This BLOG is about the Past of Hindi Films Specially Black and White Cinema We will refresh your memories by bringing out forgotten or unseen songs and clippings of film scenes We will try to give you as much information as we gather from our research.
This Blog was started as a one-man’s passion for film history but has now become an addiction for many music lovers who are equally passionate about Hindi films
The first film of Ashok Kumar was Jeevan Naiya (1936), a Bombay Talkies production. It was a sheer fluke that he became an actor. He didn't want to become an actor. Those days, actors were really looked down upon. They were believed to come from the lowest strata of society. He came to Bombay to become a director. So he joined Bombay Talkies as a technician. he worked in the camera department. Later, he was made a lab assistant. He worked as Lab Assistant for 8 months, suddenly Himanshu Rai, the owner of Bombay Talkies made him the hero of the film Jeevan Naiya replacing the existing hero Najam-ul- Hussain.
Initially, he was not comfortable in acting but later gathered confidence in his second film Achhut Kanya (1936), where he again paired with Devika Rani became a smash hit established him a great actor. After that, he was a permanent hero of all Bombay Talkies movies In 1943 he played the first anti-hero role in Indian cinema. The film Kismet(1943) was the first super duper hit of Indian cinema, It was the first film that collected more than a crore rupees at Box office. Post Kismet, Ashok Kumar became the most bankable star of the era, delivering a succession of box office successes with movies like Chal Chal Re Naujawan (1944), Shikari (1946), Sajan (1947), Mahal (1949), Sangram (1950) and Samadhi (1950).
, Ashok Kumar has ruled the silver screen and melted millions of hearts with his charismatic screen appearance and personality. He was the first superstar of Hindi cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor.
He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including Ziddi (1948), which established the careers of Dev Anand and Pran, Later on, he quit the Bombay Talkies and started Filmistan Studio with Shashdhar Mukharjee, his desire to return to Bombay Talkies was always there." He re-bought Bombay Talkies in 1947. "Devika Rani had left by then. But the Talkies had fallen on bad days. The debts amounted to Rs 28 lakhs. We made movies like Majboor, Ziddi, Mahal, and Mashal to repay the debts."
With the advent of the 1950s, Ashok Kumar switched over to more mature roles, with the exception of the 1958 classic Howrah Bridge. Despite the arrival of a younger crop of stars like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, and Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar remained one of the stars of the era with hits like Afsana (1951), Nau Bahar (1952), Parineeta (1953), Bandish (1955) and EK Hi Raasta (1956). His most successful film of that era was Deedar (1951), in which he played second fiddle to Dilip Kumar.
Ashok Kumar played an important role in several landmark movies in the 1960s and 1970s, including Jewel Thief (1967), Aashirwad (1968) (for which he won a Filmfare Award as well as National Award in 1969), Purab aur Pashchim (1970), Pakeezah (1972), Mili (1975), Chhoti Si Baat (1975) and Khoobsurat (1980).
Ashok Kumar's last film role was in the 1997 movie Aankhon Mein Tum Ho.
. Altogether, he starred in over 275 films. He has done more than 30 Bengali dramas in Dhakuria.He was honored in 1988 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India and also received the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
He died at the age of 90 in Mumbai on 10 December 2001 of heart failure at his residence in Chembur. The then Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee described him as "an inspiration... for many generations of aspiring actors.
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He never ever wanted to become an actor. He came to Bombay to become a director. Those days, actors were looked down upon. They were believed to come from the lowest strata of society. So he joined Bombay Talkies as a technician. he worked in the camera department. Later, he was made a lab assistant." It was sheer fluke that he became an actor. He got the lead role in Jeevan Naiya (1936), a Bombay Talkies production. His first big hit was Achhut Kanya (1936), where he again paired with Devika Rani.
.He was the first superstar of Hindi cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He was the hero of the first blockbuster film(Kismet 1943) of Indian cinema. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor. He was also the first Bollywood star to enter the small screen (TV)
Post Kismet, Ashok Kumar became the most bankable star of the era, delivering a succession of box office successes with movies like Chal Chal Re Naujawan (1944), Shikari (1946), Sajan (1947), Mahal (1949), Sangram (1950) and Samadhi (1950). He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including Ziddi (1948), which established the careers of Dev Anand and Pran, Later on, he quit the Bombay Talkies and started Filmistan Studio with Shashdhar Mukharjee, his desire to return to Bombay Talkies was always there." He re-bought Bombay Talkies in 1947. "Devika Rani had left by then. But the Talkies had fallen on bad days. The debts amounted to Rs 28 lakhs. We made movies like Majboor, Ziddi, Mahal and Mashal to repay the debts."
With the advent of the 1950s, Ashok Kumar switched over to more mature roles, with the exception of the 1958 classic Howrah Bridge. Despite the arrival of a younger crop of stars like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar remained one of the stars of the era with hits like Afsana (1951), Nau Bahar (1952), Parineeta (1953), Bandish (1955) and EK Hi Raasta (1956). His most successful film of that era was Deedar (1951), in which he played second fiddle to Dilip Kumar.
Ashok Kumar played an important role in several landmark movies in the 1960s and 1970s, including Bandini(1963), Mamta (1966), Jewel Thief (1967), Aashirwad (1968) (for which he won a Filmfare Award as well as National Award in 1969), Purab aur Pashchim (1970), Pakeezah (1972), Mili (1975), Chhoti Si Baat (1975) and Khoobsurat (1980).
Ashok Kumar's last film role was in the 1997 movie Aankhon Mein Tum Ho.
He passed away on 10th Dec 2001 at the age of 90 following a heart failure.
13th Oct is the Birthdate of Dada Muni, Ashok Kumar and unfortunately, it became the last day of Kishore Kumar, who passed away on this day. Dada Muni was born on 13 Oct 1911. He was an Iconic Actor of the 1940s and 50s. By 1947, he was the most bankable star of Hindi cinema and started producing films for Bombay Talkies. He was the eldest son of the Ganguli family. Kishore Kumar was the youngest among all. Kishore Kumar who was 18 years younger than Ashok Kumar. He was a lively child who was passionate about singing. He was especially obsessed with legendary singer and composer KL Saigal and learned music by imitating his style. Kishore had no formal training in music and Ashok Kumar, who was already a film star, discouraged him from taking up a playback career. He felt that Kishore’s voice lacked ‘modulation’, among other things. But Kishore was in no mood to hang up his boots.
It was in 1945 when Kishore Kumar was in Bombay living with Ashok Kumar, who that time shooting for Shikari gave him a small role in that film. However, Kishore disliked acting. His first few films flopped and then he decided to act so badly that nobody will cast him. Kishore’s decision to perform badly became his calling card and the audience’s started loving him for it. It was the 1951 release of Andolan, however, that propelled him to stardom as a singer-actor and ultimately freed him from the shadow of his brother Ashok. He was given break for singing by Khemchand Prakash for the 1948 film Ziddi, the song was “Marne ki duayen kyon mangu” The song was a hit but he didn't get many offers for singing.It was S D Burman who advised him not to imitate KL Saigal, sing in your own style. It was music director SD Burman who gave Kishore opportunities to sing in one movie after another beginning with Dev Anand’s hit films -- Munimji and Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah and Paying Guest (1957) and many more. Not only these movies became big hits but their songs too soared in popularity charts. Dev Anand’s own popularity scaled higher peaks while Kishore Kumar began to be recognized as Dev Anand’s voice. Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar acted together in many films.the first time they acted together in Bhai Bhai released in 1956.Ashok Kumar, who played the lead role and Kishore Kumar (real-life brothers) as the two brothers, with the film being referred to as one of Kishore Kumar's prominent films. In this film sang one song for himself "Mera Naam Abdul Rehman"
Both of them are considered to be one of India’s finest artists who have successfully entertained us. Talking about Ashok Kumar, he was an actor who ruled the silver screen whereas, Kishore Kumar’s melodious voice remains etched in our hearts to date, and maybe forever. Both the brothers were going great when destiny played a cruel game and one’s happy occasion, unfortunately, turned sad and unhappy for the other one. Kishore Kumar died on the birthday of Ashok Kumar in 1987, which shattered Ashok Kumar, he decided that he will never celebrate his birthday now and onwards. Ashok Kumar died 14 years later in 2001. Here are 5 Prominent films of both brothers working together Bhai Bhai 1956
Song of Bhai Bhai 1956
The story is of two brothers, with the younger brother running away from home at an early age. The older brother gets entangled with another woman, leaving his wife and child at home. This situation leads to the meeting of the brothers, with the older one mending his errant ways. Bandi (1957)
Song of Bandi (1957)
This is a 1957 film directed by Satyen Bose and had all three brothers Ashok, Kishore and Anoop coming together for the first time. Ashok Kumar as his educated elder brother has negative shades to his character. while Kishore played a simpleton. The confrontation scenes between Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar are superb especially in the end when they meet after 16 years. Raagini (1958)
Song of Ragini 1958
It is a 1958Bollywood film starring Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, and Padmini. Kishore sings "Main Bangali Chhokra" The film was an average.at Box office Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)-
Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)
The film featured the 3 brothers once again and Madhubala. The music was given by SD Burman and the Kishore sang most of the sings along with Asha Bhosle. The film was a huge success.
Door Ka Rahi (1971)
Song of Door Ka Rahi (1971)
The film was directed by Kishore Kumar himself who also wrote the film and featured Tanuja, Ashok Kumar and himself in major roles. The film strives to deliver a very strong message of humanity using the simplest possible language.
An actor who could capture all your attention in a single shot, a man who added glamour to Hindi film fraternity and promoted talents from all corners of the country, Ashok Kumar has ruled the silver screen and melted millions of hearts with his charismatic screen appearance and personality.He was the first superstar of Hindi cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor.
He never ever wanted to become an actor. He came to Bombay to become a director. Those days, actors were really looked down upon. They were believed to come from the lowest strata of society. So he joined Bombay Talkies as a technician. he worked in the camera department. Later, he was made a lab assistant." It was sheer fluke that he became an actor. He got the lead role in Jeevan Naiya (1936), a Bombay Talkies production. His first big hit was Achhut Kanya (1936), where he again paired with Devika Rani. The film was about a Brahmin boy falling in love with a girl from the 'untouchable' class. He was the first anti-hero of Indian cinema. Gyan Mukherjee's Kismet (1943) presented Ashok as a pickpocket who falls in love. This was the first film in Indian cinema that grossed at one crore rupees. So technically, Ashok Kumar was the one to set up the 'crore club'.
His rise to fame however rattled his parents. In an interview he said "My mother was certain that since I'd joined films, I would fall into bad ways. So without letting me know, she arranged my marriage. I didn't even see my wife before the wedding. Meeting your bride before marriage wasn't the done thing then".
Post Kismet, Ashok Kumar became the most bankable star of the era, delivering a succession of box office successes with movies like Chal Chal Re Naujawan (1944), Shikari (1946), Sajan (1947), Mahal (1949), Sangram (1950) and Samadhi (1950). He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including Ziddi (1948), which established the careers of Dev Anand and Pran,Later on he quit the Bombay Talkies and started Filmistan Studio with Shashdhar Mukharjee ,his desire to return to Bomaby Talkies was always there." He re bought Bombay Talkies in 1947. "Devika Rani had left by then. But the Talkies had fallen on bad days. The debts amounted to Rs 28 lakhs. We made movies like Majboor, Ziddi, Mahal and Mashal to repay the debts."
With the advent of the 1950s Ashok Kumar switched over to more mature roles, with the exception of the 1958 classic Howrah Bridge. Despite the arrival of a younger crop of stars like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar remained one of the stars of the era with hits like Afsana (1951), Nau Bahar (1952), Parineeta (1953), Bandish (1955) and EK Hi Raasta (1956). His most successful film of that era was Deedar (1951), in which he played second fiddle to Dilip Kumar.
Ashok Kumar played an important role in several landmark movies in the 1960s and 1970s, including Jewel Thief (1967), Aashirwad (1968) (for which he won a Filmfare Award as well as National Award in 1969), Purab aur Pashchim (1970), Pakeezah (1972), Mili (1975), Chhoti Si Baat (1975) and Khoobsurat (1980).
Ashok Kumar's last film role was in the 1997 movie Aankhon Mein Tum Ho.
. Altogether, he starred in over 275 films. He has done more than 30 Bengali dramas in Dhakuria.He was honored in 1988 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India and also received the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions to Indian cinema.
He died at the age of 90 in Mumbai on 10 December 2001 of heart failure at his residence in Chembur. The then Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee described him as "an inspiration... for many generations of aspiring actors.
An actor who could capture all your attention in a single shot, a man who added glamour to Hindi film fraternity and promoted talents from all corners of the country, Ashok Kumar has ruled the silver screen and melted millions of hearts with his charismatic screen appearance and personality.He was the first superstar of Hindi cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor. Ashok Kumar (13 October 1911 – 10 December 2001), born Kumudlal Ganguly and also fondly called Dadamoni,
His father, Kunjlal Ganguly, was a lawyer while his mother, Gouri Devi, was a home-maker. Kumudlal (as he was then known) was the eldest of four children. A couple of years younger to him was his only sister, Sati Devi, who was married at a very young age to Sashadhar Mukherjee and became the matriarch of a large "film family". More than fourteen years younger than Kumudlal was his next brother,Kalyan (b.1926), who later took the screen name Anoop Kumar, and youngest of all was Abhas (b.1929), whose screen name wasKishore Kumar and who became a phenomenally successful playback singer of Hindi films. It was the lure of cinema and the presence of his brother-in-law Sashadhar Mukherjee in a fairly senior position in Bombay Talkies which prompted Kumudlal Ganguly to move to Bombay (Mumbai) in the mid 1930s, where he started off as a laboratory assistant in Bombay Talkies, one of the biggest film studios of that era.
His introduction to films was purely an accident. He got the lead role in Jeevan Naiya (1936), a Bombay Talkies production. The film's hero Najmul Hassan had eloped with heroine Devika Rani, who happened to be the wife of studio head Himanshu Rai. Rai dismissed Hassan and signed lab assistants Ashok Kumar for the role.
His first big hit was Achhut Kanya (1936), where he again paired with Devika Rani. The film was about a Brahmin boy falling in love with a girl from the 'untouchable' class. He was the first anti-hero of Indian cinema. Gyan Mukherjee's Kismet (1943) presented Ashok as a pickpocket who falls in love. This was the first film in Indian cinema that grossed at one crore rupees. So technically, Ashok Kumar was the one to set up the 'crore club'.
Post Kismet, Ashok Kumar became the most bankable star of the era, delivering a succession of box office successes with movies like Chal Chal Re Naujawan (1944), Shikari (1946), Sajan (1947), Mahal (1949), Sangram (1950) and Samadhi (1950). He produced several films for Bombay Talkies during the final years of the company including Ziddi (1948), which established the careers of Dev Anand and Pran,
Song from Howrah Bridge 1958
With the advent of the 1950s Ashok Kumar switched over to more mature roles, with the exception of the 1958 classic Howrah Bridge. Despite the arrival of a younger crop of stars like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, Ashok Kumar remained one of the stars of the era with hits like Afsana (1951), Nau Bahar (1952), Parineeta (1953), Bandish (1955) and EK Hi Raasta (1956). His most successful film of that era was Deedar (1951), in which he played second fiddle to Dilip Kumar.
Song from bandini 1963
By the 1960s, Ashok Kumar switched over to character roles, variously playing the parent, uncle or grandparent, being careful never to be typecast. From a judge in Kanoon(1960), an aging freedom fighter in Bandini (1963), an aging priest in Chitralekha (1964), a vicious zamindar in Jawaab (1970) and a criminal in Victoria 203 (1971), he played a wide variety of roles.
Ashok Kumar played an important role in several landmark movies in the 1960s and 1970s, including Jewel Thief (1967), Aashirwad (1968) (for which he won a Filmfare Award as well as National Award in 1969), Purab aur Pashchim (1970), Pakeezah (1972), Mili (1975), Chhoti Si Baat (1975) and Khoobsurat (1980).
Song from Aashirwad 1968
. Altogether, he starred in over 275 films. He has done more than 30 Bengali dramas in Dhakuria.He was honoured in 1988 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India and also received the Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions toIndian cinema.
Ashok Kumar became a familiar face on television screens in the 1980s when he started anchoring India's first soap opera Hum Log.
Ashok Kumar's last film role was in the 1997 movie Aankhon Mein Tum Ho. Besides acting, he was an avid painter and a practitioner of homeopathy. A qualified homoeopath, Ashok Kumar earned a reputation for conjuring up miracle cures.
Ashok Kumar died at the age of 90 in Mumbai on 10 December 2001 of heart failure at his residence in Chembur. The then Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee described him as "an inspiration... for many generations of aspiring actors.
Songs from Ashok Kumar's Films
Song from Achhut Kanya 1936
Original Ek Chatur Naar from Jhula 1941
Original song Koi Hamdam Na Raha from Jeewan Naiya 1936
Song from Kismet 1943
Song from Chal Chal Re Naujawan 1944
Nazar kuchh aaj aisa aa raha hai (Najma)(1943) Singers-Mumtaz,Ashok Kumar,
Mera man kho gaya hai from Naya Sansaar 1941 AUDIO only
A funny Song from (Aasheerwaad)(1968) Singers-Harindranath Chattopadhyay, Ashok Kumar, Lyrics-Harindranath Chattopadhyay, MD-Vasant Desai
