Hasrat Jaipuri - Yaad Kiya Dil Ne Kahan Ho Tum

The songs in the 50s were undoubtedly something great, never before the feeling of love expressed in the most beautiful as this song. This song from the film Patita released in 1953 was penned by the great lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri for Dev Anand for the first time. 
Think of when a great Romantic songwriter Hasrat Jaipuri writes for the King of Romance Dev Anand, the song would be a treat to watch. Recall the songs of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Asli Naqli and Tere Ghar Ke Samne. In this blog, I have selected a few such romantic songs of this great lyricist and hero.
Hasrat Jaipuri was born on 15th April 1922 at Jaipur. He began writing verses when he was around twenty years old. He started his film career with the immortal song Jiya Beqaraar Hai for the film Barsaat in 1949. It was also the first film of Shankar Jaikishan, That was the beginning of a lifelong association.
He gave lyrics for 9 of Dev Anand's films. In almost every film he gave one or two memorable romantic songs. Recall the song Dil Ka Bhanvar Kare Pukar from Tere Ghar Ke Samne or Sau Saal Pehle Mujhe Tumse Pyar Tha from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai.
He worked in  350 films and 2000 recorded songs, his last releases were Saazish with Jatin-Lalit and Sher Khan (with Bappi Lahiri), and at the time of his death, he was working on a few small films and a book of Shaayari.
He won innumerable awards, honors, and mementos. Among them were two Filmfare trophies. He died on 17th September 1999. He still remains the King Of Romance.

Song of Patita 1953

Song of Love Marriage 1959

Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961

Song of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja 1961

Song of Asli Naqli 1962

Song ofTere Ghar KeSaamne  1963

Song of Pyar Mohabbat  1966

Song of Duniya  1968

Nasir Hussain - The Maker of Rom- Com- Musicals

Started his film career as a story writer when he joined Filmistan in 1948. The famous films he wrote for Filmistan include Anarkali (1953), Munimji (1955), and Paying Guest (1957).  The first film he directed was Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957 for Filmalaya. Another film he directed in 1958 was Dil Deke Dekho. The highlight of both of these films was its music. His films were full of adventure, romance, fun, music, outdoor and entertainment
He started his own film company, Nasir Hussain Films and turned producer-director. He made musical hits like Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Caravan (1971), Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973), and Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977).
Nasir Hussain was an admirer of Dev Anand, when he was making his first film as a director Tumsa Nahin Dekha he wanted Dev Anand as his hero but Dev Anand refused the film because of the heroine being a newcomer so Shammi Kapoor was approached. Similarly when Teesri Manzil was planned Dev Anand was signed for the film but due to differences with Hussain he opted out and Kapoor was cast.

Nasir Hussain introduced Asha Parekh with the film Dil Deke Dekho opposite Shammi Kapoor since then she was in all of Hussain's films until Caravan (1971). Hussain, Majrooh Sultanpuri, and R.D. Burman collaborated on Teesri Manzil, Baharon Ke Sapne, Pyar Ka Mausam, Caravan, Yaadon Ki Baraat, and Hum Kisise Kum Naheen.

He made Yaadon Ki Baraat in 1973 which was written by Salim-Javed, who had written Zanjeer the same year. Both the films dealt with the hero wanting to avenge his father's death, and both featured Ajit as the villain. Yaadon Ki Baraat has been identified as the first masala film.

The 1980s were not good for him, all his films Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981), Manzil Manzil (1984) and Zabardast (1985) all flopped, Hussain's son Mansoor Khan took over the reins of Nasir Hussain Films, although Hussain continued to write scripts and dialogues for films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992). In Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, he introduced his nephew Aamir Khan as a hero. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was a milestone in the history of Hindi cinema, setting the template for Bollywood musical romance films that defined Hindi cinema in the 1990s 

Song of  Tumsa Nahin Dekha in 1957

Song of Dil Deke Dekho 1958

Song of Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961

Song of Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963),

Song of Teesri Manzil (1966)

Song of Baharon Ke Sapne (1967)

Song of  Pyar Ka Mausam (1969)

Song of Caravan (1971)

Song of Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973)

Song of Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977)

Song of Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981)

Song of Manzil Manzil (1984)

Yash Chopra - He Made Films with his Heart

Yash Chopra who made many love stories, also known as the King of Romance, once said that he doesn't make films with a calculator on his hand or eyes on the Box Office collection but put all his heart into telling love stories and was never constrained by budgets. 
His wife Palmela Chopra in an interview said that there was a child inside him, he was always restless. He made great Romantic films but he was not romantic in real life. He was a very practical man. He always thought of films. There was always a story revolving on his mind. He was a master storyteller, No one told a love story quite as bravely and boldly as Yash Chopra did.
Yash Chopra is undoubtedly India's most successful film-maker. With a career spanning over five decades, he has been associated with almost 35 films, most of which have created box-office history. Born on 27th September 1932, in Jalandhar (Punjab), is the younger brother of B R Chopra another Legend of Bollywood.
He started out as an assistant to his brother and went on to direct 5 very successful films for his brother’s banner - B.R.Films. These were Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dharmputra (1961), Waqt (1965), Ittefaq (1969) & Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969}..Yash  Chopra founded his own production company, Yash Raj Films, in 1971launched with Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), Starring Rajesh Khanna and Rakhi. In 1976 Yashraj Films Kabhie Kabhie was released. It was an instant hit.
After Kabhie Kabhie he made another love story Noorie in 1979 then Silsila in 1981 with Amitabh Bachhan, Rekha and Jaya Bhaduri. The movie is said to be loosely inspired by the famous triangle between the three stars Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha, which was the most popular affair back then. 
Chandni another Love Story released in 1989, starring Sridevi, Rishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna in the lead roles, the film is considered one of the biggest successes of all time. The story revolves around Rohit (Kapoor) and Chandni (Sridevi) who are in love and are about to be married.
Lamhe was the next film which was released in 1991, starring Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in the lead roles, the film is hailed as a classic and one of his finest films of all time. This has also been cited as Chopra's personal favorite, as well. Though the film was not a hit.
Yash Chopra directed three more romantic films, all starring Khan; Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer-Zaara(2004), and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), before he announced his retirement from directing in 2012.

Romantic Songs from Yash Chopra's Films

Songs of Daag 1973

Songs of Kabhie Kabhie 1976

Songs of Noorie 1979

Songs of Silsila 1981

Songs of Chandni 1989

Songs of Lamhe 1991

Songs of Dil To Pagal Hai 1997

Songs of Veer Zara 2004

Songs of Jab Tak hai Jaan 2012

Hemant Kumar-The Romantic Voice of Dev Anand

Hemant Kumar once confessed in a Doordarshan interview that it was the efforts of Burman and Dev that made him popular. Burman Dada took Hemant Kumar for the first time for Dev Anand was for the song ‘Aa Gupchup Gupchup Pyar Karen’ in Sazaa.
S.D. Burman and the majestic Hemant Kumar created musical and cinematic magic  for the song ‘Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni’ in Jaal. 1952. Inspired by Burman’s success, Shankar-Jaikishan opted for Hemant to sing for Dev, along with Lata Mangeshkar, the haunting ‘Yaad Kiya Dil Ne’ in Patita in 1953. 
Dev Anand and Hemant Kumar together created some of the most memorable songs of Hindi film music.Hemant Kumar once said that the most hit songs of his career were those he sang for Dev Anand. He had a great respect for Dada Burman ,  Kumar sang only 16 songs as playback for Dada Burman and 10 of those were on Dev Anand and all of them were hits! What a stupendous record!
Burman, the musical soul of Dev, kept using Hemant in one hit after another. ‘Teri Duniya Mein’, ‘Chup Hai Dharti’ ( House No. 44), ‘Shivji Bihane Chale’, ‘Dil Ki Umange’ with Geeta Dutt ( Munimji) and ‘Hai Apna Dil To Awara’ ( Solva Saal). 
In 1955, Hemant Kumar scored music for Hemen Gupta’s Ferry, starring Dev and Geeta Bali. Hemant sang inimitably the background number ‘Naav Badha Le Maajhi’ in Ferry.
One of the biggest hits of Dev Anand-Hemant Kumar, the mesmerizing Na tum humein jaano, was the last of their songs together. Haunting and romantic, this duet with Suman Kalyanpur had the audiences falling in love with the number over and over again.

Song of Sazaa 1951

Song of Jaal1952

The Great Romantic Heroes of Bollywood

Starting from the black and white era to the present digital era, the romance has blossomed. As the generation changes the new actors take the throne of the king of romance. Shahrukh Khan is called as King of Romance but the original King was Dev Anand followed by Rajesh Khanna. Over the years, a number of Chocolate Heroes or Romantic heroes have emerged on the silver screen giving the cine-goers a feel of romance.
 Here are the great Romantic Heroes of Bollywood.
The first in my List is
Dev Anand.

Dev Anand gave us many romantic hits. Some of the great such films are Afsar(1950), Sanam(1951) both with Suraiya. Later Munimji 1955 was his a hit film. Another hit romantic movie was Paying Guest in 1957 with Nutan. Both of them have a great romantic film Tere Ghar Ke Samne in 1963.
With Waheeda Rehman Dev Anand gave Guide in 1965 and Prem Pujari 1970. Some of the great romantic films with other heroines are Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai 1961,  Hum Dono 1961,Maya 1961,  Asli Naqli 1962. Love Marriage 1959, Teen Deviyan 1965.

Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Rajesh Khanna

With romantic films like ‘Aradhana’, ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Daag’, ‘Mere Jeevan Saathi’ and ‘Aap Ki Kasam’ to name a few, Rajesh Khanna was one of the most iconic romantic actors of his time. He pulled off his lover boy image with ease and that wasn’t restricted to reel life only. Khanna had women swooning over him and if stories are anything to go by, it is said that girls used to send him love letters written in their own blood!

Song of Aradhana 1969

Rishi Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor began his career in a lead role with his father’s ‘Bobby’, started out as a romantic hero. With less violence and much romance in his long list of films like ‘Saagar’, ‘Chandni’, ‘Prem Rog’, ‘Yeh Vaada Raha’, ‘Laila Majnu’ 'Kabhie Kabhie'etc, Rishi Kapoor, too, belonged to the new breed of young romantic actors from the late 80s.

Song of Bobby 1973

Shahrukh Khan

 He made his Bollywood debut in 1992 with Deewana. Early in his career, Khan was recognised for portraying villainous roles in the films Darr (1993), Baazigar (1993) and Anjaam (1994). He then rose to prominence after starring in a series of romantic films, including Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Mohabbatein (2000) and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001).

Song of DDLJ 1995

  Shashi Kapoor

 Raj Kapoor’s younger brother entered the film industry when his eldest brother had a successful stint in acting and had turned to direction. With movies like ‘Jab Jab Phool Khile’, 'Haseena Maan Jayegi;‘Kabhi Kabhie’ and ‘Sharmeelee’, Shashi Kapoor, set an image of a romantic actor and the audiences loved him in such roles too.

Song of Jab Jab Phool Khile 1965

Aamir Khan

Mr Perfectionist entered into Bollywood as a chocolate-hero in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and had sustained likewise in several films to follow—from Love, Love, Love, Dil, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin,  Raja Hindustani, Ishq. Now, no matter how much of a social activist he becomes, tearing off the garb of a chocolate-hero is just impossible! 

Song of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak 1989

Ranbir Kapoor

Ranbir Kapoor is steadily climbing the ladder to becoming the king of the romance of today’s times. His films like ‘Rockstar’, ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’, ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’, ‘Saawariya’, ‘Bachna Ae Haseeno’ and the rest prove – like father, like son!

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor (1924-1988) perfected a screen image of a lovable, Chaplin-like tramp with roles that often saw him playing an innocent lad in an unjust society, His pairing with Nargis gave us some of the iconic films.

Song of Shree 420  (1955)

Rekha -The Much Maligned and Misunderstood Woman.

 Rekha who epitomises grace and lasting beauty was born on 10th Oct 1954. She was the “illegitimate” and unacknowledged daughter of the polygamous Tamil film star Gemini Ganesan. She was unrelentingly teased in school as a “lotta”, Tamil for the bastard. Such cruelty was to be her fate for years to come. Rekha revealed her secrets in her autobiography released in 2016.
At a shoot for the film Anjana Safar, which later renamed as Do Shikari, producer Kuljeet Pal, director Raja Nawathe and lead actor Biswajeet conspired to force Rekha into a kissing scene. This kiss had never been mentioned to her...The director didn’t call “cut” for five long minutes. Unit members were whistling and cheering. Her eyes were tightly shut but they were full of tears. Rekha couldn’t protest for fear of the consequences...
In this Blog I am bringing some revelations on the life and loves of Rekha, in her words, as told to Khalid Mohamed in her autobiography. Rekha-The Untold Story.

Rekha started her career in 1966 as a child actress in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam, though her film debut as a lead happened four years later with Sawan Bhadon. Her first Hindi film was Anjana Safar but this film couldn't release.
She had no interest in acting and was basically forced to work to sustain her family financially, this was a difficult period in her life. Still, a teenager, acclimatising herself to her new surroundings was an uneasy process. Coming from the South, she did not speak Hindi and struggled to communicate with co-workers, and was constantly missing her mother, who was critically ill.
Rekha recalls  "I was called the ‘Ugly Duckling’ of Hindi films because of my dark complexion and South Indian features. I used to feel deeply hurt when people compared me with the leading heroines of the time and said I was no match for them. I was determined to make it big on sheer merit. In fact, when Navin Nischol found out that Rekha had been signed as his co-star for Sawan Bhadon, he complained to the producer: “From where did you pick out this namoona [character]? Itni kaali-kalooti [So dark and ugly]!”.
She appeared in several commercially successful films at the time, including Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972), Kahani Kismat Ki (1973), and Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974), yet she was not regarded for her acting abilities.

Rekha transformed her body and started paying attention to her make-up, dress sense, and worked to improve her acting technique and perfect her Hindi-language skills. To lose weight, she followed a nutritious diet, led a regular, disciplined life, and practised yoga, later recording albums to promote physical fitness.
She began choosing her film roles with more care; her first performance-oriented role came in 1976 when she played Amitabh Bachchan's ambitious and greedy wife in Do Anjaane. The audience was floored when there was a swift change in her screen personality, as well as her style of acting.

Her most significant turning point, however, came in 1978, with her portrayal of a rape victim in the movie Ghar. She played the role of Aarti, a newly married woman who gets gravely traumatised after being gang-raped. The film follows her character's struggle and recuperation with the help of her loving husband, played by Vinod Mehra. The film was considered her first notable milestone, and her performance was applauded by both critics and audiences.

In that same year, she attained fame with Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, in which she co-starred once again with Amitabh Bachchan. The movie was the biggest hit of that year, as well as one of the biggest hits of the decade, and Rekha was set as one of the most successful actresses of these times. The film opened to a positive critical reception, and Rekha's performance as a courtesan named Zohra, noted for a "smouldering intensity", earned her a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare.
In 1980, Rekha appeared in the comedy Khubsoorat, directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, with whom she had developed a strong father-daughter bond during their previous collaborations. It won the Filmfare Award for Best Film and Rekha won her first Best Actress award.
In 1981, she starred in Umrao Jaan, a film adaptation of the Urdu novel Umrao Jaan Ada (1905), written by Mirza Hadi Ruswa. Rekha played the title role of a courtesan and poet from 19th century Lucknow.  Her portrayal is considered to be one of her career-best performances, and she was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actress for it.
Rekha has acted in over 180 films in her career spanning over 50 years. She has won three Filmfare Awards, two for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress, for her roles in Khubsoorat (1980), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996), respectively. Her portrayal of a classical courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981) won her the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Earlier in her career, she was very bold, Rekha’s sexual openness, too, was revolutionary, even by modern standards, and won her yet more ire. It is impossible to imagine a young starlet today saying some of the things Rekha said four decades ago: “You can’t come close, really close, to a man without making love”, “It is a sheer fluke that I have never got pregnant so far” and “Premarital sex is very natural. And all those prudes who say that a single woman should have sex only on her suhaag raat are talking bull”!

Rekha had multiple linkups but none beside her at the age of 64. One of the first prominent affairs of Rekha in Bollywood was with the superstar Jeetendra. Jeetendra was known for his casual flirting with his female co-stars. Both Rekha and Jeetendra had done in numerous films with each other. It is said that Rekha was quite serious about him but the superstar was already married to Shobha Kapoor when he had met Rekha. When rumours about their alleged dating started doing rounds, Rekha was termed as a 'home-breaker' by many. Thus, their relationship died a bitter death. 

Her next affair was with Kiran Kumar but it was a short fling. Kiran was also Vinod Mehra’s best friend, whom she had fallen for later. Their relationship went on for a small time before they decided to call it quits.

Next was Vinod Mehra. There was a rumour that they married at a secret wedding ceremony but it did not last long. Rekha however, had denied having any marital relationships with Vinod Mehra in an interview with Simi Garewal in 2004.

Rekha’s affair with Amitabh Bachchan is the most talked about romantic relationship that has ever brewed in Bollywood.

Rekha married Delhi-based business tycoon, Mukesh Agarwal. According to the book, Rekha: The Untold Story, Mukesh was suffering from acute chronic depression and was not at all happy with Rekha’s acting career. To add to that, was their post-divorce trauma. All this led to Mukesh Agarwal’s suicide.

Rekha on her book says I do not invite people into my house. By hook or by crook, those who must find their way in. In fact, my privacy’s worked better than any screenplay. Anything connected with my work, the producers meet me in my office, no one comes into my house except family.

Song of Umrao Jaan 1981

Song of Mukkadr Ka Sikandar 1978

Song of Mr Natwar Lal

Song of Khoobsurat 1980

Song of Izajat 1987

Song of Agar Tum Na Hote 1983

 

Song of Silsila