Hema Malini- Became Star with Johny Mera Naam

She got her first Hindi film offer in 1968 opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapno Ka Saudagar, Her 2nd Hindi Film was Waris 1969 with Jeetendra as her Hero. In the next year, her 5 films released but she came into prominence only after Johny Mera Naam 1970. She established herself as No 1 only after Seeta Aur Geeta. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.for this film. In 1975 alone she was part of five successes --- Sanyasi, Dharmatma, Khushboo, Prattigya and most significantly, Sholay, where she was unforgettable as the chatterbox Basanti.
The entire country was now mesmerized by Hema Malini’s beauty so many producers thought of creating a film role as Dream Girl. It was in 1977, the film called Dream Girl was released. The highlight was how good Hema could look in various avatars like a princess, a street girl or a dancer.
Hema Malini paired with top heroes of Industry but she worked maximum with Dharmendra in 28 films, With Rajesh Khanna in 19 films, with Amitabh Bachchan 15 films, with Jeetendra 11 films and Dev Anand 9 films.
In 1980 Hema defied convention and became Dharmendra's second wife. Her spotless reputation and regal demeanor saw her facing little flack for this act of societal defiance.
After her marriage, Malini made films including Kranti, Naseeb (1981), Satte Pe Satta, Rajput, and Ek Nai Paheli (1984). Her works also included Aandhi Toofan, Durgaa (1985), Ramkali (1985), Sitapur Ki Geeta (1987), Ek Chadar Maili Si (1986), Rihaee and Jamai Raja (1990)
In the 1990s, she produced and directed the 1992 film Dil Aashna Hai, starring Divya Bharti and Shah Rukh Khan in the leading roles. She also produced and directed her second feature film Mohini (1995), starring her niece Madhoo and actor Sudesh Berry in the leading roles. She then focused on dancing and television work, only occasionally appearing in films.
After taking a break from films for a number of years, Hema made a comeback with Baghban (2003), Baabul in 2006.Aarakshan in 2011. In 2017 she acted in the film Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi in the role of Vijaya Raje Scindia of Gwalior, with Vinod Khanna as her husband, unfortunately, it was Vinod Khanna's last film. 
Top 10 Songs of Hema Malini

Song of Razia Sultan 1983

Song of Kinara 1977

Song of Mehbooba 1976

Song of Kudrat (1981)

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1971

Song of Kranti (1981)

Song of Satte Pe Satta (1982)

Song of Andaz (1971)

Song of Sharafat (1970)

Song of Sholay (1975)

Missing The Rhythm of Castanets

Today's generation may not be familiar with the sound of Castanets but once this instrument was used extensively by almost all music directors in the golden era of Hindi film music.

Recall the song "Hai Apna Dil To Awara" from Solva Saal, the song starts with the sound of Castanets immediately after the humming sound of Hemant Kumar.

Though the song is famous for the Mouth organ played in between by Sunder but the sound of Castanets is heard throughout the song.
Aaiye Meherban from Howrah Bridge is another song in which Castanets play a lead role and can be identified clearly in the song.

Castanets are relatively tiny instruments that fit into the palms of the two hands and were originally used in European music. They can be played quickly in continuous notes to create a roll type of sound, or they can be played with each click on the castanet being a discrete note.

When were Castanets were used for the first time in Hindi Film music is not traced but Music Directors of the 50s Naushad, S D Burman had used them in their songs in the 50s. The earliest song I discovered was "Lara Loo Lara Loo" and "Lo Pyar ki ho Gayi jeet" from the 1951 film Jadoo starring Nalini Jaywant and Suresh, The music was given by Naushad.

We all know O P Nayyar was the King of Rhythm, he used this instrument beautifully in the song " Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan" from C I D in 1956 then "Aaiyee Meherban" from Howrah Bridge(1958)

Another song from Kashmir ki kali, once again O P Nayyar used this instrument wonderfully, the song is " Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehra"
Castanets may be called ‘side percussion, but their rhythm in songs and creative use of Castanets by many composers of the Golden Era made many Bollywood songs a lively and delightful treat for the ears.R D Burman also used Castanets extensively in his debut movie Chote Nawab in the delightful Matwali Ankhon wale.

While there are a number of songs that use Castanets but in this blog, I am posting only those songs where the sound of Castanets is prominent.

Song of Jaado 1951

Song of Deedar 1951

Song of C I D 1956

Song of Solva Saal 1958

Song of Howrah Bridge 1958

Song of Goonj Uthi Shehnai 1959

Song of Akeli Mat Jaiyo 1960

Song of Chhote Nawab 1961

Song of Bandini 1963

Song of Kashmir Ki Kali 1964

Song of Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein 1964

Song of Pakeezah 1972

13 October - A Cruel Co incidence in Bollywood

13th Oct is the Birthdate of Dada Muni, Ashok Kumar and unfortunately, it became the last day of Kishore Kumar, who passed away on this day.  Dada Muni was born on 13 Oct 1911. He was an Iconic Actor of the 1940s and 50s. By 1947, he was the most bankable star of Hindi cinema and started producing films for Bombay Talkies. He was the eldest son of the Ganguli family. Kishore Kumar was the youngest among all.
Kishore Kumar who was 18 years younger than Ashok Kumar. He was a lively child who was passionate about singing. He was especially obsessed with legendary singer and composer KL Saigal and learned music by imitating his style.
Kishore had no formal training in music and Ashok Kumar, who was already a film star, discouraged him from taking up a playback career. He felt that Kishore’s voice lacked ‘modulation’, among other things. But Kishore was in no mood to hang up his boots.

It was in 1945 when Kishore Kumar was in Bombay living with Ashok Kumar, who that time shooting for Shikari gave him a small role in that film. However, Kishore disliked acting. His first few films flopped and then he decided to act so badly that nobody will cast him. Kishore’s decision to perform badly became his calling card and the audience’s started loving him for it. It was the 1951 release of Andolan, however, that propelled him to stardom as a singer-actor and ultimately freed him from the shadow of his brother Ashok.
He was given break for singing by Khemchand Prakash for the 1948 film Ziddi, the song was  “Marne ki duayen kyon mangu”  The song was a hit but he didn't get many offers for singing.It was S D Burman who advised him not to imitate KL Saigal, sing in your own style.
 It was music director SD Burman who gave Kishore opportunities to sing in one movie after another beginning with Dev Anand’s hit films -- Munimji and Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah and Paying Guest (1957) and many more. Not only these movies became big hits but their songs too soared in popularity charts. Dev Anand’s own popularity scaled higher peaks while Kishore Kumar began to be recognized as Dev Anand’s voice.
Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar acted together in many films.the first time they acted together in Bhai Bhai released in 1956. Ashok Kumar, who played the lead role and Kishore Kumar (real-life brothers) as the two brothers, with the film being referred to as one of Kishore Kumar's prominent films. In this film sang one song for himself "Mera Naam Abdul Rehman"

Both of them are considered to be one of India’s finest artists who have successfully entertained us. Talking about Ashok Kumar, he was an actor who ruled the silver screen whereas, Kishore Kumar’s melodious voice remains etched in our hearts to date, and maybe forever.

Both the brothers were going great when destiny played a cruel game and one’s happy occasion, unfortunately, turned sad and unhappy for the other one. Kishore Kumar died on the birthday of Ashok Kumar in 1987, which shattered Ashok Kumar, he decided that he will never celebrate his birthday now and onwards. Ashok Kumar died 14 years later in 2001.
Here are 5 Prominent films of both brothers working together
Bhai Bhai 1956

Song of Bhai Bhai 1956

The story is of two brothers, with the younger brother running away from home at an early age. The older brother gets entangled with another woman, leaving his wife and child at home. This situation leads to the meeting of the brothers, with the older one mending his errant ways.


Bandi (1957)

Song of Bandi (1957)

This is a 1957 film directed by Satyen Bose and had all three brothers Ashok, Kishore and Anoop coming together for the first time. Ashok Kumar as his educated elder brother has negative shades to his character. while Kishore played a simpleton. The confrontation scenes between Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar are superb especially in the end when they meet after 16 years.


Raagini  (1958)

Song of Ragini 1958

It is a 1958 Bollywood film starring Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, and Padmini. Kishore sings "Main Bangali Chhokra" The film was an average.at Box office


Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)-

Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)

 The film featured the 3 brothers once again and Madhubala. The music was given by SD Burman and the Kishore sang most of the sings along with Asha Bhosle. The film was a huge success.

Door Ka Rahi (1971)

Song of Door Ka Rahi (1971)

 The film was directed by Kishore Kumar himself who also wrote the film and featured Tanuja, Ashok Kumar and himself in major roles. The film strives to deliver a very strong message of humanity using the simplest possible language. 

Amitabh Bachchan - How an Actor Rejected by Producers and Directors became the most saught after actor

If we read this story of Amitabh Bachchan, this would be the inspiration to the younger generation not to be dejected by the failures but try & try to achieve your goal, one day success will come in your way. We elders also take a lesson from him, how he battled various injuries and illnesses in the past, including tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, myasthenia gravis, and 25 percent of the liver, he still works and keeps himself fit.
Amitabh Bachchan was rejected in 1967 when he came to Bombay for Filmfare and Madhuri Film Talent Contest. His voice was earlier rejected by AIR for an announcer in Radio. His photographs were rejected by many producers saying that no heroine would like to work with this tall and lanky person. Before Zanzeer all (9) of his films flopped.
In this Blog, I look into the story of the Mahanayak of Hindi film industry. How he was recommended by the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi.
After receiving the rejection letter from the Film Talent Contest, Amitabh Bachchan was deeply depressed. Her mother who saw her Munna (Amitabh) in that stage contacted Indira Gandhi who was her friend to recommend her son to the Bollywood. 
Mrs. Gandhi knew Nargis Dutt very well, she rang Nargis Dutt and asked her to help Amitabh Bachchan to get into Films. Nargis Dutt then contacted Mr. Raj Grover who was very close to the editor of Madhuri, the Hindi film magazine which took the Talent Contest. He collected the photograph of Amitabh from them.
Nargis Ji showed this photograph first to B R Chopra who was a big name in Bollywood. Mr. Chopra took a glimpse of the photo for a second and put the photograph on the table. He didn't say anything but it looked like that he rejected him. Mr. Raj Grover who accompanied Nargis Dutt in that meeting read the situation, he told B R Chopra that this boy has been recommended by then PM Indira Gandhi. He then immediately picked up the photo and looked for few more seconds and said "Haan Kuchh Baat Toh Hai Iske Chehre mein".He took a phone and called Mohan Sehgal informing him that he would like to take audition of a young boy during his next shooting schedule.
After few days the shooting was to begin so B R Chopra informed Nargis Dutt about the dates and asked Amitabh to be there for the audition.
Amitabh Bachchan in those days was working in Bird & Co at Calcutta. He took four days leave from that company and landed at Bombay. He stayed with his friend at Colaba
This detail information I have gathered from the book The Legends Of Bollywood written by Mr. Raj  Grover who is being referred here. In this book, these 4 days are written very beautifully.
Nargis ji fixed the meeting of Amitabh with the Rajshri head Tarachand Barjatya who was planning a film at that time. She also informed him about the background of Amitabh.
When Mr. Barjatya saw Amitabh Bachchan, he looked at him and said " No heroine would like to work with you. You are very tall. You should take your famous father's footstep and write poetry like him"
On the third day, Amitabh went to Mohan Studio with Mr. Raj Grover for the audition. Mr Mohan Saigal asked Mr. Raj Grover to give him a few lines to prepare for the audition whatever he feels suitable. He was given a few romantic lines, Amitabh also added few lines from Madhushala. This audition was not approved. So Amitabh Bachchan was once again was dejected.
Before Amitabh Bachchan was to leave for Calcutta, Sunil Dutt promised him that he will give him a role in Reshma Aur Shera as soon as he will start the film. Sunil Dutt kept his photograph with him. KA Abbas the famous director was starting a film Saat Hindustani and he was looking for seven new faces for that film. Sunil Dutt recommended him for one of the seven characters 
The shooting of Reshma Aur Shera started first, though he played a dumb character in that film his voice was being appreciated by one and all unit members. It was Sunil Dutt and Manoj Kumar who were appreciative of Amitabh before any of his films released. It was Saat Hindustani completed first and released first. His performance was appreciated by many. Similarly in Reshma Aur Shera though his role was short but he was highly appreciated.
Before Reshma Aur Shera his second film Parwana was released. In this film, Amitabh plays his first negative role as an infatuated lover-turned-murderer. The film had Navin Nischal as a hero but Amitabh's performance was appreciated.
Another film released before Reshma Aur Shera was Anand of Hrishikesh Mukharji. It stars Rajesh Khanna in the lead role, with a supporting cast including Amitabh Bachchan, The role of Babu Moshay became immortal. From this film the making of a big star began.
During the shooting of Saat Hindustani Amitabh and Anwar Ali, the younger brother of Mahmood became friends. Mahmood liked Amitabh Bachchan and treated him as his younger brother, he even asked him to live in his house. He gave him a separate room to live in. He offered him the role of hero in Bombay to Goa released in 1972.
At the time of the making of Guddi, he became a friend of Jaya Bhaduri. Both of them worked together as Hero and Heroine in two films Bansi Birju and Ek Nazar released in 1972, both the films flopped but their love story was hit. In the meantime Prakash Mehra was starting Zanzeer,  he wanted to take Dharmendra as his hero but Dharmendra couldn't give him dates, then Dev Anand was approached who denied the film as there were no song situations for the hero in the film. Raj Kumar was also approached but he refused the film. It was Pran who suggested Amitabh's name and also supported by Salim Javed, the role went to Amitabh. Zanjeer proved to be the biggest turning point in Big B's life professionally as well as personally. The film not only made him a star overnight, and also tied the knot with Jaya Bhaduri.
In his Blog Amitabh Bachchan wrote that  he wanted to celebrate the success of Zanjeer with Jaya in London (they were yet to be married) when he received a diktat from his father late poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan: "Who all are going came the query from Babuji... names disclosed.. 'Jaya is also going with you... you both are alone... yes... if you have to go, marry and go',"
The year 1973 was also when he married Jaya, and around this time they appeared in several films together: not only Zanjeer but also subsequent films such as Abhimaan, which was released only a month after their marriage and was also successful at the box office. Later, Bachchan played the role of Vikram, once again along with Rajesh Khanna, in the film Namak Haraam, a social drama directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and scripted by Biresh Chatterjee addressing themes of friendship. His supporting role won him his second Filmfare Best Supporting Actor award.
In 1974, Bachchan made several guest appearances in films such as Kunwara Baap and Dost, before playing a supporting role in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. Just after that his film Majboor was released. The film was a success at the box office 
In 1975, he starred in a variety of film genres, from the comedy Chupke Chupke and the crime drama Faraar to the romantic drama Mili. This was also the year in which Bachchan starred in two films regarded as important in Hindi cinema history, both written by Salim-Javed. The first released on 15 August 1975, was Sholay, which became the highest-grossing film ever in India at the time, The other was Deewaar, directed by Yash Chopra, where he worked with Shashi Kapoor, Nirupa Roy, Parveen Babi, and Neetu Singh, and earned another Filmfare nomination for Best Actor. The film became a major hit at the box office in 1975,   Now he became the most sought after Hero of Bollywood. Every producer wanted to make a film with him. 
With his brilliant acting skills and his ability to deliver blockbusters after blockbuster, Bachchan was set for the long haul. The importance of being Amitabh Bachchan is not limited to his career, although he reinvented himself and experimented with his roles and acted in many successful films.

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Here are Rare Songs from Amitabh Bachchan Films Pre Zanjeer

Songs of Saat Hindustani 1970

Songs of Pyar Ki Kahani 1971

Songs of Sanjog 1972

Songs of Ek Nazar 1972

Songs of Ek Nazar 1972

Songs of  Bansi Birju 1972

 Song of Raaste Ka Pathar 1972

Songs of  Raaste Ka Pathar 1972

 Bandhe Haath 1972

Songs of Bombay To Goa 1972

Songs of Bombay To Goa 1972

Rekha - A Rare Blend of Beauty and Talent

Almost completing 50 years in Bollywood, Rekha when came to Bollywood, was 16years old,  a dusky, obese with a 33-inch waist. No one that time could believe that one day she will become a glamour icon of Bollywood.
On the premiere of Sawan Bhadon in 1970,  Shashi Kapoor uttered in disbelief, "How is this dark, plump and gauche actress ever going to make it?" But as the film released to the public, she became a hit and called the Sex Bomb. Sawan Bhadon was released in 1970 and celebrated a jubilee run in 34 centers across the country including Chennai. And Rekha signed 18 films in a week.
She appeared in several commercially successful films at the time, including Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972) opposite Randhir  Kapoor, Kahani Kismat Ki (1973) opposite Dharmendra, Namak Haram opposite Rajesh Khanna and Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) opposite Sunil Dutt, yet she was not regarded for her acting abilities. 
Rekha ( Born on10th Oct 1954) appeared as a child (credited as Baby Bhanurekha) in the Telugu film Rangula Ratnam (1966)..Her first signed Hindi film was Anjana Safar. but Sawan Bhadon released first. Despite the success of the film, she was often scorned for her looks. She subsequently got several offers but nothing of substance, as her roles were mostly just of a glamour girl.
Rekha recalls that the way she was perceived at that time motivated her to change her appearance and improve her choice of roles: "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.
It was in 1974 Rekha began her lifelong obsession with her mirror. Slowly picking up the tricks of make-up, she lost weight and became svelte Rekha got a meaty role for the first time in Dulal Guha's Do Anjaane (1976), her first film opposite Amitabh Bachchan. She made people sit up with her performance as an ambitious wife who sacrifices love at the altar of ambition. The audience was floored when there was a swift change in her screen personality, as well as her style of acting.
In 1978, with her portrayal of a rape victim in the movie Ghar. a turning point came in her career. The film was considered her first notable milestone, and her performance was applauded by both critics and cine-goers. She received her first nomination for Best Actress at the Filmfare Awards.
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.
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. In a role written especially for her, she won her first Best Actress award. for this film.
 In 1981, she starred in Umrao Jaan, 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. Now Rekha was no loger a glamourous item but was being approached for challenging roles.
Rekha starred in Ramesh Talwar's family drama Baseraa, which saw her playing a woman who marries her sister's husband after the latter loses her mental balance. She appeared as Sadhna in the commercially successful Ek Hi Bhool (1981), opposite Jeetendra, playing the role of a betrayed wife who leaves her husband. In 1982, she received another Filmfare nomination for Jeevan Dhaara, in which she played a young unmarried woman who is the sole breadwinner of her extended family. In 1983, she took the supporting role of a lawyer in Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye, garnering another Filmfare nomination in the Supporting Actress category.
Shyam Benegal took her in Kalyug (1981), Govind Nihalani's in Vijeta (1982), Girish Karnad's Utsav (1984) and Gulzar's Ijaazat (1987), were few of her films where her performance was appreciated. Apart from parallel cinema, Rekha took on other increasingly serious, even adventurous roles; she was among the early actresses to play lead roles in heroine-oriented films, one such film being Khoon Bhari Maang in 1988. She won her second Filmfare Award for her performance in the film. 
In the 90s most of the actresses of her generation, like Hema Malini and Raakhee, who succumbed to playing character parts, typically of mothers and aunts, Rekha was still playing leading roles at a time when younger female stars rose to fame. Rekha retained success with her starring role as Namrata Singh, a young woman who joins the police force to avenge her husband's death in K. C. Bokadia's Phool Bane Angaray (1991). The film was a box-office hit and Rekha received a Best Actress nomination at Filmfare for her work.
In 1996 she did,  her first negative role as Madam Maya, a vicious gangster woman running a secret business of illegal wrestling matches in the US, who, during the course of the film, romances the much younger Akshay Kumar. Her portrayal earned her several awards, including the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Star Screen Award for Best Villain in Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi.
In the 2000s, Rekha appeared in relatively few movies. In Rakesh Roshan's science-fiction film Koi... Mil Gaya, Rekha played Sonia Mehra, a single mother to a developmentally disabled young man, played by Hrithik Roshan. The movie was a financial and critical success and became the most popular film of the year; Rekha received another Best Supporting Actress nomination at the Filmfare for her performance, 
From the giggling village belle in Saawan Bhadon to one of the country's reigning actresses, Rekha has come a long way. A  Well, known critic Omar Qureshi once said, "the term diva (in India) was coined for Rekha".

Song Sawan Bhadon 1970

Song of Rampur Ka Laxman 1972

Song of Kahani Kismat Ki (1973)

Song of Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye 1974

Song of Do Anjaane (1976)

Song of Ghar 1978

Song of Mukkadar Ka Sikandar 1978

Song of  Khoobsurat 1980

Song of Umrao Jaan 1981

Song of Ijajat 1987