The Rise and Fall of Iconic Studios and Banners of Bollywood

A Film Studio is an organisation and a place where artists, technicians, laboratory, sound studio, film sets, editing all present under one roof. Initially, cinema was run by the individuals but gradually studio system emerged in India. Prabhat Studio was the first Hindi film studio of India. It was established in 1929.
It made twenty-five films in its 15 years long journey. Those days all the artists were employed by the studios and were given salary. Some of the big names like V Shantaram, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Durga Khote were the product of this studio.

Prabhat Films Logo

Song of Hum Ek Hain 1946

In 1931 came up B N Sircar's New Studio in Calcutta. This studio made 165 films over a span of 25 years. K L Saigal and Bimal Roy were the product of this studio.  Another studio the Wadia Movietone was established in 1933 by the Wadia brothers J. B. H. Wadia and Homi Wadia, who were most known for Hunterwali (1935).  

Song of Jeevan Naiya 1936

In 1935 Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai started Bombay Talkies. They made 102 films and introduced stars like Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand.

Rajkamal Kalamandir

Song of Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955),

V Shantaram who was with Prabhat studio started his own studio Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942.It defied the star system and concentrated more on music, drama and new techniques It made both Hindi and Marathi films. It was best known for Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959) and Pinjra (1972). In its heyday, Rajkamal was one of the most sophisticated studios of the country.

Song of Mother India 1957

In 1943 another iconic Studio started, it was Mehboob Studio which gave us Mother India. It had made hits such as Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Andaz (1949). Guru Dutt shot his iconic Kaagaz Ke Phool here, and actor-director Dev Anand shot many of his movies under the Navketan Films banner here, starting with Hum Dono and followed by Guide; he even maintained an office at the studio complex for 20 years.

Song of Munimji 1955

In 1943 came Filmistan Studio by Shasdhar Mukherjee which changed the face of Hindi Cinema. It was based in Goregaon, Mumbai. Spread over five acres, near Patkar College on SV road, the studio has seven shooting floors and a temple and garden for outdoor locations. Filmistan produced a number of successful hit movies in the 1940s and 1950s, including hits such as Shaheed (1948), Shabnam (1949) and Sargam (1950) and successful films such as Anarkali (1953) and Nagin (1954). Other notable films were Jagriti (1954), which won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956, and also Munimji (1955), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) and Paying Guest (1957).

Song of Barsaat 1949

In 1948 established R K Studio by Raj Kapoor. The studio occupied nearly two acres of land in the Mumbai suburb of Chembur. The studio's main building was constructed in the early 1950s. Raj Kapoor’s cottage was behind this building where he often organized small intimate meetings and functions.After the commercial failure of the studio's first venture, Aag (1948), it found success with Barsaat (1949). After this success, the company's logo was drawn to imitate the poster of Barsaat. Successful films such as Awaara (1951), Boot Polish, Jagte Raho and Shri 420 followed. Awaara was particularly successful, not just in India, but all over the world. Many R.K. Films movies featured Kapoor opposite actress Nargis.

On 16 September 2017, RK studio has caught fire and collapsed as of now. A massive fire broke out in the studio during the shoot of a television reality show and the studio was engulfed in fire.

The Kapoor family has decided to sell the iconic RK Films and Studios, which was built by legendary actor Raj Kapoor nearly 70 years ago, due to growing losses.

Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Navketan Films is a film production house based in Mumbai, India. Started in 1949 by actor-director and producer Dev Anand and his elder brother Chetan Anand, The first film under this banner was Afsar released in 1950 Since then 32 films were made under this banner. The last film was Chargesheet in 2011.

Song of Madhumati 1958

In 1953 came Bimal Roy Production. Under this banner, many great films were made. The first film under this banner was Do Beegha Zamin in 1953, Devdas (1955), Madhumati(1958), Sujata(1960), Bandhini(1963) and many more.

Song of Pyaasa 1957

In 1954 Guru Dutt Films was established. The first film Aar Paar was released in 1954. Guru Dutt not only produced, directed but also acted in the film. This was followed by the 1955 hit, Mr. & Mrs. '55, then C.I.D., Sailaab and in 1957, Pyaasa His 1959 Kaagaz Ke Phool was an intense disappointment.Later in 1960 came Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam  in 1962 were remarkable.

Song of  Naya Daur 1957

 In 1955, B R Chopra formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was Ek hi Raasta which was highly successful followed it up with Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit.His subsequent releases like Kanoon, Gumrah, Humraaz were major hits in the sixties.

In 1961 Nasir Hussain Films started. The musical hits like Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne(1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Caravan (1971), Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973), and Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) came under this banner.

Song of Kabhie Kabhie 1976

YRF was founded by Yash Raj Chopra, a veteran of the Indian film industry, in 1970. Yash Chopra started out as an assistant to his elder brother, B.R.Chopra, and went on to direct five films for his brother's banner - B.R. Films. YRF controls almost every part of the value chain from production to post-production, domestic and international distribution, music, home entertainment, marketing, design, digital, licensing, merchandising, talent management, brand partnerships, music studios and film studios - all in-house facilities. YRF has its own fully integrated studio that houses shooting stages and sound studios and is headquartered in Mumbai. After the death of founder Yash Chopra in 2012, his son Aditya Chopra took over as Chairman and Managing Director of the company.

Teen Deviyan - A Film way ahead of its time.

Teen Deviyan was released in 1965. That was the era when ideal Hindi film heroes were largely variants of epic heroes Ram and Yudhishtir but here Dev Anand romancing with three heroines. The movie panders to the male ego as the three attractive women throwing themselves at Dev while he gently keeps stepping aside. The women want him but they were also willing to move on if it doesn't work.
Teen Devian starts off to a commentary by Ameen Sayani, as the camera moves through Calcutta's streets, the pretty Nanda (Nanda) finds herself, as she sees it, being followed. She even sees this man following her to the house where she visits. At this point, Nanda loses her temper and yells at Dev, threatening to call the police. The house owner clears the misunderstanding. After some time they fell in love.

Dev  Anand plays Dev Dutt who is a salesman in a music store in Calcutta. He also writes poems. One day he comes across a celebrated actress Kalpana (Kalpana) to whom he proves in their first confrontation that he is not overwhelmed by glamorous women and does not allow them to dominate him. In the course of a series of meetings, Kalpana also starts liking Dev.

The third Devi(heroine) comes to his life in the form of Radha Rani (Simmi), a socialite who is intelligent and an ardent music lover. Torn between his three beloveds, Dev has a tormented life which is a mixture of uncertainties, pathos and restlessness. He ultimately opts for the simple middle-class Nanda in whom he finds his real love and life partner.
Dev Anand as Dev Dutt is confident, smart and looks divine in his urban costumes many of which became trendsetters of that period. 

The highlight of the film is its music. The lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri tuned to immortality by S.D. Burman. All the six songs, “Aise To Na Dekho”, “Likha Hai Teri”, “Are Yaar Meri”, “Khwab Ho Ya”, “Kaye Be Khayal Hoke” and “Kitni Sardi” rendered by Mohammad Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle are super hits, well conceived and picturised. All the songs are listened and watched even now and create the same euphoria as at the time of its release. 

Teen Deviyan despite of great music and Dev Anand is at his peak was an average earner in Box Office. The reason being, it was given A certificate and was in Black & White, that time colour films were attraction The film was released on 1st Jan 1965

Song of Teen Deviyan 1965

Song of Teen Deviyan 1965

Song of Teen Deviyan 1965

Song of Teen Deviyan 1965

Song of Teen Deviyan 1965

The Lengthiest Songs of Hindi Cinema

Generally, a Hindi film song is of 3 to 4-minute duration but there are many songs which are more than 6-7 minutes long. The title song in the movie 'Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon' (by the same name) is one of the longest Hindi film songs. The song is around 15 minutes and is shown in a couple of instalments (sung by various singers) in the film.
The most obvious category where most of the songs are typically long is the qawwali. Probably the most famous, and my most favourite, qawwali of all time is the one from Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) - the mother of all filmi qawwalis. Running for more than 12 minutes, the words, the music and the singing all come together brilliantly. Another Qawwalli, Humein to loot liya mil ke husn waalon ne from the film Al Hilal (1958) was of 11 minutes.

Song of   Al Hilal (1958)

Song of  Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) 

Beside Qawwali there are many genres where long songs were created.  There have been several instances in Hindi films where a number of songs that appear separately in the audio releases, are filmed as a single unit i.e as a medley of multiple songs. In some cases, such a medley is used to show the simultaneous state of mind of different characters. Nasir Hussain the famous producer-director of the Golden Era who had this fascination of Medleys to show competition between various characters. Remember the songs of Yadon Ki Baarat, Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin etc.

Song of Yadon Ki Baarat 1973

Song of  Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin 1977

Apart from medleys, single long songs have also been used in films to narrate a story. One the longest songs ever filmed in Hindi films is from Rani Aur Lal Pari (1975). The sequence tells the story of Cinderella in the form of a song running for more than 20 minutes. More often than not, such songs are only meant for watching and have virtually no audio-only appeal.

Song of  Rani Aur Lal Pari (1975)

Many films feature really long songs with the primary aim of showcasing the dancing prowess of the lead characters. Such songs typically have long instrumental passages. Here is one song from Raj Tilak (1958) where two exceptional dancers are pitted against each other as a sort of competition.

Song of  Raj Tilak (1958)

Similarly, multilingual songs are often used in films to depict national integration and many times, such songs end up being quite long. Like, for example, this song from Pyar Ki Pyaas(1961)…and also from Teen Batti Chaar Rasta (1953) where family members from various regions of India sing praises of their respective regions through a medley of songlets in different languages.

Song of  Pyar Ki Pyaas(1961)

Song of Teen Batti Chaar Rasta (1953) 

Song of Bawarchi 1972

Recently in Half Girlfriend a long song was picturised Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga sung by Arijit Singh and Shradha Kapoor. Here I am posting a few songs which are over 8 minutes long.
 

Song of Guide 1965

Song of Maine Pyaar Kiya 1989

Song of  Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994)

Song of Border 1997

Song of Hum Saath Saath Hain 1999

Song of Mohabbatein 2000

Song of  Mujhse Dosti Karoge 2002

Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon

Song of L O C Kargil 2003

Song of  Shaandaar 2015

50 Years of Padosan (1968)

The title “Padosan”  brings a smile to every face. Produced by Mahmood and N.C. Sippy, the film is one of the best entertainers of all times. The film that immortalises Kishore Kumar and Mehmood as master entertainers. The film is also known for the behind-the-scenes rivalry in the song, “Ek Chatur Naar”, between Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar. The film was released on 29 th Nov 1968 and was a super hit. It is among the Top 50 classics of Hindi Cinema.
The film was based on a Bengali story, ‘Pasher bari' (next-door neighbour) written by Arun Chowdhury and adapted in Bengali in 1952, in Telugu as “Pakkinti Ammayi” in 1953, in Tamil as “Adutta Veetu Penn” in 1960 and again in Telugu as “Pakkinti Ammayi” in 1981. 
The film was  Directed by Jyoti Swaroop. The movie stars Sunil Dutt and Saira Banu in lead roles. Kishore Kumar, Mukri, Raj Kishore and Keshto Mukherjee played the supporting roles. Mehmood as the South Indian musician and rival to Sunil Dutt is among the highlights of the film. It was considered one of the best comedy movies made in Hindi film history. Mehmood's portrayal of a south Indian music teacher was one of his noted performances and a key highlight of the film. Kishore Kumar's character of a comical theatre director was also well received.
The music of the film was composed by Rahul Dev Burman and the lyrics were written by Rajendra Krishan.R.D. Burman's hit music gave us all-time great songs like “Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein” (Kishore Kumar) and “Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar” (Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar) not to forget “Main Chali Main Chali”, “Sharm Aati Hai Magar”, “Bhai Batur” (all Lata Mangeshkar), “Bindu Re Bindu” and “Kahna Hai Tumse Ye Pahli Baar” (both Kishore Kumar).

Padosan is a story of a simpleton named Bhola (Sunil Dutt) who falls in love with his neighbour Bindu (Saira Banu). To impress her he wants to sing to her. However, he isn't a good singer and so seeks the help of his friend, Guru (Kishore Kumar). Guru, a famous singer, agrees to help his friend.

To impress Bindu, Guru sings in the background and Bhola mouths the words. Bindu is charmed by what she thinks is Bhola's singing. They become friends and fall in love. Bindu has a music teacher named Master Pillai/Masterji (Mehmood) who is also in love with her and keeps proposing to her. Bindu loves Bhola and hence refuses Masterji.
One day Bindu finds out about Bhola's lie. She decides to marry Masterji instead. Bhola thinks of a way to get Bindu back. So on the wedding day, Guru gets an idea. He makes Bhola pretend to have committed suicide.
Guru goes and tells the news to Bindu. She is shocked. She leaves her wedding altar and runs to Bhola. She reads the note and starts to repent. Bindu then tries to wake Bhola up. Bhola wakes up and Bindu is delighted. She tells Masterji that she wants to marry Bhola and he agrees. Bhola and Bindu get married. 
With brilliant performances and enduring songs, “Padosan” can be watched any number of times. 

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

The Great Bollywood Songs in Disguise

There are many situations in Hindi films where the hero comes in disguise to the heroine's house or vice versa. Sometimes the hero comes in disguise to kill the villain and his henchmen? And the dumb villain enjoys the song thoroughly. No wonder, with such low IQ they all get killed in the end.
There are many songs where the hero is in disguise of a girl or girls in disguise of a man, sometimes hero in disguise teasing the heroine. Many such song situations have given us many hit songs.
The first song in my list is from Jaali Note (1960)

Song of Jaali Note (1960)

Song of Kohinoor (1960)

Song of Half Ticket (1962) 

Song of Dil Hi To Hai (1963)

Song of Bluffmaster 1963

Song of Aarzoo (1965)

Song of Pyaar Kiye Jaa 1966

Song of Kismet (1968)

Song of Aankhen (1968)

Song of Jaane Anjaane (1971)

Song of Apna Desh (1972) 

Song of Anokhee Ada 1973

Song of Dharma 1973

Song of Amir Garib 1974

Song of “Rafoo Chakkar” (1975)

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)

Song of Lawaris 1981

Baazi- The Film that was a trendsetter and gave Bollywood many Legends

There are some films which are iconic, Navketan's Baazi released in 1951 is also such film which gave the Hindi Film Industry many legends. The film is notable for two reasons: first, being the directorial debut of Guru Dutt and second, it was the film which inspired many urban crime thrillers in the fifties. This was the second film of Dev Anand's production house Navketan Films, and as per a commitment was given by Dev Anand to Guru Dutt in their days of struggle, the movie was directed by Guru Dutt.

The movie begins with hands being shown gambling, just in case if we viewers missed the point. A look at the credits makes you feel that the ‘who is who’ of the remaining years of the 50s are represented there. First of all this film gave us the Star Dev Anand who in the years to come to become the Style Icon of Bollywood. The second person to become Legendary Director of Bollywood was Guru Dutt.the third legend in making was S D Burman the great composer of Golden Era of Bollywood. Next legendary personality was Kalpna Kartik who later married Dev Anand made her debut with this film.

Kalpana Kartik in Baazi

S D Burman

 Balraj Sahni, who had just returned after a stint with the BBC was entrusted with the story, screenplay and dialogues. Zohra Sehgal was brought in to choreograph the dance sequences. A young poet named Sahir Ludhianvi was given a chance to pen lyrics for the songs who later became a Legendary Lyricist and poet. 

Sahir

Raj Khosla served as an assistant director who became a legendary Director. A bus conductor who Sahni had seen entertaining passengers was called in for a cameo, to play a drunkard, and while the film credits him by his real name Badruddin, after Baazi, the world knew him as Johnny Walker.

The other Legendary personalities were the Cinematographers V Ratra and his assistant V K Murthy who gave memorable cinematography of all Guru Dutt’s films, (including Pyaasa, Sahib Bibi aur Ghulamand Kagaz ke Phool) has earned Murthy a place in the history of Hindi cinema. He was awarded a ‘lifetime achievement award’ by the Indian International Film Academy in 2008. This came as belated recognition by the Bombay film industry for the contribution made to its evolution by technicians such as V.K. Murthy.  

V K Murthy

 In his autobiography Romancing with Life, Devsaab reminisces: “Baazi gave me an image that stayed in the minds of people, and made a genuine star out of me. For the first time, I felt and saw what stardom was in terms of adulation and fan following. I became a phenomenon after the release of Baazi.”
Songs of Baazi 1951