50 Years of Bawarchi

 

One year after the release of Anand, this film 'Bawarchi' remains a special collaboration of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Rajesh Khanna. Both were at the peak of their career. The film rests on Khanna’s inherent charm and even feeds off of his manic energy that was on full display previously in Anand.

The movie opens with Bachchan saying that this story is set anywhere in India. He then introduces the Sharmas, who live in Shanti Niwas — the family home that should, as one of them jokes, actually be called Ashanti Niwas, given the amount of chaos and squabbling that takes place within its confines on a daily basis.

Produced under the banner of Rupam Chitra by N C Sippy, Romu Sippy, and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Based on a story by Tapan Sinha and inspired by his original “Galpa Halo Satyi” (1966) in Bengali

Shivnath (Harindranath Chattopadhyay) is the head of the Sharma family, who are so thoroughly argumentative that they employed. So when plucky young chef Raghu (Rajesh Khanna) shows up, nobody expects him to last long. To their surprise, however, he proves remarkably adept at satisfying everyone's independent needs. No sooner do they think him their savior than all the jewelry suddenly disappears.

A simple but profound, absorbing film with characteristic Mukherjee comic interludes, it had a somewhat, probably redone, unconvincing, simplistic climax. Scripted by the director himself with some very engaging, profound dialogue by Gulzar, the film had songs with  lyrics by Kaifi Azmi — “Bhor aai gaya Andhiyara” (Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Harindranath Chattopadhyay, Nirmala Devi, Lakshmi Shankar), “Kahe Kanha karat barjori” (Lakshmi Shankar), “Mast pawan dole re” and “More naina bhaven neer” (Lata Mangeshkar), “Pahle Chori Phir Seenajori” (Kumari Faiyaz) and “Tun bin Jeevan” (Manna Dey) set to hummable classical tunes by the much under-rated Madan Mohan.

The film won comedian Paintal his first Filmfare trophy and ranked 8th on the box office hit chart of the year. So if you have not seen it, go and enjoy the movie

Song of Bawarchi 1972

Song of Bawarchi 1972

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50 Years of Amar Prem

 

There are a few Hindi films that touch one more than Amar Prem. The film has completed 50 years, released on 29th Jan 1972. The film belongs to Sharmila Tagore as far as performances go. She preserves fully the dignity of the character even as she skillfully walks the audience through all the traumatic moments of the character´s life

The film was directed by Shakti Samanta. It was a remake of the Bengali film Nishi Padma (1970), directed by Arabinda Mukherjee, who wrote the screenplay for both the films based on the Bengali short story Hinger Kochuri by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. The highlight of the film was its music, composed by R D Burman.

The movie is about a schoolboy, who is ill-treated by his stepmother, and becomes friends with a prostitute neighbor. The film stars Sharmila Tagore playing a prostitute with a heart of gold, with Rajesh Khanna in the role of a lonely businessman and Vinod Mehra as adult Nandu, the young child, who they both come to care for. The essence of the movie revolves around three characters –– Anand, Pushpa, and Nandu, a child who is tortured at home by a stepmother (Bindu). Nandu is showered with affection by Pushpa

The score and soundtrack for the film was composed by R.D.Burman, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack was melody-based, which gave Lata Mangeshkar her finest classical solo of the decade, Raina Beti Jaaye. How can we forget the immortal songs  like "Chingaari Koi Bhadke", "Kuchh Toh Log Kahenge", "Yeh Kya Hua" sung by Kishore Kumar

Songs of Amar Prem 1972

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A Look into the Special Appearances of Rajesh Khanna in Bollywood Films

 

Rajesh Khanna the Super Star who gave 15 consecutive hit films from 1969 to 1972 was the most sought-after hero. He appeared in 30 films as Special Appearance. In most of the films, he sang a song in the film. In 8 films he appeared as Rajesh Khanna, the hero. The first special appearance was in the 1968 film Shrimanji and he then appeared in the 1971 film 'Andaz' just after the success of Aradhana. and Do Raste  The song 'Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana' became a rage.

In this blog, I have selected only those films in which he gave a special appearance.

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Anuraag 1972

A Scene of Badhti Ki Naam Dadhi 1974

Song of Aakraman 1975

A Scene from Aaina 1977

Song of Tinku 1977

Song of Muqablq 1979

Song of Naseeb1981

Song of Suraag 1982

Song of Disco Dancer 1982

Song of Mamta ki Chhaon Mein 1989

Qawwali of Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladoun - 1976

The Story Behind the Song 'Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli'

 

This beautiful song from Anand was sung by Manna De, composed by Salil Da, and written by Yogesh is now 50 years old. This song was included in the film to compensate Yogesh, the lyricist for a song he wrote earlier for this film but not recorded. The Director Hrishikesh Mukharjee thought of obliging Yogesh to write a Title song. 

It being the title song so Salil Da recorded this song in the voice of Manna Dey. When Rajesh Khanna, the hero of the film heard the recorded version of this song, he said that such a lovely composition should not be wasted on the title. He insisted the song be shot on him. It became the first solo song of Manna Dey for Rajesh Khanna. Interestingly all the other songs in this film were sung by Mukesh for Rajesh Khanna.

The song was shot in three hours and only two antaras were kept in the film. As per Yogesh, he wrote 5 antaras, and three antara were recorded but only two were shot. Manna De used to sing the third antara on many stage shows in those days.

According to Bimal Roy's daughter Rinki Bhattacharya, this melody was originally written for a film Anand Mahal which was delayed so Sali Da used this melody here in this movie. Salil Da in an interview once said that arrangement is not a part of Indian music. It is a western concept but he felt it is also essential for a film song else there would be nothing to hold the edifice. For my compositions, I normally use an Indian melody and flavor it with something western.

In this song too Salil created a unique concoction of eastern and East Europian melody.

Song of Anand 1971

50 Years of 'Haathi Mere Saathi'

 Haathi Mere Saathi was the highest-grossing Indian film of 1971. It was released on 1st May 1971 and became an instant hit all over India. It was not a children's film but became a craze among children. Children's cinema was a rarity in the 70's decade which was dominated by action dramas. But one big exception was "Haathi Mere Saathi"(1971), directed by M.A.Thirumugham which was inspired by his own Tamil hit, "Vettaikkaaran"(1964).

This was the first film of Salim Javed as an independent script & screenplay writer. it was the biggest hit in the career of Rajesh Khanna as a hero. This movie is about the relationship/bondage between man and animal. Elephants play an equally important role with Rajesh Khanna in the movie and the movie revolves around them. Tanuja playing the heroine also contributes.

In an interview, Tanuja said, "I showed them the film when Kajol was six and Tanishaa around three years old, and for two weeks Kajol did not speak to me!! "Mummy, you killed the elephant! Because of you, he had to die!" screamed Kajol! "And Tanishaa was annoyed too!" 

Another highlight of the film was its music by Laxmikant Pyarelal who have composed some great hits for this movie sung by Kishore Kumar. One song by Mohammad Rafi is a class.

 The film ranks as a classic because it is still unequaled as the complete family fare in its genre for kids of all ages!. If you have not seen this film, you must see this film with your children.

Songs

#	Title	Singer(s)
1	"Chal Chal Chal Mere Saathi"	Kishore Kumar
2	"Dhak Dhak Kaise Chalti Hai Gaadi"	Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
3	"Duniya me rehna hai to kaam kar pyare"	Kishore Kumar
4	"Sunja Aa Thandi Hawa"	Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
5	"Dilbar Jani Chali Hawa Mastani"	Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar
6	"Nafrat Ki Duniya Ko Chhod Ke"	Mohammed Rafi

Songs of Haathi Mere Saathi' 1971

50 Years of 'Andaz'

 

This Superhit film was released on 30th April 1971. It was the last movie of Shammi Kapoor as a romantic hero. It was the last movie of the great Shankar-Jaikishan duo. Soon after Jaikishan died of liver cirrhosis, he was only 42.It was the first movie of Ramesh Sippy as Director and also the first script of Salim Javed, 

The film is about a widower(Shammi Kapoor) who has a kid from his now-dead wife(Simi Grewal) and a young widow(Hema Malini) who has a young son from her now-dead lover(Rajesh Khanna) and how their lives meet and end up in romance.

This was the golden age of Rajesh Khanna, whatever the superstar touched it turned into gold. Here also in 15 minutes guest appearances stole the show. He appears on screen for only a few minutes with the famous Kishore Kumar yodel “Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana” and a couple of other scenes.

The story is a formula-based one but the skilfully written screenplay is able to entertain the viewers throughout. This was the first signal of a great script and screenplay writer of Bollywood in making. Their first film as an independent screenplay writer was to release soon and to be the top-grossing film of 1971. 

It was the last movie of Shammi Kapoor as a romantic hero and his role demanded maturity not only on the face but also in performance. And Shammi Kapoor has done it perfectly. Nowhere is he over the top and portrayed the widower and an affectionate father on the screen with finesse, bringing all his experience as a hero over the previous 18 years into his performance. 

The film features "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana", one of the best known Bollywood yodels This song was nominated in the best singer category for Kishore Kumar. Hasrat Jaipuri was awarded the best lyricist for this song.

 This is an entertaining family drama If you have not seen it earlier, you must see it now. 

#	Title	Singer(s)
1	"Re Mama Re Mama Re"	Mohammed Rafi
2	"Dil Use Do Jo Jaan De De"	Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle
3	"Hai Na Bolo Bolo"	Mohammed Rafi, Suman Kalyanpur, Sushma Shrestha, Pratibha
4	"Mujhe Pyas Aesi Pyas Lagi Hai"	Asha Bhosle
5	"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana"	Kishore Kumar
6	"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana (II)"	Mohammed Rafi
7	"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana (III)"	Asha Bhosle

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

Song of Andaz 1971

50 Years of 'Anand'

 

The characteristic of a great film is a story well presented on screen so as to grab the attention as well as the emotion of the audience. Anand had all the ingredients of a great film. Produced and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee,, co-written and dialogue by Gulzar starring Rajesh Khanna in the lead role, with a supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan.

The film was released on 12th March 1971  won several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Film in 1972.  The film was a super hit and the third highest-grossing film of 1971. It has since gained a cult following and is hailed as one of the greatest films ever made.

Besides getting the Best Film Award, it also got: Best Actor: Rajesh Khanna.  Best Supporting Actor: Amitabh Bachchan,  Best Dialogue: Gulzar,  Best Editing: Hrishikesh Mukherjee,  Best Story: Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film also got National Award for the Best Hindi Film.

The film has everything excellent. Acting, direction, story, music, dialogues etc... everything is fabulous. It has drama, humour, emotions in dollops. It is a story of a dying man who looks at life with a positive attitude and enjoys his time knowing fully well his disease is incurable and that he is going to die soon.

Rajesh Khanna as Anand was absolutely brilliant, Amitabh Bachchan was fantastic as Babumoshai. Another highlight was its music by Salil Chowdurywho comes up with an absolutely fantastic score and singers Mukhesh and Manna Dey do complete justice to his tunes.

No.	Title	Singer(s)	Lyricist	Duration
1	"Kahin Door Jab" (Male)	Mukesh	Yogesh	05:52
2	"Maine Tere Liye"	Mukesh	Gulzar	03:09
3	"Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli"[14]	Manna Dey	Yogesh	03:30
4	"Kahin Door Jab" (Female)	Lata Mangeshkar	Yogesh	03:48
5	"Na Jiya Lage Na"	Lata Mangeshkar	Gulzar	03:22
6	"Maut Tu Ek Kavita Hai"	Amitabh Bachchan	Gulzar	00:47

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

50 Years of Kati Patang

 

Kati Patang was released on 29th Jan 1951.By that time Rajesh Khanna was the Super Star of Bollywood. All of his films were making Jubilees  The Rajesh Khanna phenomenon was at its peak. This was the third picture of Shakti Samanta and Rajesh Khanna together and the second film of the trio of Shakti Samanta, Rajesh Khanna and R D Burman.

The film was tragic in nature with a non-glamorous heroine role but became hit because of its music. The film gave us evergreen hits like Yeh Shaam Mastani, Pyar Diwana Hota Hai and Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai. all sung by Kishore Kumar. One song 'Jis Gali Me Tera Ghar Na Ho Sajna' was sung by Mukesh.

The film was based on the novel by Gulshan Nanda, the 1971 film features the story of the double life of Madhavi, played by Asha Parekh, who got her first Filmfare Award of the Best Heroine for this role.

Sharmila Tagore who was a favourite heroine of Shakti Samanta did not get this role because she was pregnant at that time. Asha Parekh who had earlier worked with Samanta was the natural choice for this film.  He had cast her in his earlier film,  Pagla Kahin Ka.

Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh had already been paired in a few films like Aan Milo Sajna,  their pairing was also acceptable to the audience.  This film too was a hit and was  the sixth highest-earning Bollywood film of 1971

Track	Song	Singer(s)	Picturized on	Duration
1	"Yeh Shaam Mastani"	Kishore Kumar	Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh	4:07
2	"Pyar Deewana Hota Hai"	Kishore Kumar	Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh	4:30
3	"Mera Naam Hai Shabnam"	Asha Bhosle, R. D. Burman	Bindu	3:05
4	"Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai"	Kishore Kumar	Rajesh Khanna	3:36
5	"Jis Gali Mein Tera Ghar"	Mukesh	Rajesh Khanna and Asha Parekh	3:40
6	"Na Koi Umang Hai"	Lata Mangeshkar	Asha Parekh	3:07
7	"Aaj Na Chodenge"	Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar	Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna	4:

Song of Kati Patang 1971

Song of Kati Patang 1971

Song of Kati Patang 1971

Song of Kati Patang 1971

Song of Kati Patang 1971

Song of Kati Patang 1971

Song of Kati Patang 1971