Wahan Kaun Hai Tera- A Complete Story in Few Lines

 

Recall this song from the 1966 film Guide, sung by S D Burman. This was a credit title song in the background as Dev Anand the hero of the film comes out from jail, the song starts right there. The 'Mukhda' starts on a wide shot of the main gate of the jail from inside...'Wahan kaun hai tera, musafir, jaayega kahan'

Vijay Anand, the ace director, and screenplay writer wanted to start the film with a situation and song that would make the audience curious and uneasy, eager to know the story.....He did this with the help of the great Lyricist Shailendra.

If we look into the song minutely we would find the genius of three great people, S D Burman, the composer, Shailendra, the Lyricist, and Vijay Anand, the director. S D Burman composed a tune (actually his old Bangla song, slightly altered) The song starts with a 'Sitaar' notes used in the introduction music..

The sense of freedom is depicted by a strange-looking shot of a tree seen upside down and a group of birds flying away.... The camera moves back to reveal that it was the reflection of the tree in a pool of water....

In the first stanza "Beet gaye din, pyar ke palchhin, sapna bani woh ratein".... "Bhool gaye woh, tu bhi bhulaa de, pyar ki woh mulaaqaatein..." We see Dev Anand walking with a bundle of his belongings slung over his shoulder...The bundle slips and opens.... A close shot of the things that have spilled out... a few photographs of Waheeda Rehman...

The genius of Vijay Anand can be seen in the last shot of the song, we see a sleeping Dev Anand and the shadow of the unknown man as if he is looking at Dev. When the song starts we see Dev Anand smartly dressed with puff hair and as the song ends, he is now lying among the ruins....covered in saffron

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Does the English Title of a Hindi Film Helps a Flm’s Success?

 

English Titles of Hindi films is not a new phenomenon in Hindi Film Industry. During the silent film era, English Titles were very common There was a film with the title 'The Enchanted Pills' directed by S N Patankar in 1920 and another hit film was 'Lady Teacher' released in 1922.

Today, spoken English has become a mix of Hindi and English. In our daily conversations, we use both languages so English titles are not taboo to common people. In fact, English titles connect with today’s public. 

The title of a film actually depends on what the film is all about. If the story connects well with the English title, I guess any director would go ahead with it. Let us take the title 'No One Killed Jessica' which was based on the Jessica Lal murder case, the film could not have had a better title than this.

The title of a film is very important, it attracts people to see the film but if the film is good, it will be a successful film but if it is bad then the Title of the film can not help. Let's take the example of Ranbeer Kapoor's film 'Bombay Velvet'. having an English Title, but failed miserably at the Box Office.

In 2019, 'War' starring Hritik Roshan and Tiger Shroff was the biggest hit and The Accidental Prime Minister was a disaster. Gully Boy starring Ranvir Singh & Alia Bhatt was a hit on the other hand Line of Descent of Abhay Deol was a flop.

After independence in 1948, the film '11 O Clock' with English title was a hit and the same year a film called 'Hip Hip Hurray' starring Nirupa Roy was a flop. It was seen that most of the films of Fearless Nadia had English Titles like Miss Frontier Mail, Diamond Queen, Jungle Princess, and Jungle Queen.

Dev Anand also appeared in many films with English titles. Stage,  Taxi Driver, Ferry, House no 44, Pocketmaar, CID, Paying Guest, Love Marriage, Guide, Jewel Thief, Gambler, Warrant, Bullet, Darling Darling, Gangster,Return of Jewel Thief, Censor, Love at Times Square, Mr Prime Minister, and Chargesheet

Dilip Kumar appeared in only 2 films having English titles,  Footpath and Leader. Raj Kapoor in only one film 'Around the World'

Madhur Bhandarkar has a fascination for keeping English Titles such as Page 3, Corporate, Fashion, Traffic Signal.Jail and Calendar Girl.

Salman Khan has many hit films with English titles like Hello Brother,Love at Times Square, Lucky: No Time for Love, No Entry, Partner,Wanted,Ready, Bodyguard,Kick, Tubelight and Race 3

Bollywood's Connection with Goa

It is said that Goa is a Darling of Bollywood.The magic that Goa has and Bollywood's Love for it has given us many memorable films and artists.Its sea.its sand,its people and its culture always fascinated Bollywood.  It won’t be too much to say that every director won’t mind or hesitate to capture some parts of Goa in their movie to enhance their films.Many films were made with Goa in its story. 
Goans played a major role in Bollywood music until the 1980s,Initially only Goans, having trained in Western music, knew how to compose music for orchestras, with a multitude of instruments playing in harmony.The biggest connection with Goa is Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle who are from Goa.
Farar

In 1955 a film Faraar starring Dev Anand and Geeta Bali has Goa Connection.The film is about revolutionaries fighting against British Rulers.
Johar Mehmood in Goa

It is a 1965 Bollywood comedy film directed by I. S. Johar with he himself, along with Mehmood and Simi Garewal playing the lead roles.The film is about a lady  Mary who gives birth to twins but leaves them on the doorsteps of two Goan households, one Muslim and another Hindu. Twenty four years later, India is a free country, while Goa is under the rule of the Portuguese. Ram and Rahim grow up to be members of underground resistance movement. Mary is the Mother Superior and Peter, who is still alive, is the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Goa, who is entrusted the task of catching Ram and Rahim who plan and execute series of anti-state activities
Saat Hindustani

Another movie for Goa Liberation from Portugal Govt was made in 1967 K A Abbas's Saat Hindustani.The first movie of Amitabh Bachchan.The story revolves arround seven people from different part of the country coming together to fight for liberation of Goa from the Portuguese.
Bombay To Goa

A 1972  adventure-comedy film directed by S. Ramanathan, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Aruna Irani in lead roles, Shatrughan Sinha as the main antagonist and Mehmood. The film is on a bus journey,adventurous with the passengers, a totally mixed bunch, from all over India, different religions, cultures, and faiths, all thrown together for this journey. The bus is in the "control" of driver Rajesh (Anwar Ali), and conductor, Khanna (Mehmood).
Bobby

A 1973 film a teen age love story between two Mumbai teenagers of different classes — Raj Nath (Rishi Kapoor), the son of a rich businessman Mr. Nath (played by Pran), and Bobby Braganza (Dimple Kapadia), the daughter of a poor Goan Christian fisherman Jack Braganza (played by Prem Nath).
 Pukar

a 1983 Bollywood film, directed by Ramesh Behl, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Randhir Kapoor, Zeenat Aman and Tina Munim. It is a movie about freedom fighters trying to liberate Goa from the Portuguese.
Trikal

A 1985 film written and directed by Shyam Benegal, set in Goa during the early 1960s (pre liberation) Period.The movie revolves around the life and tribulations of a fictional Goan Christian family called "Souza Soares". 
Sagar

A 1985 film with a story of Mona (Dimple Kapadia) runs a small restaurant in Goa. Raja (Kamal Hassan), who lives close by, is a good friend. He is in love with her but is unable to profess his feelings. Ravi (Rishi Kapoor) is from a rich industrialist family who moves to Goa from the US. Mona and Ravi fall in love of which Raja knows nothing. Ravi's grandmother is opposed to their love because of class differences.
Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa 

 A 1994 Indian Hindi romantic coming-of-age comedy film directed by Kundan Shah, and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Suchitra Krishnamurthy, and Deepak Tijori. The film is based on Goan characters in Goa backdrop.
Khamoshi: The Musical

A 1996 film,The story is about Joseph (Nana Patekar) and Flavy Braganza (Seema Biswas), a deaf and mute couple in Goa.They have a baby girl, Annie and a boy named Sam, A few years later, after the tragic death of Sam, Annie's (Manisha Koirala) life is shattered and music and singing fades away. When Annie grows up she gets in touch with music once again — with Raj (Salman Khan) whom she falls in love with.
Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd

A 2007 film, plot revolves around six newly wed couples of different age groups who are celebrating their honeymoon in Goa. Directed by Reema Kagti, the film explores  themes such as homosexuality and superheroes. Majority of the film is set in Goa and includes famous location such as the Fort Aguada, Dona Paula, Our Lady of Mount Chapel and the Corjuem Fort.
Dum Maaro Dum

A 2011 film which is a crime film set in Goa and is directed by Rohan Sippy. It follows the story of a corrupt police officer who is entrusted with the duty of busting drug rackets. With an effort to keep the film as real as possible, Rohan Sippy shot a sequence at the Arpora market with an actual crowd of around 20 to 30 thousand people.
Go Goa Gone 

It is a 2013 Indian zombie comedy film directed by Raj and D.K.. The film features Saif Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu, Vir Das, Puja Gupta and Anand Tiwari.Hardik (Kunal Khemu) and Luv (Vir Das) are two dope-heads, living with their roommate/friend Bunny (Anand Tiwari). After Hardik loses his job and Luv gets dumped by his girlfriend, both decide to tag along with Bunny to Goa to relax. In Goa, Luv falls for Luna (Puja Gupta), and she invites the guys to a rave party, organised by the Russian mafia, which is being held on a secluded island
Finding Fanny

It is one of the few recent films(2014) that managed to portray the true essence of Goa. Directed by Homi Adjania, the film portrays Goan characters settled in a fictional village in Goa. Adjania diverted from the cliche locations in Goa and instead opted for the lesser known side of Goa. The film is shot across Parra, Cortalim, Aldona, Assagao, Saligao and Socorro.

.Songs on Goa

Song from Bobby 1973

Song from Saagar 1985

Song from Kabhi Haan Kabhi Na

                               Remo Fernandes and Alisha Chinai - Panch Vorsam

Song from Go Goa Gone

Song from Josh

Song from Finding Fanny

Funny and Long Titles of Hindi Films

Hundreds of movies get released every year in Bollywood. Some movies are unique with its Title.Sometimes a movie is titled so abruptly that audience judge it on basis of the title irrespective of watching the movie. We bring you a collection of some Bollywood films that might leave you questioning about the relation of story line with the movie name .Nowadays it has become a trend of giving funny and long titles.Recently released film "Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety" made me to find such titles.

 V Shantaram was a Producer Director of yester years known for  giving Long Title Films.In 1946 he made a film with the Title "Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani" After that "Teen Batti Char Raasta" in 1953 and "Do Ankhen Barah Haath " in 1955. Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje\\

Kishore Kumar also many films with funny and long title films such as "Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi" in 1958,Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein in 1964,Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (1974),Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi (1981).Besides his own films he worked in many Such Long and funny title films like "Chham Chhama Chham" (1952),Dhobi Doctor in 1954,Apna Haath Jagannath (1960),Hum Sab Ustad Hai (1965) and Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966).

There was a film "Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo" released in 1952 starring Ranjan, Rehana and directed by P L Santoshi. The Title has no meaning In fact it was given by Dr Rahi Masom Raza. In 1955 he again came with a funny Title "Ha Ha Hee Hee Ho Ho"The earliest funny and long title started with the 1942 film  Haso Haso Ai Duniyawalon starring Gope,Rattan Bai and Shahzadi.

In 1953 Bimal roy came with the film Do Beegha Zameen with an unusual name for films,it became a cult movie.In 1955 there were many films with funny and long titles like Miss Coca Cola starring Geeta Bali, Shammi Kapoor,Another unusual film was Mr & Mrs 55 starring Guru Dutt and Madhubala.There was a film "Shri Nagad Narayan "starring Moti Lal and Meera Shorey,how can we forget Shri 420 of Raj Kapoor in 1955.

In 1957 Raj Kapoor came with a film Ab Dilli Dur Nahin while P L Santoshi came again with a long Title film Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke,same year a film called Johny Walker, the hero of the film was the most popular Star comedian of that era Johney Walker.Same year Navketan came with the film Nau Do Gyarah.

Nasir Hussain was another Producer Director who loved to keep long Titles for his films.Starting from Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957,Dil Deke Dekho 1959, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Baharon Ke Sapne(1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973), Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977), Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981),Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992)

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In 1958 a comedy film starring Johney Walker came with the title Mr. Qartoon M.A.,another film with a title Sun To Le Ai Hasina released.In 1959 there were many films with long titles,few of these films are Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane,Char Dil Char Rahen,Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan, Dhool Ka Phool, Goonj Uthi Shehnai, Kali Topi Lal Rumal , Madam XYZ  O Tera Kya Kahna,and Main Nashe Mein Hoon.

Like 1959 in the 1960 also many films with such titles were released few of those films are Barsaat Ki Raat,Chaudhvin Ka Chand,Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere,Ek Phool Char Kaante,Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai and Mughal e Azam.

There was a period when double meaning title films of Dada Kondke were very popular.Some of those were Andheri Raat Mein Diya Tere Haath Mein (1986),Aage Ki Soch (1988) and Khol De Meri Zuban (1989).

Some of the new Wave cinema also had very long titles like Albert Pinto ko Gussa Kyon aata Hai ,Salim Langde Par Mat Ro, Hazar Khawaishe Aisi,Thoda Sa Romani Ho jaye,
In the contemporary period there are few producer directors who mostly keep long titles for their films Suraj Barjatya,Karan Johar and Aditya Chopra.Films like Hum Apke Hain Kaun,Hum Saath Saath Hain,Mein Prem Ki Deewani and Prem rattan Dhan Payo,Karan Johar with Kuchh Kuchh Hota Hai,kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham,Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and My Name Is Khan while Aditya Chopra with Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge.Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi,Jab Tak Hain Jaan,Band Baaja Barati and Dum Laga Ke Haisha.There was a film released in 1975 with a funny title Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty and one film with a title Chala Murari Hero Ban Ne,Do Ladke Dono Kadke(1979)

Some of the films of this decade are Bareilley Ki Barfi.,Love Shuv Te Chicken Khurana, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi, Ghar Mein Ho Sali To Pura Saal Diwali,Pyaar ka Panchnama,Total Siyappa,Toilet Ek Prem Katha,Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana (2017),Patel Ki Punjabi Shaadi (2017),Qarib Qarib Singlle, Ki & Ka (2016),Happy Bhaag Jayegi(2016) and Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga (2015)