Showing posts with label comedian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label comedian. Show all posts

Thursday 4 February 2021

Bhagwan Dada- His Signature Dance Steps became a Sensation.

 


Bhagwan Dada was the first dancing superstar of Indian cinema. He had rhythm and music embedded deep within him. He originated a particular style of dancing. That tender sway of the hip, the naughty look of an infant, and the candor of a star – he possessed it all. He had swag before swag got swag! His signature dance moves soon became a sensation. He was among the few male stars to break into an inner elite circle of actors/dancers, which was dominated by women. Many actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, Mithun Chakraborty, and Rishi Kapoor are known to have drawn inspiration from him.

 He entered the world of cinema through silent films. His first film of notable significance was called Criminal. He steadily infused himself into the art of directing and made his directorial debut with the film Bahadur Kisan. He co-directed it with Chandrarao in 1938.

One of Bhagwan Dada’s greatest works was a social film called Albela. The film featured Bhagwan Dada and Geeta Bali and the music was composed by C. Ramchandra. It is said that C. Ramachandra and Bhagwan Dada were discussing the film at a Churchgate restaurant in Mumbai and C. Ramachandra promised Bhagwan Dada to compose the music for the film, “for the love of it.”

He was perhaps the first to introduce Ramba, Samba, Disco, rock-n-roll and other dance forms to Hindi cinema, the first male star to do so in the industry ruled by female dancers. Bhagwan Dada as he was popularly called, created a new grammar of comedy, through the unique style of acting and dancing, which inspired a whole generation of comedians in the Hindi cinema.
Bhagwan Abhaji Palav popularly known as Bhagwan Dada was born on 1st Aug 1913 and died on 4th February 2002 was a popular comedian of Bollywood of the Golden Era. He is best known for his social film Albela (1951) and the song "Shola Jo Bhadke".A veteran actor of about 600 films in the course of more than five decades.

He produced many films after ALBELA but most of his films flopped, His film "Sahme Hue Sapney" didn’t survive beyond the first show. Then he suffered a heavy loss while making "Hanste Rehna" with Kishore Kumar. He had invested his own money, pawned his wife’s jewellery and withdrawn all his life’s savings. But halfway through, Kishore started dilly-dallying and "behaving crazily" and the project had to be shelved.

. He later took up small roles in multiple films, some of which were lost in obscurity. Unfortunately, his quest for success in films took a toll on his life and he lost all his wealth and ended up living in a chawl in Dadar, Mumbai.

He died of a heart attack on 4th Feb 2002. He was 89 years old. 


Song from Albela 1951

Song of  Bhagam Bhag  1956.




Tuesday 5 January 2021

Mukri - A Unique Comedian of Bollywood

 


What made Mukri(5 January 1922 – 4 September 2000)  different from other comedians was that he used to laugh in every scene that had comedy dialogues. He stole scenes regularly and he was hilarious in every film whether he is playing a servant or a gardener or even a show organiser in many films. Once his pairing with Sheikh Mukhtar was very popular, one was very tall and he a very short, they were called as Laurel and Hardy of Bollywood.

He made his debut in the 1945 film Pritam. The hero of this film was Dilip Kumar, He with his toothless smile, diminutive stature and perfect humour timing amused the audiences in more than 600 films, in over six decades in Bollywood.

After Pratima, Mukti acted in Dada(1949) along with Shaikh Mukhtar who was the rage of the day as far as stunt films were concerned. “Shyam and Munawar Sultana had played the lead in Dada.”



He appeared with Johny Walker and Mehmood in comic roles in many films. With Johny Walker, he appeared in 15 films. Shabnam(1964) was a film in which Mukri appeared with Mahmood along with Sheikh Mukhtar. His career went to new heights with Manmohan Desai’s Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). In this film, he played the role of Tyeb Ali, a strict father. The song “Tyeb Ali pyar ka dushman…” picturised on him and Rishi Kapoor became very popular, and Mukri a household name. 

There was hardly any side character Mukri did not play as the comic sidekick. He performed these roles with great élan. Nathulal is one such character imprinted in the minds of cine buffs. His character “Nathu Lal” in Sharaabi became so popular, that years later when Manmohan desai cast him in Jaadugar (1989), he named his character Nathu Lal to bank on its popularity. 


He was one of the more frequent faces appearing in hindi films in the late 50s and early 60s. Some of his notable roles were in films like Mother India (1957), Kalaapani (1958), Anari (1959), Kohinoor (1960) and Asli Naqli (1962)
 The other successful films Mukri include  Chori Chori, Aankhe, Mother India, Ram Aur Shyam, Aan and Ashique. 
Here are Rare Songs of Rafi for Mukri
Song of Pardes 1950

Song of Madmast 1953

Song of Shabnam 1964



Song of Madhavi 1969

Song from Amar Akbar Anthony 1977






 







Tuesday 29 September 2020

Mehmood- His Name was Sufficient to Sell a Film

 


He was a star of the Golden Era Of Bollywood. He was one of the few comedians who managed to deliver box-office hits with some films riding solely on his shoulders. His specialty was that he cracked a lot of impromptu jokes and that brought the audiences closer to him.

He was the only actor for whom the audience came to the theatre before the movie started. His huge fan following spoke of his dedication and talent. He was a superstar, his name helped producers sell their film in advance and his picture on the poster ensured that the crowd turned up at the theatres. Many heroes of his time were insecure about sharing screen space with him. 

A time came when he was so much “in demand” that producers approached him, offering him full-length comedy films. He teamed up with  Shubha Khote, I S Johar, and Kishore Kumar gave us some great comedy films.

He began acting as a (reluctant) child actor. After he grew up, he pursued several odd jobs -- including that of a car driver.  For a short while, he was a chauffeur for director P.L. Santoshi. As an adult actor, he first appeared in Guru Dutt’s suspense thriller – CID. After that, Guru Dutt gave him a small part in Pyaasa. After that, he got his first noticeable “break” in Parvarish (1958), in which he landed a role as the brother of the hero, Raj Kapoor. His first breakthrough film as a comedian was Sasural, a melodramatic mega-success. The movie also created one of the most successful comedy pairings of the sixties – Mehmood and Shubha Khote. Both did more than 15 films together and gave many hit songs. The most famous films are Saural 1961,Dil Tera Diwana (1962),Hamrahi (1963) ,Grihasti (1963) ,Ziddi (1964),Love In Tokyo (1966), and Pockit Maar (1974). Mehmood and Shubha Khote gave fans endless hours of a laugh riot,


He also produced and directed films. He gave RD Burman his first break with Chhote Nawab (1961)and worked with him regularly down the years until a misunderstanding with Burman in the 70s saw him introduce Rajesh Roshan with Kunwara Baap (1974). He is also responsible in a way for Amitabh Bachchan’s rise to fame as it is after seeing him in Mehmood’s Bombay to Goa (1972), Salim-Javed found in him the perfect angry young man for their stories!

In the late 1970s, Mehmood's popularity began to decline as other comedy actors like JagdeepAsraniPaintalDeven Verma and Kader Khan shot to prominence. Between 1989 and 1999, he made a handful of movies, but most of them were either shelved or made no impression. He acted as Johnny in Rajkumar Santoshi's Andaz Apna Apna (1994)– his last known film as an actor.

In the 90s his health did not allow him to work. He died in his sleep on 23 July 2004 in the American state of Pennsylvania, where he had gone for treatment of cardiovascular heart disease after suffering from poor health over several years.  

Great songs of Mehmood and Shubha Khote

Song of Hamrahi 1963


Song of Grahsthi 1963

Song of Chhoti Bahen 1959


Song of Beti Beta 1964

Song of Sasural 1961

Song of Sasural 1961

Song of Ziddi 1964
















Wednesday 29 July 2020

The Hit Songs Picturized on Johny Walker


In an era when star billing in song picturizations was reserved only for the hero and heroine, Johnny Walker had a special status. He had one or more songs in every film. The most popular Sar Jo Tera Chakraye from Pyaasa, Yeh hai Bombay Meri Jaan from C I D .and many songs were the attraction of the films produced in the 50s and 60s.I am posting those songs which were hit but now forgotten.
He made his debut from the 1951 film Baazi and worked in almost 300 films in a career span of 40 years. The first time he appeared in a song in 1954 film Taxi Driver with Dev Anand."Mastram Ban Ke Zindagi Ke din Guzar De' and the next year in  Mr and Mrs 55,  'Jane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji' After that in almost every film one song was picturized on him. Most of the songs picturized on him became very popular. The credit has to go to Mohammed Rafi who gave playback to Johnny Walker in most of his movies. When Rafi sings for Walker, you only listen to Walker and not to Rafi. Johnny Walker’s memories will continue to be alive through his movies and songs.
Song of Taxi Driver 1954


Song of Mr and Mrs 55, 1955


Song of C I D  1956


Song of Chori Chori 1956


Song of Pyasa 1957


Song from  Madhumati 1958


Song from  Paigham (1959)


Song from Chaudavin ka Chand 1960


Song from   Door ki awaaz.1964

Song from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966)


Thursday 9 July 2020

Jagdeep - Mera Naam Soorma Bhopali Aise Hi Nahin Hai


Jagdeep(29 March 1939-8 July 2020) 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 NahinK. A. Abbas's Munna, Guru Dutt's Aar PaarBimal 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.
His most memorable character is Soorma Bhopali in Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay. His catchphrase in the film “Mera Naam Soorma Bhopali Aise Hi Nahin Hai” is still remembered by fans. 
 Recall the famous scene of Sholay in which our heroes, Jai and Veeru, come upon Soorma Bhopali telling a bunch of spellbound listeners of how he beat the two with a stick, and how he’s found out: his paan-stained teeth, that Bhopali lilt and comfort in a role meant strictly for laughs, made his Soorma unforgettable. It was a small guest appearance but became immortal.
In a span of 6 decades, he performed nearly 400 roles, this role became so popular that even after 45 years, people still remember that role. His son Naved was so inspired by his father that he produced a film with the same title 'Soorma Bhopali' in 1988. It was not a box office success but did relatively better in the state of Madhya Pradesh. This film was a hit in the city of Bhopal and the surrounding regions.
 Jagdeep’s last on-screen appearance was in the 2017 movie Masti Nahi Sasti co-starring Kader Khan, Johnny Lever, Shakti Kapoor, Ravi Kishan, and others in the lead roles.
A scene from Sholay 1975

Sunday 29 March 2020

Jagdeep- An actor who gave us memorable songs



Jagdeep(born 29 March 1939), 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 NahinK. A. Abbas's Munna, Guru Dutt's Aar PaarBimal Roy's Do Bigha Zamin and AVM's Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke.
He was launched as a leading man by AVM in the films BhabhiBarkha and Bindaya, and went on to do a few more films as a leading man. We remember him today for some of the hit songs picturized 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.
He was a hero of 5 films starring opposite Nanda, Azra, and Amita. He got success only as a comedian. He acted in more than 400 films. 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 and 3D Saamri.
He was a natural actor, believed in original acting by bringing out his own style. When people make his signature sound from his character Soorma Bhopali in Sholay, everybody knows it is Jagdeep’s style. In this blog, I am posting some of the memorable songs picturized on him.
Song from Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke (1957)


Song from Bhabhi 1957


Song from Bhabhi 1957


Song from  Barkha (1959)


Song from Bindiya (1960) 


Song from Punarmilan 1964


Song from Punarmilan 1964


Song from Khilona 1970

Sunday 4 August 2019

Kishore Kumar - A Reluctant Actor


Kishore Kumar started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies, where his brother Ashok Kumar worked. Kumar's first film appearance was in Shikari (1946), in which his brother, Ashok played the lead role.He played the role of a Police Inspector in his 2nd film Shehnai in 1947.
In 1949, he settled in Mumbai. Kishore,  Kumar played the lead in the Bombay Talkies film Andolan (1951), directed by Phani Majumdar. Although he got some acting assignments with the help of his brother, he was more interested in becoming a singer.
Between 1946 and 1955, Kumar appeared in 22 films of which 16 were flops and since he was disinterested in taking up acting as a career, he would find ways to be in the bad books of the director or producer, so that they throw him from their films. It was only after the success of films such as LadkiNaukariMiss MalaysiaChar Paise and Baap Re Baap that Kumar developed interest in acting seriously, which resulted in him having successful films as the lead actor between 1955 and 1966.Some of his other successful films as an actor are Paisa Hi Paisa (1956), New Delhi (1956), Naya Andaz (1956), Bhagam Bhaag (1956), Bhai Bhai (1956), Aasha(1957), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Dilli Ka Thug (1958), Jaalsaaz (1959)Bombay Ka Chor (1962)Chacha Zindabad (1959)Man-Mauji(1962), Jhumroo (1961), Half Ticket (1962), Mr. X in Bombay (1964)Shreeman Funtoosh (1965), Ek Raaz (1963)Ganga Ki Lahren (1964)Hum Sab Ustaad Hai (1965), Haal E DilPyar Kiye Jaa (1966) and Padosan (1968).
A devout fan of K.L.Saigal, Kishore Kumar deeply respected Rabindranath Tagore and was an ardent admirer of Hollywood actor-singer Danny Kaye. He hung the portraits of all these three personalities at his Gaurikunj residence and would bow respectfully before them everyday as a rule. Interestingly, the singer considered the trees in his garden his closest friends and even had names for them!
Kishore Kumar also produced 14 films, and wrote the story for these films. Six of these films were not completed. [1] He is also credited with writing the screenplays of five films, two of which remained incomplete. He also directed 12 films, four of which were abandoned.  Kishore Kumar acted in 88 Hindi films.
Here are some songs picturised on Kishore Kumar
Song of Andolan 1951

Song of Tamasha 1952


Song of Ladki 1953


Song of Naukri 1954


Song of Baap Re Baapi 1955


Song of Bhai Bhai 1956


Song of Mem Sahib 1956


Song of Asha 1957


Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gadi1958


Song of Dilli Ka Thug1958


Song of Bewaqoof 1960


Song of Manmauji 1962


Song of Half Ticket1962

Song of Half Ticket1962


Song of Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Main 1964


Song of Pyar Kiye Jaa 1966


Song of Padosan 1968