JAGDEEP-Soorma Bhopali of Sholay

Jagdeep the comedian of Golden Era started his film career as a child artist extra in B. R. Chopra's Afsana, then went on to do films as a child artist in films like Ab Dilli Door Nahin, K. A. Abbas's Munna, Guru Dutt's Aar Paar, Bimal Roy's Do Bigha Zamin and AVM's Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke. After Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke, he received various accolades and high praise for his roles. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru has gifted his personal staff to Jagdeep for his stellar performance in Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke.

Still from Do Beegha Zameen

He was launched as a leading man by AVM in the films Bhabhi, Barkha and Bindaya, and went on to do a few more films as a leading man.Later on he established himself as a comedian.His role of Soorma Bhopali of Sholay will always be in the mind of cinema lovers.
He was born on  29 March 1939 in M P.,At the age of 6 his mother brought him to Bombay where his cousin brother was already settled.He had a very poor childhood and couldn't complete his schooling.He started selling soap and combs for living. even sold kites,One day an unknown person offered him work as an extra for BR Chopra's Afsana for which he was offered Rs 6 per day.After that he played the role of young Kishore Kumar in Dhobi Doctor.This role was appreciated by Bimal Roy who took him for his next Classic film Do Beegha Zameen.After that he was offered a children's film, Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke, for which the then prime minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, honoured him and the other artistes.
That year proved to be a milestone in Jagdeep's young life. All the films nominated for the best children's film category -- Raj Kapoor's Ab Dilli Door Nahin, K A Abbas' Munna and AVM's Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke -- had a common factor, Jagdeep. 

Jagdeep in Bhabhi

He was launched as a leading man by AVM in the films Bhabhi, Barkha and Bindaya, and went on to do a few more films as a leading man.He played hero in five films, opposite heroines like Nanda (Bhabhi), Azra, Amita and Naaz.  He established himself as a comedian since the movie Brahmachari.
He appeared in more than 400 films. He is especially known for his comic roles. He played Soorma Bhopali in Sholay (1975), Machchar in Purana Mandir (1984), Salman Khan's dad in Andaz Apna Apna (1994) 
He is also known for his appearances in many horror movies, especially in projects of the Ramsay Brothers. He appeared in famous hits like Purana Mandir.
 Some hit songs are picturised on him like "Paas baitho tabiyat bahal jayegi" from Punarmilan, "In pyar ki rahon mein" from the same film, "Chal ud ja re Panchhi" and "Chali Chali re Patang", from the superhit movie Bhabhi, where he is paired opposite Nanda, and "Aa Gaye Yaaro Jeene Ke Din" from Phir Wohi Raat.

Song from Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke (1957) 

Song from Bhabhi 1957

Song from Bhabhi 1957

Song from  Barkha (1959

Song from Punarmilan 1964

Song from Punarmilan 1964

Song from Khilona 1970

Song from Phir Wohi Raat.1980

The Charismatic Child Stars Of Bollywood

There were many charismatic child artists of screen who captured our attention with their charm, smiles and infectious personalities. Their performances have brought so much joy into our lives, we  still remember them even they have grown old or died.The early years of Hindi cinema saw some of the super stars of later years playing as child stars. 

Meena Kumari as Child Artist

Madhubala as Child Artist

Baby Nanda

Leading heroines of Golden Era such as Nargis ,Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nanda started their career as child artist but they became stars only after becoming heroines in films.Neetu Singh also started as Child artist and she became a child star with the release of Do Kaliyan in 1968. Before that she appeared in Suraj(1966) and Dus Lakh (1966).Some of the other  known films as child artist were Waris(1969).Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani(1970) and Pavitra Paapi (1970)

Song from Do Kaliyan 1968

There were many artists who became big stars when they were child but were not clicked when they grew old to become Hero or Heroine the only exception was Neetu Singh from Baby sonia.

Daisy and Honey Irani

Honey Irani

The Irani sisters, Daisy Irani and Honey Irani, became household names and the films, which had both these sisters, fetched the biggest openings.  These two sisters were enjoying the star status in that era.Stories were re written to include them in the film or their roles were increased in the film.

                             Scene from Ek Hi Rasta (1956) - Daisy Irani & Ashok Kumar

Their most important films of that era were Bandish ,Jaagte Raho,Bhai Bhai Naya Daur.Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan,Bombay Ka Chor.Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke, Musafir, Sahara, Quedi No. 9211, Duniya Na Mane, Do Ustad, Dhool Ka Phool, Soorat Aur Seerat and Chandi Ki Diwar.

Song from Masoom 1960

Another equally popular child star was Baby Tabassum who first faced the camera at the age of three as a child actor with Mera Suhaag (1947), Manjhdhar (1947),Nargis (1947) and Bari Behen (1949). Later in Deedar (1951), directed by Nitin Bose, she played the childhood role of Nargis; the hit song Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena sung by Lata Mangeshkar was picturised on her.Also in the same year, she appeared in another important film Baiju Bawra (1951) directed by Vijay Bhatt, where she appeared in the childhood role of Meena Kumari

Baby Tabassum with Dev Anand

This song from Sangram is Picturized on child Shashi Kapoor and Baby Tabassum

Song from Sangram 1950

Baby Naaz and master Rattan were another two child artists who came to limelight after Raj Kapoor's Boot Polish. Baby Naaz  worked with leading directors in outstanding films. These included Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Musafir, Bimal Roy’s Devdas, K A Abbas’ Munna and the Nargis-Balraj Sahni starrer, Lajwanti.

Baby Naaz

Song from Boot Polish

Master Rattan Kumar  became the most-sought-after child-actor in India in the 1950s after his initial success in 1952. After the popular Indian movie Jagriti(1954), Ratan Kumar migrated to Pakistan in 1956, with his family, and remade the movie into Bedari (1957).Some of his famous films were Afsana,Baiju Bawra and Angarey.

Song from Jagriti(1954)

Another Child star emerged in 1962 with the release of Main Chup Rahungi,Some of his known films were Sehra(1963),Mujhe Jeene Do (1963),Sant Gyaneshwar (1964) and Purnima(1965)

Song from Main Chup Rahungi  1962

Another child star emerged in late 60s was Jr Mrhmood.He became a household name after the release of Brahmchari.Remember the hilarious dance act on 'Hum kaale hain toh kya hua dilwale hain...' from the movie 'Brahmachari'? He ruled millions of hearts and received a lot of accolades from the industry. Interestingly, the name Junior Mehmood was given to him by Mehmood.Some of his important films were Do Raste (1969),Bachpan(1970) ,Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970),Aan Milo Sajna (1971)and Caravan (1971)

Song from Brahamchari 1968

The Child Star of the 70s was Master Raju.With Gulzar's Parichay in 1972 he came into limelight,the same year he appeared in Bawarchi.After that in  Yash Chopra's Daag: A Poem of Love (1973) , Basu Chatterjee's Chitchor (1976) and Gulzar's Kitaab (1977) he became the most sought after child artist of Bollywood. He won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist for his role in Chitchor (1976).Over the years he has acted in around 200 films .

Song from Kitaab 1977

Sarika started her film career as a child actor at the age of 4.Her most notable and popular appearance as a child artist was in the year 1967 in the musical superhit Hamraaz, where she was seen as the daughter of Vimi named baby/saarika. She appeared in many children's movies. Later, her most known films as child star were Satyakam,(1969),Jyoti,Balak both in 1969, Devi in 1970 and Haar Jeet(1972).She moved on to films with Rajshri Productions Geet Gaata Chal with Sachin, with whom she starred in many Hindi and Marathi films.

Song from Balak 1969

In the 80s with Masoom of Shekher Kapoor emerged two Child Stars Urmila Matondkar and  Jugal Hansraj both of them later actedas hero and heroine after growing up.Urmila Matondkar came with hit movies like Rangeela as heroine opposite Aamir Khan 

Song from Masoom 1983

Today's hero Kunal Khemu started as child star from the film Ham Hain Rahi Pyar Ke followed by Raja Hindustani and Zakhm for which he won National Award as Child Artist.Another child star made it big is Ayesha Kapoor who played Rani Mukharjee's child role in Black and also Munni of Bajrangi Bhaijan played by Harshaali Malhotra became popular among the people.

Another Little Star Twinkled in Bollywood was Harsheel in Tare Zameen Par.These little Stars have been mesmerizing the audience since the beginning of Bollywood Films and will forever be shining. 

MADHUBALA-Whose Life Was Just As Tragic As Anarkali’s

Madhubala (February 14, 1933 - February 23, 1969) the woman who was born on Valentine's Day and became India's sweetheart struggled to find true love all through her life is one of the most gorgeous actresses to have graced the screens of Bollywood.Madhubala is an epitome of beauty, who had an unbeatable charm. She is admired for her looks and work even by the present day generations.
At a tender age of 9, Madhubala, then known as Mumtaz Begum, was signed in for the film Basant in 1942. It was only a matter of time that Madhubala shot to fame and her work in the 1949 film Mahal got her the success she rightfully deserved. She was just 16.
Her life was full of struggle,when she was 9 as her father lost his job. She was one of five children in the family and her earnings helped the family to survive hard times.  Her first film as child artist was Basant (1942), was a box-office success.As a child actress she went on to play in several movies. Actress Devika Rani was impressed by her performance and potential, and advised her to assume the screen name 'Madhubala'.
By the time she turned 14, Madhubala was playing the leading lady (in ‘Neel Kamal’) with Raj Kapoor in 1947.

It was in 1954 when the gorgeous Madhubala was shooting for SS Vasan’s film Bahut Din Huwe and during the shooting, she vomited blood, reportedly, for the very first time. She resumed shooting soon after being treated and everybody presumed that she was perfectly alright until she fainted while shooting with Raj Kapoor for the 1957 film Chalack. 
It was diagnosed that she had a serious condition of cyanosis and poor oxygen perfusion, colloquially referred to as a “hole in the heart”. And it’s our collective loss that during that time, the medical community’s understanding of the condition was in its infancy and there was no available treatment.
On the one hand, she was fighting for her life and doing justice to her art, and on the other, she was traversing and struggling with her personal life. Madhubala was engaged to the legendary actor Dilip Kumar. However, their relationship reportedly went south because Madhubala’s father wasn't happy with it.

Madhubala left Dilip Sahab soon after and subsequently, married Kishore Kumar. Well, things were looking up for her but the doctors soon informed her that she won’t live for long. The tragedy only deepened with Kishore Kumar buying her a house in Mumbai, only to leave her alone.

In 1960, Madhubala was at the peak of her career and popularity with the release of Mughal-e-Azam and Barsaat Ki Raat. She did have intermittent releases in the early 1960s. Some of these, like Jhumroo (1961), Half Ticket (1962) and Sharabi (1964).Her last film released was Jwala in 1971.
Isn’t it ironical that the beautiful and charming leading heroine of Indian films, who was growing into a vibrant and serene actor, accumulating recognition around the world, was also slowly and simultaneously degenerating into a fragile being, who’s plight was only known to a few.
Another tragedy was that She acted in 70 films but most of her films were flops.Only 15 films were hit,still she was the most saught after heroine of her time.but another irony was that she spent her last days in depression and loneliness. What was once the most beautiful face to ever grace the silver screen, full of freshness, vibrancy and youth, was left alone to perish.
She succumbed to her illness on February 23rd, 1969, and passed away, leaving behind a timeless remembrance, full of beauty, grit and ‘feathers’.
Best Of Madhubala's Song

Song from Mahal 1949

Song from Amar 1954

Song from Mr. & Mrs. '55 1955

Song from Kala Pani 1958

Song from Howrah Bridge 1958

Song from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi 1958

Song from Barsaat Ki Raat 1960

Song from Mughal-e-Azam 1960

Nanda- One of the highest paid actresses of her time.

Nanda, who has done some unforgettable work in Bollywood and has given films like like Hum Dono, ‘Dhool Ka Phool’, ‘Dulhan’, ‘Bhabhi’, ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’, ‘Gumnaam’, ‘Shor’, ‘Parineeta’, and ‘Prem Rog’ was one of the highest paid actresses of her time. She was the second highest paid Hindi actress along-with Nutan from 1960-1965 and second highest paid Hindi actress in 1966-1969 along-with Nutan and Waheeda 
She was born on 8th Jan1939 at Kolhapur. Maharashtra.She was eight years old when her father died.She became a child actress, helping her family by working in films.She made her debut with Mandir in 1948.she was a child actor from 1948 to 1956. She was first recognized as "Baby Nanda". In the films like Mandir, Jaggu, Angaarey, and Jagriti.

It was  the renowned film producer-director V. Shantaram who was her maternal uncle gave Nanda a big break by casting her in a successful brother-sister saga; Toofan Aur Diya (1956).She played supporting roles initially,  She received her first Filmfare Award nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Bhabhi(1957). She played second lead in Dhool Ka Phoo and was in Kala Bazar as Dev Anand'sister.

She became a lead heroine with the 1959 film Chhoti Behen,The movie was a big hit, making her a star.She then played lead roles, such as one of Dev Anand's heroines in Hum Dono (1961) and Teen Deviyan. Both films were acclaimed as hits. 

She was the heroine in B.R. Chopra's Kanoon (1960), She signed eight films with Shashi Kapoor at a time when he was yet to become successful in Hindi Cinema. Their earlier two films  Char Diwari (1961) and Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath (1962) were flop but she continued to work with him till Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) released.The film was a hit,she played a westernised role for the first time and it helped her image.They became a successful screen pair.They gave many hit films like Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965),Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966), Raja Saab (1969) and Rootha Na Karo (1970).

The year 1965 was lucky year for her,she gave hit films like Gumnam and Teen Deviyan beside  Jab Jab Phool Khile.
She signed with new leading man Rajesh Khanna in the songless suspense thriller Ittefaq (1969), for which she received a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress and which became successful at the box office. After Khanna became a super-star, he signed two more films with her; the thriller The Train (1970) and the comedy Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972) which became hits. Jeetendra, too, had some hit films with her such as Parivar and Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke, with Sanjay Khan, she had a hit in Beti and Abhilasha, 

She did a small role in Manoj Kumar's Shor (1972), Nanda did a few more critically acclaimed films such as Chhalia (1973) and Naya Nasha (1974), which flopped, and she then stopped acting. In 1982, she came back with three successful films, all coincidentally having her play Padmini Kolhapure's mother in Ahista Ahista, Mazdoor and Raj Kapoor's Prem Rog. Then she permanently retired.In 1992, a middle-aged Nanda became engaged to director Manmohan Desai at the urging of Rehman. But he died before they get married.
Nanda remained un married till she died.She died in Mumbai on 25 March 2014 at her Versova residence, aged 75, following a heart attack.

Song from Toofan Aur Diya 1956

Song from Bhabhi (1957)

Song from Chhoti Bahen (1959)

Song from Usne Kaha Tha (1960)

Song from Aanchal (1960)

Song from Nartakee 1963 

Song from Gumnaam (1965)

Song from Teen Devian (1965)

Song from Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965)

Song from Dharti Kahe Pukarke (1969)

Song from The Train 1970

Song from Woh Din Yaad Karo (1971)

Song from Shor (1972)

The journey of singing great Noor Jehan in Bollywood

Noor Jehan began to sing at the age of five and showed a keen interest in a range of styles, including traditional folk and popular theatre. Realising her potential for singing, her mother sent her to receive early training in classical singing under Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan. He instructed her in the traditions of the Patiala Gharana of Hindustani classical music and the classical forms of thumri, dhrupad, and khayal.
At the age of nine, Noor Jehan drew the attention of Punjabi musician Ghulam Ahmed Chishti, who would later introduce her to the stage in Lahore.She had a desire to act in films at that age.Theatre owner Diwan Sardari Lal took the small girl to Calcutta in early 1930s and the entire family moved to Calcutta.Here in Calcutta she got her new stage name Baby Noor Jehan. 

Still from Heer-Sayyal 

In 1935, K.D. Mehra directed the Punjabi movie Pind di Kuri in which Noor Jehan acted along with her sisters and sang the Punjabi song "Langh aja patan chanaan da o yaar", which became her earliest hit. She then acted in a film called Missar Ka Sitara (1936) by the same company and sang in it for music composer Damodar Sharma. Jehan also played the child role of Heer in the film Heer-Sayyal (1937). One of her popular songs from that period "Shala jawaniyan maney" is from Dalsukh Pancholi's Punjabi film Gul Bakawli (1939). All these Punjabi movies were made in Calcutta.

She  returned to Lahore in 1938. In 1939, renowned music director Ghulam Haider composed songs for Jehan which led to her early popularity, and he thus became her early mentor.It was in 1942 she got a film Khandan as an adult heroine role,in this film Pran the legendary villain was her hero. The success of Khandaan saw her shifting to Bombay, with director Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi. She shared melodies with Shanta Apte in Duhai(1943). It was in this film that Jehan lent her voice for the second time, to another actress named Husn Bano. She married Rizvi later the same year.
After taking the role of leading lady in Nadan (1943), she was presented with second lead in Naukar (1943) while Shobana Samarth (Indian film actress Nutan's mother) played the heroine opposite Chandramohan. Dost (1944), directedby Rizvi, had the extremely gifted Motilal as the leading man opposite Noor Jehan, with Rizvi (who was now her husband) playing her brother in the film. It was in this film that Noor Jehan lent her voice for the first time to another actress, Husn Bano. It was in Lal Haveli (1944) that Noor Jehan starred opposite singing star Surendra Nath for the first time (they later made the all time classic Anmol Ghadi (1946)). Lal Haveli (1944) was also notable for the fact that Meena Kumari, then a child star, acted as the young Noor Jehan.

The year 1945 was a turning point for Noor Jehan. In Master Vinayak's Badi Maa (1945) she played lead with "Baby Lata Mangeshkar" and "Baby Asha Mangeshkar" in supporting roles. 
The year 1945 also brought Noor Jehan her first superhit in Bombay, Zeenat (1945). It was her inimitable rendition of "Bulbulo Mat Ro Yahan" that gained her the title Malka-e-Tarranum, Queen of Melody. 
In 1946 Noor Jehan acted in the enduring classic Anmol Ghadi (1946).The songs like 'Awaz De Kahan Hai', 'Jawan Hai Mohabbat', 'Mere Bachpan Ke Saathi', 'Aaja Meri Barbad Mohabbat' and 'Kya Mil Gaya Bhagwan' composed by Naushad to make her the undisputed queen of films.

Noorjehan in Jugnu

The year 1947 saw the release of Jugnu.She starred with Dilip Kumar in this film that time Dilip Kumar was an upcoming star.In this film Mohammad Rafi sang his first duet with Noorjehan "Yahan Badla Wafa Ka Bewafai Ke Siva Kya Hai".This song gave popularity to Mohammad Rafi.
Unfotunately the year also saw the partition of the country,Noorjehan opted to leave the country. 
Noor Jehan's last film in India was Mirza Sahiban (1947) which starred Prithviraj Kapoor's brother Trilok Kapoor. Many of the songs were hits like 'Aaja Tujhe Afsana Judaai Ka Sunaye' and the duet with G M Durrani 'Haath Seene Pe Jo Rakh Do To Qarar Aaye'.

Song from Khandaan 1942

Song from Zeenat 1945

Song from  Badi Maa 1945

Song from Anmol Ghadi 1946

Song from Anmol Ghadi 1946

Song from  Jugnu 1947

Song from Mirza Sahiban (1947)

Song from Mirza Sahiban (1947)