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
It is to Mehboob’s credit that from his humble beginnings as a spot boy, he went on to acting, writing, directing and producing films and owner of Mehboob Studio. Mehboob Khan got several roles as an extra and even went on to being cast as a junior artist and then in a supporting role. In fact, Ardeshir Irani almost took him as the hero of Alam Ara,India’s first talkie.He realised that destiny is not in favor of making him a hero,there was something else he could do.So he decided to write a script and pitch it to a few studios.His script was rejected by various studios,he decided to produce and direct his own script.He went on to direct milestones such as the bold saga Aurat (1940), the romantic drama Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling musical Aan (1951) and the grand social epic Mother India (1957). Hewas born Mehboob Khan Ramzan Khan in Bilimora in Gandevi Taluka of Baroda State (now Gujarat) on 9 September 1907. He started as an assistant in the Silent Film era and as an extra in the studios of the Imperial Film Company of Ardeshir Irani, before directing his first film Al Hilal a.k.a. Judgement of Allah (1935), when he started directing films for the Sagar Film Company.Notable films he directed include Deccan Queen (1936), Ek Hi Raasta (1939) and Alibaba (1940). Directorial features such as Aurat (1940) followed, with the studios Sagar Movietone and National Studios. In 1945, Khan set up his own production house – Mehboob Productions. In 1946 he directed the musical hit Anmol Ghadi, which featured singing stars Surendra, Noorjehan and Suraiya in leading roles. He introduced and helped establish the careers of many actors and actresses who went on to become big stars in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s such as Surendra, Arun Kumar Ahuja, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Nargis, Nimmi and Nadira. He died in 1964 at the age of 57 and was buried at Badakabarastan in Marine Lines, Mumbai. His death occurred the day after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India. His last film as a director was 1962's Son of India.
Dev Anand's Fans and Hindi-movie buffs have many reasons to be grateful for the production house Navketan, founded in 1949 by the Anand brothers Chetan and Dev Anand.In the 1950s most of the studios were making historical or involved the village in some form or the other,Navketan was making Urban based movies.True to its name Navketan,which is a Sanskrit word that means Newness,the banner made films with new subjects and introduced new talent and technology. The Kapoors are often referred to as the first family of Bollywood, but not many realize that the Anand brothers — Chetan, Dev and Vijay — formed a creative combination with an equally rich legacy.The Anands have, however, proved to be far more prolific, produc ing 35 motion pictures under Navketan as compared to the 20 films made by the Kapoor clan. It was under the Navketan roof that directors Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla and Vijay Anand, music directors S D Burman and R D Burman, cinematographer Fali Mistry and V Ratra did some of their best work. Unlike R K Film Studio or Mehboob Studio, Navketan does not possess a shooting floor. So all of his (Dev Anand’s) films were shot in Mehboob Studio. Dev Anand had bought the 19,000 sq ft Pali Hillproperty in the early ‘50s and established Anand Recording Studio in 1986 to mix and dub all the films produced by Navketan Films. When it was running, the studio specialised in voice overs, dubbing and surround mixes in all formats.It is perhaps the most technically advanced studio in the country, with great expertise in all fields.Over 10,000 films such as Taare Zameen Par (2007) and Ghajini (2008) have been mixed here.Shah Rukh, Aamirand SalmanKhan come regularly to dub their films In 2009, it was decided that the studio will make way for a 12-storeyed swanky tower. At the time, Dev Anand wished for a penthouse to be built for him and his family in the plot AFSAR The first film of Navketan Banner was AFSAR released in 1950,a romantic comedy film directed by Chetan Anand. It was produced by and starred Dev Anand. It co-starred Suraiya, who also recorded the playback singing for the film. The film was based on Nikolai Gogol's play The Government Inspector. The film was an average in Box office.
Song from Afsar 1950
Baazi
The second film of Navketan was Baazi released in 1951.The movie stars Dev Anand with Geeta Bali and Kalpana Kartik. It is a crime thriller and had very popular music composed by S.D. Burman.This film was the game changer for Dev Anand and Navketan.It was very successful at the box office.Had it not been hit we would have not seen the great films of Guru Dutt and Navketan Films.
Taxi Driver is a 1954 Hindi movie produced by Navketan Films. The film was directed by Chetan Anand and stars his brother Dev Anand, Dev's wife-to-be Kalpana Kartik and Johnny Walker. The film was written by Chetan himself, along with his wife Uma Anandand his other brother Vijay Anand. The film's music director was S. D. Burman and the lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi.The film was a super hit and it was the film that started outdoor shooting of Bollywood films.
Dev Anand's taxi in the movie was the British made Hillman Minx, a black car with the number 1111. Such became the popularity following the film, that the British made Hillman Minx became a vehicle of choice as a taxi in Bombay until the 1970s
Funtoosh is a 1956Bollywood film directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Dev Anand, Sheila Ramani and K.N. Singh. It was the ninth highest grossing film of 1956, and was declared a "Hit". The music of the movie was an instant hit and songs such as "Dukhi Mann Mere" were topping Binaca Geet Mala. Other hits were "Woh Dekhen To Unki Inayat", "Humne Kisi Pe Dore Dalne Hai", "Ae Meri Topi Palat Ke Aa" and "Denewala Jab bhi deta Poora Chappad Phad Ke Deta". The Songs cemented the bond of SD Burman, Dev Anand and Kishore Kumar.
Another Super hit film from Navketan in 1960.Written and directed by Dev's younger brother Vijay Anand, the film starred Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Vijay Anand, Chetan Anand, Nanda,S.D. Burmancomposed the music, while the lyrics were penned byShailendra.
It was noted for having several of Bollywood's stars in a cameo at the film premiere of Mother India (1957), and it was also the only film to star the three Anand brothers together. It became a Superhit at the box office.
Hum Dono was a 1961 Hindi film produced by Dev Anand and Navketan films.The film stars Dev Anand in a double role, and also has Nanda, Sadhana The film is also known for its music by Jaidev and became a box office hit
It is a 1963 super hit film.The film, produced by Dev Anand and written and directed by his brother Vijay Anand.The film's music is by S. D. Burman, while the lyrics have been penned by Hasrat Jaipuri.
Song from Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963
Guide
It is a 1965romanticdrama film starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman. It was directed by Vijay Anand, who contributed to the screenplay. The film is based on the novel The Guide, by R. K. Narayan.The movie proved memorable for its award-winning performances by the lead actors and memorable music by S. D. Burman. The film was a box office hit upon release and considered as the Top five Classic of Bollywood.
This was the first film directed by Dev Anand.It was released in 1970 with a great hype but it did not fare well in Box Office.The movie stars Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and a then-unknown Amrish Puri. It has several popular songs composed by S. D. Burman.
