Vyjayanthimala-The Most Loved Actress of the Golden Era of Hindi cinema

 This South Indian beauty was much more than an actress. A Bharatanatyam Dancer, Carnatic singer, dance choreographer and parliamentarian, the actress is celebrating her 81st Birthday today.On this occasion we remember the dance and songs she performed in Bollywood Films,Whether it is Man dole mera tan dole (Nagin) or Chadh gayo paapi bichhua (Madhumati) or Buddha mil gaya (Sangam) or Hothon pe aisi baat (Jewel Thief), Vyjayanthimala performed some superhit song and dance numbers in Hindi films.Most of her Dances and songs were appreciated by the audiences and were crowd puller.

Nagin in 1954 made her super star,the song Man  Dole Tan Dole was a craze that time,the film became the highest grocer of that year.She got her first Filmfare Award for Best  Supporting Role in  the next year release Devdas as Chandramukhi. but she refused to take as she felt that she was the heroine.
In the  1958 film Sadhana  Vyjayanthimala got her first Best Actress Award. B R Chopra cast her in the film when Nimmi hesitated to play a prostitute. Vyjayanthimala played the mercenary prostitute with a no-holds-barred derring do and yet managed to evoke tears with the soul-stirring Sahir Ludhianvi number, Aurat ne janam deeya mardon ko, mardon ne usse bazaar deeya.Same year Madhumati released,she was among the top heroines now.

At her peak, Vyjayanthimala took off to do a series of much appreciated dance shows in Paris in 1959 besides working for top heroes like Dev Anand in Amardeep in 1957,Jewel Thief (1967), Dilip Kumar in Paigham (1959)Ganga Jamuna(1963)  and Raj Kapoor in Nazrana (1961).Sangam (1964).For her role Radha, who caught between her husband and her former lover, Vyjayanthimala was awarded with Filmfare Best Actress trophy. She then co-starred Dilip Kumar for the sixth time in Ram Mukherjee's Leader. The film was comeback film for Kumar whose last film was Gunga Jumna also with Vyjayanthimala.
Vyjayanthimala married Chamanlal Bali in 1968. After marriage, she gave up her acting career and moved to Chennai.However between 1968 and 1970, she shot for those films which she had signed before her marriage, like Pyar Hi Pyar, Prince, Ganwaar. They have a son, Suchindra Bali. In 2007, she published her autobiography, titled Bonding, with Jyoti Sabarwal as co-writer.

Song from Nagin 1954

Song from Devdas 1955

Song from Naya Daur 1957

Song from Kathputli 1957

Song from Madhumati 1958

Song from Ganga Jamuna 1961

Song from Sangam 1964

Dance competition from Amrapali 1966

Song from Amrapali 1966

Song from Jewel Thief 1967

15 Father-Son Jodis of Bollywood

There are many father son Jodis in Bollywood but there are few such Jodis who have shared screen together.The trend can probably be credited to the first family of Bollywood, when Prithviraj Kapoor played father to son Raj Kapoor in Awaara. The audience feels a certain connect with real life fathers and sons playing the same relation on-screen as well.In fact there was a film Kal Aaj Aur Kal in which father, son and grand son shared the screen together.Prithviraj Kapoor played father to real life son Raj Kapoor, whereas Raj played father to real life son Randhir Kapoor in this saga about generation gap.The film was directed by Randhir Kapoor.

Another Legendary Actor was Dev Anand who shared screen with his son Suneil Anand in Anand Hi Anand 1984.This film was produced and directed by Dev Anand himself.

Balraj Sahni was another legendary actor who share the screen together with his son Parikshit Sahni in a film Pavitra Paapi 1970 not as father son.

Shashi Kapoor  who has two sons Kunal and Karan,shared the screen with his son Kunal Kapoor first time in 1972 film Siddhartha as father ans son that time Kunal was a child.In 1978 film he shared the screen with both the sons.Later in 1982 film Vijeta both appeared as father and son.In 1984 film Utsav both appeared again but not as father and  son.

 Rajendra Kumar not only designed a debut movie for his darling son Bunty better known as Kumar Gaurav, which turned him into an overnight phenomena but also played his indulgent father on screen in the 1981 blockbuster, Love Story.They also appeared in two other films Lover and Phool

Sunil Dutt launched his son Sanjay Dutt in Rocky 1981 and even though he played his on screen father in it.They also appeared as  father son in Kshatriya 1993 and Munna Bhai MBBS 2003.

Feroz Khan and Fardeen got together for movies like Janasheen 2003 and Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena 2005 where their characters are not related to each another. But they sure get points for sharing the screen together.

Dharmendra who has two sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol was first seen together with both in Apne 2007 as father sons and also in Yamla Pagla Deewana 2011 and Yamla Pagla Deewana 2 in 2013.Dharmendra and sunny appeared together in 13 films and Bobby and Dharmendra in 8 films.In Dharmveer Bobby appeared as a child role of Dharmendra.

Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan shared screen was Sarkar 2005 as father and son There is a unique film PAA in which Abhishek played the role of father of Amitabh.In all they shared screen together in 17 films.Some of the popular films were Bunty Aur babli, Bol Bachchan 2012 and Kabhi Alvida Na Kahna 2006.

Vinod Khanna and his son Akshay Khanna shared one film together as father son in Himalaya Putra 1997 In this typically 1990s hash, they play a father and son oblivious of their blood connection and the drama it all leads up to.

Jeetendra and his son Tusshar Kapoor appeared in 2 films .The first film was Kuchh To Hai in 2003 which was Tusshar's Debut film in which both acted as father and son

Rishi Kapoor and his son Ranbir Kapoor worked together in Besharam 2013 here in this film in the end Ranbir Kapoor is adopted by Rishi Kapoor.

Rajesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan: Although Rakesh Roshan and son Hrithik didn't share any screen space in Koi Mil Gaya, it was only because Rakesh's character dies before the birth of his son. But the father-son jodi was one of the highlights of the film, that won critical acclaim for Hrithik, 

Murad (1910–1997) was an Indian character actor who appeared in more than 100 Bollywood films from the early 1940s through to the end of the 1980s playing character roles of a father, police officer, judge and an emperor. His son Raza Murad is also an actor in the Bollywood industry who is known for playing mostly villain roles.Both of them shared screen in Johar-Mehmood in Goa 1965

Pankaj Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor have shared screen in one film Shaandaar 2015 where he played the father of heroine.

KHEMCHAND PRAKASH-The Composer who gave us Lata and Kishore Kumar

Very few of us know that greats like Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Naushad, Manna Dey and Bulo C Rani were mentored by him. But the creator of these musical gems, and the mentor of this league of stalwarts is now largely forgotten.On his Death Anniversary I pay my tribute to this great composer who composed the song Aayega Aane Wala Aayega sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
Khemchand Prakash was born in Jaipur in 1907 where his father Goverdhan Das was a Dhrupad singer & Kathak dancer in the royal court of Madho Singh II, and the boy, Khemchand got his first training in music & dance from his father. Soon he became a popular for his Kathak dancing talent and for his unmatched skills in drawing animal sketches with gulaalon the floor using his feet while dancing!
Legendry Music Director was his assistant in many films,in an interview Naushad said it was Khemchan Prakash who made him assistant from the film Gaazi Salauddin, after that he was assistant to him for many films.
Initial few years were not good for Khemchand Prakash , it was in 1943 that came a film which pushed Khemchand Prakash much ahead of the other music directors of the era and the film was KL Saigal starrer Tansen, considered one of the finest musicals. Diya jalaao jagmag jagmag, Rumjhum rumjhum chal tihari, More balpan ke saathi, Sapt suran teen gram... are musical gems.

1948 marked yet another significant film in Khemchand’s career - Bombay Talkies’s Ziddi, in which he gave Kishore Kumar his first major break as a singer with the song ‘Marne ki duaaen kyun maangu...’in the same film he intoduced Lata Mangeshkar.Next year 1949 was the year Mahal was released,The haunting melodies and brilliant orchestration of Mahal, set the foundation for the golden period of Hindi film music of the 50s. All the songs of Mahal (Ghabara ke jo hum sar ko..., Mushkil hai bahut mushkil..., Dil ne phir yaad kiya...) are just as timeless.But it was Aayega Aane Wala that made Lata Mangeshkar a popular name in every corner of the country. 

Unfortunately, Khemchand Prakash did not survive long enough to see the success of Mahal or the shaping of the golden era of the Hindi film music of the 50s. He passed away on August 10, 1950 at the relatively young age of 42. 

Song fromTansen 1943

Song fromTansen 1943

Song fromTansen 1943

Song from Sindoor 1947 (Audio only)

The first ever Duet of Lata and Kishore from Ziddi 1948

Song from Ziddi 1948

The first song of Kishore Kumar from Ziddi 1948

Song from Mahal 1949(Aayega Aane Wala)

Song from Mahal 1949 (Hai Mera Dil)

Song from Mahal 1949

Song from Tamasha 1952

Song from Tamasha 1952

Famous Trio of Brothers or sisters in Bollywood

Sibling’s actors in Bollywood is not uncommon but when it comes to three brothers and all of them actors, is rare. There have been instances where three brothers from the same parents have worked in different departments of film making.The first of such Brother,s Trio comes in our mind is Raj Kapoor,Shammi and Shashi Kapoor.The other famous Brother Trio was Dev Anand,Vijay Anand and Chetan Anand.At present Salman,Arbaaj and Suhail Khan are doing great in Bollywood.In this blog I have selected 10 of such Trio of Bollywood.

Ashok Kumar, Anoop Kumar & Kishore Kumar

The Ganguly brothers are remembered most for featuring together as brothers in the black and white madcap classic comedy 'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi', which released in 1958. But before that the three brothers appeared in 1957 film Bandi.
Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar have worked jointly in 8 movies.The most popular movies of Anoop Kumar and Ashok Kumar are Clerk, Chalti Ka Naam Gadi ...Anup Kumar and Kishore Kumar have worked jointly in 4 movies.The most popular movies of Anup Kumar and Kishore Kumar are Shreeman Funtoosh (1965),Amar Prem ...., Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar have worked jointly in 69 movies( includes all types of association of Kishore Kumar with Ashok Kumar in movies.).The most popular movies of Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar are Mamta Ki Chhaon Mein, Mr. India, Qatl, Oonche Log, Duniya, Mahaan ...

Song from Chalti Ka Naam Gadi 1958

Scene from Chalti Ka Naam Gadi 1958

Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor & Shashi Kapoor

The trio who ruled the box-office in different eras. Raj tasted immense success as an actor, producer and director. Whereas Shammi became the dancing stars of the 60’s and youngest Shashi was one of the biggest stars of the 70’s.Surprisingly all the three brothers jointly never worked together in any film but the combination of 2 brothers worked in many films. Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor have worked jointly in 3 films. The first film they did was Char Dil Char Rahen (1959) after that they appeared in Naseeb (1981) and  in Prem Rog Shammi Kapoor acted while Raj Kapoor Directed the Film.Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor have worked jointly in 2 movies.In Vakil Babu 1982 both acted while in Satyam Shivam Sundaram Shashi acted and directed by Raj Kapoor.Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor have worked jointly in 5 movies.

Song from Char Dil Char Rahen 1959

Chetan Anand, Dev Anand & Vijay Anand

After ‘Kapoor’s it was the ‘Anand’ brothers who gained prominence in Bollywood. Chetan, the eldest of the three made his directorial debut with 'Neecha Nagar' which became India’s first film to win an award at Cannes. He was more into direction than acting. Dev became the evergreen hero of Indian cinema who dominated the silver screen from the 50’s to the 80’s and delivered some of the biggest hits. Vijay, gained fame more as a director than an actor with classics like 'Teesri Manzil', 'Guide', ‘Jewel Thief’, Tere Mere Sapne and ‘Johnny Mera Naam’. The Anand brothers shared screen space only once in ‘Kala Bazaar’.Chetan Anand and Dev Anand have worked jointly in 8 movies.They acted together in 2 films,Kinare Kinare and Kala Bazar.Vijay Anand and Dev Anand have worked jointly in 6 movies.Both of them acted in Kala Bazar and Tere Mere Sapne He was also appeared in small scene in a song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne.

Scene from Kala Bazaar 1960

Scene from Kala Bazaar 1960

Feroz Khan, Sanjay Khan & Akbar Khan

The stylish actor-director Feroz Khan was the most loved and popular among his brothers. He directed films like ‘Apradh’, ‘Dharmatma’, ‘Qurbani’ and ‘Janbaaz’ and acted in numerous cowboy flicks. Sanjay was also famous to a large extent by doing some memorable films like ‘Dosti’, ‘Dus Lakh’, ‘Ek Phool Do Maali’, ‘Dhund’ and ‘Abdullah’. The youngest, Akbar couldn’t really make it big, he ended up acting in a handful of films and directing ‘Haadsa’ and 'Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story', which didn't do well at the box office.All the three never worked together. Feroz Khan and Sanjay Khan have worked jointly in 3 movies.Upaasna (1971),Mela 1971 and Nagin (1976) were the films in which both acted together. Feroz Khan and Akbar Khan have worked jointly in 1 movies.The most popular movies of Feroz Khan and Akbar Khan are Anjaan Raahein 

Scene from Upaasna 1971

Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan & Sohail Khan

Salman leads the pack who continues to break box-office records till date. Sohail and Arbaaz haven’t made it that big compared to Salman but both have been successful filmmakers.The trio of Khan Brothers first came in 1998 film Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya .Sohail directed Salman and Arbaaz in this film.In 2013 the trio acted together in  a film Amar Akbar anthony Remake Directed by David Dhawan

Scene from Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998)

Lata Mangeshkar Asha Bhonsle Usha Mangeshkar

The Mangeshkar family is a prominent Indian family, headed by Deenanath Mangeshkar. Many members of the family have been successful singers/music composers in the Hindi film industry.Lata Mangeshkar is one of the best-known and most respected playback singers in India.Asha Bhosle  is equally famous and a versatile singer.Usha Mangeshkar is the youngest sister among Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle and Meena Khadikar, and elder to her music-director brother Hridaynath Mangeshkar. She came into the spotlight as a playback singer after singing some devotional songs for the low-budget movie Jai Santoshi Maa (1975), which became an all-time blockbuster.The three sisters sang few songs together,

"Khile Hai Sakhi Aaj Phoolwa" from Grasthi 1963 was the first hit song together."Humre Aangan Bagiya" from Teen Bahuraniyan was also very hit.

Song from Grasthi 1963

Song from Teen Bahuraniyan 1968

Sunny Deol Bobby Deol and Abhay Deol

It’s always family first for the Deols and actor Abhay Deol is no exception to this norm.Sunny and bobby are sons of Dharmendra and Abhay is Dharmendra's nephew.The trio never appeared in a movie together Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol have worked jointly in 12 movies.The most popular movies of Bobby Deol and Sunny Deol are Yamla Pagla Deewana, Heroes, Apne, 23rd March 1931 Shaheed, Dillagi, Aur Pyar Ho Gaya ....,

Song from Yamla Pagla Deewana

Chaman Puri, Madan Puri & Amrish Puri

Madan Puri - a known villain in the 60’s and 70’s but gradually moved to character roles.The  Eldest brother Chaman was mostly seen playing father to many actors and actresses in the 50’s and 60’s. But it was Amrish who became the most popular and is remembered as one of the greatest villains of Indian cinema.Chaman Lal Puri was the eldest of the three brothers,he came first in films,he being the first cousin of the singer K. L. Saigal, with whose help he started to make a mark in Bollywood. Chaman Puri appeared in the films `Afsana` (1951), `Patang` (1960), `Phool Bane Angarey` (1963), `Bahu Beti` (1965), `Mamta` (1966), `Bombay 405 Miles` (1980) and `Aulad` (1987).Amrish Puri and Madan Puri have worked jointly in 10 movies.The most popular movies of Amrish Puri and Madan Puri are Mashaal, Hero, Andhaa Kaanoon ...

Abbas Mustan and Hussain

Abbas Burmawalla, Mustan Burmawalla, and their brother Hussain Burmawalla are from Surat in Gujrat state.The duo directed landmark Bollywood films like Khiladi, Baazigar, Soldier, Ajnabee, Baadshah, Aitraaz, Humraaz, 36 China Town, Race, Race 2 and comedian Kapil Sharma's debut movie Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon.Abbas Mustan the two brothers are Joint Directors while the third brother is the producer.

Boney Kapoor Anil Kapoor Sanjay Kapoor

Boney is the eldest of the three brothers.He is a producer and Director,All the three never worked together in a film but  Anil Kapoor has worked together with his sibling, maker Boney Kapoor, in a few effective movies like Mr. India, Judaai, No Entry and Pukar,Sanjay Kapoor was introduced by Boney Kapoor from the film Prem in 1995 which was produced by  Boney.In 1999 again in Sirf Tum.

Randheer Kapoor Rishi Kapoor Chimpu Kapoor

Sons of Raj Kapoor,three never worked together in any film,Randheer and Rishi worked together in Hina,Chimpu Kapoor directed Rishi in Prem Granth

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Rakshabandhan Celebrations in Bollywood

Celebrating a filmi Rakhi provides much entertainment to the participants as well as the observers. This is a unique way of expressing your love for your sibling on this very auspicious occasion.There were and are many heroines who do not have their brothers so they have made Rakhi Brothers for celeberate this festival

Actress Nimmi used to tie Rakhi to Raj Kapoor,she was Mohboli behen of Raj Kapoor,Katrina Kaif ties Rakhi to Arjun Kapoor,similarly Deepika Padukone ties Rakhi on the wrists of her bodyguard, Jalal, and made him her ‘Rakhi brother’.Aishwarya Rai Bachchan ties on the hand of Sonu Sood.Both were in the role of brother sister in Jodha Akbar.

Celebrities are usually seen celebrating Rakhi in the most adorable way! Be it , Amir Khan, Hrithik Roshan or Priyanka Chopra, everyone wishes their siblings and fans on the day of the festivity.Amitabh bachchan is a regular wisher on Twitter on this Ocasion . Celebrities are seen posting pictures of their childhood or recent ones on Instagram with their siblings.Here are some of these Pics

https://youtu.be/OfaFSbtGEh8

Song from Chhoti Behen

Song from Beimaan

Song from Rakhi

Bollywood Songs on DOSTI (Friendship)

There is nothing like having a ‘Saccha Dost’, who has always been by our side through thick and thin. The first such friendship comes to our mind is that of Lord KRISHNA and SUDAMA.And when it comes to Bollywood industry, which is known worldwide for depicting friendships or romantic relationships, has left a deep mark in our hearts by giving us many films on frienship and superhit friendship songs to sing along to.the first song that comes to mind when we think of a Bollywood song on friendship. The bond between Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra) remains an example of friendship even today.I go back to 60s when I was a school boy,the song from Dosti(1964)"Meri Dosti Tera Pyaar"and Gaban(1966)"Ehsaan mere dil pe tumhara hai dosto"made an impression on my heart.So I have taken these 2 songs along with other popular songs on this blog.

Songs from Dosti 1964

Song from Sangam 1964

Songs from Gaban 1966

Song from Meharbaan 1967

Song from Sachhai 1964

Song from Do Raaste 1969

Song from Ganga Tera Paani Amrit (1971)

Song from Zanjeer 1973

Song from Namak Haraam 1973

Song from Dost 1974

Song from Sholay 1975

Song from Hera Pheri 1976

Song from Aap Ki Khatir 1977

Song from Chawki No 11 (1978)

Song from Ram Balram 1980

Song from Ram Balram 1980

Song from  Aap To Aise Na Thhey 1980

Song from Yaraana 1981

Song from Swarg 1990

Song from Yeh Majhdhar 1996

Song from 3 idiots 2009

Today's Defination of FRIEND