Happy Birthday SONU NIGAM

Sonu Nigam (30 July 1973) Turns 43 on 30th July 2016  He has been one of the highest paid Indian singers. His singing style is considered similar to the legendary Mohd. Rafi whom he also considers his motivation.

Nigam began his singing career at the age of four, when he joined his father Agam Kumar Nigam on stage to sing Mohammed Rafi's song "Kya hua tera wada".From then on, Nigam accompanied his father on his singing appearances at weddings and parties. He moved to Mumbai with his father to begin his Bollywood singing career at the age of 18.He was trained by Hindustani classical singer Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan.

Sonu with his Guru Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan

 O Aasman Wale From Movie Aaja Meri Jaan(1992).

His First Released Song Was O Aasman Wale From Movie Aaja Meri Jaan(1992). He Released His First Album Rafi Ki Yaadein in 1992.In fact Sonu Nigam got his first break as a singer was in a film Janam (1990), which was never officially released.So the songs of that film never reached public. He then began making radio commercials and also acted in some of them.

Accha Sila Diya Tune from Bewafa Sanam

The song that gave him fame was  'Accha Sila Diya Tune' from the film 'Bewafa Sanam.Later  'Yeh Dil Deewana' from Subhash Ghai’s film 'Pardes'made him Super Star in Playback Singing.

 His songs from films like 'Pardes', 'Dil Se', 'Border', 'Refugee', 'Sarfarosh', ’Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai’,'Parineeta',’Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’, 'Saathiya’, ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’, ‘Main Hoon Na’, ‘Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna’, ‘The Legend Of Bhagat Singh’,’Fanaa’ and ’Om Shanti Om’ and the  '3 Idiots' are among a few milestones in his singing career. 

Sandese Aate Hai from Border

kal ho na ho

Main Hoon Na

Sonu Nigam is a multi talented person he is a very good stage performer and good in mimicry.

sonu nigam mimicry

He began hosting the TV show, Sa Re Ga Ma in 1995 which became very popular.He did 5 seasons of that show.He returned on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L'il Champs International as a judge with Suresh Wadkar in October 2007. Nigam was a celebrity judge on the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Mega Challenge grand finale on 12 December 2009 .He appeared as the judge on Indian Idol in seasons 1 (October 2004 – March 2005) and 2 (November 2005 – April 2006), and was a celebrity judge in seasons 3 (17 August 2007) and 4 (16 January 2009 and 6 February 2009).

Sonu Nigam hosting the first episode of Sa Re ga ma

He composed the title track of the film Singh Saab The Great in 2013 and has also composed music for other films including: Sooper Se Ooper and Jal, in collaboration with percussionist Bickram Ghosh in the same year.

Title track of the film Singh Saab The Great 

Sonu released his first Indipop album, Sapney Ki Baat in 1997 in collaboration with T-Series which generated a remarkable response from the listeners. Following that, In 1998, Magnasound came up with a lucrative offer for Sonu to launch the albums, 'Kismat' and 'Mausam', both of which contributed to his title as the Golden Voice of Indipop. The singles 'Tu' and 'Bijuriya' are still considered to be two of his biggest dance hits. History was made when Sonu launched his album 'Deewana' in 1999 with T-Series. It led Sonu to the heights of his singing career. 

Bijuriya by Sonu Nigam

Deewana tera

Year 2008 saw 3 historic projects - Classically Mild, Rafi Resurrected and Maha Ganesha. His recent foray into the international music scene has been path-breaking too with singles 'Lets Go For Glory' and 'This Is It' being released globally by Universal Music. The remix of 'I Wanna Go' with Britney Spears created a huge sensation too India and overseas.

Sonu Nigam also acted as Hero in Hindi films, he acted in films such as Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani, Kash Aap Hamare Hote andLove in Nepal.In fact Sonu Nigam  started as a child actor in films including Betaab (1983).,Kamchor

Sonu Nigam in Betaab

sonu in Kamchor

He has not only sung in Hindi but in several languages, including Kannada, Oriya, Assamese, Tamil, Punjabi, Bengali, Malayalam, Marathi, Telugu and Nepali.
Nigam's first song in Kannada was in 1996 for the super hit film Jeevanadhi starring South Super Star Dr.Vishnuvardhan. The song's music was composed by Saluri Koteswara Rao with lyrics by R. N. Jayagopal. Nigam has sung over 600 Kannada songs.He is known as the The Golden Singer Of Karnataka.

Chendutiya Pakkadali from kannada film Drama

He was given many awards for his song "Sandeshe aate hain" from Border in 1997,he got his first Filmfare Award in2002 for the song"Saathiya" for the film Saathiya.Next year in 2003 he was again awarded Filmfare Award for the Song"Kal Ho Na Ho"from kal Ho Na Ho,he was given National Award for the same song in 2004.In 2008 he was given Filmfare Award for KannadaBest Playback Singer for Ninnindale, Milana..In 2009 he was again given Filmfare Award for KannadaBest Playback Singer for Yenagali, Mussanje Maathu.2012-2013 Filmfare Awards South - Best Playback Singer Male for the song "Chendutiya Pakkadali" from the movie Drama
After the death of Michael Jackson, Nigam released a song as a tribute to Jackson which was included on the tribute album The Beat of Our Hearts

The Beat of Our Hearts

In November 2007, at the inauguration of Harvard University's 28th president, Drew Gilpin Faust, Nigam sang Mahatma Gandhi's favorite bhajan, "Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye", with the Harvard College Sangeet
In 2011 Nigam collaborated with Britney Spears on a remix of her "I Wanna Go" track.
He was ranked the Number 1 artist on the US Billboard Uncharted charts twice in 7 September and 5 October 2013

His song "Abhi Mujhme Kahin" from Agnipath(2013) also gave Sonu Nigam lots of Music Awards
2015 Oscar 2015 nomination list "Jal" Sonu Nigam and Bickram Ghosh for their rustic compositions for the drama film.

                         Sonu Nigam | Crazy Dil | Brand New Song

Dard Full Song | SARBJIT | Randeep Hooda, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan | Sonu Nigam, Jeet Gannguli, Jaani

Rare Pictures of SONU NIGAM

Child Sonu Nigam on stage

with his son

with his parents and younger sister

when he was a baby

with his mother

Remembering JOHNNY WALKER on his 13th Death Anniversary

Johnny Walker (11 Nov 1920 – 29 July 2003)

He was born as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi in Indore,the son of a mill worker. Looking after his 15-member family was tough; five of the family died young. Johnny Walker tried his hand at almost everything, including working in the Bombay Electric Supply Transport buses as a conductor. He was posted at the Dadar bus depot but worked on several routes.
Comedians like Noor Mohammad and Charlie were his idols. Johnnysaab had always wanted to be a comedian; he believed it was his God-given duty to make people laugh.

Scene from Baazi(1951)

Scene from Taxi Driver

scene from Pyaasa

song from Taxi Driver

song from CID

He did his first bit role in the early 1950s and had enacted similar snippets in about 20 films but the real break was given by Guru Dutt in Baazi(1951),his new screen name Johnny Walker was given by Guru Dutt.Thereafter he was doing all the films of Guru Dutt.Films like Taxi Driver(1954) CID,Pyaasa,Madhumati,Naya Daur and Mere Mehboob made him a star.He was sought by the best banners and the best directors and was equal to the task of acting with the best of the stars. 

Comedy Scene from Mere Mehboob

Comedy Scene from CID

Comedy Scene from Aar Paar

He was offered many films(around 12) as a hero such as JOHNNY WALKER ,Mr Cartoon, These, of course, had comic themes but were embellished with wonderful music and did well at the box office. 
His Golden Period was 50s and 60s when he gave memorable and great performances.
He was a natural comedian, his comedy was never crude or vulgar. But, 1970 onwards, comedy began to change. Some of the comedians indulged in lewd gestures and relied on double-entendre.Johnny Walker never tried that type of comedy,In an interview he said that though he acted more than 300 films and the Censor Board never cut even one line of his character.

He was the comedian for whom famous music directors like S D Burman and O P Nayyar tuned some of their most memorable hits. Remember Tael maalish, champee or Yeh hain Bombay meri jaan? His drawing power at the box office was such that Distributors insisted the Producers and Directors to have atleast one song to be done with him.His song sequences in Doordarshan'sChitrahaar or cable television are highly appreciated. 

song from Mr & Mrs 55

song from Khota Paisa

song from Chaudhavin Ka Chaand

                                                                                      song from Chori Chori

song from Mere Mehboob

song from Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi

During the mid-eighties, Johnny Walker tried to produce a film but was quickly disillusioned by the attitude of the industry people, particularly the stars.His last movie was Chachi 420(1997) did after the gap of 14 years.
He was given his first Filmfare award as the Best Supporting Actor in Madhumati(1958) and later the best Comedian award for Shikar(1968)

Comedy scene from SHIKAR(1968)

Johny Walker died at the age of 79 on 29th July 2003.He is survived by his wife,3 sons and 3 daughters.His actor son Nasir was on his side when he breathed his last at 1.10 P M

To Give Him Tribute,I am posting here some of his best comedy scenes from his movies

Comedy scene from Mr & Mrs 55

Comedy scene from Paigham(1959)

Comedy scene from Anand

Comedy scene from Baat Ek Raat Ki

Comedy scene from Kaagaz Ke Phool(1959)

Comedy scene from Chupke Chupke

Comedy scene from Chori Chori

Comedy scene from Sanjog(1971)

comedy scene from Chaudhavin Ka Chaand

comedy scene from Barati

comedy scene from Mr Cartoon M A

Remembering Mehmood on his Death Anniversary

MEHMOOD (29 September 1932 – 23 July 2004)

 Mehmood, was an Indian actor, singer, director and producer best known for playing comic roles in Hindi films. During his career of more than four decades, he worked in over 300 Hindi films.
Mehmood was one of eight children born to Latifunnisa and film and stage actor-cum-dancer Mumtaz Ali, who was a huge star of the 40's and 50's cinema,          His sister, Minoo Mumtaz, was also a successful dancer and character actress in Bollywood movies. His youngest brother, Anwar Ali too is an actor and a producer of movies like Khud-daar and Kaash.
As a child, he worked in Bombay films like Kismet. He later had a number of odd jobs, working as a table tennis teacher to Meena Kumari and as a driver for director P. L. Santoshi.

Mehmood got  a small break as a killer in the film CID. He started off by doing small, unnoticed roles in films like the peanut seller in Do Bigha Zameen and Pyaasa. He later went on to act in lead roles, but he was appreciated for his comedy, 

Mehmood 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 able to carve a niche for himself, which has made him be remembered as an artist who not only introduced himself in the industry but gave a platform for many upcoming actors. He was and is the ‘King of Comedy’ undoubtedly, but he was also the ‘King of Hearts’.  

Sasural (1961), a three-hankie melodramatic mega-success, was Mehmood's big breakthrough film as a comedian. What's more, Sasural created one of the most successful comedy teams of the sixties -- Mehmood and Shubha Khote. The plump and genial Shubha went on to partner Mehmood in most of his mad capers till the mid-sixties -- including Grihasti, Bharosa, Ziddi and Love In Tokyo

                                         Main Tere Pyaar Mein Kya Kya Na Bana, Mehmood, Shubha Khote, Ziddi Song

                                                               Mehmood, Shubha Khote,  Ziddi - Comedy Scene 

Mehmood dominated commercial Hindi cinema during his peak years, to the extent that it was said that some lead actors were unwilling to act with him as he tended to overshadow them.His name in the star cast and face on the film poster ensured that scores turned up at the theatres. One song for him in the film was mandatory in that era.At the insistence of distributors, a song picturised on Mehmood became a must in most films of the sixties. Manna Dey, a recognised classical singer, was singled out for singing many of Mehmood's naughty numbers.He was among the rare few who even went to have films named after him - Johar Mehmood in Goa and Johar Mehmood in Hongkong.

Song from Johar Mehmood In Goa

At the turn of the 1960s, Mehmood even played the hero in small films opposite starlets like Chitra, Naaz and Ameeta. Mehmood cast Ameeta as the heroine in his first production Chhote Nawab (1961), where he gave a break to his friend-cum-composer, R D Burman.After that he produced and Directed Bhoot Bangla(1965)

song from Bhoot Bangla

 His company’s Padosan – in which Mehmood locked horns with Kishore Kumar in a South-Indian-versus-North-Indian war – became a massive hit in the 70s

Mehmood was a Tamilian and his grandfather was the Nawab of Carnatic, thus the South Indian accent came very naturally to him. His funny songs and dialogues in Hyderabadi Urdu accent (such as Hum Kale Hain Toh Kya Hua Dilwale Hai) became his signature and are remembered till date.

Pyaar ki aag mein from ziddi

By the late sixties, he was heralded as the monarch of madness, with successes like Patthar Ke Sanam, Do Kaliyan, Neel Kamal, Aankhen and Aulaad releasing one after the other. Mehmood was a master at playing the hero's friend, who would help him out of sticky situations with his street-smart ways.

Unfortunately, his popularity, according to the grapevine, rankled the ruling heroes of the day. What further restricted Mehmood was his preference for playing central roles in early seventies films like Main Sundar Hoon, Lakhon Mein Ek, Mastana and Do Phool. As his career lost its early heat, Mehmood also resorted to producing his own films (Bombay To Goa, Kunwara Baap, Ginny Aur Johny) to stay in the limelight.

Some of his most memorable films are-1961 Sasural Shubha Khote 1965 Gumnaam Helen 1966 Pyar Kiye Jaa Mumtaz 1966 Love In Tokyo Shubha Khote 1967 Patthar Ke Sanam-- 1968 Padosan Sunil Dutt, Saira Banu, Kishore Kumar 1968 Aankhen-- 1970 Humjoli Aruna Irani 1971 Main Sundar Hoon Leena Chandavarkar 1974 Kunwara Baap

Some of the hit songs Mehmood acted are Song Film Singer Mama o mamaParvarish(Manna Dey, Mohammed Rafi) Apni ulfat pe zamane ka na pehra hotaSasural(Mukesh, Lata Mangeshkar) Woh din yaad karoHamrahi(Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar) Pyar ki aag mein tan badan jal gayaZiddi(Manna Dey) Aao twist kareBhoot Bangla(Manna Dey) Yeh do deewane dil keJohar Mehmood in Goa(Manna Dey, Mohammed Rafi) Hum kaale hai toh kya hua dilwaleGumnaam(Mehmood, Mohammed Rafi) O meri maina tu maanle mera kehnaPyar Kiye Jaa(Manna Dey, Usha Mangeshkar) Tujhko rakhe Ram tujhko Allah rakheAankhen(Asha Bhosle, Manna Dey) Jodi hamari jamega kaiseAulad(Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle) Ek chatur naarPadosan(Mehmood, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar) Yeh kaisa aaya zamanaHumjoli(Mehmood, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar) Muttu kullikaDo Phool(Mehmood, Asha Bhosle) Saj rahee galee meri ammaKunwara Baap(Mehmood, Mohammed Rafi) Famous for his fusillade of funny moments, two of Mehmood's most remembered roles were in Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966) and Padosan (1968).

Some famous Bollywood songs for which people still remember Mehmood are 'Ek chatur naar' from film Padosan, 'Aao Twist Karen' from Bhoot Bangla, 'Yeh do deewane dil ke' from Johar Mehmood in Goa, 'Hum kaale hai to kyaa huaa dilwaale hain' from Gumnaam and so on. He received the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Dil Tera Diwana(1963) and Filmfare Best Comedian Award 4 times for films Pyar Kiye Jaa(1967),Waris(1970),Paras(1972) and for Vardaan(1975).

By the time the 90s set in, Mehmood had played his entire hand -- as actor, director, storywriter and producer. But, he was now keeping indifferent health. He made one last attempt at a comeback, with a film called Dushman Duniya Ka (1996). By now, there was a new generation of filmgoers in the theatres -- and new stars in Bollywood’s firmaments. Mehmood managed to get the brightest new star into his movie. Shah Rukh Khan – a self-confessed Mehmood admirer – played the role of the “young” Mehmood in the film, 
On 23rd July 2004, Mehmood died in his sleep in Pennsylvania, US, where he had gone for treatment of heart disease after suffering poor health for several years
Mehmood will forever be remembered as he appeared in his heydays – as the King of Comedy. He taught a nation how to laugh! Thank you for the laughter!

Read more at http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/mehmood-ali.html#WmEk6fHKwEpePA7Z.99