" became very popular. Faisla which was eventually released in 1988 and is officially her last film.
