Shakti Samanta- The Maker of a Classic 'Amar Prem'

 

Shakti Samanta (13 January 1926 – 9 April 2009) gave us the great films such as Howrah Bridge, China Town, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, Aradhana, Kati Patang, and Amar Prem. He directed 43 feature films, including 37 Hindi, and 6 Bengali films.

Amar Prem was his 3rd film with Rajesh Khanna. Initially, Rajkumar was the original choice to play the lead hero.  When  Rajesh Khanna heard it he went to Shakti Samantha's office and asked him how can he cast another actor in this film, this was because they had already given a classic hit like Aradhana 1969 and Kati Patang 1970 was almost ready for release and they both had bonded a good relationship between them.

Another interesting fact of this film is that the immortal song 'Chingari Koi Bhadke' was not shot on the Hooghly river with the Howrah Bridge on the background was shot in a studio in Mumbai. Shakti Samanta in an interview said that the entire film was shot in Bombay and its suburbs, in fact, he told that a great length of shooting happened in a village at Nala Supara, the suburb of Bombay. The song was an additional song, it was added in the film when the film was complete.

The film's story is based on a Bengali short story Nishi Padma by Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay. , A Bengali film with the same name got released in 1970 starring Uttam Kumar and Sabitri Chatterjee.  Bengali writer-director Arvinda Mukherjee wasn't familiar with Hindi so he wrote the script of Amar Prem 1972 in English, writer Ramesh Pant then translated the whole script in Hindi.

Rajesh Khanna reportedly saw Nishipadma 24 times. He suggested changing the character's name from Ananta to Anand to draw a connection to his character in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's critically acclaimed Anand (1971).

One of the highlights of this film was its music composed by R D Burman, the soundtrack was melody-based, which gave Lata Mangeshkar her finest classical solo of the decade, Raina Beti Jaaye, set in an unusual blend of two Ragas, he had heard his father, music composer S. D. Burman sing, Bela Boye Jaye, which he said was on his mind while composing the song. Bakshi's lyrics, created a Meera bhajan-like idiom for the song, employing the Krishna-Radha motif.

Another memorable song 'Yeh Kya Hua Kaise Hua' by Kishore Kumar was a true copy of the Bengali version of Kishore from the film 'Rajkumari' This song was too composed by R D Burman earlier. Another song  "Bada Natkhat hai Re Krishna Kanhaiyya" sung by Lata Mangeshkar is another masterpiece from Burmans.It happened when Sachin Da heard the tune of this song, he asked Pancham  to redo the tune as per the situation of the song.Thus R.D. Burman made a tune in Raga Khamaj, which Lata Mangeshkar too sang with marked emotional clarity.

Rajesh Khanna's dialogue "Pushpa, I hate tears", which appeared five times in the film has become the most popular dialogue of Rajesh Khanna. He was nominated as the Best Actor for this film but couldn't get.Anand Bakshi, the lyricist and Kishore Kumar were also nominated for their respective fields.

Songs of Amar Prem

#	Title	Singer(s)	Duration
1	"Doli Mein Bithai Ke"	S. D. Burman	5:43
2	"Raina Beeti Jaye"	Lata Mangeshkar	5:20
3	"Chingari Koi Bhadke"	Kishore Kumar	5:38
4	"Kuchh Toh Log Kahenge"	Kishore Kumar	4:56
5	"Yeh Kya Hua"	Kishore Kumar	4:33
6	"Bada Natkhat Hai Yeh"	Lata Mangeshkar	4:53

 Though 1972 was a year of the big films Pakeezah, Dushman and Beimaan, Amar Prem was eighth amongst Khanna's top releases in the year.The film became a classic and became the most memorable film of Shakti Samanta, R D Burman,Sharmila Tagore and Rajesh Khanna.

Song of Amar Prem 1972

Song of Amar Prem 1972

Song of Amar Prem 1972

Song of Amar Prem 1972

Song of Amar Prem 1972

The untold Story Behind Rajesh Khanna Film 'Anand'

 

The character Anand made Rajesh Khanna an immortal. He got his second Filmfare Best Actor Award for this character. This role was his favourite character from 180 films he did. He made full use of his strong director-backed role. For this role, he accepted a meagre sum of Rs 7 Lakh. 

Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the director got the idea of making the film when his friend and Indian producer Raj Kapoor was suffering from an illness and everyone thought he would die. Mukherjee’s fear of losing his friend inspired him to pen Anand. 

Kishore Kumar was the original choice for the role of Anand, he was ready to do this role too but when on the day he went to sign him, Kishore Kumar’s watchman didn’t allow Hrishikesh Mukharjee in.  Kishore Kumar had apparently asked his watchman to not allow a Bengali man inside and he mistook Mukherjee to be that man. This made Hrishikesh Da angry and decided to drop the idea of taking Kishore for this role.

 Then he thought of taking Uttam Kumar for this role but he refused the film because the shooting dates clashed with his commitments to Bengali cinema., then he approached Shashi Kapoor for this role, he too was reluctant to accept this role because during those he wanted to consolidate himself as a romantic hero after the success of Jab Jab Phool Khile. 

The film and its script was ready but its cast could not be finalized, in the meantime, Hrishikesh Mukharjee was busy with the films like Aashirwad and Satyakam. In 1969 Rajesh Khanna's Aradhana got released, with this film he became a superstar and was the most sought after hero. Every film of his was making Jubilee, producers were after him to sign their film but it was Rajesh Khanna, who wanted to do the role of Anand. He came to know about this role from Gulzar who was the co-writer of this film.

Rajesh Khanna one day went to Hrishikesh Da, asked him to give this role and complete the film but Hrishi Da was hesitant to work with him because the film was a low budget film, Rajesh Khanna was a Super Star, the film can not afford his price for which Rajesh Khanna said that he is ready to accept whatever they pay. Hrishi Da was aware that Rajesh Khanna had a habit of coming late on sets, so he asked him to report on time and give him his dates as per his requirement. Rajesh Khanna accepted all the terms and conditions to do this film. 

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

Song of Anand 1971

50 Years of SAFAR

This film was released on 31st July 1970. It was the tenth highest-grossing film of that year. Rajesh Khanna was the hero, who was at the peak of his career. This being one of the seventeen consecutive hit films between 1969 and 1971. It won one Filmfare Awards and four BFJA Awards. The film stars Ashok Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, and Feroz Khan in lead roles. 
This was the second film of Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore Jodi, they appeared together in many films after this film. Sharmila was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award for this film. This is also one of the movies for which Rajesh Khanna shall be remembered forever. 
Safar  is a story of common people grappling with staggering challenges and compromises. Sharmila Tagore plays a doctor she works under the guidance of Dr. Chandra (Ashok Kumar), who tells her that however hard doctors might try, sometimes a patient wouldn't survive. Rajesh Khanna is a cancer patient. Both of them studied together in college.  Though he admires Neela(Sharmila Tagore) very much, he never talks about love or marriage. Everyone thinks that it's because of his financial status, but it is later revealed that he has terminal cancer.
Feroz Han plays Shekhar,, he falls in love with Neela. He goes to propose marriage with her and meets her brother, Kalidas, but is told that he should instead meet with Avinash. So Shekhar introduces himself to Avinash, tells him of his intentions, and Avinash instantly approves of him, and subsequently, Shekhar and Neela are married. 
Neela regularly visits her brother's house where Avinash was a frequent visitor. Shekhar slowly grows suspicious of Neela and Avinash and asks his younger brother to spy on her. Shekhar comes to the conclusion that Neela is in love with Avinash and confronts her, they quarrel, he drinks his medicine and passes out. The next day the police arrest Neela on the charge of murder. With Avinash nowhere to be found, Neela has now to face life behind bars - or even the death sentence.

The soundtrack of the film contains 5 songs. The music is composed by Kalyanji Anandji, with lyrics authored by Indeevar.

#	Song	Singer(s)
1.	"Hum The Jinke Sahare"	Lata Mangeshkar
2.	"Jeevan Se Bhari"	Kishore Kumar
3.	"Jo Tumko Ho Pasand"	Mukesh
4.	"Nadiya Chale Chale Re"	Manna Dey
5.	"Zindagi Ka Safar"	Kishore Kumar

Song of Safar 1970

Song of Safar 1970

Song of Safar 1970

Song of Safar 1970

Song of Safar 1970

50 Years of Sachaa Jhutha

Released 50 years ago on 1st May 1970 was a blockbuster film. It was the second-highest grosser of the year. It was an action-comedy film directed by Manmohan Desai. Rajesh Khanna was the hero with a double role as Ranjith & Bhola. The performance of Rajesh Khanna was critically acclaimed and he won the Filmfare Best Actor Award for 1971.
This film was initially offered to Shashi Kapoor but he refused the film because he did not want to work with Mumtaz. At the time Mumtaz was working in a lot of B Grade stunt films. Shashi did not want to work with a small heroine.

Bhola (Rajesh Khanna) is an innocent band musician who lives with his physically challenged sister Belu(Naaz) in a village. He needs more money for his sister's marriage and he sets off to Bombay. In Bombay, there is a wealthy Jewel Merchant as well as a smuggler Ranjit who is a look-alike of Bhola is suspected by the police 

inspector Pradhan(Vinod Khanna). The inspector has no evidence and searches for that. He creates a plan with Rita (Mumtaz) to attract Ranjith and to know his secret plans.
Bhola and Ranjit paths cross at a costume party Bhola in his original costume of a band player surprises Ranjit, he immediately conceives a plan. He takes Bhola to his place and reveals himself. He convinces Bhola to act like Ranjith in front of society as he is suffering from cancer and requires treatment. Until his return from treatment, Bhola has to make trust with everybody that he is Ranjith. Actually, Ranjith makes him himself so that he can continue with his diamond smuggling, meanwhile, there will not be any evidence, as Bhola is going to be Ranjith everywhere. But he did not reveal the reason for him. He also promises that he would give money for his sister's marriage. Innocent Bhola believes him and agrees to the plan.

Ranjith's girlfriend Ruby (Faryal) trains Bhola to be like Ranjith. In the meantime, Ranjith continues his underground work of diamond smuggling. And Inspector Pradhan cannot come to a conclusion. Rita moves intimately with Bhola thinking of him as Ranjith, but Bhola falls in love with her. 
During this time in the village, Bhola's sister loses everything due to heavy floods, decides to go to Bombay along with her dog to search for Bhola.
Pradhan meets Belu and helps her to reach the place. Belu is misguided by some men regarding the whereabouts of her brother and tries to exploit her, but Pradhan saves her from them and takes her to his home. Ruby, who follows Belu to Pradhan's house informs Ranjith about her. Ranjith, posing like her brother, goes to Pradhan's home and takes her with him.

Finally, Bhola unravels Ranjit's evil designs and threatens exposure, but is restrained by Belu's captivity. After a series of gunfights, fisticuffs, helicopter landings, dog chases (animal rights activists will feel tormented at the plight of Moti) both Bhola and Ranjit are arrested.
It’s a fun film with Rajesh doing an excellent job differentiating between the two characters. His chemistry with gorgeous Mumtaz as always is great, one year earlier both came together in a super hit film Do Raste and Bandhan.
Another highlight of the film is its music. All the songs were hit especially "Meri Pyari Behaniya Banegi Dulhania". Kalyanji Anandji gave the music with lyrics by Indivar, Gulshan Bawra, and Qamar Jalabadi,

Songs of Sacha Jhutha

#	Title	Singer(s)
1	"Karle Pyar Karle Aankhen Chaar"	Asha Bhosle
2	"Dil Ko Dekho Chehra Na Dekho"	Kishore Kumar
3	"Meri Pyari Behaniya (Version 1)"	Kishore Kumar
4	"Meri Pyari Behaniya (Version 2)"	Kishore Kumar
5	"Meri Pyari Behaniya (Version 3)"	Kishore Kumar
6	"Yunhi Tum Mujhse Baat Karti Ho"	Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi
7	"Ho Kehdo Kehdo"	Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Rajesh Khanna- Dev Anand was his Inspiration

Rajesh Khanna in an interview said that he was an ardent admirer of Dev Anand from his teens.When I joined films in 1967, I was highly inspired by his acting style. He was amongst the first to view Aradhana and compliment me genuinely. As I rose in stature as an actor in the early 70s, I received healthy and clean competition from Anand, who was still going strong with a super hit like Johny Mera Naam. 
He allowed Kishore Kumar to sing for me in Aradhana without a second thought. The songs of Aradhana made him the super star.
Rajesh Khanna was first taken by Chetan Anand in Aakhri Khat.It was during the muhurat he met ehis idol Dev Anand. Before that he used to come to see the shooting of Jewel Thief.

Rajesh Khanna, Yash Chopra's with Dev Anand

There were talks of Amit Khanna producing a film in which both were to have acted together. The film never went on floors. In fact, when Khanna’s films started flopping in the late 70s, Anand was the first to encourage him by saying, “Why are you losing confidence? You are a brilliant actor. Look at me and my ups and downs. You termed me the leap year hero. Have confidence in yourself and march forward keeping in mind that the coming days are yours.”

Song of Aradhana 1969

The Meteoric Rise of Rajesh Khanna

There has been no other star in the film industry who saw such a meteoric rise within such a short span of time.  He starred in 15 consecutive solos hit films from 1969 to 1971, still an unbroken record. He was the first Hindi actor whose films ran to full houses for months on end in non-Hindi speaking areas.
He had substance as well as charisma. The innocence and freshness we can see in his performances, that vulnerable, lost look-all created a persona that gave joy to hearts and romance that made hearts skip a beat. 

Rajesh Khanna (29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat. During his career, he appeared in more than 168 feature films. It was the 1969 film Aradhana,  he rose to "instant national fame" and film critics referred to him as the first superstar of India. In 1971, he acted in Haathi Mere Saathi, which became that year's highest-grossing film and the biggest grosser ever till then. He had all the films hits except Badnam Farishte in 1971 that was the first film flopped at the box office since his consecutive 17 hits from 1969.
.During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their blood.
Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films throughout his career. His films were always known for the music with chartbuster soundtracks. The reason for this was that Khanna used to personally sit in music sessions with music directors such as Kalyanji Anandji, R. D. Burman, Shankar Jaikishen, Lakshmikant Pyarelal, S.D. Burman, Bappi Lahiri and select tunes for duets and solo songs in his films. He used to be personally present for the recording of the solo songs to be picturised on him.
Rajesh Khanna was indeed a Superstar, but we’re sure he wouldn’t have been the same without Kishore Kumar. Kishore Kumar who usually sang for Dev Anand and for himself in the films took the permission from Dev Anand to sing for Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana songs. It was the music of Aradhana that created two sensations in Bollywood one was Rajesh Khanna and the other was Kishore Kumar.

'Rajesh Khanna once in an interview said  "Kishore Kumar was my soul and I was his body,"  Along with RD Burman, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna churned out one hit after the other. ‘Kati Patang’ released in 1970 was this trio’s first film together. Songs like ‘Yeh Shaam Mastani’ and ‘Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai’ hit the bull’s eye. Kishore Kumar's songs can be called a key reason of many Rajesh Khanna’s films. 'Aap Ki Kasam', 'Amar Prem', 'Mere Jeevan Saathi', the list of their successful films together is endless. Listen to the best songs of the duo here

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Kati Patang 1970

Song of Kati Patang 1970

Song of Amar Prem 1972

Song of Mere Jeevan Saathi 1972

Song of Aap Ki Kasam 1974

Song of Mehbooba  1976

Song of Agar Tum Na Hote  1983

Rajesh Khanna-The heartthrob of the young generation of 1970s,

Rajesh Khanna (29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) was the first Super Star of Bollywood.He was a craze among women.Women  would wait for hours to have a glimpse of him, marry his photographs and even name their sons after him.Sharmila Tagore said in interview to Indian Express, “Women came out in droves to see Kaka (Khanna). They would stand in queues outside the studios to catch a glimpse, they would marry his photographs,they would pull at his clothes. Delhi girls were crazier for him than Mumbai girls. He needed police protection when he was in public. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name.
 The hysteria he generated was unlike anything seen before and after. As hit followed hit, and women all over the country swooned over him, Rajesh Khanna admitted feeling “next to god”He was the Box Office Badshah at one point of time.He had 15 consecutive super hits between 1969 to 1971, which is still an unbroken record in Indian film history.His greatest acting glory could be marked in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s “Anand”, in which Rajesh Khanna enacts the role of a cancer-patient who knows that his days are being numbered.
He shared a close relationship with R.D. Burman and Kishore Kumar. The trio of Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar and R.D. Burman went on to make a number of popular films, including Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Shehzada, Apna Desh, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Aap Ki Kasam, Ajnabee, Namak Haraam, Maha Chor, Karm, Phir Wohi Raat, Aanchal, Kudrat, Ashanti, Agar Tum Na Hote, Awaaz, Hum Dono and Alag Alag

He made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat.but became Super Star only after the release of Aradhna in 1969.He received the Filmfare Best Actor Award three times and the BFJA Awards for Best Actor (Hindi) four times.He was also a Lok Sabha member of the Indian National Congress from New Delhi (Lok Sabha constituency) from 1992 to 1996
During his career, Khanna played the lead in 74 films that were shown in cinemas for more than 50 continuous weeks (Golden Jubilee Hits) which includes 48 films which ran for 75 weeks (Platinum Jubilee hits) and 22 films that were shown for more than 25(Silver Jubilee hits), but less than 50 weeks.

Khanna died on 18 July 2012, after a period of illness. Khanna has been posthumously awarded India's third highest civilian honour, Padma Bhushan.He has also been honored with a stamp and statue in his likeness, and a road being renamed after him.

Song from Aradhana 1969

Song from  Khamoshi 1969

Song from  Kati Patang (1970)

Song from  Andaz (1971)

Song from  Amar Prem (1972) 

Song from  Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972).

Song from Dushman 1972

Song from  Aap Ki Kasam (1974)

Song from Prem Nagar 1974

Song from Kudrat 1981

Song from Agar Tum Na Hote 1983

Rajesh KhannaThe Hysteria he whipped up during his heyday.

 Born as Jatin Khanna on 29th Dec 1942, was India's first superstar, a heart-throb who had women trying to commit suicide when he tied the knot with Dimple Kapadia in 1973.The nation sat up and took notice of this unknown actor with a charming smile and a twinkle in his eye.

His smile in his heydays made millions of his female fans' hearts skip a beat. There are various stories of his besotted female fans marrying themselves to his photographs. Such was his craze for this Amar Prem lover boy that his fans wrote letters to him in their blood.During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name.Rajesh Khanna was God, there has never been such hysteria.

He made his film debut in the 1966 film Aakhri Khat, directed by Chetan Anand, followed by Raaz, directed by Ravindra Dave, both of which were a part of his predetermined prize for winning the All-India United Producers’ Talent Competition. G.P. Sippy and Nasir Hussain were the first to sign Rajesh Khanna after he won the contest.
From  Aradhana(1969) he rose to "instant national fame" and film critics referred to him as the first superstar of India. He starred in 15 consecutive solo hit films from 1969 to 1971, still an unbroken record.
Sharmila Tagore  in an interview to The Indian Express said  that "women came out in droves to see Kaka. They would stand in queues outside the studios to catch a glimpse, they would marry his photographs, they would pull at his clothes. Delhi girls were crazier for him than Mumbai girls. He needed police protection when he was in public. I have never seen anything like this before or since.
During the filming of Amar Prem there was a scene that needed to be shot at Howrah Bridge with a boat carrying Khanna and Sharmila under the bridge. The authorities ruled this scene out as they realised that if the public found out that the star would be there, it may create problems on the bridge and that it might collapse due to the amount of people trying to get a glimpse of their favorite actor.
Several songs sung by Kishore Kumar in the 1970s were based on Rajesh Khanna. During the filming of the song 'Mere Sapnon Ki Rani' in Aradhana, Sharmila Tagore was shooting for a Satyajit Ray film and director Shakti Samanta had to shoot their scenes separately and then join the scenes together. In the 1970s, his chemistry with Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz, Asha Parekh, Zeenat Aman, Tanuja and Hema Malini were also popular with audiences.

He died on 18 July 2012, at his bungalow, Aashirwad, in Mumbai.His funeral was attended by nearly 9 lakh people and his fans had come from places like Surat, Ahmedabad, California, Singapore and from other foreign countries.Police had to resort to lathi-charge to control the crowd of fans who had gathered for the procession from Khanna's Bandra house to the crematorium.
 His name will be written in golden words." Amitabh Bachchan was quoted as saying: "The word 'superstar' was invented for him, and for me it shall ever remain his, and no others .. !! His generation and the generations that follow, shall never be able to describe, or understand his phenomena .. !!"
A Tribute to Rajesh Khanna With Some of My Favorite Songs

Song from Aradhana 1969

Song from Khamoshi 1969

Song from Safar 1970

Song from Kati Patang 1971

Song from Amar Prem1972

Song from Mere Jeevan Saathi 1972

Song from Daag 1973

Song from Prem Nagar 1974

Song from Mehbooba 1976

Song from Thodisi Bewafaii 1980

Song from Agar Tum Na Hote 1983