10 Hit Films and Hit Songs of 1951

 1951 

-The Central Board of Film Censors, with the film industry represented by B. N. Sircar, was established.
-Chandulal Shah was appointed the first president of the Film Federation of India
-The Indian Express Group publishes the first issue of the weekly newspaper Screen.
-Guru Dutt makes his directorial debut with Baazi a Navketan films, starring Dev Anand and Geeta Bali.
-Awara became the No 1 hit Movie of that year followed by Baazi.
-99 Hindi Movies released that year.
 -Awaara  started a trend of releasing Hindi films in international markets
.-The debut of Vyjayanthimala in AVM’s Bahar (which was a remake of the Tamil film Vazhkai) was the    beginning of her glorious career  as the leading lady for about two decades.
 -Kalpan Kartik in Baazi and Beena Rai in Kali Ghata also debuted this year. 
 -Sahir Ludhiyanvi, a renowned Urdu poet, entered the film world as a lyricist in the year and started his    great association with SD Burman in Naujawan and Baazi.
                  TOP 10 HIT MOVIES OF 1951 

• Awara a social film directed by Raj Kapoor for his R. K. Films, had Raj Kapoor and Nargis in the lead roles. The music was composed byShankar Jaikishan. It was the top grossing film of the year. It was stated to be "the first Indian film" to become a success in the Middle-east, Russia and China. The film was nominated for the Grand Prize at the 1953 Cannes Film Festival.
•  Kapoor's real-life father Prithviraj Kapoor stars as his on-screen father Judge Raghunath. Kapoor's youngest real-life brother Shashi Kapoor plays the younger version of his character. Prithiviraj's father Dewan Bashwanath Kapoor also played a cameo role in his only film appearance.
• The film Awaara and the song "Awaara Hoon" are believed to have been Chairman Mao's favourite film and song, respectively. In more recent years, Awaara was referenced in the 2000 Chinese film Platform.
• Due to the film's remarkable success with Turkish audiences, Awaara was remade in Turkey as Avare (1964) starring the Turkish actor Sadri Alışık, along with actress Ajda Pekkan
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• Baazi, a Navketan production was directed by Guru Dutt. Based on the 1940s Hollywood "film noirs", it turned out to be a landmark role for Dev Anand, who co-starred with Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik. The film went on to become a "major commercial success.With this film Dev Anand picked up his style, which were to keep him on top, alongwith Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, for decades to come.

• Albela was directed by Bhagwan for his Bhagwan Art Productions and co-starred him with Geeta Bali. The film, with music by C. Ramchandrawent on to become a "hit musical".A Hindi classic, it was the third highest grossing film at the Indian Box Office in 1951.The film features several westerinized songs such as Sholajo badhke and Ye deewana, ye parwana which are said to have "employed cabaret type dance/choruses featuring bongo drums, oboes,, clarinets, trumpets, saxophones, etc.

• Deedar directed by Nitin Bose was another hit from actor Dilip Kumar, who was by then known as the "Tragedy King" following films like Jugnu(1947), Mela (1948), Andaz (1949) and Babul (1950).^[12] The film had popular music composed by Naushad, and co-starred Ashok Kumar and Nargis.Everlasting melodies like “Meri Kahani Bhoolne Wale”, “Hue Hum Jinke Liye Barbaad” and “Naseeb Dar Pe” make you bow to Rafi's divine magic DEEDAR (1951) was a golden jubilee hit all over India. Yes, a lot can be written about this movie. 

• Jadoo was a psycho-social melodrama film produced and directed by A. R. Kardar. The film was inspired from The Loves of Carmen (1948).^[14]It starred Nalini Jaywant and Suresh, with its popular music composed by Naushad

• Bahar, Vyjayantimala's debut film in Hindi directed by M. V. Raman, was a remake of her bilingual film, Vazhkai (1949) in Tamil, and Jeevitham(1950) in Telugu.The film was produced by A. V. Meiyappan with his production company, AVM. The music was composed by S. D. Burman with lyrics provided by Rajendra Krishan, Almost all the songs was a chartbusters and the album proved to be successful for music director S. D. Burman who previously taste success throughShabnam. Bahar also one of the rare soundtrack where Burman uses Shamshad Begum as his main singer."Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re" becomes a hit.^[9] The album also features Kishore Kumar's early hit song, "Qasoor Aapka" who later becomes as one of the leading male playback singer in Bollywood

• Afsana ,Bollywood family drama film. It was the directorial debut of Baldev Raj Chopra  and starred Ashok Kumar as twin brothers, starting a trend for such dual roles, It co-starred Veena, Pran, Kuldip Kaur,Jeevan, Cuckoo, and Baby Tabassum. The story was written by I. S. Johar and the music composed by Husnlal Bhagatram

• Tarana  The film stars Dilip Kumar andMadhubala for the first time together,^[1] along with Shyama and Jeevan. Anil Biswas wrote the music for the film and one of the popular numbers was the duet "Seene Mein Sulagte Hain Arman", sung by Talat Mehmood and Lata Mangeshkar for Dilip Kumar and Madhubala

• Aaram directed by D.D. Kashyap and starring Dev Anand, Madhubala, Prem Nath and Talat Mahmood.Dev and PremNath do not have much to do in the film. Dev looks great but
  gets a raw deal as far as role is concerned The music of "Aaram" would probably find a place among one of the best
  scores ever in Hindi films

• Baadal  Madhubala, Prem Nath, Purnima Directed by Amiya Chakrabarty

TOP 10 HIT SONGS OF 1951 

There should be no  doubt that music of Golden Era has begun in 1951 with musical landmarks likeAwaara (Shankar Jaikishan), Albela (C Ramchandra), Deedar (Naushad),Malhar (Roshan), Bahaar, Baazi, Naujawan and Saza (SD Burman) and Aaram and Tarana (Anil Biswas).
Awara hun became Indian and an international rage and made Raj Kapoor the cultural ambassador of India to Soviet Union and several other countries.

Aawaaraa hoon-This song, an out and out iconic song, was written by Shailendra and music was composed by Shankar Jaikishan. This song firmly established Mukesh as the voice of Raj Kapoor.

Tadbeer se bigdi huyi taqdeer banaa le-This immortal song is written by Sahir Ludhianvi. The music is by S D Burman. It is difficult to imagine that such a wonderful music was composed nearly 58 yeras ago and it sounds as fresh today as it did all those decades ago.The song is sung wondefully and it is picturised nicely on Geeta Bali and Dev Anand.

Bholi soorat dil ke khote-This song is sung by C Ramchandra himself along with Lata. It is picturised on Bhagwan, Geeta Bali and others. Rajinder Krishan is the lyricist.

Shola jo bhadke dil mera dhadke- This song took Bollywood by storm, because the movie goers had never seen or heard anything like this before. One can clearly see the influence of western music in the songs of this movie.

Bachpan ke din bhulaa naa denaa- picturised on two kids- a boy and a girl- playing the childhood roles of Nargis and Dilip Kumar, who are seen riding on a horse and singing this song.This ia duet,Lata sings for the girl while Shamshad Behgam sings for the boy.It is written by Shakeel Badayuni and the music by Naushad.

Ek main hoon ek meri beqasi ki shaam hai-  A timeless classics by Talat Mahmood Dilip Kumar acts on this sad song  The Velvet Voice in a blue mood. Dilip Kumar–Madhubala starrer Taranawas a high point of Anil Biswas’s music.

Shukriya ae pyaar teraa shukriyaa-This song is a ghazal, and this must be one of the earliest ghazals created in Bollywood movies. And it is this song that brought Talat Mehmood to limelight as a singer.lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Anil Biswas and the film is" Aaram'“Aaraam” (1951) was a movie where Dev Anand was the hero. But in this movie one can also see a very young Premnath.This song is acted by Talat himself.

Sainya dil mein aana re-Almost all the songs of this movie"Bahar" were chartbusters and the album proved to be successful for music director S. D. Burman who previously taste success through Shabnam. Bahar also one of the rare soundtrack where Burman usesShamshad Begum as his main singer. Her voice for the song "Saiyan Dil Mein Aana Re" becomes a hit.

Ae jaane jigar dil mein samaane aajaa-Here is this superb “piano” song from “Aaraam” (1951).Premnath is playing Piano and singing this sad song.Rajinder Krishan has written a gem of a song which has been sung with his customary elan by Mukesh. Anil Biswas, a music director extraordinaire has composed the music.

Meri yaad mein tum na aansoo bahaana- This is easily a timeless classic. The singing of Talat Mahmood and the music of Madan Mohan were both outstanding, but let us not forget the lyrics of Raja Mehdi Ali Khan for the film "Madhosh"

These were the Top 10 songs of 1951 but there were many songs that year which are worth mentioning.-

Bade armaano se rakha hai balam-It is a song from Malhaar (1951) Here all the persons involved in the creation of this song were new in Bollywood industry.The movie was a B grade but the music made it memorable.Roshan was the music director who was few films old similarly the lyricist Shyamlal.Shyamlal later changed his name to" Indeewar" which we know well.

Roun main saagar ke kinaare-Here is one of the most well known song of C H Atma . It is from “Nageena” (1951). Shailendra is the lyricist whereas Shankar Jaikishan composed the music. The song was picturised on Nasir Khan.C H Atma's voice resembles K L Saigal some times it becomes difficult to differentiate between them.

Tum na jaane kis jahaan mein kho gaye-an immortal song from “Sazaa” (1951) to demonstate what I mean. What a timeless classic this song is,This song was picturised on Nimmi where she reminisces about her past, including about Dev Anand, her hero in this movie.

Thandi hawaayen lahraa ke aayen-The song is sung by Lata and it is picturised on Nalini Jaiwant. Sahir Ludhianvi is the lyricist and S D Burman composed the music.for "Naujawaan'The song is 65 years old, but it sounds as fresh as ever.

Jhan jhan jhan jhan paayal baaje-This song is sung by Lata and it is written by Shailendra. The lyrics are based on folk tradition, whereas the music is semi classical. The song is picturised as a stage song/get together song, where Nimmi is shown singing this song The music is given by S D Burman for the film"Buzdil"

O sanam-This is a duet sung by Rafi and Suraiyya and picturised on Dev Anand and Suraiyya. Both are dressed in Mughal dresses.To all Dev anand's fans it is a rare song where dev anand wearing Mughal Costume.Qamar Jalalabadi wrore it and Husnlal Bhagatram composed the music of this duetfor film SANAM

Aa teri tasweer banaa loon-This song is sung by Talat Mehmood and it is picturised on Dev Anand and Madhubala. P L Santoshi is the lyricist. Music is composed by the curiously named Chic Chocolate, who was in fact an assistant to C Ramchandra for much of his career, and this movie being one of the rare occasions where he got to work as a full fledged music director.

Dam bhar jo udhar munh phere- its a sensuous song, romantic song from Awaara.The team of Shankar Jaikishan, Shailendra, Lata, Mukesh and Raj Kapoor Nargis delivered this remarkable piece of art.Though all the songs of this film were super hit,I have selected this song.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SURESH WADKAR

Suresh Ishwar Wadkar BORN 0N 7th AUG 1955 at Kolhapur Maharashtra.A trained Indian classical singer Suresh Wadkar at the age of 14 was chosen by a music teacher called Acharya Jialal Vasant took him as his disciple and helped in prepare for music degree called Prabhakar (a degree equivalent to B.ed a course makes you eligible to reach in Music schools) from the famous institute Prayag Sangit Samiti. Once completing his music degree Wadkar joined Arya Vidya Mandir in Bombay as Music Teacher. This is the place, which has given some of the best singers to Bollywood, which helped him find the opportunity to learn and grow a lot in music.
His teacher called him in public as one of his torchbearer who will keep the light of music alive and expand to get the highest degree in singing and music. Suresh Wadkar made this as his mission and thus opened up his music school in Mumbai, which has one chapter in New York in USA as well wherein methodical training is catered to the students. 

A the age of 21 he participated in a music competition called Sur Singar in 1976 wherein he won the title. The Judge of this program was Jaidev the famous music director who assigned a song called "Seene Mein Jalan" from his movie called Gaman (1978). 

Seene Mein Jalan

He was later on introduced to Laxmikant Payarelal and Kalyanji Anandji by his admirer Lata Mangeshkar who later on gave him chance in their films .Laxmikant-Pyarelal, impressed with his voice, soon recorded a duet with Lata "Chal Chameli Bagh Mein" for Krodhi (1981).This song became instant hit.Now there was no looking back for him.

He was also given songs in R K Films PREM ROG(1982) All the song of that film were hit .After that Wadkar sang many songs under the R.K. Banner and he often gave his voice for Rishi Kapoor for Heena, Prem granth, and Rajeev Kapoor for Ram Teri Ganga Maili he used to sing specially for Rishi Kapoor in numerous films: Bol Radha Bol, Vijay and others.

His turning point in films was from the song "Megha Re Megha Re"from Pyasa Sawan (1981) after that he was offered many songs in Hindi Films. He is very selective in singing film songs.He still sings for hindi films The last movie in which he sang was Haider (2014)

He was a judge on the Indian TV singing show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs International and at the 2005 Sangeet Awards.

In 1976, Wadkar won the Madan Mohan Best Male Singer Award at the Sur-Singar competition.He is also a recipient of the 2004 Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar instituted byMadhya Pradesh government. He also won the 2007 Maharashtra Pride Award which is given by the government of Maharashtra to citizens of note. In 2011, he won theNational Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Hey Bhaskara Kshitijavari Ya" from the Marathi film Mee Sindhutai Sapkal
Wadkar is married to classical singer Padma. He has two daughters, Ananya and Jia.
He has sung numerous devotional songs in various Indian languages

Suresh Wadkar has worked with some of the top class Marathi music directors like Pt.Hridaynath Mangeshkar, Sudhir Phadke, Shrinivas Khale, Shridhar Phadke, Vasant Desai, Ashok Patki, Anil-Arun etc. Some of his notable marathi songs are:

• Dayaghana with pt.Hridaynath Mangeshkar
• Kaal dehasi ala khau with Shrinivas Khale
• tula pahile mi with Shridhar Phadke
• Omkar swaroopa
• Pahile Na Mi Tulahjh  

Suresh Wadkar's Hit Songs

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Double Roles in Hindi Cinema

Part 1

The First Double Role in Hindi Cinema was in Lanka Dahan(1917).Dadasaheb Phalke cast Anna Salunke, the actor who played Rani Taramati in Raja Harishchandra, in a double role in Lanka Dahan. Anna Salunke played both Ram and Sita in the movie. It is said that when the film was screened in Mumbai, people took their shoes off when Lord Rama's character appeared on the screen.Since then Double roles have grabed interest of Hindi Film makers

Anna Salunke as Sita in Lanka Dahan (1917) (Courtesy: Wikipedia)

Over the past many decades, there are probably more then 3 hundreads of movies with Do ka star’dum’. The dose of dual roles seems to be working with the audience, while some do wonders at the Box office and some don’t.
Beside double roles there are many films in which the Hero or Heroines have played more than 2 roles,Amitabh Bachhan played tripple role in Mahaan,Mehmood in Hamjoli.I S Johar in Johny Mera Naam,Sanjeev Kumar played 9 roles in a film Naya Din Nayi Raat and the latest  Priyanka Chopra played the roles of 12 eligible girls in the movie "What's Your Raashee."

Still from Awara Shehzada 1933

The first Indian talkie to have a double-role was Awara Shehzada (1933), directed by Master Vitthal, where Shahu Modak played the double-role of a prince and a pauper.

In 1943 Kismet  written and directed by Gyan Mukherjee and produced by Bombay Talkies during the second world war period was a unique in itself,The film came with some bold themes for the first time in Indian Cinema showing an anti-hero character, double role and an unmarried girl getting pregnant.Ashok Kumar played a double role as Shekher and Madan.The film went on to become a major success, at a theatre in Calcutta it ran for three years, and gave Indian cinema its first title of superstar, Ashok Kumar. According to the numbers, it has been given the status of All-Time Blockbuster.

In 1948, this dual aspect was explored by Gemini Productions’ Ranjan and Bhanumati starrer Nishaan and it was the hero Ranjan, who got to play the double-role.
 In 1951, B.R. Chopra’s directorial debut Afsana had the veteran Ashok Kumar playing the role of identical twin brothers Ratan and Chaman and the success of this film gave birth to the ‘judwa bhai/behn’ (identical twins) concept in our films.

In 1952  Anhonee Directed by K A Abbas with a double role of a heroine released.The film stars Nargis in a dual role alongside Raj Kapoor in the lead supported by Achla Sachdev, Om Prakash, Agha and David Abraham in other prominent roles.Nargis was highly appreciated for enacting a dual role and her performance garnered critical acclaim.
In 1957  a film called Apraadhi Kaun came with a double role played by Gajanan Jagirdar.It was produced by Bimal Roy and directed by Asit Sen who was his assistant.The film did the average business.

In 1958 Madhumati released in which both Dilip Kumar and Vajyantimala played 2 roles but those were incarnation roles.In the same year Phagun released  (Bharat Bhushan - Reincarnation) (Madhubala - Triple Role/Reincarnation).
In 1960 B R Chopra's Kaanoon came out with Ashok Kumar playing 2 roles but never came face to face.

In 1961 Hum Dono was released The film stars Dev Anand in a double role, and also has Nanda and Sadhana .The film was a Super Hit and its double role was well appreciated by people. The film is also known for its music by Jaidev .For his Double role Dev Anand was nominated as best hero in Filmfare awards.

In 1962 China Town Directed by Shakti Samanta was released .In this film Shammi Kapoor played Double Role,the film as not a huge hit but an average success.Here Shammi Kapoor played a young Singer and a Gangster.

In 1963 Akeli Mat Jaiyo released,It had Rajendra Kumar playing a double role.It was social drama with average success Meena Kumari was the Heroine,The Music of Madan Mohan was hit.
In 1964 Woh Kaun Thi , psychological mystery film directed by Raj Khosla, starring Sadhana Shivdasani, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra.In this movie Sadhana played a double role of twin sisters.The film became a hit at the box office.

In 1966 four films having Double roles were released Dil Diya Dard Liya (Tun Tun) , Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (Nutan),Mamta (Suchitra Sen) and Mera Saya (Sadhana)
Mera Saaya  directed by Raj Khosla released.Sadhana played the double role The film was a remake of Marathi film called Pathlaag (Chase). The film's music is by Madan Mohan and lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. The film stars Sunil Dutt and Sadhana. This is director Raj Khosla's third film with Sadhana after Ek Musafir Ek Hasina(1963) and Woh Kaun Thi? (1964). The film became a box office success.

Mamta is a 1966 Hindi film, directed by Asit Sen, with music by Roshan.The movie starred Suchitra Sen, Ashok Kumar andDharmendra. The film about middle class fears and class conflict, has lead actress Suchitra Sen in a double role. The film performed "above average" at the box office.Suchitra Sen  portrays the double role both of Deviyani and Suparna.

Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya is a 1966 Bollywood film. It stars Dharmendra, Nutan, Rehman and Jeevan. The music is by Sonik Omi.Nutan plays Aasho and shabnam.The film was not successful.

In 1967 Ram Aur Shyam  released .Dilip Kumar had a double role in this with Waheeda Rehman and Mumtaj as his heroines.Dilip Kumar who was known as tragedy king surprised the audience with his comedy act.Dilip Kumar won the Filmfare best actor award

In the same year Milan also released ,in this film both Sunil Dutt and Nutan played two roles but this is again a re incarnation movie.

In 1968 Eleven double role movies released,Aankhen with Sujit Kumar,Haseena Maan Jayegi with Shashi Kapoor and Do Kaliyan with Neetu Singh as Baby Sonia were most successfulout of those 11 films.Do Duni Chaar a Bimal Roy film having Kishore Kumar and his servant Asit Sen both playing double roles.the same plot was taken by Gulzar in Angoor after many years with Sanjiv Kumar and Deven Verma.

In 1969 seven films with double roles released.Aradhana Rajesh Khanna played Father and Son,Jeetendra played a double role in Jigri Dost,Mehmood playing a double role in Waris,in which he got the Filmfare Award as Best Comedian,Dharmendra came with a double role in Yakeen,this film was an average.
!970 eight films with double roles came.The worth mentioning are 3 Films,Suchha Jhootha with Rajesh Khanna playing a double role  The movie was a box-office blockbuster. The movie stars Rajesh Khanna as a simple villager, who has a look alike who is a crook. It also starsMumtaz and Vinod Khanna. The music is by Kalyanji Anandji. The film was the second highest grossing of the year and declared a Super Hit.

Johny Mera Naam was a blockbuster 1970 crime thriller film. Directed by Vijay Anand, it stars the director's brother, Dev Anand and Pran in the roles of brothers separated in childhood.The highlight of the movie was a Tripple Role played I S Johar who received his first Best Performance in a Comic Role for his triple roles: a steward in aeroplane, an associate of criminals, and a police officer.

Humjoli is another film worth mentioning because Mehmood played Tripple role in this movie playing Grand Father,Father and son representing three generation of Kapoor Khandan.The film stars Jeetendra, Leena Chandavarkar in the lead roles and music is composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal.

In 1971 four double role films released,Raaj Kumar in Lal Pathar.Mala Sinha in Maryada,Waheeda Rehman in Man Mandir and Raakhi in Sharmilee,, it was a hit movie,Shashi Kapoor was the Hero,music was given by S D Burman, Raakhee played a double role in this film, and its success helped make her one of the decade's top leading lady in Hindi films.

1972 seven such movies released but the worth mentioning is Seeta aur Geeta Hindi comedy, drama film starring Hema Malini in a dual role, and directed by Ramesh Sippy. The story is by Salim-Javed and the music by R.D. Burman.Hema Malini won her only competitive Filmfare Best Actress Award of her career. 

1974 remains the year in which maximum(12) double role films released,Geeta Mera Naam and Mausam are worth mentioningMausam starring Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore, and directed by Gulzar. It is loosely based on the novel, The Judas Tree, by A.J. Cronin. Sharmila Tagore for her acting received The Silver Lotus Award at the 23rd National Film Festival and the movie was honoured by presenting an award for 2nd Best Feature Film.

The highlight of the year 1974 was Naya Din Nai Raat ,Sanjiv Kumar playing 9 different roles in one movie.he played  as Anand / Swami Rahasyanand / Mr. Sarang / Seth Dhanraj / Sher Singh / Four Other Roles.This film had enhanced his status and reputation as an actor in Hindi cinema.

1976 nine films with double or more roles released Dilip Kumar did triple role in Bairaag,Shatrughan Sinha did a double Role in Kalicharan,The film was the directorial debut of Subhash Ghai and was the breakthrough role for stars Shatrughan Sinha and Reena Roy.Shatrughan Sinha played the role of inspector Prabhakar and Kalicharan a prisoner.The film became a box office hit.

1978,seven such films released Amitabh Bachhan came with two films both were hit Kasme Vaade and Don.It was an action thriller Amitabh Bachchan played  as Don and Vijay
,Don is the most wanted criminal. The police are always unsuccessful at nabbing him. However, in a police encounter Don is fatally shot. Vijay is the spitting image of Don and is soon forced to pose as Don in order to help the police arrest Don's gang members.

Same year Raj Kumar came with Karamyogi which had great dialogues and Deven Verma with a tiple role in Besharam,this film was produced and Directed by Deven Verma himself,the star cast had Amitabh Bachhan,Sharmila Tagore,and Amjad Khan.Deven Verma played- Laxman, his father and mother.Unfortunately the film didn't run.
1979 saw 3 films of double role Amitabh Bachhan with The Great Gambler,Vinod Mehra with Bin Phere Hum Tere and Vinod Khanna with Lahu Ke Do Rang.

In Part 2( Films of !980s onward)