Gope- The Top Comedian of his Time

Born on 11th April 1913 went on to become the top comedian in 40s and 50s. Starting his career with a small role in Insaan Ya Shaitaan (1933),went on to act in over one hundred forty films in a career spanning twenty-four years from 1933 to 1957.He became famous for lip-syncing the popular number "Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon"  from Patanga(1949)
He formed a popular comic pairing with Yakub, in the "Laurel-and-Hardy" style, and the producers used them in several films.Their most famous films together were Patanga (1949), followed by Bazar (1949), Beqasoor and Sagai (1951)

Gope acted in other memorable roles in films such as Hindustan Hamara, Patanga and Chori Chori. Gope also tried playing negative roles. In the 1951 Dilip Kumar-Madhubala starrer film Taraana, he teamed up with Jeevan to play the villain's role in comic style. He started Gope Productions in the 1950s, which made films such as Hangama and Biradari. Some of these films were directed by Gope's brother, Ram Kamlani. Gope married actress Latika and continued to act in films till his death in 1957.

Song from Ghar Ki Izzat' (1948) 

Song from  Pagree 1948

Song from Patanga 1949

Song from  Sagai 1951

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

Mukri-The Nathulal Of Sharabi

Remember the  iconic dialogue of the superstar Amitabh Bachchan, 'Mooche Ho Toh Nathulal Jaise, 'Warna Na Ho’from 1984 film Sharabi. That was his last film with Amitabh. Before that he acted with him in ‘Coolie’(Rati’s father), ‘ Amar Akbar Anthony’( Neetu Singh’s father),’ Bombay To Goa’(a South Indian),Lawaris etc.

What made Mukri 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 servant or a gardener or even a show organiser in many films.
Mukri’s 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 made his debut with film ‘Pratima’ along with Dilip Kumar and all his films with Dilip Kumar like "Aan" and "Amar" was extremely popular. He was born as Muhammad Umar Mukri in Maharashtra on January 5, 1922, and passed away on September 4, 2000, in Mumbai.
 Mukri was a classmate of legendary actor Dilip Kumar and both made their debut in the same year in Hindi cinema. It is said that Dilip Kumar helped Mukri a lot. Their friendship continued until Mukri expired.
Mukri also shared his screen with other great heroes of his times in almost 600-odd films, where he worked in during a career that extended for more than 50 years. Mukri worked with Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Amithabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Nargis, Meena Kumari and Mudhubala.

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. 

Some of Famous Songs of Mukri

Song from Dak Ghar

Song from Asli Naqli.1962

Song from Anokhi Raat 1968

Song from Padosan 1968

Song from Upaasna 1971

Song from Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

How Badruddin Qazi Became JOHNY WALKER

On his 97th Birth Anniversary we look back how the legendary comedian got his new name JOHNY WALKER.He reigned the Hindi Film Industry in the 1950s and 60s. No film was complete without a cameo from the son of a mill worker in Indore.He made his audiences smile gently and laugh uproariously without resorting to a single vulgarity or double entendre.
He started life in Mumbai as a bus conductor. And he would have continued to be so if the late actor Balraj Sahni had not spotted him entertaining passengers in a bus.
Those days Balraj Sahini was penning the script for “Baazi,he thought that if he brings this character in the script it will give boost to the film.He asked Badruddin Qazi about working in films.

It was on the sets of “Baazi” that Badruddin Qazi met director Guru Dutt, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Those days it was the practice of changing the names of the actors,this was also done to him.So the new name for him was planned.It is said that the director of the film Guru Dutt was drinking the most popular brand of scotch whisky at that time,the idea came to his mind why not the brand Johny Walker should be given to this new comedian.Everybody sitting with him liked this name.So Badruddin Qazi became Johnny Walker.

There was no looking back after that. The talented actor-director and the fledgling comedian had an enduring partnership and went on to make great films like “Pyaasa”, “CID”, “Mr and Mrs 55” and “Sahib, Bibi aur Ghulam”.

The great comedian once said: “If it was not  Guru Dutt sahib, I would have remained a bus conductor. I had a great understanding with him that made my career.”

“Baazi” gave him a foothold into the industry and the other films, which followed, established him forever.

He was last seen in 1997 in Kamal Haasan’s “Chachi 420”, a remake of the Hollywood comedy “Mrs Doubtfire”, for which he returned to the screen after a gap of 14 years.

Song from Mr & Mrs 55 (1955)

Song from C I D 1956

Song from Chori Chori 1956

Song from Pyaasa 1957

Song from Gateway Of India 1957

Song from Choudhavin Ka Chaand 1960

MEHMOOD-The Man Who Taught the Nation How to Laugh!

There were many  comedians in Bollywood before him.But he made the comedian’s role an integral part of the story line.Often the comedian’s plight proved more interesting than even the hero’s romance.For a brief period in the 1960s, thanks to him, comedy was king. And Mehmood was the uncrowned King of Comedy. 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.
Mehmood was the son of character-actor/dancer Mumtaz Ali and used to tag along with his father to the film studios. 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 laugh riot,
SONGS of Mehmood and Shubha Khote

Song from Sasural 1961

Song from Dil Tera Diwana 1962

Song from Grihasti (1963)

Song from Beti Bete 1964

Song from Ziddi (1964)

Song from Love In Tokyo (1966)

SONGS of Mehmood and I S Johar

Both of them worked together in 8 films,first time they came together in 1954 film Nastik,this film was directed by I S Johar, Mehmood  at that time was not an established comedian.In 1965 both appeared as comedians in 2 films."Johar Mehmood in Goa" and "Namaste Ji".After that they came together in Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong.

Song from Johar Mehmood In Goa 1965

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Song from Johar Mehmood In Hong Kong 1971

SONGS of Mehmood and Kishore Kumar

Both of them came together in 8 films ,the most popular are Pyar Kiye Ja,Saadhu Aur Shaitan.Padosan and Hungama

Scene from Saadhu Aur Shaitan 1968

Song from Padosan 1969

Relax & Enjoy your SUNDAY with These BOLLYWOOD FUN SONGS of I S JOHAR

Sunday,A day to refuel your soul and be greatful for your blessings.Take a deep breath and relax.Enjoy your family,your friends,a cup of coffee with these Bollywood  Rare FUN Songs of I S Johar

Song from Bewqoof 1960

Song from Johar in Bombay 1967

Song from Intezar 1973

Song from 5 Rifles 1974

Song from Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong

Song from Nasbandi

Song from Ziddi 1967

The Musical Journey of KISHORE KUMAR

Could you believe that the Musical Journey of Kishore Kumar started with an injury.Today(4th Aug) on his 88th Birth Anniversary I will take you on the Musical Journey of Kishore Kumar.
Dadamoni Ashok Kumar the eldest brother of Kishore Da once revealed that a young Kishore had a terrible voice. But once he cut his big toe at home and the injury made him cry all the time. He would wail all day and night and, as Dadamoni put it, uska gala khul gaya.
Kishore Kumar was ecentric or unusual start from his childhood,when he was studying in a boarding school of Indore,in his hostel room's wall he scribbled Kishore's name, in his own handwriting, in his favourite style, in reverse: Ramaku Rashoki.For several years, one of the walls of his hostel room stood witness to his eccentricity.
By the time Kishore became a teenager, Dadamoni had established himself as a doyen of Hindi cinema. So, when he heard of Kishore's exploits in the college, Ashok Kumar summoned him to Bombay.Here he got an audience with Kundan Lal Sehgal,he became a big fan of Sehgal.He also started to show interest in music and often mimicked the great K.L. Saigal. Though he did not have any formal training in music, he decided to pursue it.It became his dream to become a famous playback singer and be counted among legends. He would often go to the studios and ask producers if he could sing on the movie's soundtrack.
In Ashok kumar's house where he was staying he started singing K L Sehgal's songs which were popular those days, he perfectly imitated K.L. Saigal.There is a story that the  the great music composer S.D Burman had come to Ashok Kumar's house to meet up when he heard Kishore singing. He actually thought it was K.L. Saigal singing and inquired if he was there too! When he came to know that it was Kishore singing, he truly appreciated and encouraged the young lad to continue refining his voice but at the same time make his own style.
 Kishore kept this advice in mind and went on develop his own signature style. He wanted to do some thing different.His elder brother Anoop Kumar gave him the records of  Austrian music collections.In that collection there were records of  Tex Morton and Jimmie Rodgers who were the king of Yodeling.He perfected yodeling, a unique style he heard amongst the Austrian music collections of his brother Anoop. In Hindi film industry, his yodeling turned out to be widely popular and became a trademark of Kishore Kumar. 
Ashok Kumar wanted him to be an actor because singing wasn't as lucrative but Kishore Kumar wanted to be a singer.He started his cinema career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies under the direction of Saraswati Devi and his singing soon attracted the attention of composer Khemchand Prakash. In 1948, he was chosen by Khemchand Prakash to sing "Marne ki Duayen Kyon Mangu" in the film Ziddi starring Dev Anand. Prakash later provided Kishore Kumar his first hit with "Jagmag Jagmag Karta Nikla Chand Poonam Ka Pyara.",
 After this, Kumar was offered many other assignments, but he was not very serious about a film career. In 1949, he settled in Mumbai..Kishore Kishore played the hero 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.
It was S D Burman who  exploited the potential of Kishore Kumar,He gave him a chance in 1950 film Pyar the song was Kachchee pakkee sadkon pe meree tumtum (from Pyar) also took him in his upcoming films Baazi and Bahar both released in 1951 in both the films he sang one song each.
Salil Chaudhary was a hit music composer those days,he refused to give Kishore Kumar chance in his films because he felt that Kishore is not a trained singer.There was a film Naukri 1954 in which Kishore was the hero Salil Da was on the point of summoning Hemant Kumar to sing Chhota sa ghar hoga in place of our already unemployed hero of Naukri: Kishore Kumar.It was only after Kishore Kumar virtually begged Salil Chowdhury to hear him out.That song was "Chhota Sa Ghar Hoga Taron Ki Chaon Mein"which became hit.
HS Rawail, who directed Kumar in Lehren, was convinced that the musicality bred into Kumar's very marrow bestowed a fantastic flair for gesture and that helped him transform from a singer who could act to a star in his own right.
The success of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) revealed the ease with which Kumar could don the hats of singer, producer, and star but this is also one of the first films that display the rare ability which separated Kumar from all other playback singers.
In the 50s Kishore Kumar sang for Dev Anand and himself and he gave many hit songs.Some of the songs were; "Maana Janaab Ne Pukara Nahin" from Paying Guest, "Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke" from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), "Ai Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa" from Funtoosh, and "Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si" and "Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka" from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958). Asha Bhosle and Kishore performed duets composed by Burman including "Chhod Do Aanchal" from Paying Guest (1957), "Ankhon Mein Kya Ji" from Nau Do Gyarah (1957), "Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab Ka" and "Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana" from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) and "Arre Yaar Meri Tum Bhi Ho Gajab" from Teen Deviyan (1965)."Eena Meena Deeka" from Aasha (1957). Kishore Kumar's work includes "Nakhrewaali" from New Delhi (1956) by Shankar Jaikishan, "C.A.T. Cat Maane Billi" and "Hum To Mohabbat Karega" from Dilli Ka Thug (1958) by Ravi, and "Chhedo Na Meri Zulfein" from Ganga Ki Lahren (1964) by Chitragupta.
!950s and 1960s was the period in which Mohammad Rafi was on his peak,there were Mukesh ,Manna De and Talat Mehmood in the scene,Kishore was not being offered many songs.but he was giving hits in that period.Then came Aradhna in 1969 that changed the fate of Kishore Kumar.Indeed, by getting the two songs that were recorded for the film, Baaghon mein bahaar hai (with Lata Mangeshkar) and Gunguna rahe hain bhanwre (with Asha Bhosle), to be by Rafi, Dada Burman had already indicated his choice of voice for Aradhana.But this was the point at which S D Burman fell critically ill.he wanted to record the game changing song"Roop tera mastaana pyaar mera deewaana; Mere sapnon kee raanee kab aayegee too; immediately Mohammad Rafi was out On a Musical Tour outside the country and was to return after a month So  Dada called Kishore to record these songs for him even that Raag Pahadi duet of Kishore with Lata, Kora kaagaz thha yeh man meraa, weren't these tunes initially envisioned, by Dada Burman, to go in the voice of Mohammed Rafi on a still-to-arrive Rajesh Khanna?Rest is history.
By the time Aradhana unfolded as S D Burman's 'second coming', Pancham was already on the verge of an individual breakthrough via Kati Patang -- via Kishore's Yeh shaam mastaanee madhosh kiye jaaye; Yeh jo mohabbat hai yeh unka hai kaam; and Pyaar deewaana hota hai mastaana hota hai -- songs released well before that Asha Parekh-Rajesh Khanna starrer hit the screen.Pancham now was clearly the coming Kishore force. The trio of Rajesh Khanna,kishore and R D Burman were out to conquer the Bollywood music.Most of the Heroes of that time 70s now asking for Kishore Kumar to sing their songs,music directors also now taking Kishore instead of Rafi,Kishore was giving hit after hit and he was at his peak,first he became the voice of Rajesh Khanna and later became the voice of Amitabh Bachchan.
1986 was a critical year for Kishore Kumar.  He suffered from a heart attack.  He recovered from  this, but it caused him to greatly reduce his recording schedule.  He planed to go into retirement and return to his birthplace of Khandwa; but this just does not seem to happen.  Kishore's last recording was a playback song for Mithun Chakraborty.  This was a duet with Asha Bhosle for the film "Waqt Ki Aawaz" (1988).In 1987 he suffered another massive heart attack in Bombay.  He died on October 13, 1987, at the age of 58. 
Here are Kishore Kumar's 20 Hit Songs of Golden Era Of Bollywood

Song from Ziddi (1948)

Song from Rimjhim 1949

Song from Ladki 1953

Song from Naukri 1954

Song from Munimji (1955)

Song from Mem Sahib 1956

Song from Funtoosh (1956)

Song from Paying Guest (1957)

Song from Asha 1957

Song from Nau Do Gyarah (1957),

Song from Chalti Ka Naam Gadi 1958

Song from Manmauji (1961)

Song from Jhumroo (1961)

Song from Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964).

Song from Ganga Ki Lahren (1964)

Song from Teen Deviyan 1965

Song from Guide 1965

Song from Padosan 1968

Song from Aradhna 1969

Song from Prem Pujari (1969)

A Tribute to JOHNY WALKER-The man who brought smiles to many faces in the Golden Era of Bollywood

Today on the 14th Death Anniversary of the Star comedian Johny Walker I pay my Tribute to him with the 15 Rare songs picturised on him.Johnny Walker was a man of many talents. He could play all kinds of roles but people wanted to watch him as a funny man always.His real name was Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi. He worked as an extra in films on Sundays and was spotted by the great Balraj Sahni entertaining the crowd actors Guru Dutt gave him a break with Baazi in 1950 and changed his name to Johny Walker,a popular brand of whiskey.It was Navketan and Guru Dutt who gave him roles, His Aye dil hain mushkil jeena yahan picturised on Johnny Walker became a rage and distributors insisted that a song be picturised on him in every film.

Song from Taxi Driver 1954

Song from Chandan (1958)

Song from Khota Paisa (1958)

Song from  Marine Drive 1955

Song from  Railway Platform 1955

Song from  Naya Andaz 1956

Song from Choo Mantar  1956

Song from Johnny Walker  1957

Song from  Mr. X 1957 Audio only

Song from Gateway of India 1957

Song from Amar Deep 1958

Song from Mr. Qartoon M.A. 1958

Song from Paigham. 1959

Song from Ek Phool Chaar Kaante. 1960

Song from Ghar Basake Dekho 1963