Hindi Films are known for their songs. Sometimes it happens that a very melodious song is either badly picturized or on relatively unknown actors. In this blog, I have selected a few of such songs that were very popular at that time and are still hummed but we have forgotten on whom these were picturized
The first song I have taken is 'Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki' from the 1949 film Dulari. This song established Mohammad Rafi, it was picturized on Suresh, who went to Pakistan and acted in two films in 1950 and 1951, but then returned to India soon after. By that time Dilip Kumar. Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor captured the top slot.
Song of Dulari 1949
Next song in my ;ist 'Na Yeh Chand Hoga Na Tare Rahenge' sung by Hemant Kumar and Geeta Dutt from the 1954 film 'Shart'.This song was picturized on young actress Shyama with an actor from Bengal named Dipak, who was specially brought over for the role,
Song of Shart 1954
This immortal song 'Tasveer Banata Hoon tasveer Nahin Banti. sung by Talat Mahmood and composed by Nashaad, not Naushad from the 1955 film Baradari was picturized on Chandtadhekher.He was the leading man in films like Surang (1953), Kavi and Mastana (both 1954), Baradari (1955), Kali Topi Lal Rumal (1959), Street Singer, and in a negative role in Basant Bahar. It was after 1968, that Chandrashekar was not getting offers to act in a leading role, and he subsequently moved into character roles.
Song of Baradari 1955
This hit song 'O Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar' from CID (1956) was picturized on Shyam Kapoor and Sheela Vaz. Sheela Vaz was a good dancer she appeared in many hit songs. Shyam Kapoor was seen only in this song. He was one of the assistant of Guru Dutt.
Song of CID 1956
This song from Dekh Kabira Roya (1957) is an immortal song sung by Talat Mahmood. It was picturized on Anoop Komar, brother of Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar.
Song of DEKH KABIRA ROYA -1957
This super hit song was sung by Mohammad Rafi and composed by Madan Mohan for the 1958 film Aakhri Dao, 'Tujhe Kya Suno Mein Dilruba' picturized on an actor Shekhar, he was active in the 50s.He appeared in movies, Ankh Michouli (1962), Hum Matwale Naujawan (1961), Aakhri Dao (1958), Abhimna (1957), Chhote Babu (1957), Sangam (1954), Chandni Chowk (1954), Toothe Khilaune (1954), Darwaza (1954)
Song of Aakhri Daao 1958.
This song is from the 1960 film Baraat, sung by Mukesh and composed by Chitragupt. This song was picturized on Ajit, who is known as Villain, For your information, he was a hero in many films. Here he is singing a heartbroken song.
Song of Baraat 1960
'Jab Gham E Ishq Sataata Hai' is a sad song from the 1963 film Kinare Kinare.directed by Chetan Anand. This song was composed by Jaidev and was picturized on Chetan Anand.
Song of Kinare Kinare 1963
Dosti was a 1964 film,. It was declared a "Super Hit" at the box office. The highlight of this film was its music composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Music director R.D. Burman played the harmonica on film scores and soundtracks. Dosti stands as a landmark in the career history of the musical duo as this won them their first Filmfare Award and made them popular in the film industry. Mohammed Rafi is the main vocalist for the songs.The film features Sudhir Kumar Sawant and Sushil Kumar Somaya. I
Song of Dosti 1964
You would be surprised to know that this romantic song was sung by Mohammad Rafi for the well-known comedian Jagdeep.
Song of Punar Milan 1964
Song of Waqt 1965
Another such song 'Jane kaisa hai mera deewana'. Film Aansoo ban gaye phool. Sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. Music composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.. It was picturized onDeb Mukherjee, brother of romantic hero Joy Mukherjee. But heroin is very unknown. Her name for screen is Alka.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a brilliant director. The films he directed could make you cry, they could make you laugh, and they could make you laugh even while you cried. Some of his most notable films include Anari(1959), Anuradha (1960), Asli Naqli(1962, Anupama(1966), Aashirwad(1968), Satyakam(1969))., Guddi (1971), Bawarchi (1972), Abhimaan (1973), Namak Haraam (1973), Mili (1975), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal (1979), Khubsoorat(1980) and Anand(1971)
This film Anand was in his mind for many years, he wanted to cast Raj Kapoor as Anand but it couldn't be materialized. He then thought of Kishore Kumar as Anand and Mehmood as Babu Moshai. The term "Babu Moshai" means "a great gentleman." Raj Kapoor often affectionately addressed Hrishikesh Mukherjee with this term, just as Anand addresses Banerjee in the film. There is also a story about how Kishore Kumar couldn't become Anand.
Hrishikesh Mukherjee went to sign Kishore Kumar for the film after discussing the project with him. On reaching Kishore Kumar's house his watchman did not allow Hrishi Da to enter the bungalow. As Kishore Kumar had instructed him not to allow a Bengali man inside the bungalow who would come to meet him. Kishore Kumar had done a musical concert for a Bengali organizer who did not pay him and they both had a fight. His watchman mistook Hrishikesh Mukherjee of being that Bengali man. When the shooting for the film started Kishore Kumar came to know about it and went to meet Hrishikesh Mukherjee and asked him why didn't he come to sign him when Hrishikesh Mukherjee told him the reason. Kishore Kumar went and blasted his watchman. The incident hurt Mukherjee and he decided not to work with Kishore Kumar. Consequently, Mehmood had to leave the film as well. Rajesh Khanna.was offered the role, by that time he became a superstar. This film was shot in 28 days. Rajesh Kanna was a very busy actor by that time, even then he gave Hrishi Da the uninterrupted dates to him. Rajesh Khanna had great regards for him, he wanted to work with him. He worked with him in his subsequent films Bawarchi(1972) and Namak Haram(1973).
The film was successful and got the National Award as Best Film and also many Filmfare awards such as Best Film, Best Actor,(Rajesh Khanna), Best Supporting Actor(Amitabh Bachchan), Best Dialogue(Gulzar), Best Editor(Hrishikesh Mukharjee), and Best Story(Hrishikesh Da) Seldom do we come across films that get it all right and that is what makes Anand immortal, as Dr. Bhaskar says in the end after writing his book on his inspiration—Anand mara nahi, Anand marte nahi(Anand hasn’t died, people like Anand don’t die)
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.
Shammi Kapoor in his Biography said"The sound of any music evoked in me a strong urge to dance. The rhythm didn't take time to seep into me and seek expression in dance. The urge to dance was always there in him. His brother Raj Kapoor was a good dancer but Shammi was different.
He never had a dance director or a choreographer for his dance songs in any film. He danced to his own style and created his own steps and movements. The first time he got the chance of expressing himself in dance songs was in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, this film redefined him and shot him to bigtime stardom.
In his Biography, he tells "From a very early stage, he wanted to learn dancing but there were no professional dancing schools in Bombay at that time. There used to be a hotel in Dadar, whose owner used to teach Tango dance He took a few lessons from him.
Shammi Kapoor said that it was lucky that he got good songs." I think I tried to give physical expressions to music. My choreography was always done here( pointing towards his heart) and I brought it out on the floor. Telling about the picturization of the song' Yahoo' he said "everybody was satisfied with the song Yahoo recorded after the hard work of Rafi saheb and music director Shankar Jaikishan, now it was my turn to make this song an immortal. This song was picturized in Kufri, not in Kashmir. The setting looked ideal with 12 feet deep snow and the breathtakingly beautiful sight around Everybody was in a fix what will I do?, how will I do?
Shammi further said that he was also not made in his mind about how to do it. Yes it was sure that he had to slide on the snow, The next day in the morning at 7 AM the whole unit collected at the spot from where he had to slide, But just when the camera was to roll, the sun disappeared, they couldn't shoot that day due to poor sunlight. This happened for six days, the song couldn't be picturized Finally on the Seventh-day the song was picturized. Shammi Kapoor said that there was no choreographer, no preparation by himself, whatever he did was spontaneous.
After Junglee every producer and director wanted Shammi to perform the song as per his wish. He said in the book" I used to tell my directors to keep the camera flexible, don't freeze the field, play the music, and let me do the act. That is what he did in most of his songs.
He said for the song Aasman Se Aya Farishta of An Evening in Paris, it was his idea to perform on a helicopter.
His biggest hit Teesri Manzil (1966) broke all kinds of records at the box office — thanks to its music. Composed by R.D. Burman, songs of this movie are considered some of his best works and Shammi’s best dance performances. O Mere Sona Re, O Haseena Zulfonwali Jaane Jahan, and Aaja Aaja Main Hoon Pyaar Tera are still regularly seen on playlists and heard on the radio.
Looking at just one decade of Shammi’s career, it is clear about the kind of stupendous impact that he has had on Bollywood and its audience. He left a mark like no other and even though many have managed to make a name as great dancers, nobody has come close to him — much like the original Elvis Presley.
Vyjayanthimala Bali celebrates her birthday on the 13th of August. She shares this birthday with another Bollywood legend Sridevi who was also a multilingual actress with superior dancing prowess. Both the actresses married Punjabi men who left their first wives.
Vyjayanthimala performed some superhit song and dance numbers in Hindi films, whether it is Man dole mera tan dole (Nagin) or Chadh gayo paapi bichhua (Madhumati) or Buddha mil gaya (Sangam) or Hothon pe aisi baat (Jewel Thief) and not to forget Indian classical dances of Amrapali(1966)
At the age of seven, Vyjayanthimala was chosen to perform a classical Indian dance for Pope Pius XII while her mother was an audience in 1940 at Vatican City.She learned Bharata Natyam from Guru Vazhuvoor Ramiah Pillai and Carnatic music from Manakkal Sivaraja Iyer. She had her arangetram at the age of 13 and started performing in Tamil Nadu later.
She made her debut in the Tamil language film Vaazhkai in 1949 on the basis of her dance performance of Bharata Natyam in Chennai's Gokhale Hall.The success of her Tamil film Vazhkai in South India inspired AVM Productions to remake it in Hindi as Bahar in 1951. In their first Hindi venture, they decided to cast Vyjayanthimala again in the lead role with Karan Dewan, The film became a hit and also its music and dances. The next film 'Ladki' released in 1953 was opposite Kishore Kumar and Bharat Bhushan.
In 1954, Vyjayanthimala acted in the magnum opus film Nagin with Pradeep Kumar. The film got favorable responses from the audience and became the highest-grossing movie of 1954 where it was labeled as a blockbuster. Her performance as the Nagi tribe's chief got Mala favorable reviews from the critics, as in 1955,
Nagin was a precursor to her rise in Hindi cinema as an iconic actor, who combined her talents, performing and dancing, to rule the screen on her terms... biggest recall values of Nagin are Vyjayanthimala". Post Nagin Vyjayanthimala had established herself as one of the leading actresses in Bollywood because of the film's nationwide success.
Vyjayanthimala's influence on films has been far-reaching. With her, semiclassical dance became an integral part of almost every Hindi film heroine's resume.At her peak, Vyjayanthimala took off to do a series of much-appreciated dance shows in Paris in 1959 besides working for top actors like Dilip Kumar in Paigham (1959) and Raj Kapoor in Nazrana (1961).
There are many actors who played siblings in one film and effortlessly slipped into the role of lovers in other films and vice versa. Take the example of Dev Anand and Zeenat Aman who played brother and sister in Hare Rama Hare Krishna and then played as lovers in many films. Dharmendra and Meena Kumari did many films as the romantic lead but in 1964 they did their first film "Kajal" played brother and sister in the film.
On the cusp of stardom, Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini starred as siblings in the thriller Gehri Chaal (1973) but after that, they did many films as lovers.
Nanda played Dev Anand’s sister in Kala Bazar (1960) and later played the romantic pair with him in Hum Dono (1961) and Teen Devian (1965).
In the 1960 Dev Anand had 2 films released with Suchitra Sen. In Bombai Ka Babu, Suchitra Sen plays the role of sister of Dev Anand and in another film Sarhad, she was in a romantic role with him.
In 1963, the film Gehra Daag had Mumtaz playing Rajendra Kumar’s younger sister while Mala Sinha was paired opposite him. In 1972 the duo came together inTaangewaala,produced and directed by Rajendra Kumar’s brother Narendra Kumar
. Shah Rukh Khan & Aishwarya Rai came together for the first time inJosh (2000), where Shah Rukh Khan is the leader of a local gang in Goa and Aishwarya who plays his twin sister, Later in the same year, they come as lovers in Yash Raj Films’Mohabbatein. After this, they were seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’sDevdas.
In 1987 came an action drama Dacait based on the dacoits, Urmila Matondkar plays the younger sister of Sunny Deol in the film. In 1999, Sunny Deol directed his first film "Dillagi"starring himself and his real brother Bobby Deol, he cast Urmila as his heroine
In 1989, Jackie Shroff and Madhuri Dixit teamed up as a brother-sister duo in Rajiv Rai’s blockbuster Tridev, In 1992 in a beautiful filmSangeetwhich had Madhuri Dixit in a double role- that of an older woman and a young blind girl. Jackie Shroff falls in love with the blind Madhuri.
Nargis played Sunil Dutt's mother in Mother India (1957) and his lover in Yaadein (1964).
Shammi Kapoor was Saira Banu’s lover in Junglee but later became her father in Zameer.
Similarly, Ashok Kumar who worked with Meena Kimari in many films as his silent lover did play her long-lost father Shahabuddin, in 1972 film Pakeezah.
Waheeda Rehman who is the favorite heroine of Amitabh Bachchan was his heroine in Adalat and Kabhie Kabhie also played his mother in Trishul.
Similarly, Rakhi who played romantic leads in Kasme Vaade, Bemisal and Barsat ki Ek Raat with Amitabh Bachchan also played the mother role in Shakti
Sharmila Tagore and Amitabh Bachchan
Sharmila Tagore plays mother to Big B in Desh Premee (1982) and his wife in Faraar (1975).
