This BLOG is about the Past of Hindi Films Specially Black and White Cinema We will refresh your memories by bringing out forgotten or unseen songs and clippings of film scenes We will try to give you as much information as we gather from our research.
This Blog was started as a one-man’s passion for film history but has now become an addiction for many music lovers who are equally passionate about Hindi films
Hindi Films are known for their songs. Sometimes it happens that a very melodious song is either badly picturized or on relatively unknown actors. In this blog, I have selected a few of such songs that were very popular at that time and are still hummed but we have forgotten on whom these were picturized
The first song I have taken is 'Suhani Raat Dhal Chuki' from the 1949 film Dulari. This song established Mohammad Rafi, it was picturized on Suresh, who went to Pakistan and acted in two films in 1950 and 1951, but then returned to India soon after. By that time Dilip Kumar. Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor captured the top slot.
Song of Dulari 1949
Next song in my ;ist 'Na Yeh Chand Hoga Na Tare Rahenge' sung by Hemant Kumar and Geeta Dutt from the 1954 film 'Shart'.This song was picturized on young actress Shyama with an actor from Bengal named Dipak, who was specially brought over for the role,
Song of Shart 1954
This immortal song 'Tasveer Banata Hoon tasveer Nahin Banti. sung by Talat Mahmood and composed by Nashaad, not Naushad from the 1955 film Baradari was picturized on Chandtadhekher.He was the leading man in films like Surang (1953), Kavi and Mastana (both 1954), Baradari (1955), Kali Topi Lal Rumal (1959), Street Singer, and in a negative role in Basant Bahar. It was after 1968, that Chandrashekar was not getting offers to act in a leading role, and he subsequently moved into character roles.
Song of Baradari 1955
This hit song 'O Leke Pehla Pehla Pyar' from CID (1956) was picturized on Shyam Kapoor and Sheela Vaz. Sheela Vaz was a good dancer she appeared in many hit songs. Shyam Kapoor was seen only in this song. He was one of the assistant of Guru Dutt.
Song of CID 1956
This song from Dekh Kabira Roya (1957) is an immortal song sung by Talat Mahmood. It was picturized on Anoop Komar, brother of Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar.
Song of DEKH KABIRA ROYA -1957
This super hit song was sung by Mohammad Rafi and composed by Madan Mohan for the 1958 film Aakhri Dao, 'Tujhe Kya Suno Mein Dilruba' picturized on an actor Shekhar, he was active in the 50s.He appeared in movies, Ankh Michouli (1962), Hum Matwale Naujawan (1961), Aakhri Dao (1958), Abhimna (1957), Chhote Babu (1957), Sangam (1954), Chandni Chowk (1954), Toothe Khilaune (1954), Darwaza (1954)
Song of Aakhri Daao 1958.
This song is from the 1960 film Baraat, sung by Mukesh and composed by Chitragupt. This song was picturized on Ajit, who is known as Villain, For your information, he was a hero in many films. Here he is singing a heartbroken song.
Song of Baraat 1960
'Jab Gham E Ishq Sataata Hai' is a sad song from the 1963 film Kinare Kinare.directed by Chetan Anand. This song was composed by Jaidev and was picturized on Chetan Anand.
Song of Kinare Kinare 1963
Dosti was a 1964 film,. It was declared a "Super Hit" at the box office. The highlight of this film was its music composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal. Music director R.D. Burman played the harmonica on film scores and soundtracks. Dosti stands as a landmark in the career history of the musical duo as this won them their first Filmfare Award and made them popular in the film industry. Mohammed Rafi is the main vocalist for the songs.The film features Sudhir Kumar Sawant and Sushil Kumar Somaya. I
Song of Dosti 1964
You would be surprised to know that this romantic song was sung by Mohammad Rafi for the well-known comedian Jagdeep.
Song of Punar Milan 1964
Song of Waqt 1965
Another such song 'Jane kaisa hai mera deewana'. Film Aansoo ban gaye phool. Sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. Music composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.. It was picturized onDeb Mukherjee, brother of romantic hero Joy Mukherjee. But heroin is very unknown. Her name for screen is Alka.
The English meaning of Anjaan is unknown or anonymous. This was the pet name of the well-known lyricist of Bollywood who has given us many popular songs. Recall the song 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala'and 'Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab' and many more such songs were written by him. His real name was Lalji Pandey. He was born on October 28, 1930, and was a native of Varanasi.
He debuted in 1953 in the movie "Prisoner Of Golconda" with the songs "Lehar Yeh Dole Koyal Bole" and "Shaheedon Amar Hai Tumhari Kahani".He was first noticed for his work with the Raaj Kumar film Godaan, based on the Premchand classic, with music by Ravi Shankar. This film got him a few good assignments in the mid - 60’s with big composers like O. P. Nayyar ("Aap Ke Haseen Rukh") in Guru Dutt’s Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi
He penned more than 1500 songs in 300 films, many of his songs were hit. He worked with many music directors but his collaboration with Kalyanji Anandji was successful.He was at his best in theAmitabh Bachchanfilms ofKalyanji Anandji, beginning withDo Anjaane("Luk Chhip Luk Chhip Jao Na") in 1976. FollowedHera Pheri("Barson Purana Yeh Yaarana"), Khoon Pasina ("Title Song" and "Bani Rahe Jodi Raja Rani Ki"),Muqaddar Ka Sikandar("Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab", "O Saathi Re", "Pyar Zindagi Hai", "Dil To Hai Dil"),Donwith his biggest hit of the career "Khaike Paan Banaras Wala", ("Ee Hai Bambai Nagariya", "Jiska Mujhe Tha Intezaar"),Lawaaris("Jiska Koi Nahin", "Kab Ke Bichhde") and Jaadugar.
In his early days, he had to struggle, he worked in small films, in the mid-1960s with big composers like O. P. Nayyar ("Aap Ke Haseen Rukh") in Guru Dutt's Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi and G. P. Sippy's Bandhan, which established him commercially with "Bina Badraa Ke Bijuriya Kaise Barse". This also saw the forging with fellow lyricist Indeevar and composers Kalyanji-Anandji. This was followed by songs in Kalyanji - Anandji's Kab? Kyon? Aur Kahan?. Shankar - Jaikishan's Umang, Rivaaj and Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari, Ravi's Vandana ("Aap Ki Inayat Aap Ke Karam"), R. D. Burman's Hungama ('Wah Ri Kismat', 'Suraj Se Jo Kiran Ka Naata' which was the first-ever song filmed on Zeenat Aman) and a few other films.
Being a native of Varanasi, he had great love and attachment to Ganga. There were a lot of songs written by him on Ganga such as "Maano To Main Ganga Maa Hoon Maano To Behta Paani" and "Ganga Mein Dooba" fromApneRang Hazar. His health suffered a major setback in the early 90’s, though he delivered hits with Zindagi Ek Juaa, Dalaal, Ghayal,and the 1990 chartbuster "Gori Hain Kalaiyan" (Aaj Ka Arjun) and his last hitShola Aur Shabnam(1992). His other films in the 90’s included Vishnu Devaa, Parakrami, Insaniyat, Police Aur Mujrim, First Love Letter, Aandhiyaan, Phool Bane Angaarey and others.A few months before his death on 13 September 1997, his only book of poems, Ganga Tath Ka Banjara (A Gypsy from the Shores of the Ganges) was released at the hands of Amitabh Bachchan. His son Sameer is also a very successful Lyricist.
When you think of the actor Pradeep Kumar, immediately the image of a Mughal Emperor or a prince emerges in our mind. He was the first choice to play prince/king in numerous Hindi films. He was a hero of many period films. Even though he acted in films of other genres, he is famous for his portrayals of kings and princes. His splendid performance as Prince Salim in Nandlal Jaswantlal’s tragic love story Anarkali, and as Shah Jahan in M. Sadiq’s Taj Mahal, demonstrated his ability to slip into royal roles with ease.
Pradeep Kumar (born Sital Batabyal; 4 January 1925 – 27 October 2001) made his debut from a period film Anandmath(1952), he became a sensation with the Bina Rai-starrer Anarkali (1953) and the Vyjayanthimala-starrer Nagin (1954). He had to face a tough competition with the trio of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor films. He had limited success in the 5os and 60s. in the 1960s, though Ghoonghat (1960), Aarti (1962) & Taj Mahal (1963) were successful many of his films flopped though he worked with Madhubala and Meena Kumari.
He did not get to act with the newer heroines of the 1960s such as Sadhana, Saira Banu, Babita or Sharmila Tagore, though he did work with Asha Parekh in Ghoonghat and Meri Surat Teri Aankhen and with Waheeda Rehman in Raakhi (1963). In 1969, he moved to character roles with Sambandh and Mehboob Ki Mehndi, but did not have many visible roles till Jaanwar and Razia Sultan in 1983.
In 1969, Pradeep saw a glimpse of success once again withSambandh, albeit in a character role. He lived a life removed from the spotlight for the next 18 years and died a quiet death on October 27, 2001, at the age of 76.
True to his name "Sahir" which means a magician, he proved to be a magician of words. He painted fascinating images in songs and ghazals, He made his debut as a lyricist with the film "Azadi Ki Raah Par" in 1948. but got fame in 1951 after the release of Baazi, Naujawan, and Saza
He did not praise Khuda (God), Husn (beauty), or Jaam (wine). Instead, he wrote bitter yet sensitive lyrics about the declining values of society; the senselessness of war and politics; and the domination of consumerism over love. His love songs, tinged with sorrow, expressed his realization that there were other, starker concepts more important than love.
Close to his heart was the farmer crushed by debt, the soldier has gone to fight someone else's war, the woman forced to sell her body, the youth frustrated by unemployment, and the family living on the street for instance.
He touched upon issues like poverty, inequality, gender gap, environment, the threat of a war that has not gone away. Some of the challenges are even bigger today than in his time. If he would have been alive today, he would be writing on the self-appointed custodian of religion, the self-serving politician, the exploitative capitalist, and the war-mongering super-powers.
Recall the songs of Pyaasa or Phir Subah Hogi The song Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi with its minimal background music remains popular.
Sahir was a communist sympathizer, but he never became a member of the Communist Party of India or an agenda-pushing poet. He always expressed his true feelings. Sahir did something which no film lyricist did before. He transitioned his literary poetry from his book Talkhiyaan (1945) into film songs.
Sahir was hardly 58 and at his creative best when he suffered a massive heart attack. This bard from Ludhiana bid adieu to this world on October 25, 1980.
Jeevan (24 October 1915 – 10 June 1987),, played the role of Narad Muni in more than 60 films. Jeevan, born as Omkar Nath Dhar. He has played the role of Narad Muni in more than 60 films. No actor in the history of cinema has played one character so many times.
He wasn’t just Narad Muni, he was also one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic villains. The first time he became a villain in the 1938 film Rajkumari. He is also known for his style of acting and mannerism He came to Bombay to become a photographer but became an actor. His first film was the 1935 film,
In 1935, he was highly recognized for the role in ‘Romantic India’. In 1942, he was notable for his role in Station Master, and in 1946, he was notable for his role in Afasana.His popularity increased from the 1949 film Mela where he played Mehkoo, who lusts after one of the young village girls. He was also seen in many of Dev Anand's films. Recall him as Heera in Johny Mera Naam. Also, recall his character of Robert in the 1977 blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony,
Jeevan in Johny Mera Naam
Jeevan in Amar Akbar Anthony
He also acted in “Naya Daur”, “Rangoli”, “Nagin”, “Do phool”, “Dharam Veer”, “Roti”, “Laawaris”, “Suhaag”, Waqt”, “Darling darling”, “Sangham”, “Naseeb”, “Takkar”, “Chacha Bhatijia”, “Humraaz”, “Aabru”, “ Bandhan”,“Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya” and many other films. His last movie was “Insaaf Ki Manzil” and it was released in 1986
D N Madhok (22 October 1902 – 9 July 1982) was a prominent lyricist of Bollywood in the 1930s to 1960s. He started his career with the 1932 film Radhey Sham. Apart from writing lyrics, he wrote screenplays and directed films. He directed almost 17 films.
Filmmaker and songwriter Gulzar considers two lyricists as tops in the old days. Shailendra in the 50's and D N Madhok in the 40's.The immortal song"Diya Jalao" sung by K. L. Saigal was written by him, He was instrumental in introducing the famous composer Naushad to Bollywood He appointed Naushad as an assistant music director in his directorial venture, a Punjabi film Mirza Sahiban (1939). The first film which Naushad composed as an independent music director was Prem Nagar' (1940). This time also it was Madhok who penned the lyrics for the songs of that film.
He joined Ranjit Movietone in 1939. His career as a lyricist took off with several major successes. He wrote lyrics for popular songs in the 1940s and 1950s for films such as Nadi Kinare (1939), Musafir (1940), Pagal (1940), Ummeed (1941), Bansari (1943), Nurse (1943), Bela (1947), Bhakt Surdas (1942), and Tansen (1943).
He worked with almost every prominent music director of the 40s and 50s such as Gyan Dutt, Khemchand Prakash, S. N. Tripathi, Bulo C Rani, Khurshid Anwar, Pandit Amarnath, Sardul Kwatra, Anil Biswas, R. C. Boral, Robin Chatterjee, C. Ramchandra, Sajjad Hussain, Ghulam Haider, Vinod, Gobind Ram, Husnlal Bhagatram, A. R. Qureshi, Roshan, Sardar Malik, Ghulam Mohammad, and Hansraj Behl.
He wrote over 800 songs in his career, some of his notable songs are-
Diya Japao Jagmag Jagmag(Tansen)
Ghata Ghan Ghor Ghor...(Tansen)
Too Kaun Si Badli Mein Mere Chand Hai...(Khandaan)
This super hit song was originally written and composed by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shankar Jaikishan for Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai released in 1961to be picturized on Dev Anand and Asha Parekh. But Dev Anand rejected it because he felt it wouldn't go down well with his personality.
When an upset Jaikishen mentioned Shammi Kapoor about this song, he asked him to play this song for him.he just freaked on it" I love this song"He immediately told Jaikishan to keep it reserved for him, he will use this song in one of his future films.
Shammi Kapoor gave this song to Manmohan Desai who was making 'Budtameez' at that time but he couldn't be picturized for that film. Shammi Kapoor then gave this song to G P Sippy for Brahmachari
This song was picturized on Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz.Bhappi Sonie, the director of the film, wanted Mumtaz to Wear a Sari in this song but Mumtaz declined saying that she would be uncomfortable dancing in a Sari. Bhappie Sonie then discussed this with the costume designer Bhanu Athaiya who tried something innovative which became a rage as the Mumtaz Sari after the release of the film. She devised the Sari with readymade pleats and a zipper on the side.
The song became hit before the film got released. People rushed to the theatres to catch a glimpse of this song and its incredible star cast. Mumtaz draped in a low-waist, unconventional pre-pleated saree, which featured gold gota borders and a frilled hemline form-fitting bright orange saree, paired with a short sleeveless blouse was the attraction. She paired it with gold chandelier earrings, a choker necklace, a hath Patti, and the iconic 60s puffy hairstyle.
The song was one of the Top Songs in Binaca Geetmala of that year competing with Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein from Padosan. Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz made the Shake Dance popular in India. The signature tune of this song was its Prelude music. As soon as this music starts, everybody started to tap their feet and shake head.
This song has been recreated multiple times since but nobody has come close to repeating what Shammi achieved.
This song from Mausam(1976) was written by Gulzar, composed by Madan Mohan, and sung by Bhupinder. The song has two versions, one a solo by Bhupinder and a duet of Lata Mangeshkar with Bhupinder. The solo was used during the titles of the film and the duet was picturized on the young Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore.
The solo version happens to be Gulzar's favorite, is by far the soberer and serene. The duet has a faster tempo. Both versions have three stanzas with different interludes. The Mukhada was taken from a Ghalib ghazal with a slight change. In the ghazal, it is 'Jee Dhoondta Hai', Madan Mohan changed it to Dil Dhoondta Hai., since it worked better for the metre.
This wasn’t the only time Gulzar was inspired by Ghalib. He went a step further in the song Satrangi Re, (Dil Se, 1998), in which he wove Ghalib’s couplet into his lyrics, crediting the source by its name.
This song is the pivot around which the film revolves. It connects the characters in time. the first time when the Doctor(Sanjeev Kumar) is traveling from Calcutta to Darjiling by road where he met Chanda decades ago.
Gulzar in a book told that while composing the interludes of the song Madan Mohan was strolling between his music room and his kitchen. He(Gulzar) had gone to his house for dinner. Madan Mohan was a good cook, he was cooking mutton at that time. During that duration, he composed the tune of this song.
Gulzar was one of the contenders for the National Award for that year. Unfortunately, no award was given to any lyricist that yeat. Similarly, he was nominated for Filmfare's Best lyricist award but lost out to lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi for Kabhie Kabhie.
Madan Mohan had a habit of making 5-6 tunes of one song, he then selects the best out of them. For this song too he made 6 tunes one of which was later used in Veer Zara (2004). Here a clipping is given below, you could see his versatility
Dil Dhoondhta Hai - Madan Mohan sings many tunes for one song
Om Puri (18 October 1950 – 6 January 2017) was an actor par excellence. He displayed his skill in Art as well as Commercial Cinema. He acted in more than 300 movies, bringing many characters to life. He was an unconventional hero, he worked in Bollywood and Hollywood, and British Cinema. He was the first Indian actor to be nominated for the BAFTA award for his role as a Pakistani father in East is East.
As per his biography(Unlikely Hero- Om Puri), written by his wife Nandita Puri in 2011 he had relations with many women but couldn't continue long.In this book, she disclosed that he had sex with his maid when he was 14. He then went on to have another deep, personal, and sexual relationship with another woman who was a caretaker of his ailing, old father.
This was his second marriage to Nandita Puri. His first marriage was with Seema Kapoor, sister of actor Anu Kapoor. This marriage ended in 11 months. After 2 years he married Nandita who was a journalist She was 10 years younger than him, he had a son with this marriage. Their marriage was also not going well. Sema, his ex-wife once again emerged in his life. Before he died Om Puri was planning to divorce her and remarrying Seema again.
Now let's talk about his reel life. He is best known for his author-backed roles in films like Aakrosh (1980), Arohan (1982), Ardh Satya and television films like Sadgati (1981) and Tamas (1987) and also light-hearted roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and Chachi 420 (1997).
His film was Chor Chor Chhup ja, a children's film He made his debut in the mainstream films genre in the 1976 Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal. He came into prominence with Ardha Satya (1982).for which he got the National Film Award for Best Actor;.He had a cameo in the highly acclaimed film Gandhi (1982, directed by Richard Attenborough).In the mid-1990s, he diversified to play character roles in mainstream Hindi cinema,
His notable roles in commercial Hindi films included Drohkaal, In Custody, Narsimha, Ghayal, Mrityudand, Aastha, Hey Ram, Pyar Toh Hona Hi Tha, Farz, Gadar, Lakshya, Dev (2004), Rang De Basanti, Yuva, Singh Is Kinng, Mere Baap Pehle Aap, Billu, Kyunki, Lakshya, Dabang, Bhaji In Problem, Khap, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Ghayal Once Again. Puri was seen in the role of Mohammad Ali Kasuri in Road to Sangam (2009).
On 6 January 2017, Puri died at the age of 66, after having a heart attack at his residence in Andheri, Mumbai
