The Shelved Films Of Dev Anand

A film has a long, arduous journey before it finally hits the screens.Not all films complete their journey.Many films are announced in the hope that once a current project will be successful, the next will take off with the same team only to come to a crashing halt.because of unsuccessful of their previous project.
Dev Anand was one of the most salable star of his time even then many of his films were shelved or unreleased.There was a movie named "Kaafir"starring Dev Anand and Geeta Bali in the 50s but it was not completed after shooting 6 reels.The film was being directed by Chetan Anand .There was another film Saajan Ki Galiyan(1966) starring Dev Anand and Sadhana which was also not completed,

Very few know that Dev Anand wanted to make a sequel of Hare Rama Hare Krishna.He planned to return to Nepal to film a sequel and was scouting for a younger Zeenat Aman to carry forward Jasbir’s story of a girl swept by the Hippie culture. But the film never took off — on December 3 that year, Dev Anand died in a London hotel.

There was a multi starrer film Ek Do Teen Chaar launched on October 3, 1980 amidst a lot of fanfare at Mehboob studios.Salim-Javed wrote the script for this film

Though the film starring Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee, Hema Malini, Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim, Parveen Babi and Amjad Khan, never saw the light of day,The film was being produced and directed by Vijay Anand.

There was a film anounced by Dev Anand in 1991 called Purana Paapi in which Amitabh Bachchan was working for the first time with Dev Anand.Amitabh couldn't work because doctors advised him for rest and the film was shelved.

There was another film Jana Na Dil Se Door It  was an unreleased movie of his brother, Vijay Anand on which he was working before he, Vijay Anand passed away after a massive heart attack.

There was a film Shrimanji (1968)  Dev anand was playing a guest appearance for the first time but this film also couldn't see the daylight. Kahin Aur Chal (1968)  a film directed by Vijay Anand was released but not in all territories 

Mahesh Bhatt started a film "Ab Meri Bari"starring Dev Anand,Rekha Tina Munim and Rishi Kapoor.

Vijay Anand wanted to make a film with Dev,Dilip and Raj Kapoor but it couldn't materialized.The movie got shelved due to ego and dates hassles

Humne jinke khwab sajaaye film Saajan ki Galiyan 1966

Kahin Aur Chal (1968)

                      Zindagi Sehra Bhi Hai Lata Mangeshkar Film Kahin Aur Chal 1968 

The Songs Sung in Praise For His Beloved

Very recently I heard a song "You are my chicken fry"from a film Ragini MMS,immediately in my mind came the idea how in old days our lyricist used to write songs in praise of the beloved.They used to compare the beauty with Moon or the eyes with Sagar or Jheel,. Hair with Reshmi Julfen.
 There are probably hundreds of songs in Bollywood and more than one-third of them are romantic in nature.The best song for praise of your beloved comes in my mind "Chaudvin Ka Chaand Ho" another beautiful song is Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To Aisa Laga from 1942 A Love Story.
 I sometimes wonder why there are no such lovely songs in the current decade,So, just selecting fifteen songs to appreciate your beloved is an arduous task.There is a slight bias to the old songs compare to the songs of 90s.
The first song in my list is "Mein kya Jaanoon Kya Jaadu Hai" from the film Zindagi released in 1940 written by Kedar Sharma.The song about praising the eyes of his beloved.main kyaa jaanoon kyaa
jaadoo hai
in do matwaale nainon mein ek ek athaah saagar saa hai
in do matwaale nainon mein
jaadoo hai

Song from Zindagi 1940

Another beautiful song of K L Saigal is "Do nainaa matwaare tihaare

ham par zulm karen" from the 1944 film My Sister the song was written by Pt Bhushan, Music by-Pankaj Mullick

Song from My Sister 1944

The next song in my list is a Rare song " Matwaale nainon waali ghunghraale baalon waali" from Izzat released in 1937 This song is sung and acted by Ashok Kumar and Devika Rani

Song from Izzat 1937

This is the best any poet could write in praise of the beloved.The writer of song is Shakeel Badayuni for the film Chaudvin Ka Chand 1960  "Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho, Ya Aaftaab Ho

Jo Bhi Ho Tum Khuda Ki Kasam, Lajawab Ho
Zulfein Hain Jaise Kaandhe Pe Baadal Jhuke Hue
Aankhen Hain Jaise Maey Ke Pyaale Bhare Hue
Masti Hai Jisme Pyaar Ki Tum, Woh Sharaab Ho

Song from Chaudvin Ka Chaand 1960

The song  “Ek but banaaungaa”  is sung by Rafi and it is picturised on Dev Anand and Sadhana. Hasrat Jaipuri is the lyricist and music is composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Dev Anand, instead to simply saying “I love you” would go to elaborate lengths and would use flowery and grandiloquent round about ways of expressing his love for the lady. 

Song from Asli Naqli (1962) 

Song from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961

Immensely popular song composed by Shankar-Jaikishan with the lyric   being of Hasrat Jaipuri. Rajender Kumar sings it in praise of B. Saroja   Devi.

Song from Sasuraal – 1961

 Rafi's great  admiring song which is picturized on  Pradeep Kumar who sings it for  Meena Kumari in the movie. Roshan has  composed the lyric of Majrooh  Sultanpuri.

Song from Aarti - 1962

 A classic song of Rafi, the singer and Shammi Kapoor, the actor who sings it in praise of Sharmila Tagore. S.H. Bihari’s lyric has been composed by O.P. Nayyar.

Song from Kashmir Ki Kali - 1964

A very  touching admiring duet of Lata and Manna Dey, picturized  on Mahipal and  Anjali Devi, penned by Bharat Vyas and composed by  Laxmikant Pyarelal.

Song from Sati Savitri -  1964

This song picturized on Rajender  Kumar praising Saadhna  through it. Shankar-Jaikishan's composition is  for the lyric of Hasrat  Jaipuri.

Song from Aarzoo - 1965

An immortal admiring song  sung by Mukesh and Lata separately for Maneesh and Nutan respectively on  the screen. Indeevar's beautiful lyric has been composed by Kalyanji  Anandji.

Song from Saraswatichandra - 1968

This super hit song sung by Md Rafi picturised on Rajesh Kanna in Do Raaste released in 1969,beautiful words written by Anand Bakshi

Song from Do Raaste 1969

Song from The Train 1970

Song from 1942 A Love Story

Prithviraj Kapoor-The Pillar of Hindi Cinema and Theatre

 Prithviraj Kapoor( 3 November 1906;– 29 May 1972) started his career as an actor in the Silent era of Hindi cinema and starred in the first Talkie film Alam Ara.He acted as an extra in his first film, Do Dhari Talwar, though he went on to earn a lead role for his third film, titled Cinema Girl, in 1929.His performance in Vidyapati (1937) was much appreciated.His best-known performance is perhaps as Alexander the Great in Sohrab Modi's Sikandar (1941). Our generation know him for his performance in Mughal E Azam.
He began his acting career in the theatres of Lyallpur and Peshawar. Later he shifted to Bombay.There he joined the Imperial Films Company. He also joined the Grant Anderson Theater Company, an English theatrical company that remained in Bombay for a year.Through all these years, Kapoor remained devoted to the theatre and performed on stage regularly. He developed a reputation as a very fine and versatile actor on both stage and screen.
He established Prithvi Theatre in 1944 which staged memorable productions across India. The plays were highly influential and inspired young people to participate in the Indian independence movement and the Quit India Movement. In over 16 years of existence, the theatre staged some 2,662 performances. Prithviraj starred as the lead actor in every single show. One of his popular plays was called Pathan (1947), which was performed on stage nearly 600 times in Mumbai. It opened on 13 April 1947, and is a story of a Muslim and his Hindu friend.
As he progressed into his 50s, he gradually ceased theatre activities and accepted occasional offers from film-makers, including his own sons. He appeared with his son Raj in the 1951 film Awara as a stern judge who had thrown his own wife out of his house.
.His major films include V.Shantaram`s Dahej (1950), Raj Kapoor`s Awaara (1951), Aasmaan Mahal (1965), Teen Bahuraniyaan (1968), Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) and the Punjabi film Nanak Naam Jahaaz Hai (1969). He lost his voice while directing a film entitled Paisa, as a result Prithvi Theatre was closed and he even gave up films.
He was also the patriarch of the Kapoor family, five generations of which have played active roles in Bollywood.Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor are his great grandchildren.
He passed away on 29th May 1972. The government of India honored Prithviraj Kapoor with the Padma Bhushan in 1969. For his unparalleled contribution to Indian Cinema, he was posthumously awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1971. Prithvi Theatre was later revived in his honor by his son, Shashi Kapoor.

Song from Vidyapati.1937

song from Sikandar 1941

Song from  Ishara (1943)

Song from Dahej (1950)

Song from Anand Math (1952)

Song from Rustom Sohrab (1963)

Song from HARISHCHANDRA TARAMATI 1963

Mehboob Khan - Spot Boy to Great Producer Director and Owner of a Studio

It is to Mehboob’s credit that from his humble beginnings as a spot boy, he went on to acting, writing, directing and producing films and owner of Mehboob Studio.
Mehboob Khan got several roles as an extra and even went on to being cast as a junior artist and then in a supporting role. In fact, Ardeshir Irani almost took him as the hero of Alam Ara, India’s first talkie.He realised that destiny is not in favor of making him a hero,there was something else he could do.So he decided to write a script and pitch it to a few studios.His script was rejected by various studios,he decided to produce and direct his own script.He went on to direct milestones such as the bold saga Aurat (1940), the romantic drama Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling musical Aan (1951) and the grand social epic Mother India (1957).
He was born Mehboob Khan Ramzan Khan in Bilimora in Gandevi Taluka of Baroda State (now Gujarat) on 9 September 1907. He started as an assistant in the Silent Film era and as an extra in the studios of the Imperial Film Company of Ardeshir Irani, before directing his first film Al Hilal a.k.a. Judgement of Allah (1935), when he started directing films for the Sagar Film Company.Notable films he directed include Deccan Queen (1936), Ek Hi Raasta (1939) and Alibaba (1940). Directorial features such as Aurat (1940) followed, with the studios Sagar Movietone and National Studios. In 1945, Khan set up his own production house – Mehboob Productions. In 1946 he directed the musical hit Anmol Ghadi, which featured singing stars Surendra, Noorjehan and Suraiya in leading roles.
He  introduced and helped establish the careers of many actors and actresses who went on to become big stars in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s such as Surendra, Arun Kumar Ahuja, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Nargis, Nimmi and Nadira.
 He died in 1964 at the age of 57 and was buried at Badakabarastan in Marine Lines, Mumbai. His death occurred the day after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. His last film as a director was 1962's Son of India.

Song from Aurat (1940)

Song from Anmol Ghadi (1946)

Song from Anokhi Ada (1948)

Song from Andaz (1949)

Song from Aan (1952)

Song from Amar (1954)

Song from Mother India (1957)

Song from Son of India (1962)

NAVKETAN FILMS-A Studio That Always Looked Forward

Dev Anand's Fans and Hindi-movie buffs have many reasons to be grateful for the production house Navketan, founded in 1949 by the Anand brothers Chetan and Dev Anand.In the 1950s most of the studios were making historical or  involved the village in some form or the other,Navketan was making Urban based movies.True to its name Navketan,which is a Sanskrit word that means Newness,the banner made films with new subjects and introduced new talent and technology.
The Kapoors are often referred to as the first family of Bollywood, but not many realize that the Anand brothers — Chetan, Dev and Vijay — formed a creative combination with an equally rich legacy.The Anands have, however, proved to be far more prolific, produc ing 35 motion pictures under Navketan as compared to the 20 films made by the Kapoor clan.
 It was under the Navketan roof that directors Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla and Vijay Anand, music directors S D Burman and R D Burman, cinematographer Fali Mistry and V Ratra did some of their best work. 
Unlike R K Film Studio or Mehboob Studio, Navketan does not possess a shooting floor. So all of his (Dev Anand’s) films were shot in Mehboob Studio.
 Dev Anand had bought the 19,000 sq ft Pali Hill property in the early ‘50s and established Anand Recording Studio in 1986 to mix and dub all the films produced by Navketan Films. When it was running, the studio specialised in voice overs, dubbing and surround mixes in all formats.It is perhaps the most technically advanced studio in the country, with great expertise in all fields.Over 10,000 films such as Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Ghajini (2008) have been mixed here.Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman Khan come regularly to dub their films
 In 2009, it was decided that the studio will make way for a 12-storeyed swanky tower. At the time, Dev Anand wished for a penthouse to be built for him and his family in the plot 

                                                              AFSAR
The first film of Navketan Banner was AFSAR released in 1950,a romantic comedy film directed by Chetan Anand. It was produced by and starred Dev Anand. It co-starred Suraiya, who also recorded the playback singing for the film. The film was based on Nikolai Gogol's play The Government Inspector. The film was an average in Box office.

Song from Afsar 1950

Baazi 

The second film of Navketan was Baazi released in 1951.The movie stars Dev Anand with Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik. It is a crime thriller and had very popular music composed by S.D. Burman.This film was the game changer for Dev Anand and Navketan.It was very successful at the box office.Had it not been hit we would have not seen the great films of Guru Dutt and Navketan Films.

Song from Baazi 1951

Aandhiyan

It is a 1952 Hindi drama, written and directed by Chetan Anand. It starred Dev Anand, Nimmi and Kalpana Kartik in lead roles.The music of the film was from a classical musician Ali Akbar Khan.The background score of the film was also done by Ali Akbar Khan along with other Hindustani classical musicians Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pannalal Ghosh.

Song from Aandhiyan 1952

Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver is a 1954 Hindi movie produced by Navketan Films. The film was directed by Chetan Anand and stars his brother Dev Anand, Dev's wife-to-be Kalpana Kartik and Johnny Walker. The film was written by Chetan himself, along with his wife Uma Anandand his other brother Vijay Anand. The film's music director was S. D. Burman and the lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi.The film was a super hit and it was the film that started outdoor shooting of Bollywood films.

Dev Anand's taxi in the movie was the British made Hillman Minx, a black car with the number 1111. Such became the popularity following the film, that the British made Hillman Minx became a vehicle of choice as a taxi in Bombay until the 1970s

Song from Taxi Driver 1954

House No. 44

House No. 44 is a 1955 Hindi film directed by M. K. Burman and produced by Dev Anand for his banner Navketan Films. The movie stars Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik in a lead role.^[1] The film is also noted for its popular songs with music by Sachin Dev Burman, with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, including "Teri Duniya Mein Jeene Se" and "Chup Hai Dharti Chup Hain Chand Sitaare", sung by Hemant Kumar

Song from House No. 44  1955

Funtoosh

Funtoosh is a 1956 Bollywood film directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K.N. Singh. It was the ninth highest grossing film of 1956, and was declared a "Hit". The music of the movie was an instant hit and songs such as "Dukhi Mann Mere" were topping Binaca Geet Mala. Other hits were "Woh Dekhen To Unki Inayat", "Humne Kisi Pe Dore Dalne Hai", "Ae Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa" and "Denewala Jab bhi deta Poora Chappad Phad Ke Deta". The Songs cemented the bond of SD Burman, Dev Anand and Kishore Kumar.

Song from Funtoosh 1956

Nau Do Gyarah

It was a 1957 Hindi film produced by Dev Anand. This was his brother, Vijay Anand's directorial debut.^[ The film stars Dev Anand, Kalpana Kartik, Madan Puri, Shashikala and Jeevan. The film's music is by S. D. Burman and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri

Song from Nau Do Gyarah 1957

Kala Pani

Kala Pani was a 1958 Hindi movie, produced by Dev Anand for Navketan Films and directed by Raj Khosla.The film stars Dev Anand, Madhubala, Nalini Jaywant, Bir Sakuja and Agha. The film's music is by Sachin Dev Burman, and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

The movie won two Filmfare awards including Filmfare Best Actor Award and Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Song from Kala Paani 1958

Kala Bazar

Another Super hit film from Navketan in 1960.Written and directed by Dev's younger brother Vijay Anand, the film starred Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Vijay Anand, Chetan Anand, Nanda, S.D. Burman composed the music, while the lyrics were penned by Shailendra.

It was noted for having several of Bollywood's stars in a cameo at the film premiere of Mother India (1957), and it was also the only film to star the three Anand brothers together. It became a Superhit at the box office.

Song from Kala Bazar 1960

Hum Dono

Hum Dono was a 1961 Hindi film produced by Dev Anand and Navketan films.The film stars Dev Anand in a double role, and also has Nanda, Sadhana The film is also known for its music by Jaidev and became a box office hit

Song from  Hum Dono 1961

Tere Ghar Ke Samne

It is a 1963 super hit film.The film, produced by Dev Anand and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand.The film's music is by S. D. Burman, while the lyrics have been penned by Hasrat Jaipuri. 

Song from   Tere Ghar Ke Samne  1963

Guide

It is a 1965 romantic drama film starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. It was directed by Vijay Anand, who contributed to the screenplay. The film is based on the novel The Guide, by R. K. Narayan.The movie proved memorable for its award-winning performances by the lead actors and memorable music by S. D. Burman. The film was a box office hit upon release and considered as the Top five Classic of Bollywood.

Song from Guide  1965

Jewel Thief

It is a 1967 Hindi spy thriller  film directed by Vijay Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Vyjayantimala and Ashok Kumar in the lead roles.The film became a box office hit.The music for all the songs were composed by S. D. Burman and The lyrics for this film were by Majrooh Sultanpuri

Song from Jewel Thief  1967

Prem Pujari

This was the first film directed by Dev Anand.It was released in 1970 with a great hype but it did not fare well in Box Office.The movie stars Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and a then-unknown Amrish Puri. It has several popular songs composed  by S. D. Burman.

Song from Prem Pujari 1970

Tere Mere Sapne

It was a 1971 film produced by Dev Anand, and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand for Navketan Films. The movie stars Dev, Vijay, Mumtaz and Hema Malini. The film's music is by S. D. Burman 

Song from Tere Mere Sapne 1971

Hare Rama Hare Krishna

It was a 1971 Indian film once again  directed by Dev Anand starring himself, Mumtaz and Zeenat Aman. The film was a hit^[1] and a star-making vehicle for Zeenat Aman, who played a westernized hippie, and won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. It aimed to have an anti-drug message,hippie Culture and also depicts some problems associated with Westernization such as divorce.

Song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971

Shareef Budmaash

It was a 1973 Bollywood action thriller film directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha and Ajit in pivotal roles.The film was an average at the Box Office.

Song from  Shareef Budmaash 1973

Heera Panna

It was a 1973 Hindi film. Written, produced and directed by Dev Anand for Navketan films, the film stars Dev Anand, Zeenat Aman, Raakhee, Rehman, Jeevan, A.K. Hangal, Paintal and Dheeraj Kumar. The film's music was composed by R. D. Burman. 

 

Song from Heera Panna 1973

Des Pardes

It was  a 1978 Hindi film, produced and directed by Dev Anand. This family drama stars Dev Anandand Tina Munim (in her debut film), with Ajit Khan, Pran, Amjad Khan, Shreeram Lagoo, Tom Alter, Bindu, Prem Chopra, A. K. Hangal, Sujit Kumar, Mehmoodand Paintal in the supporting cast. For the first time, Dev Anand chose comparatively new music director Rajesh Roshan for this film, who did full justice to his selection as most of the songs became quite popular. 

Song from Des Pardes 1978