Bollywood's Love for Switzerland

Today's generation think that it was Yash Chopra who introduced Switzerland to Hindi Cinema goers which is not true.It was Raj Kapoor who introduced Switzerland to Hindi Cinema goers.The first Indian movie shot in Switzerland was Raj Kapoor’s Sangam in 1964.This was at a time when nobody anticipated that this tiny country would soon become the most frequented destination for film shooting.

India's first movie shot in Switzerland: Sangam (1964)

Then came Shammi Kapoor's thriller, An Evening in Paris (1967). It was shot entirely abroad. Paris being the focal point, the movie also had some significant part shot in Switzerland

Akele Akele Kahan Ja Rahe Ho shot in Switzerland 

Dev Anand was next who explored Switzerland. In his directorial debut Prem Pujari (1970), Dev Anand followed the trend. He shot several scenes and a famous song inside Switzerland.

Song from Prem Pujari 1970 shot in Switzerland

In 1970 Yash Chopra came to Switzerland for his honeymoon .He was so  mesmerised by the landscape, he turned to Switzerland regularly for his movies which he produced under his banner Yash Raj Films.First time it was in Silsila he picturised a song on Amitabh Bachchan with Rekha beside Amsterdam 

Song from Silsila 1981

The 1989 blockbuster Chandni had made headlines because of Sri Devi’s costumes. But the scenic beauty of Switzerland in the scenes can not be missed. The iconic lake Alpenrausch was one of the few locations of the shoot 

Song from  Chandni 1989

Hundreds of Indian movies have been shot to this date, but the 1995 hit Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (produced by Yash Chopra) happens to be the today's generation most famous movie shot in Switzerland.Part of the song "Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main" was shot in the main promenade of Gstaad, a tiny-yet-charming village in western Switzerland

Song from Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge 1995

1999 film Biwi No 1 starring Anil Kapoor,Karishma kapoor ,Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen had a song picturised in Lurecne Switzerland.

Song from Biwi No 1 

Same year in 1999 ,Sanjay Dutt and Urmila Matondkar starring Khoobsurat was also shot in Switzerland. the song Badi Taza Khabar Hai was shot at Main street of  Gruyeres Switzerland

Song from Khoobsurat 1999

Lake Thun,in Switzerland is more popular with movie lovers, given the fact that the famous Humko Humise Chura Lo song from a Bollywood classic Mohabbatein was shot here.

Song from Mohabbatein 2000

2001 film Jodi No 1 starring Govinda was also shot here,Govinda danced to woo in Jodi No. 1 at Rougemont Castle  the song Meri Mehbooba was picturised here

Song from Jodi No. 1

Gstaad is renowned as the ‘romantic haven’ for globe trotters across the world; a town where many a sweet verses have been sung and re-lived for decades.After DDLJ ,in 2008 film Bachna ae Haseeno the same town was selected for the song Aahista Aahista that was  featured in  Bachna ae Haseeno, another romantic movie with heart throb Ranbir Kapoor and three leading Bollywood actresses

Song from Bachna ae Haseeno 2008

Happy Birthday SHASHI KAPOOR

Born on 18 March 1938,Shashi Kapoor turns 79 today.He is the 3rd and the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor; the younger brother of Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor.

From the age of four, Shashi Kapoor acted in plays directed and produced by his father Prithviraj Kapoor.He first appeared in films in the 1948 film AAG where he played the younger version of the characters played by his eldest brother Raj Kapoor and then he appeared  in Sangram (1950), where he played younger version of Ashok Kumar. He worked in four Hindi films as a child artist from 1948 to 1954.
He made his debut as a leading man in the 1961 film Dharmputra and went on to appear in 116 Hindi films, including 61 films as the solo lead hero and 55 multi star-cast films, 21 films as supporting actor and special appearance in 7 films.He also acted in English language films, which include The Householder and Shakespeare-Wallah. 

He was a very popular actor in Bollywood during the 60s, 70s and until the mid 80s.He made a hit Jodi with Amitabh Bachchan in the 70s.The two co-starred in a total of 12 films: Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Deewaar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Immaan Dharam (1977), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979), Suhaag (1979), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980), Shaan (1980), Silsila (1981), Namak Halaal (1982),.

In the 60s he was paired with Nanda and both gave many Hit films, Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) was prominent among them.Later he formed on screen pairs with Raakhee, Sharmila Tagore, Zeenat Aman from the late sixties to the mid eighties.
In 1978, he set up his production house, Film Valas, which produced critically acclaimed films such as Junoon (1978), Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Vijeta (1982) and Utsav (1984).In 1991 he produced and directed a fantasy film titled Ajooba which had his frequent co-star Amitabh Bachchan and nephew Rishi Kapoor in the lead.
In 2015, he was awarded the 2014 Dadasaheb Phalke Award, making him the third member of his family to receive the highest award in Indian Cinema after Prithviraj Kapoor and Raj Kapoor.He got theFilmfare Best Supporting Actor Award in 1976 for Deewar.He also recieved  Filmfare Best Movie Award for Junoon 1980 and Kalyug 1982.He got National Film Award for Best Actor for New Delhi Times in 1986

He met English actress Jennifer Kendal in Calcutta in 1956 while both were working for their respective theatre groups. Shashi was both assistant stage manager as well as an actor for his father's theatre group, Prithvi Theatre. Geoffrey Kendal's Shakespearean group was also present at the same time in Calcutta and Jennifer was Geoffrey's daughter. After their subsequent meeting, the couple fell in love and after facing initial opposition from the Kendals and support from sister-in-law Geeta Bali, they got married in July 1958. They had three children: Kunal Kapoor, Karan Kapoor and Sanjana Kapoor. Jennifer and Shashi established Prithvi Theatre on 5 November 1978 in Mumbai. Jennifer died of cancer in 1984 which shattered him.After that he was not active as an Actor.
For the last few years his health is not permitting him to appear in Public,He recieved Dada Saheb Phalke Award on Wheel Chair assisted by his daughter.

Some of Shashi kapoor's Hit Songs

Song from Jab Jab Phool Khile 

Song from Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare 1966

Song from Haseena Maan Jayegi 1968

Song from  Pyar Ka Mausam 1969

Song from Sharmilee 1971

Song from Aa Gale Lag Jaa 1973

Song from Chor Machaye Shor 1974

Song from Chor Machaye Shor 1974

Song from Fakira 1976

Song from Trishul 1978

Song from Suhaag 1979

Holi Songs in Bollywood

 Happy Holi to all my friends.May this festival of  colours fill your lives with joyful celebrations and pouring streams of happiness. Let the colours flow, and brighten up the canvases of life.
Songs and music are immersed in every thread and every breath of the life of our culture. And when it is HOLI, the excitement and the verve that it creates within, never fails to express itself in delightful songs.Bollywood movies have contributed some memorable Holi songs that have become must play songs during Holi years after years.
The songs of Holi in Bollywood go as far back as 1931, when the sounds and the music and consequently the film songs, made their first appearance in films. The earliest Holi song that I could find in the Geet Kosh is from the 1931 film ‘Ghar Ki Laxmi’. The song goes like – “Mo Pe Daar Gayo Saari Rang Rang Ki Gaagar, Kaisa Dhokha Diya. . .”.
The first Holi Song under this Theme comes in my list is this song from film ‘Aurat’ from 1940. ‘Aurat’ is a magnum opus by producer director Mehboob, 

Song from Aurat 1940 (only Audio)

When we talk about 40s Music,how can we miss K L Sehgal Ji He sang 3 Holi songs "Mein Jo Dinan Ki Thhoree",“Hori Ho Brijraaj Dulaare” and “Jin Jaao Ree Gori. . .”, In this blog posting the first one which is Rare and NFS

Here is a Rare song from the movie Insaaniyat which was sung by Lata. It was a dance song as well as a Holi song which was written by Rajinder Krishan and music was composed by C Ramchandra.It is one and only film in which Dev Anand and Dilip Kumar worked together. One can see all the lead actors of this movie in the picturisation.

Song from Insaaniyat 1955

The most memorable Holi Songs were created in the 50s.The first of these memorable Holi songs was from Mother India.Listening to this song, one can realise how important lyrics used to be in those days. The words penned by Shakeel Badayuni are so wonderful.

Song from Mother India 1957

 This is the second Iconic of all well known Bollywood Holi songs. This song from “Navrang” is nearly 60 years old by now.

Arre ja re hat natkhat

Song from Navrang 1959

Like 50s we saw many Iconic Holi Songs in 70s,If the iconic movie of 1957 (Mother India) had a memorable Holi song, then the same was the case with the iconic movie of 1975 (Sholay).

Song from Sholay 1975

Another Iconic Holi Song "Aali Re Aali Holi"from Zakhmee released in the same year 1975 sung by Kishore Kumar picturised on Sunil Dutt is a must in this post

Song from Zakhmee 1975

This is also an Iconic Holi Song from Kati Patang released in 1971 sung by Kishore Kumar and Picturised on Rajesh Khanna

Song from Kati Patang 1971

This Holi song of the movie SILSILA in fact became amazingly popular, and there are many who would call it the best Holi song.This song was written by Hariwansrai Bachchan and sung by Amitabh Bachchan.

Song from Silsila 1981

Another Iconic Holi Song from Amitabh Bachchan is from the film Bagbaan released in 2003.I think this song will ensure that Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini will be remembered by future generations too, especially during Holi festival

Song from Baghbaan 2003

From the iconic Rang Barse in Amitabh Bachchan's baritone - which is almost synonymous with Holi songs - let's move to the more recent Balam Pichkari, Bollywood has done its bit to capture the essence and spread the flavour of Holi through films.

Song from Yeh Javani Hai Deewani

Remembering QAMAR JALABADI on his 100th Birth Anniversary

When you remember Qamar Jalalabadi the first thing comes in our mind is the Immortal song he wrote for the film Pyar Ki Jeet in 1948 "Is Dil Ke Tukde Hazaar Huye, Koi Yahan Gira Koi Wahan Gira" and "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" from Howrah Bridge 1954 film.He was one of the best  lyricists of the Golden Age of Hindi music 
He was born in a Punjabi family on 9th March 1917 in Amritsar, in a small town called Jalalabad, and was named Om Prakash.He is known as Qamar Jalalabadi which was a Takhallus given by the person Amar who inspired him to write.
After completing his matriculation from Amritsar, Qamarji embarked on his journalistic career journey by writing for Lahore based newspapers like Daily Milap, DailyPratap, Nirala, Star Sahakar. The lure of the Film industry brought him  to Pune in the the early Forties.
 In 1942, he wrote lyrics for his first film Zamindar which was a Pancholi Pictures production and the songs of this film were very well received, especially the song sung by Shamshad Begum "Duniya me garibonko aaraam nahi milta", which also had a line or two written by writer and poet Behzad Lucknawi.
Some of his memorable songs from his early include "sunti nahi duniya kabhi fariyaad kissi ki" (Renuka, 1947) and the ghazal "Dil kis liye rota hai...pyar ki duniya me, aisa hi hota hai" (sung by Naseem Banu for the film Mulaquat in 1947). The noted dancer Sitara Devi performed some of his songs in Chand (1944). Chand was one of the earliest of Qamarji's successful and memorable films.
He  was very versatile. On one hand he wrote mesmeric duets like "sun meri saanwari mujhko kahin tum bhool na jana…" sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohd. Rafi (film: Aansoo 1953) and on the other hand he penned comic relief songs like “khush hai zamana aaj pehli tarikh hai” endured with full throttle gusto by Kishore Kumar (film: Pehli Tarikh-1954). This song turned into veritable anthem and was played on Radio Ceylon on the first of every month for decades,
He had a long writing career nearly for 4 decades.In his long career he wrote for almost great Music directors of that time.Starting from Ghulam Haider to G. Damle, Pt. Amarnath, Khemchand Prakash, Husnlal Bhagatram, S.D. Burman, Anil Biswas, Shyam Sunder, Sajjad Hussain, C. Ramchandra, Madan Mohan, Sudhir Phadke, Shiv Dayal Batish, Sardar Malik, Ravi, Avinash Vyas and in the latter phase of his career with O.P Nayyar, Kalyanji Anandji, Sonik Omi, Uttam Singh and Laxmikant Pyarelal as well.
In his personal life, Jalalabadi was a highly religious person and he chanted excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita, the Koran as well as Bible.He died on 3rd Feb 2003 in Mumbai.Though he is no more with us but his words will always be there with us.

The first song of Qamar Jalalabadi from the film Zamindar 1942

 

Song from Pyar ki Jeet 1948

Song from Shabnam 1949

Song from Bazar 1949

Song from Waris 1954

Song from Howrah Bridge 1958

Song from Phalgun 1958

Song from Chhalia 1960

Song from Haseena Maan Jayegi 1968

Remembering Music Director RAVI on his 91st Birth Anniversary

The well Known Music Director Ravi was born on 3rd March 1926 in Delhi.His full name was Ravi Shankar Sharma,had no formal training in classical music but wanted to become a singer. In 1950 he decided to shift to Bombay and become a professional singer but had to strugle for 2 years.
In 1952, Ravi was discovered by Hemant Kumar who hired him to sing backing vocals in Vande Mataram from the film Anand Math.He later became assistant to Hemant Kumar played the tabla for him. 
He played the been for the iconic number ‘Man dole mere tan dole' from ‘Nagin.'  Soon, he started composing as well as writing lyrics. Slowly, he got more work. His song Chandamama Door Ke became a hit. he composed music for several films. Then Hemant Kumar told him to become an independent composer. During that time he got a chance to compose for Vachan (1955) and the other offers followed.
In 1958 his film Dilli Ka Thug released,the songs of this film were instantly hit,Kishore Kumar was the hero of that film and the song C A T  Cat Mane Billi","Hum To Mohabbat Karega"and "Yeh Raaten Yeh Mausam" became immortal.That year his 4 films released,the music of all his movies was apreciated.In 1960 Chaudhvin Ka Chand released,the film became a mega hit ,its music was the highlight,the song Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho was super hit,In fact mohmmad Rafi got Filmfare award for this song.
In 1961 his film GHARANA was released,the film as well as its music was super hit, He won Filmfare awards for Gharana (1961) and latter on for Khandan (1965). His other successful films include Waqt, Neel Kamal,Do Badan , Gumraah,Aankhen,Hamraaz and Nikaah (1982). His songs Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai, Babul ki duyaen leti ja, Doli chadh ke dulhan sasural chali and Mere Yaar Bana Ke Dulha became very popular in wedding celebrations.
Ravi was one of the music directors who shaped the career of Asha Bhosle with songs like Tora man darpan and Sun le Pukar Aai. He was also instrumental in making Mahendra Kapoor a popular singer in bollywood.
Besides hindi films he gave music for Gujarati films and Malyali films,He was the rage in Malayalam cinema. As he had worked his magic in Bollywood, he soon had music buffs in Kerala enshrining him as one of the best in the music industry. Evergreen compositions from his baton adorned films such as ‘Vyshali,' ‘Parinayam,' ‘Oru Vadakkan Veergatha,' ‘Sargam,' ‘Sukrutham,' ‘Ghazal,' and ‘Mayookham.'
Ravi's wife, whom he married in 1946, died in 1986. He had two daughters Veena and Chhaya and a son Ajay. His estranged son Ajay is married to Varsha Usgaonkar who is a Marathi and Hindi film actress.
He died on 7 March 2012 in Mumbai at the age of 86.

Chanda mama Door ke from Vachan 1955

Song from Dilli Ka Thug (1958)

Song from Dilli Ka Thug (1958)

Song from Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959)

Song from Chaudhvin Ka Chand 1960

Song from Ghunghat 1960

Song from Gharana1961

Song from China Town 1962

Song from Gumrah 1963

Song from Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke (1963)

Song from Bharosa (1963)

Song from Grahsthi (1963)

Song from Door Ki Awaaz  (1964)

Song from Shehnai   (1964)

Song from Kaajal (1965)

Song from Waqt (1965)

Song from Do Badan (1966)

Song from Dus Lakh (1966)

Song from Hamraaz (1967)

Song from Neel Kamal   (1968)

Song from  Aadmi Sadak Ka (1977)

Song from  Nikaah (1982)