The Story Behind the Song 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli'

 

This beautiful song from Anand was sung by Manna De, composed by Salil Da, and written by Yogesh is now 50 years old. This song was included in the film to compensate Yogesh, the lyricist for a song he wrote earlier for this film but not recorded. The Director Hrishikesh Mukharjee thought of obliging Yogesh to write a Title song. 

It being the title song so Salil Da recorded this song in the voice of Manna Dey. When Rajesh Khanna, the hero of the film heard the recorded version of this song, he said that such a lovely composition should not be wasted on the title. He insisted the song be shot on him. It became the first solo song of Manna Dey for Rajesh Khanna. Interestingly all the other songs in this film were sung by Mukesh for Rajesh Khanna.

The song was shot in three hours and only two antaras were kept in the film. As per Yogesh, he wrote 5 antaras, and three antara were recorded but only two were shot. Manna De used to sing the third antara on many stage shows in those days.

According to Bimal Roy's daughter Rinki Bhattacharya, this melody was originally written for a film Anand Mahal which was delayed so Sali Da used this melody here in this movie. Salil Da in an interview once said that arrangement is not a part of Indian music. It is a western concept but he felt it is also essential for a film song else there would be nothing to hold the edifice. For my compositions, I normally use an Indian melody and flavor it with something western.

In this song too Salil created a unique concoction of eastern and East Europian melody.

Song of Anand 1971

The untold Story Behind Rajesh Khanna Film 'Anand'

 

The character Anand made Rajesh Khanna an immortal. He got his second Filmfare Best Actor Award for this character. This role was his favourite character from 180 films he did. He made full use of his strong director-backed role. For this role, he accepted a meagre sum of Rs 7 Lakh. 

Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the director got the idea of making the film when his friend and Indian producer Raj Kapoor was suffering from an illness and everyone thought he would die. Mukherjee’s fear of losing his friend inspired him to pen Anand. 

Kishore Kumar was the original choice for the role of Anand, he was ready to do this role too but when on the day he went to sign him, Kishore Kumar’s watchman didn’t allow Hrishikesh Mukharjee in.  Kishore Kumar had apparently asked his watchman to not allow a Bengali man inside and he mistook Mukherjee to be that man. This made Hrishikesh Da angry and decided to drop the idea of taking Kishore for this role.

 Then he thought of taking Uttam Kumar for this role but he refused the film because the shooting dates clashed with his commitments to Bengali cinema., then he approached Shashi Kapoor for this role, he too was reluctant to accept this role because during those he wanted to consolidate himself as a romantic hero after the success of Jab Jab Phool Khile. 

The film and its script was ready but its cast could not be finalized, in the meantime, Hrishikesh Mukharjee was busy with the films like Aashirwad and Satyakam. In 1969 Rajesh Khanna's Aradhana got released, with this film he became a superstar and was the most sought after hero. Every film of his was making Jubilee, producers were after him to sign their film but it was Rajesh Khanna, who wanted to do the role of Anand. He came to know about this role from Gulzar who was the co-writer of this film.

Rajesh Khanna one day went to Hrishikesh Da, asked him to give this role and complete the film but Hrishi Da was hesitant to work with him because the film was a low budget film, Rajesh Khanna was a Super Star, the film can not afford his price for which Rajesh Khanna said that he is ready to accept whatever they pay. Hrishi Da was aware that Rajesh Khanna had a habit of coming late on sets, so he asked him to report on time and give him his dates as per his requirement. Rajesh Khanna accepted all the terms and conditions to do this film. 

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Hrishikesh Mukherjee- 'Anand 'was one of his Masterpieces

 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)

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

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Remembering RAJESH KHANNA on His 4th Death Anniversary

RAJESH KHANNA (29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012)

Rajesh Khanna  made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat. Through his career he appeared in more than 170 feature films.He was a Super Star,his film Aradhna(1969) gave him this position,he gave 15 hit films in a row from 1969 to 1971.The films were Aaradhna, Do Raaste, Bandhan, Doli, Khamoshi, Ittefaq, Safar, Kati Patang, The Train, Sachaa Jhutha, Aan Milo Sajna, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Dushmun, Andaaz and Anand. In 1971, he acted in Haathi Mere Saathi, which became that year's highest grossing film and also the biggest grosser In the year 1972, Khanna acted 11 releases, including a guest appearance in Telugu movie called Bangaru Babu directed by V.B. Rajendra Prasad. His Hindi films Dushman,Amar Prem,Apna Desh and Mere Jeevan Saathi, together earned more than Rs.5 crore.

Rajesh Khanna's real name was Jatin.He  was adopted and raised by Chunni Lal Khanna and Leela Wati Khanna, who were relatives of his biological parents.His adoptive parents belonged to a family of railway contractors who had moved from Lahore to Bombay in 1935.He attended St. Sebastian’s Goan High School with his friend Ravi Kapoor, who later took the Film name Jeetendra.
Rajesh Khanna did his first two years of Bachelor of Arts in Nowrosjee Wadia College in Pune from 1959 to 1961.He later studied in K. C. College,Bombay.He had interest in theatre, did a lot of stage and theatre plays in his school and college days, and won many prizes in inter-college drama competitions.
After his studies he wanted to become a hero in films.Those days an All India Talent Contest used to be organised by United Producers and Filmfare.These United Producers were BR Chopra, Bimal Roy, GP Sippy, HS Rawail, Nasir Husain, J. Om Prakash, Mohan Saigal, Shakti Samanta and Subodh Mukherji and more,they were the leading Producers and Directors of that time.Rajesh Khanna was one of the eight finalists in the 1965 All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare from more than ten thousand contestants.He won that contest,that made his presence felt in the Industry.G.P. Sippy and Nasir Hussain were the first to sign Rajesh Khanna after he won the contest.

Though "Aakhri Khat" Produced and Directed by Chetan Anand was his first film, his first break as a leading actor was in Ravindra Dave's, "Raaz" in 1967.Being under contract with United Producers, he got projects like Aurat, Doli and Ittefaq. He was then noticed for his performances in films like Baharon Ke Sapne, Aurat (1967),Through Aradhana he rose to "instant national fame" and film critics referred to him as the first superstar of India.

During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their blood.

 Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anand to be Khanna’s most memorable film and character. The terminally ill Anand Sehgal’s kinship with the sober and reticent Babu Moshai (Amitabh Bachchan) was modeled on director Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s friendship with Raj Kapoor. Anand’s role was first offered to Kapoor, then Kishore Kumar and Shashi Kapoor. In hindsight it’s inconceivable to imagine anyone but Rajesh Khanna as Anand.

He was at Peak from 1970 t0 1974,soon he was replaced by Amitabh Bachhan who became the No one hero after Zanzeer.

Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films throughout his career. Many of the musical scores for Khanna's films were composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal Sachin Dev Burman and R. D. Burman. The trio of Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar and R.D. Burman went on to make a number of popular films.

He fell in love with Dimple Kapadia, who was only 16 years old at the time, 15 years younger to him, and they got married after a whirlwind romance in 1973. The marriage lasted 11 years.Twinkle Khanna is his daughter,other daughter Rinkie Khanna also tried her luck in films but couldn't succeed ultimately she married and settled down in Delhi.
Rajesh khanna entered into politics,he joined Congress and became M P(1991-1996) from New Delhi seat,he defeated Shatrughan Sinha (BJP).He was braught in to politics by Rajiv Gandhi in 1984 when he campained for Congress.Amitabh Bachhan also entered in Politics the same year and was elected from Allahabad defeating H N Bahuguna.

 After 1992, he appeared in only 10 films and declined most film offers. He made a comeback as a NRI in Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), and Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002) and played the solo lead in films Sautela Bhai in 1996, Pyar Zindagi Hai in 2001, Kaash Mere Hote in 2009, Wafaa in 2008 and Riyasaat in 2013. 
 He died at his residence in suburban Bandra after battling ill health for past four months. He was 69.
He won three Filmfare Best Actor Awards, one Filmfare Special Guest Actor Award in 1973, and received a Filmfare Special Award in 1991, after 25 years in the Hindi film industry. He received the Filmfare Life Time Achievement Award at the 50th anniversary Filmfare award ceremony in 2005.

Remembering CHETAN ANAND on his Death Anniversary

Maker of innovative, meaningful movies

Born on 3rd January 1921 and died on the night of 6th July1997,Chetan Anand was the eldest of three Anand Brothers.

He was from a well to do family,his father Pishori lal Anand was an established Advocate.He was English Graduate from Government college Lahore.

In the early 1940s, while he was teaching History, he wrote a film script on king Ashoka, which he went on to show to director Phani Majumdar in Mumbai. Anand failed to qualify for the Indian Civil Service (ICS) exams in London. As luck would have it, Phani Majumdar cast him as a lead in his Hindi film, Rajkumar, released in 1944,Nargis being the co star. He also became associated with Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) in Mumbai  

His first venture as a director was a milestone for the industry. Neecha Nagar, shorn of songs and dances, was a realis tic take on the freedom move ment which won the prestigious Palme d'Or (best film) at Cannes in 1946. His success and en couragement drew his younger brother Dev into the world of cinema. After the latter established himself with a few hits, the duo set up Navketan.This film gave the break to Kamini Kaushal and also to Pt Ravi Shankar as Music Composer.His wife UMA ANAND was also in this movie.

By the early 1950s, he and his younger brother Dev Anand had set up Navketan Productions in Mumbai. Afsar, starring Dev Anand and Suraiya, was the first film made by Navketan, which turned out to be a moderate success. It was followed by Andhiyan and Taxi Driver both of which he directed for the Navketan banner.

Funtoosh is a 1956 Bollywood film directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K.N. Singh. It was the 9th highest grossing film of 1956, and was declared "above average"

In 1963 Chetan Anand Directed the movie Kinare Kinare for Producer Nyaya Sharma who co scripted,he acted in this movie while the lead pair were Dev Anand and Meena Kumari.Jaidev gave the Music.

In 1964 he started his own Banner"Himalaya Films and the first movie was" HAQEEKAT"which  was based on the India-China Border Conflict of 1962. Shot on actual locations, Chetan told the tale of patriotism and bravery with grit and realism. It had Balraj Sahni and Dharmendra supported by Priya Rajvansh, Vijay Anand . Chetan dedicated this movie to Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and produced it under the banner of the Himalayan Films

.

Next film under this banner was Aakhri Khat which was written and directed by Chetan Anand.The music of the film was byKhayyam and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi; it includes the song "Baharon Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro", sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The film was given 5 stars in Bollywood Guide Collections.Super Star Rajesh Khanna was given a break in this movie. The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 40th Academy Awards in 1967, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Chetan Anand’s "Heer Ranjha" remains the quintessential interpretation of Waris Shah’s Heer. Screenplay written by Kaifi Azmi, the film is delivered in poetical verse, making it one of the most unique and original pieces of work to come out of Hindi cinema.

His wife Uma was his collaborator working on his scripts and productions but regretfully they parted company. He developed a life-long relationship with attractive actor Priya Rajvansh, the heroine of ‘Haqeeqat,’ ‘Heer Ranjha,’ ‘Hindustan Ki Kasam’ and ‘Hanste Zakham.’

After a distinguished career in Hindi cinema, to which he gave a different direction, Chetan Anand passed away in 1997 during his 82nd year.