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

The Song "Gata Rahe Mera Dil" was the Last Addition in Guide

You would be surprised to know that this super hit song was originally not in the film. Vijay Anand in an interview said that the song Gata Rahe Mera Dil was inserted later, like a patchwork. We shot that song after the film was completed and then it was added. He said he along with Dev Anand thought that there was no song of Kishore Kumar, in fact, Kishore had not sung for Dev since Paying Guest in 1957.
It happened just like that. Firstly, Kishore Kumar was preoccupied with Madhubala’s health. He was not being able to devote time to rehearsals and recordings. And then with Rafi Sahab, their association was working perfectly. But Dev Bhai was missing Kishore for a long time and so he went to meet him. And then caught hold of him and sort of dragged him to Burman Dada’s home.
 The moment he saw Kishore he said in Bengali, ‘why didn’t you come all these days’ and hugged him. They loved each other a lot. Burman Dada then said let us start the rehearsal, we are going to record a song.
That time S D Burman was composing a song for Teen Deviyan and the song was Khwab Ho Tum Ya Koi Haqeeqat. This song was the first song Kishore recorded for Dev Bhai after a long hiatus under Burman Dada’s music direction. Kishore sang it so wonderfully, he won everyone’s heart. This is exactly what all of us, including Dev Bhai, was missing. Burman Dada kissed his (Kishore’s) head. He was delighted.
Guide was completed and about to release earlier than Teen Deviyan because there was some work still left with the latter. Besides, Teen Deviyan was being made in black and white and on a much smaller canvas. Guide had been mounted on a large scale and it was in colour and thus it was a much-awaited film. So why not include a song by Kishore in Guide.
So immediately Shailendra was called to write a romantic song thus this song was recorded in a record time. The song was a very big hit. It was the only song of Kishore Kumar in the film.

Song of Guide 1965

The Most Intimate Love Making Scene of Dev Anand

Could you believe that how an Intimate Lovemaking Scene has a touch of spirituality in it? It was made possible by the great Vijay Anand in  1972 film Tere Mere Sapne. The scene was picturised on Dev Anand and Mumtaz who played Husband & Wife in the film.
Vijay Anand told in an interview, " It was one of the most difficult scenes I have ever shot. It was a love scene between my elder brother, Dev Anand, and Mumtaz. I was nervous about explaining the scene to him because I was so much younger. I just couldn't bring myself to tell him my requirements. So I rang up Mumtaz and explained it to her instead. How the wife's health is in danger, how the couple has fought and how the fight culminates in intimate love-making that almost has a touch of spirituality to it.The highlight of this sequence is the song Mere antar ik mandir hai tera hai tera piya,  sung by Lata Mangeshkar played in the background. Though the song is romantic but it appears as a devotional song.
Those who've seen this incredible example of Vijay's creativity will agree that the scene remains a highlight due to Lata's unbelievably sensitive rendition!
The film was based on the “The Citadel” a novel by A.J. Cronin, first published in 1937. Staying clear of a didactic approach, Anand had managed to spin together an engrossing tale of a doctor – Dev as Dr Anand! – and his experience in rural India where he finds medical amenities elementary at best. Here he meets a school teacher played by Mumtaz.who helps Anand in his work.
The two get married too but not all stays fine for ever. On false charges, the doctor is shunted out, and the two have to relocate to Bombay which gives the director an opportunity to throw in a love triangle along the way – utterly forgettable Hema Malini as a big star here.
 Dev Anand and Mumtaz seem to share a rare chemistry where they say a lot with their silence, and only a little less with their words.

Song of Tere Mere Sapne 1971

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Dev Anand's dreams that couldn't be Fulfilled

Dev Anand was a workaholic, he believed holidays are a waste of time. He couldn't sit idle, His favourite pastime was writing. He began writing his autobiography in Scotland and finished it within a year. He was a dreamer and his philosophy was that if a person does not dream then he is like a dead. 
When Dev died in London he was not there for vacation but for a routine check-up and had plans to go location hunting in London, Wales, Scotland and then Europe for his new film. He had two dream projects in mind. One was the Hindi film Hare Rama Hare Krishna Aaj and other was an English film "Song of Life".
Dev Anand in an interview told that Song Of Life is not the story of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar or his family. The basic storyline is somewhere close to Pandit Shankar's life in that it has a musician father, an American wife and a daughter born out of wedlock, said Anand. "I have a lot of affection and respect for Pandit Ravi Shankar and am not naming him anywhere either in the film or in the credits," The two-hour film would have at least three American characters and three Indians in the lead.
Dev Anand told to media that after Guide  None of his films were in English and he wanted to position his next film as an American musical,"

Pt Ravi Shankar's Daughters

Pandit Ravi Shankar was close to Anand brothers. He started his career as a music director with Chetan Anand.in 1946 and also gave background music in Aandhiyan in 1952.
On his 88th Birthday Dev Revealed “I have the script for Hare Rama Hare Krishna Aaj which takes forward the story of the earlier film. It is not a remake of Hare Rama Hare Krishna. I don’t believe in remakes. I believe in moving forward. Every scene every character except mine would be new. If Dev Anand played Prashant in 1971 he will play Prashant in 2012 as well.”
Besides these two films, Dev Anand had many scripts ready but after the "Chargesheet" he was to start Hare Rama Hare Krishna Aaj.

NAVKETAN FILMS-A Studio That Always Looked Forward

Dev Anand's Fans and Hindi-movie buffs have many reasons to be grateful for the production house Navketan, founded in 1949 by the Anand brothers Chetan and Dev Anand.In the 1950s most of the studios were making historical or  involved the village in some form or the other,Navketan was making Urban based movies.True to its name Navketan,which is a Sanskrit word that means Newness,the banner made films with new subjects and introduced new talent and technology.
The Kapoors are often referred to as the first family of Bollywood, but not many realize that the Anand brothers — Chetan, Dev and Vijay — formed a creative combination with an equally rich legacy.The Anands have, however, proved to be far more prolific, produc ing 35 motion pictures under Navketan as compared to the 20 films made by the Kapoor clan.
 It was under the Navketan roof that directors Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla and Vijay Anand, music directors S D Burman and R D Burman, cinematographer Fali Mistry and V Ratra did some of their best work. 
Unlike R K Film Studio or Mehboob Studio, Navketan does not possess a shooting floor. So all of his (Dev Anand’s) films were shot in Mehboob Studio.
 Dev Anand had bought the 19,000 sq ft Pali Hill property in the early ‘50s and established Anand Recording Studio in 1986 to mix and dub all the films produced by Navketan Films. When it was running, the studio specialised in voice overs, dubbing and surround mixes in all formats.It is perhaps the most technically advanced studio in the country, with great expertise in all fields.Over 10,000 films such as Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Ghajini (2008) have been mixed here.Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman Khan come regularly to dub their films
 In 2009, it was decided that the studio will make way for a 12-storeyed swanky tower. At the time, Dev Anand wished for a penthouse to be built for him and his family in the plot 

                                                              AFSAR
The first film of Navketan Banner was AFSAR released in 1950,a romantic comedy film directed by Chetan Anand. It was produced by and starred Dev Anand. It co-starred Suraiya, who also recorded the playback singing for the film. The film was based on Nikolai Gogol's play The Government Inspector. The film was an average in Box office.

Song from Afsar 1950

Baazi 

The second film of Navketan was Baazi released in 1951.The movie stars Dev Anand with Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik. It is a crime thriller and had very popular music composed by S.D. Burman.This film was the game changer for Dev Anand and Navketan.It was very successful at the box office.Had it not been hit we would have not seen the great films of Guru Dutt and Navketan Films.

Song from Baazi 1951

Aandhiyan

It is a 1952 Hindi drama, written and directed by Chetan Anand. It starred Dev Anand, Nimmi and Kalpana Kartik in lead roles.The music of the film was from a classical musician Ali Akbar Khan.The background score of the film was also done by Ali Akbar Khan along with other Hindustani classical musicians Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pannalal Ghosh.

Song from Aandhiyan 1952

Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver is a 1954 Hindi movie produced by Navketan Films. The film was directed by Chetan Anand and stars his brother Dev Anand, Dev's wife-to-be Kalpana Kartik and Johnny Walker. The film was written by Chetan himself, along with his wife Uma Anandand his other brother Vijay Anand. The film's music director was S. D. Burman and the lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi.The film was a super hit and it was the film that started outdoor shooting of Bollywood films.

Dev Anand's taxi in the movie was the British made Hillman Minx, a black car with the number 1111. Such became the popularity following the film, that the British made Hillman Minx became a vehicle of choice as a taxi in Bombay until the 1970s

Song from Taxi Driver 1954

House No. 44

House No. 44 is a 1955 Hindi film directed by M. K. Burman and produced by Dev Anand for his banner Navketan Films. The movie stars Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik in a lead role.^[1] The film is also noted for its popular songs with music by Sachin Dev Burman, with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi, including "Teri Duniya Mein Jeene Se" and "Chup Hai Dharti Chup Hain Chand Sitaare", sung by Hemant Kumar

Song from House No. 44  1955

Funtoosh

Funtoosh is a 1956 Bollywood film directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K.N. Singh. It was the ninth highest grossing film of 1956, and was declared a "Hit". The music of the movie was an instant hit and songs such as "Dukhi Mann Mere" were topping Binaca Geet Mala. Other hits were "Woh Dekhen To Unki Inayat", "Humne Kisi Pe Dore Dalne Hai", "Ae Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa" and "Denewala Jab bhi deta Poora Chappad Phad Ke Deta". The Songs cemented the bond of SD Burman, Dev Anand and Kishore Kumar.

Song from Funtoosh 1956

Nau Do Gyarah

It was a 1957 Hindi film produced by Dev Anand. This was his brother, Vijay Anand's directorial debut.^[ The film stars Dev Anand, Kalpana Kartik, Madan Puri, Shashikala and Jeevan. The film's music is by S. D. Burman and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri

Song from Nau Do Gyarah 1957

Kala Pani

Kala Pani was a 1958 Hindi movie, produced by Dev Anand for Navketan Films and directed by Raj Khosla.The film stars Dev Anand, Madhubala, Nalini Jaywant, Bir Sakuja and Agha. The film's music is by Sachin Dev Burman, and the lyrics are by Majrooh Sultanpuri.

The movie won two Filmfare awards including Filmfare Best Actor Award and Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Song from Kala Paani 1958

Kala Bazar

Another Super hit film from Navketan in 1960.Written and directed by Dev's younger brother Vijay Anand, the film starred Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Vijay Anand, Chetan Anand, Nanda, S.D. Burman composed the music, while the lyrics were penned by Shailendra.

It was noted for having several of Bollywood's stars in a cameo at the film premiere of Mother India (1957), and it was also the only film to star the three Anand brothers together. It became a Superhit at the box office.

Song from Kala Bazar 1960

Hum Dono

Hum Dono was a 1961 Hindi film produced by Dev Anand and Navketan films.The film stars Dev Anand in a double role, and also has Nanda, Sadhana The film is also known for its music by Jaidev and became a box office hit

Song from  Hum Dono 1961

Tere Ghar Ke Samne

It is a 1963 super hit film.The film, produced by Dev Anand and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand.The film's music is by S. D. Burman, while the lyrics have been penned by Hasrat Jaipuri. 

Song from   Tere Ghar Ke Samne  1963

Guide

It is a 1965 romantic drama film starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. It was directed by Vijay Anand, who contributed to the screenplay. The film is based on the novel The Guide, by R. K. Narayan.The movie proved memorable for its award-winning performances by the lead actors and memorable music by S. D. Burman. The film was a box office hit upon release and considered as the Top five Classic of Bollywood.

Song from Guide  1965

Jewel Thief

It is a 1967 Hindi spy thriller  film directed by Vijay Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Vyjayantimala and Ashok Kumar in the lead roles.The film became a box office hit.The music for all the songs were composed by S. D. Burman and The lyrics for this film were by Majrooh Sultanpuri

Song from Jewel Thief  1967

Prem Pujari

This was the first film directed by Dev Anand.It was released in 1970 with a great hype but it did not fare well in Box Office.The movie stars Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and a then-unknown Amrish Puri. It has several popular songs composed  by S. D. Burman.

Song from Prem Pujari 1970

Tere Mere Sapne

It was a 1971 film produced by Dev Anand, and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand for Navketan Films. The movie stars Dev, Vijay, Mumtaz and Hema Malini. The film's music is by S. D. Burman 

Song from Tere Mere Sapne 1971

Hare Rama Hare Krishna

It was a 1971 Indian film once again  directed by Dev Anand starring himself, Mumtaz and Zeenat Aman. The film was a hit^[1] and a star-making vehicle for Zeenat Aman, who played a westernized hippie, and won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. It aimed to have an anti-drug message,hippie Culture and also depicts some problems associated with Westernization such as divorce.

Song from Hare Rama Hare Krishna 1971

Shareef Budmaash

It was a 1973 Bollywood action thriller film directed by Raj Khosla. The film stars Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha and Ajit in pivotal roles.The film was an average at the Box Office.

Song from  Shareef Budmaash 1973

Heera Panna

It was a 1973 Hindi film. Written, produced and directed by Dev Anand for Navketan films, the film stars Dev Anand, Zeenat Aman, Raakhee, Rehman, Jeevan, A.K. Hangal, Paintal and Dheeraj Kumar. The film's music was composed by R. D. Burman. 

 

Song from Heera Panna 1973

Des Pardes

It was  a 1978 Hindi film, produced and directed by Dev Anand. This family drama stars Dev Anandand Tina Munim (in her debut film), with Ajit Khan, Pran, Amjad Khan, Shreeram Lagoo, Tom Alter, Bindu, Prem Chopra, A. K. Hangal, Sujit Kumar, Mehmoodand Paintal in the supporting cast. For the first time, Dev Anand chose comparatively new music director Rajesh Roshan for this film, who did full justice to his selection as most of the songs became quite popular. 

Song from Des Pardes 1978