This BLOG is about the Past of Hindi Films Specially Black and White Cinema We will refresh your memories by bringing out forgotten or unseen songs and clippings of film scenes We will try to give you as much information as we gather from our research.
This Blog was started as a one-man’s passion for film history but has now become an addiction for many music lovers who are equally passionate about Hindi films
Neetu Singh(8th July 1958) was only 21 when she took retirement from Bollywood. She was 15 when her first film as a Heroine opposite Randhir Kapoor was released. She appeared next in Yadon Ki Barat in the same year in the song 'Lekar Hum Diwana Dil' as a guest performance. Her second film as a heroine was in the 1974 film 'Hawas' opposite Anil Dhawan. The same year she appeared with Rishi Kapoor as Heroine in.' Zehreela Insaan'. Their next film was 'Rafoochakkar' released in 1975 was a hit, this team repeated the success in 'Khel Khel Mein' The hit pair were further fortified by, Kabhi Kabhie(1976) and Amar Akbar Anthony(1977).
Hugely popular with the public and within the industry, the bubbly Neetu Singh signed many films opposite the heroes like Amitabh Bachchan (Adalat, Parvarish, The Great Gambler, Yaarana), Rajesh Khanna (Chakravyuh), Vinod Khanna (Yuvraj), Randhir Kapoor (Kasme Vaade), Shatrughan Sinha (Kaala Patthar) and Jeetendra (Dharamveer, Priyatama). Within 3 years she was among the top heroines of that time like Hema Malini, Rekha. and Zeenat Aman.
Rishi Kapoor in his biography said that he went abroad to shoot for his film Barood, a sense of loneliness gripped him. It was then that he realized the true essence of Neetu Singh in his life and poured his heart out in a telegram. Neetu Singh was elated and they began dating. They dated for five years before tying the knot. At the time of marriage, Neetu Singh was at the peak of her acting career and was nominated for a Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress for Kaala Patthar (1979). But she decided to bid adieu to the film industry, raising murmurs about restrictions in the Kapoor family. She dismissed all the allegations, stating that it was her independent choice. They got married on Jan. 22, 1980, The decision of quitting acting was her own, in 1979, when they decided to get married, she stopped accepting offers for more films. She decided to complete all the projects in hand. Even after marriage, she worked in a few films left uncompleted. Her last film released was 'Ganga Meri Ma' released in 1983 opposite Shatrughan Sinha.
She was seen in a guest appearance after a gap of 26 years in the 2009 film Love Aaj Kal, later in Do Dooni Chaar(2010) Neetu Singh started acting at the age of 8 under the name Baby Sonia,and made her acting debut in 1966 with the film Suraj. Her other early roles included starring in the films Dus Lakh (1966), starring in a double role in the film Do Kaliyaan (1968), as well as appearing in Waris (1969) and Pavitra Paapi (1970).
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan known as The King of Kings of Qawwaliperformed at the wedding of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. It was possibly his first performance in India. It was Raj Kapoor who heard him casually somewhere and liked his singing. He kept him in mind that whenever he will get a chance he would invite Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to India. Born(13 October 1948 – 16 August 1997) in Faisalabad, Khan had his first public performance at the age of 16. He was the fifth child and first son of Fateh Ali Khan, a musicologist, vocalist, instrumentalist, and qawwal. The tradition of qawwali in the family had passed down through successive generations for almost 600 years.In 1964, Khan's father died, leaving his musical education under the supervision of his paternal uncles, Mubarak Ali Khan and Salamat Ali Khan. In 1971, after the death of his uncle Mubarak Ali Khan, Khan became the official leader of the family Qawwali party and the party became known as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Mujahid Mubarak Ali Khan & Party. Khan's first public performance as the leader of the Qawwali party was at a studio recording broadcast as part of an annual music festival organized by Radio Pakistan, known as Jashn-e-Baharan. His first major hit in Pakistan was the song Haq Ali Ali, which was performed in a traditional style and with traditional instrumentation. The song featured the restrained use of Khan's Sargam improvisations. He also contributed songs to and performed in, several Pakistani films.In the summer of 1985, Khan performed at the World of Music, Arts and Dance (WOMAD) festival in London.Khan's album Intoxicated Spirit was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album in 1997. That same year, his album Night Song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. Shortly before his death, he composed music for three Bollywood films, which includes the film Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya, in which he also sang for "Koi Jaane Koi Na Jaane" on-screen with the lead pair, and "Zindagi Jhoom Kar"; He also composed music for Kartoos, where he sang for "Ishq Da Rutba", and "Bahaa Na Aansoo", alongside Udit Narayan. He died very shortly prior to the movie's release. His final music composition for Bollywood was for the movie, Kachche Dhaage, where he sang in "Iss Shaan-E-Karam Ka Kya Kehna". The movie was released in 1999, two years after his death. The two singing sisters of Bollywood, Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar sang for the songs he composed in his brief stint in Bollywood. He sang "Saya Bhi Saath Jab Chhod Jaye" for Sunny Deol's movie Dillagi. The song was released in 1999, two years after Khan's death. He also sang "Dulhe Ka Sehra" from the Bollywood movie Dhadkan which was released in 2000. He is widely considered to be the most important qawwal in history. In 1987, he received the President of Pakistan's Award for Pride of Performance for his contribution to Pakistani music.
The credit of introducing this great singer to India goes to the great Showman of India Raj Kapoor. who invited him for the sangeet ceremony of his son Rishi Kapoor. He sang all night. The guests were stunned by his performance! The gaana bajaana [musical celebrations] went on for days. The invitation was, in fact, extended to Nusrat by famous Pakistani actor Mohammad Ali. On receiving the invitation Khan was thrilled, more so for the chance to visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the famous shrine of Sufi Saint Moinuddin Chishti, in Rajasthan. The wedding party boasted of a number of artists and musicians from that era. Surprisingly he decided to treat the guests to Indian classical vocals rather than his trademark qawwali. It is said that his performance created a flutter, with senior musicians climbing to the stage to personally congratulate the then 31-year old. After this programme, he became darling of many of Music lovers in India.Nusrat went on to sing live and perform at a number of concerts across India in the years to come, but it was only with 1994's Bandit Queen that he first composed music for an Indian film. His first recorded Bollywood song came about in 1996, thanks to Aur Pyar Ho Gaya, starring Aishwarya Rai and Bobby Deol.
Here is the Audio Recording of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's programme at Rishi Kapoor's wedding
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan Marriage Ceremony Of Rishi Kapoor & Neetu Singh
They were born to be star and showed a glimpses of their talent quite early in their career. The Hindi Film Industry can boast of such child artists who went on to leave their mark in this glitterati world. Nargis, Nargis she made her screen debut as a child in Talash-E-Haq in 1935, but her acting career began in 1942 with Tamanna (1942). Nargis appeared in numerous films after her debut; she won lasting fame for her later, adult, roles, starting with at the age of 14, inMehboob Khan's Taqdeer in 1943 opposite, Motilal.
Nargis,was an Indian filmactress. Regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Hindi cinema,One of her best-known roles was that of Radha in the Academy Award-nominated Mother India (1957), a performance that won her Best Actress trophy at the Filmfare Awards. In 1958,
Madhubala
Madhubala (14 February 1933 – 23 February 1969).Madhubala's first movie as child Artist was, Basant (1942), that was a box-office success. Actress Devika Rani was impressed by her performance and potential, and advised her to assume the screen name 'Madhubala. Before that she was known as Mumtaz.
As child Actor in Basant 1942
Madhubala singing as child artist
As leading role in Neel Kamal 1947
Her first lead role, at the age of 14, was with producer Kidar Sharma when he cast her opposite Raj Kapoor in Neel Kamal (1947)here also her name was Mumtaz .She achieved stardom and popularity in 1949 when she was cast as the lead in Bombay Talkies studio's Mahal – a role intended for well-known star Suraiya.
She was active between 1942 and 1960. Along with her contemporaries Nargis and Meena Kumari, she is often regarded as one of the most influential personalities of Hindi cinema.[4] She is also considered to be one of the most beautiful actresses to have worked in the industry.
Aayega Aane Wala from Mahal
She will be remembered in films likeMahal (1949), Amar (1954), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958), Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Barsaat Ki Raat(1960). Madhubala's performance in Mughal-e-Azam established her as an iconic actress of Hindi Cinema. Her last film, Jwala, although shot in the 1950s, was released in 1971. Madhubala died on 23 February 1969 after a prolonged illness.Madhubala married Kishore Kumar in 1960 after Kishore Kumar converted to Islam and took up the name Karim Abdul
Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari as infant
As Child Star
Meena Kumari (1 August 1932 – 31 March 1972),her birth name was MahjabeenAt home, Mahjabeen’s family fondly called her by the name "Munna.Little Mehjabeen embarked on her acting career at the age of six. She was immersed in work over next four years as a child artist, mostly in Vijay Bhatt productions Leatherface(1939), Pooja (1940), Nai Roshni (1941), Bahen (1941), Kasauti (1941) and Garib (1942).Vijay Bhattbecame her mentor and, on the sets ofEk Hi Bhool(1940), rechristened Mahjabeen asBaby Meena
1st Filmfare Awards Winners 1954. Meena Kumari won Best Actress award for Baiju Bawra.
It became a huge commercial and critical success and catapulted Meena Kumari, to stardom. Meena Kumari won the first ever Filmfare Best Actress Award for Baiju Bawra on 21 March 1954 at the Metro Theatre in Bombay.The film celebrated diamond jubilee.
.Pakeezah released on 4 February 1972, with a grand premiere at Maratha Mandir theatre in central Mumbai.Three weeks after the release of Pakeezah, Meena Kumari became seriously ill, on 28 March 1972 she was admitted to St Elizabeth's Nursing Home.Meena Kumari died on Friday 31 March 1972 of liver cirrhosis at age 39.
Tabassum
tabassum as child
Tabassum as child with Dev Anand
Tabassum (born Kiran Bala Sachdev on 9 July 1944),started her career as a child actor Baby Tabassum in 1947.Tabassum made her film debut 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 pictured 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. After a gap, she reentered films in adult roles, working as a character actress
Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena from Deedar
.She is now better known as T V host.She hosted the first talkshow of Indian television, Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan, which ran for 21 years from 1972 to 1993. Produced by Doordarshan Kendra Mumbai, it was based on interviews of film celebrities and became immensely popular.
Daisy Irani
Daisy Irani (born 1950) started her carrier with Bandish 1955.During the Golden Age (1950s-70s) of Hindi cinema, some child stars had great visibility. The Irani sisters, Daisy and Honey, who generally played young boys with curly hair, became household names.They became Child Stars.Stories were re-written to include them in the cast or increase their footage in the films, and they were prominently publicized in the promos of their movies.
Scene from Bandish
Daisy, who was more popular than her younger sister as a child artiste, continued to act after growing up, though not in any significant roles.Some of her important films as child actor were Jagte Raho, Bhai Bhai, Naya Daur,Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke, Musafir, Sahara, Quedi No. 9211, Duniya Na Mane, Do Ustad, Dhool Ka Phool, Soorat Aur Seerat andChandi Ki Diwar.
Daisy Irani, Romi,from Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke
Daisy Irani married screenwriter K.K. Shukla (a Hindu Brahmin gentleman) on 21 January 1971 at age 19. Her career as a child-star being at an end, she made no effort to pursue a career in films as an adult, but devoted herself to her husband and family. She has been blessed with a successful marriage and three children,She appeared as Guest artist very recently in Happy New Year(2014) as Tammy's mother (cameo)Before that she was seen in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (2012) as Nargis Pastakia
Daisy Irani -in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi
Nutan
Nutan Samarth Bahl (4 June 1936 – 21 February 1991),she started her career at the age of 14 in the 1950 film Hamari Beti, directed by her mother Shobhna Samarth.
SunoChhoti Si Gudiya Ki from Seema
Her first big break was Seema, for which she won her first Filmfare Best Actress Award. She followed her success with a romantic comedy, Paying Guest, in which she co-starred with Dev Anand. She formed a popular screen couple with co-star Dev Anand and the two acted in four films together – Paying Guest (1957), Baarish (1957), Manzil (1960) and Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963)
Dil Ka Bhanwar Kare Pukar
She continued playing leading roles through the 1960s until the late 1970s and went on to win the award on four other occasions for her roles in Sujata (1959), Bandini (1963), Milan (1967) and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).
She won her fifth Filmfare best actress award, at the age of 42 for Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki. She thus became a record holder in the category, having won five award for Best Actress at Filmfare. At age 42, she is also the oldest winner of the award. Nutan was perhaps the only actress of her generation to command leading roles in her 40s, with tremendous success.
On 11 October 1959, she married navalLieutenant-Commander Rajnish Bahl, who died in 2004.Their son, Mohnish Bahl, born in 1961, later entered films as well.
Nutan died in February 1991, of breast cancer after it had spread to her lungs, at the age of 54.Two of her films Naseebwala (1992) and Insaniyat (1994) were released after her death. She also gave a stellar performance as Kaliganj ki Bahu in TV serial Mujrim Hazir, her only role on small screen.
NEETU SINGH
She started acting at the age of 8 under the name Baby Sonia. She played Roopa in the 1966 movie Dus Lakhand a dual role in the film Do Kaliyaan. Her other notable films as a child actress were Waris and Pavitra Paapi.
She made her debut as a leading actress in Rikshawala in 1972 and went on to appear in over 60 films. She left the film industry in 1983 after her marriage to frequent co-star Rishi Kapoor in 1980. She made a comeback after 26 years appearing opposite her husband in Love Aaj Kal (2009), Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Besharam (2013).
Sridevi (bornon 13 August 1963) She started her career as a child artist in M.A. Thirumugham’s devotional Thunaivan at the age of four,She made her Bollywood debut as a child artist in the hit Julie (1975)
Sridevi in Solva Sawan
In Bollywood, she made her debut as a lead actress in Solva Sawan (1978) and gained wide public attention with the movieHimmatwala (1983)
In 1986, came the snake fantasy Nagina which saw Sridevi play an 'ichhadhaari naagin' or a shape-shifting woman. The film turned out to be the second biggest blockbuster of the year with Box Office India stating that Sridevi remained "the undisputed No.1.
One of the most iconic films of its time, Directed byShekhar Kapur,Mr India with Sridevi as heroine released in 1987,The dance number 'Hawa Hawai' is one of the unforgettable numbers of Sridevi.
In 1989 came Chaalbaaz which had Sridevi in a double-role playing twin sisters separated at birth. Filmfare ranked her performance 4th in its list of '80 Iconic Performances of Hindi Cinema'
The same year also saw the release of the Yash Chopra romantic saga Chandni with Sridevi playing the title role.Sridevi's famous dance number 'Mere Hathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyan became most popular dance in wedding functions.
Sridevi married Boney Kapoor, a film producer and the elder brother of actors Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Kapoor, in 1996. Sridevi in her come back film English Vinglish.directed by Gauri Shinde (R. Balki's wife) in 2012 became the only actress in Bollywood to make a successful comeback as a leading lady after marriage and a long hiatus.
Urmila Matondkar
Urmila Matondkar (born 4 February 1974), made her acting debut as a child artist in the 1980 Marathi filmZaakol, and had her first Bollywood release with the drama Kalyug (1981). She later gained recognition for her child role in the highly acclaimed drama Masoom (1983), following which she appeared in few other films as a child artist.She played her first adult role in the blockbuster Malayalam film Chanakyan(1989), and followed it with the box office hit Narsimha (1991), her first Bollywood film as an adult.
She got success as the female lead in the highly successful romantic drama Rangeela (1995). She received widespread praise for her performances in the drama Judaai (1997) and the crime thriller Satya (1998).She later garnered critical recognition for portraying a range of intense psychological characters, including that of a serial killer in the 1999 thriller Kaun, an obsessive lover in the 2001 thrillerPyaar Tune Kya Kiya, a possessed woman in the 2003 horror film Bhoot, for which she won a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actress, and a violent avenger in the 2004 thriller Ek Hasina Thi.
Apart from holding a successful acting career, she is regarded as an outstanding dancer and has been a featured performer in many Bollywood item numbers. Her best-known item number is the Chamma Chamma sequence from the 1998 China Gate. Other hit numbers include Aaiye Aajaye from the hit film Lajja.
She has featured as a talent judge for the 2007 reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa Season 2. In 2016, she married model Mohsin Akhtar Mir.
