50 Years of Mera Gaon Mera Desh

 

A super hit movie of 1971 starting Dharmendra, Asha Parekh, and Vinod Khanna shot in Rajasthan is sheer eye candy. It has its romance, its moments of comedy, and its melodrama, but ( Vinod Khanna) Jabbar Singh vs. Ajit(Dharmendra) is, eventually, the focus of the film.  it has a lot of the tropes and motifs of the Clint Eastwood films. The film was a huge blockbuster at the box office cementing Vinod Khanna's place as a top actor.

Dharmendra plays Ajit, an orphan, who is reformed by an ex-soldier Jayant. The village is repeatedly looted and savaged by Jabbar’s gang and Ajit stands up to wage a lone fight.

Asha Parekh is the heroine of the film but has nothing to do except singing one or two songs. 

Worth mentioning is Laxmi Chhaya. She gets to lip-sync to three of the film’s most famous songs—Maar diya jaaye ya chhod diya jaaye, Aaya aaya atariya pe koi chor and Apni prem kahaaniyaan—and dances up a storm in each of them. 

Music is the strong point of the film. All the songs were popular but the background score by Laxmikant Pyarelal adds to the ferocity that Jabbar comes to signify. 

Vinod Khanna as Jabbar Singh shall live for all times to come.  I recommend every one who has seen this movie or not ; please watch it again and get mesmerized.

Soundtrack

#
Title
Singer(s)
1
"Aaya Aaya Atariya Pe Koi Chor"
Lata Mangeshkar
2
"Apni Prem Kahaniyaan"
Lata Mangeshkar
3
"Kuchh Kehta Hai Ye Saawan"
Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi
4
"Sona Lai Ja Re"
Lata Mangeshkar
5
"Maar Diya Jaye"
Lata Mangeshkar

Songs of Mera Gaon Mera Desh 1971

43 Years of Amar Akbar Anthony

This film was released on 27 May 1977 and earned ₹155 million at the Indian box office, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of that year. Amitabh Bachchan in his blog said that 'Amar Akbar Anthony' is estimated to have made Rs 7.25 crore in those days. Inflation-adjusted, it crosses the collections of Bahubali 2—The Conclusion today! The film ran for 25 weeks in 25 cinema Halls in Bombay alone which is a record.
You would be surprised to note that when the film was in pre-production, Manmohan Desai thought of shelving it but his wife encouraged Manmohan Desai to complete it. He was not sure of the success of the film. On the day of release, Manmohan Desai got very nervous and sick. When he heard "House full" boards were being put at cinema halls he became well and happy. 
Regarding the title of this film, he said that it was an unusual title at that time. In the '70s when film titles revolved around 'Behen Bhabhi' and 'Beti', this one was so out of place. The director Manmohan Desai got the idea of this film while reading a newspaper! He read a news piece of a drunk man named Jackson, who was fed up of his life and hence decided to drop his three children in the park. Similarly, in the film, Pran takes his children and drops them in a park at the beginning of the film.

The lesser-known fact is from one of the songs from the movie. We are referring to the song 'My name is Anthony Gonsalves...' Audience loves to listen to the song even today, especially, the starting lines which go, 'Sophisticated rhetorician intoxicated with the exuberance of your own verbosity,' uttered by Anthony after he emerges from the huge Easter egg. The words are a quotation from a speech given by Benjamin Disraeli in 1878. 

Another lesser-known fact is that initially, Amitabh's character name was Anthony Fernandes when Manmohan Desai met lyricist Anand Bakshi, and the song "My name is Anthony Fernandes" was written, it didn't go well with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Composer Pyarelal then recalled his violin teacher, composer Anthony Gonsalves, and suggested an alternative "Anthony Gonsalves", which would be finalized as the character's name.
The soundtrack of the film, composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal with lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi, proved as popular and successful as the film itself. For the song, "Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai", four leading playback singers, Mohammed Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, and Lata Mangeshkar sang together for the first and only occasion in their careers.

The film stars Vinod Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, and Rishi Kapoor opposite Shabana Azmi, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh in the lead roles. The film was scheduled in such a way that the entire cast, including the three titular stars, didn't have to shoot together except for the climactic sequence and the title song, "Anhoni Ko Honi Karde", where they all perform together. It was shot over a period of a month at Ranjit Studios in Mumbai.
There was an interesting goof in the film. In the introduction scene between Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, Rishi's character Akbar Illahabadi calls Neetu Singh's character Dr Salma by her real name and not with her character's name. This goof is noticeable enough, but no efforts were taken to correct it in the movie. This is the scene when Akbar comes to Dr. Salma for a health check-up and he refers to Dr. Salma as Neetu. 
Recall the cult scene wherein Amitabh Bachchan mouths a dialogue looking into the mirror? The dialogue 'Pakka idiot lagtaa' is still fresh in everyone's mind. It was after Amitabh did the mirror scene that Manmohan Desai became a life long fan of Amitabh. Manmohan saw the scene later on and told Amitabh that if he ever wants to leave Manmohan Desai it will be fine, but he (Manmohan) would never leave him.who later formed a hit combo.
You would be surprised to note that Manmohan Desai had met Amitabh in 1972. Salim Javed had introduced him to Manmohan. Desai was not impressed with Amitabh and stated "The only role I will ever offer him is a CHICKEN ROLL !"

Rishi Kapoor in his biography revealed that he was shooting for Laila Majnu 1976 when he got a call from Manmohan Desai that he would like him to play the role of Akbar in his next movie, he thought that Akbar would be someone like Akbar Baadshah the kind of role his grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor played in Mughle Azam 1960 and Rishi Kapoor said to Manmohan Desai he won't be playing that role which his grandfather had played after further discussion he came to know the character was about three heroes belonging to different faiths.
The role of AMAR was originally offered to Dharmendra, but he declined it because of his busy schedule. It was then Vinod Khanna was signed. In the original script, Vinod Khanna did not have any heroine opposite himself he insisted Man Mohan Desai to cast and actress opposite him as his co-stars Amitabh Bachchan and Rishi Kapoor had actress paired opposite them. Shabana Azmi was cast at the last moment.

This film was full of entertainment but was also full of illogical facts such as the scene where all 3 brothers giving blood directly to the mother. A miracle in medical science and also in the last scene when Neetu Singh catches Parveen's wrist to find out whether she is pregnant. It became a joke that Manmohan Desai is entertaining but you have to leave your brain at home to see his films.
This film truly belonged to Amitabh Bachchan. He received his first Filmfare award for this film. The film crowned Amitabh Bachchan as a ‘One Man Variety Show’ 

Songs of Amar Akbar Anthony

	Title	Time
1.	"Ye Sach Hai Koi Kahani Nahin"	Mohammad Rafi	02:22
2.	"Amar Akbar Anthony"	Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor, Shailendra Singh	05:52
3.	"Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyar"	Mohammad Rafi, Mukesh, Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar	07:33
4.	"Taiyabali Pyar Ka Dushman"	Mohammad Rafi	04:40
5.	"Parda Hai Parda"	Mohammad Rafi	07:59
6.	"Shirdi Wale Sai Baba"	Mohammad Rafi	05:52
7.	"My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves"	Amitabh Bachchan, Kishore Kumar

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

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

Flop Sons of Hit Dads Of Bollywood

Every parent wants their children to walk on their footsteps and follow the legacy.Bollywood stars too want their children to make a career in acting and rule the industry the way they did.Bollywood is a piece of cake for star kids. But there are few who enjoy success in the industry and make their own identity. Here are some of the ‘flop sons’ of Bollywood’s ‘hit father’.

Let's start with Dev Anand,whose son Suneil Anand was introduced from the film  Anand aur Anand (1984).could not succeed.Similarly Raj Kapoor's Son Rajeev Kapoor(Chimpu Kapoor) who was introduced in 1983 with Ek Jaan Hain Hum couldn't succeed in films.

Parikshit Sahni- Son of great Balraj Sahni started with 1968 film Anokhi Raat along with Sanjeev Kumar. got  an independent film as Hero in 1970 Pavitra Paapi opposite Tanuja as his heroine could not make it big in Bollywood.Though he worked as Character actor in many films but he was not as successful as his father.He has also appeared in three of Rajkumar Hirani's blockbuster films Lage Raho Munna Bhai, 3 Idiots, and PK.

Puru Rajkumar- the son of veteran actor Raj Kumar. He was launched in the 1996 film Bal Bramhachari, which was released only a few months after his father’s death, but unfortunately flopped. After a three-year gap, Puru returned with a negative role in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai, which was a hit. He also had a cameo in Mission Kashmir in the same year (2000). But his career went downhill after that .

Kumar Gaurav -Rajendra Kumar's son who made his debut with a super hit film Love Story in 1981.After that he came as hero in many films like Star (1982) Lovers,Romance in 1983,Hum Hain Lajawab, All Rounder and Divorce in 1984.None of his films clicked at Box Office. He has been successfully paired with almost all young ladies of ’80s – Poonam Dillon, Rati Agnihotri, Neelam, Vijeyta Pandit, Madhuri Dixit and Padmini Kolhapure. Yet his pairing with Vijeyta Pandit in their debut movie is still remembered most. His revival project, Phool with the top actress Madhuri Dixit, couldn’t give success though its melodious songs were noticed.He produced his earlier films Janam and Naam, his father tried to revive his career with the 1993 film Phool which also had his father and father-in-law Sunil Dutt in supporting roles. However, it didn't bring him any luck either.

Kunal Kapoor-Son of the late actors Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal,Made his debut with  Ahista Ahista (1981 film) opposite Padmini Kolhapure as well as Vijeta (1982 film).He could not succeed,In 1985, he stopped acting after Trikal to set up his own company, Adfilm-Valas, to producing and direct television commercials. His younger brother Karan Kapoor who got fame from modeling also came in Bollywood with Sultanat (1986) opposite Juhi Chawla as well as later in Loha (1987 film)with Dharmendra but he too could not make it big in bollywood. Karan now runs a photography company in UK.

Kunal Goswami-Made his film debut as a child star in Kranti (1981) which was directed by his father Manoj Kumar. He acted in B-grade movies such as Ghungroo, Kalakaar and Paap Ki Kamee.  His acting didn't take off as well as he would have liked, so he went in to the catering business in Delhi. He decided to give acting a second shot, and his father directed him again in Jai Hind (1999).

Bobby Deol - the son of Bollywood actor Dharmendra and the brother of Sunny Deol made  debut with Twinkle Khanna in the 1995 Bollywood film Barsaat, directed by Rajkumar Santoshi. Deol was awarded the Filmfare Best Debut Award for his role in the 1995 film Barsaat  After that he gave some hit filmslike  Gupt(1997), Soldier (1998), Badal (2000), Bichhoo (2000), Ajnabee (2001), Humraaz (2002), Tango Charlie (2005), Apne (2007), and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011).

Fardeen Khan-Son of famous actor Firoz Khan, Fardeen Khan debuted in Bollywood in 1998 with his movie ‘Prem Agan’. In his 12 years career of Bollywood, he did movies like ‘Jungle’, ‘Pyar Tune Kya Kiya’, ‘Fida’, ‘Dev’, and ‘All the Best’, but most of his movies couldn’t impress audience much.His cousin brother Zayed Khan son of Sanjay Khan  made his screen debut in 2003 in the film Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne,He is known for his performance as Lakshman a.k.a. Lucky in Main Hoon Na (2004), Aditya Singh in Dus (2005), Vikky Khanna in Fight Club - Members Only (2006), Danny Yuvvraaj in Yuvvraaj (2008), and as Sam/Aditya in Blue (2009).

Tusshar Kapoor-son of veteran actor Jeetendra and younger brother to Ekta Kapoor.made his debut with  the blockbuster Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai,(2001).along with Kareena Kapoor.He received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his work in the film. He then starred as Rahul in coming of age film Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa alongside Esha Deol.He worked in many commercial hits such as Khakee (2004), Kyaa Kool Hai Hum (2005), Golmaal (2006), Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) But he has not made it big.

Rahul Khanna-He is the son of actor Vinod Khanna.He made his feature film debut in Deepa Mehta's 1947 Earth (1999), alongside Aamir Khan. His performance earned him several awards including the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. His younger brother is Akshay Khanna made his acting debut in Bollywood in 1997 with the movie Himalay Putra, which was produced by his father and went without much success at box office.After that a string of unsuccessful films followed such as Mohabbat (1997), Kudrat (1998), Laawaris (1999), Love You Hamesha (1999) and Dahek (1999).followed.In 1999, he starred in Rishi Kapoor's Aa Ab Laut Chalen; though the film did average business, he was praised for his acting. He next starred in Subhash Ghai's Taal opposite Aishwarya Rai.In 2001, Khanna appeared in Farhan Akhtar's cult classic Dil Chahta Hai. This marked a turning point in his career: the film was a commercial and critical success and Khanna's performance was particularly applauded, later validated by Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2002.

Mimoh Chakraborty- the son of original disco dancer of Bollywood, Mithun Chakraborty. Leave alone not matching up to his father’s  renowned dancing skills, Mimoh’s acting career took a downward spiral after his debut film Jimmy in 2008. The 2013 release Enemmy with father also tanked.

Aarya Babbar-the son of actor turned politician Raj Babbar and theatre personality Nadira Babbar. He started his film career with Raj Kanwar's Ab Ke Baras alongside Amrita Rao in 2002.He has worked with stalwarts like Mani Ratnam, Madhur Bhandarkar and Vikram Bhatt. Also he appeared in films such as Yaar Annmulle, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola and Ready.

Pratik Babbar  -The son of late actress Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, he began his career as a production assistant before pursuing an acting career.He made his screen debut with the 2008 film Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na, and was praised for his performance in the film.Babbar played a variety of roles in 2011, appearing in commercially viable projects such as the crime thriller Dum Maro Dum and the political drama Aarakshan, while drawing the attention of critics for his performances in independent films, including the drama Dhobi Ghat and the romantic comedy My Friend Pinto.