Golden Era of Bollywood

Saturday 3 March 2018

The Great Architects Of Golden Era Of Bollywood

The 50s and 60s was the Golden Period of Bollywood. It was the period that saw the Hindi cinema with melodious socials and melodramas with melodious & immortal songs.The films made during that time not only gave entertainment but also social & moral message..this period saw the production of some of India’s most critically acclaimed directors, actors and actresses,Music Directors,Lyricist and films of all time.

V SHANTARAM -

In 1929, he founded the Prabhat Film Company along with Vishnupant Damle, K.R. Dhaiber, S. Fatelal and S.B. Kulkarni, which made Ayodhyecha Raja, the first Marathi language film in 1932 under his direction.He left Prabhat co. in 1942 to form "Rajkamal Kalamandir" in Mumbai. In time, "Rajkamal" became one of the most sophisticated studios of the country. Through his 66-year-old career, was known to use cinema as an instrument to effect social change, advocate humanism and expose bigotry and injustice. He was also interested in music and actively participated in the music creation and production of his films. He was also remembered to have ‘ghost-written’ music for many of his music directors.He is most known for films such as Dr. Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959),
BIMAL ROY

- He is particularly noted for his realistic and socialistic films such as Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Madhumati, Sujata, and Bandini, making him an important director of Golden Era of Hindi cinema.He was a filmmaker of great and in-depth understanding of human strengths and weaknesses.He introduced the genius composer Salil Chowdhury to Hindi Cinema with Do Beegha Zameen , but also utilised his writing skills in at least three films. Do Beegha was based on a story Rikshawala written by him back in the ’40s. Parakh was also based on his story and Salil da wrote the screenplay of Prem Patra .

MEHBOOB KHAN -

The maker of bold saga Aurat (1940),Anmol Ghadi (1946), the romantic drama Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling musical Aan (1951) and the grand social epic Mother India (1957).He set up his production company – Mehboob Productions, and later a film studio – Mehboob Studios in Bandra, Mumbai in 1954.

K ASIF -

A film director, film producer and screenwriter who is famous for his work on the Hindi epic motion picture, Mughal-e-Azam (1960)..His directorial debut, Phool (1945), did very well at the box-office due to the casting of and portrayals by famous actors and actresses of the time such as Prithviraj Kapoor, Durga Khote and Suraiya. He became a successful director due to his perfectionism in weaving his imagination into an art form and gave birth to Mughal-e-Azam, a legendary film in the Indian Film Industry. He died at age 48.

Raj Kapoor

Raj Kapoor is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors and filmmakers in the history of cinema.^[5] He was the winner of several accolades including 3 National Film Awards and 11 Filmfare Awards in India. He was a two-time nominee for the Palme d'Or grand prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his films Awaara (1951) and Boot Polish (1954).He established R K Studio in 1948 and became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with Aag starring himself, He went on to produce and star in several hit films made under his R. K. Banner including Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Jagte Raho (1956) and Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

B R CHOPRA -

He was one of the architects of golden era,Best known for making Hindi films like Naya Daur (1957), Sadhna (1958), Kanoon (1961), Gumrah (1963) and Humraaz (1967).His first film as a director, Afsana, was released in 1951 and featured Ashok Kumar in a double role – the film was a hit and established his name in Bollywood. Chopra made Chandni Chowk, with Meena Kumari as a lead, in 1954. In 1955, B.R. formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was the highly successful Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit. He was instrumental in developing the career of singer Mahendra Kapoor,

GURU DUTT -

He was an Indian film director, producer and actor. He made 1950s and 1960s classics such as Baazi, Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Chaudhvin Ka Chand. In particular, Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool are now included among the greatest films of all time, both by Time magazine's "All-TIME" 100 best movies.His first film as Director, Navketan's Baazi, was released in 1951..He also produced Aar Paar 1954 and C I D in 1956.

VIJAY ANAND-

Also known as Goldie Anand, was a filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, editor and actor, who is known for acclaimed films such as Guide (1965) and Johny Mera Naam (1970). He made most of his films for the in-house banner Navketan Films.He was also the director of Teesri Manzil(1966).He gave us the films like Nau Do Gyarah(1957), Kala Bazar (1960),Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963),Jewel Thief (1967),Tere Mere Sapne (1971).

Actors of Golden Era
The three most popular male Indian actors of the 1950s and 1960s were Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand, each with their own unique acting style.Other actors were Ashok Kumar. Balraj Sahni,Guru Dutt,Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar,Johny Walker and Mehmood while successful actresses included Nargis, Suraiya, Vyjayanthimala, Meena Kumari, Nutan, Madhubala, Sadhana, Waheeda Rehman and Mala Sinha.

Music Directors Of Golden Era
Naushd,S D Burman,Shankar Jaikishan,O P Nayyar.Madan Mohan,C Ramchandra.Hemant Kumar and Roshan were few of the great composer of that time.

Singers of Golden Era
Lata,Geeta Dutt,Asha Bhosle,Suriya among the female Rafi,Talat Manna De Mukesh and Kishore Kumar were among the male singers.

Friday 2 March 2018

Evergreen Holi Songs Of Bollywood

Bollywood has constantly portrayed Holi as a fun-filled atmosphere with vivid colors, bhang, naach-gaana with a whole lot of romance.From 1954 to 2018, every year Bollywood gives us at least one famous holi song.In this Blog I have selected some evergreen Holi Songs.
The first song of Holi was from the 1931 film ‘Ghar Ki Laxmi’. The mukhdaa of the song goes like – “Mo Pe Daar Gayo Saari Rang Rang Ki Gaagar, Kaisa Dhokha Diya. . .”. This, and many other songs of that era, are now lost.I present a song from this very first decade of Hindi films – a song from film ‘Aurat’ from 1940. ‘Aurat’ is a magnum opus by producer director Mehboob, a much celebrated film of its era

When we talk about the songs of 30s and 40s how can we forget the great K L Sehgal. He was an institution, with no parallel in the entire heritage of Hindi film music.Here I have taken a Non film song of Sehgal on Holi.It was recorded in 1933

The first memorable Holi song of the 50s is this song from 1957 film Mother India

Song from Mother India 1957

This song from “Navrang” is nearly 60 years old by now. One can notice elements of classical music as well as Gujrati folk music in this song.

Song from Navrang 1959

Song from Kohinoor 1960

Song from Kati Patang 1970

Song from Phagun 1973

Song from Sholay 1975

Song from Zakhmee 1975

Song from Silsila 1981

Song from Darr 1993

Song from MOHABBATEIN 2000

Song from Baghban 2003

Song from Waqt- The Race Against Time 2005

Song from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani 2013

Thursday 1 March 2018

Strong & Woman Oriented Films Of Bollywood

Over the years, women portraying central characters in Hindi cinema have been few and far between. Those portrayed, including the protagonists, are rarely holistic and mostly subject to ingrained biases. Today the scene has changed more and more woman oriented films are being made. 30 movies in last three years where females play central role in plot have been released,the success of Queen,English Vinglish, Piku, Neerja. Kahani and Marry Com has led the way to this new trend.

Rarely have films like Kunku presented women as strong women who can raise their voice against injustice, who can rebel in their own way and make their own political statement.Kunku (Marathi title) was a 1937 Marathi classic social drama film directed by V. Shantaram, and based on the novel, Na Patnari Goshta by Narayan Hari Apte, who also wrote film’s screenplay.The film was also released in Hindi as Duniya Na Mane (The Unexpected).Shanta Apte played the role of Nirmala.

Each decade has presented its own brand of women in Hindi cinema. Mother India is a strong political statement on a woman who can do anything to establish that justice has been done even while remaining within the framework of marriage and motherhood. She defies the micro state of being a biological mother in order to fit into the framework of becoming the mother of the nation when she shoots down her own son to save the honour of a woman of the village.

Before Mother India in 1955 Nutan played a role of a teenager Gauri ( in Seema) who goes to live with her paternal uncle, Kashinath, and his wife. She is ill-treated there, made to do all the housework, and verbally abused by her aunt. She is made to work as a servant for meager wages in another household, and her earnings are taken away by her aunt. One day, Kashinath is summoned to the Police Station where he is told that since Gauri has been convicted of stealing a necklace from her employer, she is placed under his care for 12 months. Kashinath undertakes to look after her, but she manages to escape, and beats up Bankelal, who had originally accused her of stealing the necklace. The Police are summoned again, and this time Gauri is placed with Shree Satyanand Anathalaya, an orphanage run by a compassionate Manager, Ashok. Gauri revolts against all the rules imposed upon her and she is placed in solitary, where she ends up breaking all the windows and furniture. Then one day she escapes, beats up Bankelal severely, and returns.

The character of Rosie played by Waheeda Rahman in this 1965 classic film Guide showed women in a different light. At a time women were expected to be dutiful and follow their husbands even when unhappy, Rosie left her cheating and unsupportive husband and decided to choose her passion for dancing and someone who valued her as a person
.

Smita Patil gives a strong performance of transforming from a vivacious teenager to a wiser but deeply wounded middle-aged woman in 1977 film Bhumika.It tells the life story of an actress, Usha (Smita Patil), who is the granddaughter of a famous female singer of the old tradition from Devadasi community of Goa.

The 1988 film Khoon Bhari Maang has Rekha who played the role of Aarti and Jyoti is also one such role where woman play the central role .for this role she got Filmfare Award.
If there is one character which touched everyone’s heart, it was that of Rani played by Kangna Ranaut in Queen. Rani’s transformation from a once shy and timid girl to a confident and liberated lady was amazing.

The story of a middle-aged woman played by Sridevi in English Vinglish living in the shadows of her family who gets a chance to step out and do something for herself. This is when she learns English and shuts up everyone who had ever doubted her confidence in life.

Vidya Balan in Kahaani plays a pregnant woman who is on a mission to find out her husband's murderer. She's strong and not willing to give up. This is a movie with one of the best climax scenes in the recent times.

Rani's role played by Kangana Ranaut touched everyone’s heart. Rani’s transformation from a once shy and timid girl to a confident and liberated lady was amazing. The natural, innocent and effortless acting made Rani look like a real life character and had the ability to inspire many girls to come out of the shadows and feel confident about themselves.

Deepika Padukone in 2015 film Piku showed the struggles of a young independent woman juggling her personal and professional life, but in a fresh manner. Piku loved both of these aspects of her life and wanted to give up on none of them. She was a loving (at times irritated) daughter and a brilliant professional, depicting the reality of many working women today

Mary Com, Priyanka Chopra puts life into Kom's role and is just as energetic and hardworking as Kom is in real life. A wife, a mother and a fighter, she is the modern wonder woman.

Sonam Kapoor in 2016 film Neerja played the real life incidents of the very courageous Neerja Bhanot, a Pan Am flight attendant who lost her life while saving several others when her aircraft was hijacked.

Tuesday 27 February 2018

INDEEVAR- The Most Underrated Lyricist

Indeevar who wrote more than 1000 songs for Bollywood Films was not given his due he deserved.He had a wide range,penning emotionally uplifting songs, Indeevar also wrote peppy numbers including Nazia Hassan’s sung “Aap Jaisa Koi” and Feroz Khan’s Qurbani song “Laila O Laila”.
Indeevar was born on 1st Jan in 1924 as Shyam Lal Babu Rai and grew up to become a freedom fighter. He wrote under the pseudo name of Azad for which he was imprisoned by the British. He became a household name with the release of the song "Bade Armano Se Rakhha Hai Pehla Kadam" from Malhar in 1949.

It was singer Mukesh who gave him the break as a lyricist from the film Malhar(1949) which was produced by him and composed by Roshan.He along with Music Director Kayanji Anandji gave many hit & memorable songs.

It was Indeevar with whose lyrics Laxmi-Pyare made their debut in ‘Parasmani’ I don’t have to quote the songs. They were so beautiful. In ‘Madari’ too the Lata song, ‘Pyar mera majboor pardesi piya’ was a big hit.. In ‘Dulha Dulhan’ Indeevar wrote that classic Mukesh number: ‘Jo pyar tu ne mujh ko diya hai’ and ‘Hum ne tum se pyar kiya hai jitna kaun kare ga itna’.

The songs of ‘Chotey Babu’, ‘Himalaya Ki God Mein’ and Saheli were also big hits. But Upkar came as a major hit in his career too. How can we forget, among other hits of the movie, that sad number by Manna Dey for Pran: ‘Kasme wade pyar wafa sab baaten hain baton se kya’

In ‘Poorab aur Pachchim’ too Indeevar created havoc with his lyrics, specially the song, ‘Koi jab tumhara hridaya tod de, ‘

He wrote for almost all the music directors of his time except S D burman.With the arrival of the disco beat and the Bhappi Lahiri wave, Indeevar put poetry on the backburner and stood up to the task of delivering mindless lyrics. There was a preset combination for all these Southern-style 'pots-n-pans' hits: Jeetendra, Sridevi, Jaya Pradha, Bhappi Lahiri and Indeevar. All the way from Himmatwalas' (1983) ‘Nainon Mein Sapna’ to Tohfa's nonsensical title song, Indeevar willfully accepted and adapted to the changing trends in film music.

Towards the end of his career, he notched up a few hits with actor-turned-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan such as Karan Arjun (1995) and Koyla (1997). But even as he was trying to redeem himself as a poet, Indeevar passed away on February 27, 1999, leaving behind his words :

Song from Malhar 1951

Song from Baadbaan (1954)

Song from Parasmani (1963)

Song from Dulha Dulhan 1964

Song from Himalay Ki God Mein (1965)

Song from Saheli (1965)

Song from Upkar (1967)

Song from Dil Ne Pukara (1967)

Song from Saraswati Chandra (1968)

Song from Safar (1970)

Song from Johny Mera Naam (1970)

Song from Sachha Jhutha (1970)

Song from Purab Aur Pachhim (1971)

Song from Amanush (1975)

Song from Qurbani (1980)

Song from Jurm (1990)

Monday 26 February 2018

MANMOHAN DESAI-The Miracle Man Of Bollywood

Manmohan Desai(26 Feb 1937-1 Mar 1994)-The Uncrowned King Of Bollywood in the &70s and 80s.On one occasion, in 1977, three of his fast-paced extravaganzas were released over a 52-day span, and all of them became runaway successes. One of them, Amar, Akbar, Anthony.He was one of India's most successful film directors and producers, was known as the 'Miracle man of Bollywood'
He was a Producer Director of the masses,he was often criticised for his absurd themes and story lines - blind people in his films suddenly regain sight and twins separated at birth are reunited under bizarre circumstances.He along with Amitabh Bachchan gave Hits after hits. Such was their magic that film distributors snapped up Desai's films for astronomical sums the day they were offered for sale.
He was a son of a moderately w ell known producer and director of entertaining stunt films. After school Desai attended St Xavier's College, in Bombay, but left before graduating for a career in films.
He started his career in 1960 with the film Chhalia starring Raj Kapoor,he wanted to become a great showman like him.His next film, Bluff Master, was a commercial disaster but he went on to direct a series of reasonably successful films like the amusing Budtameez and Kismat, a racy spy thriller.His big break came in 1970 with Sucha Jootha, a thriller with good music and one which effectively used a double-role routine with Rajesh Khanna playing the main part.
He became a great Showman only after the release of Amar Akbar Anthony followed by Naseeb,Suhaag,Coolie and Mard.
Out of the 20 films that Desai directed in his career span of 29 years (1960–1989), as many as 13 films were stupendous hits. His success ratio was 65 percent in an industry where flops abound. His favourite playback singer was Mohd Rafi. In most of his movie, Mohd Rafi was used to sing songs.
Towards the end of his career, Desai's previously successful stories and style began to lose favour with audiences. He met his tragic end on March 1st 1994. He fell from the balcony of his flat when it collapsed. It remains unclear if this was accident or suicide.
A Tribute To Manmohan Desai