Sharmila Tagore-The 60s stunner turns 74 today

.Every Indian who's sighed over Sharmila Tagore's dimples, drowned in that Kashmir ki Kali smile, seduced by her bikini babe image of An Evening In Paris, and then cried with her in Amar Prem and Mausam.
She's still as charming as ever, the mother of current heartthrob Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan. The mother of two actors and a designer is also a grandmother of Saif and Kareena's son Taimur.

She was born on 8th December 1944 in Kanpur. She is distantly related to the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.She began her career as an actress in Satyajit Ray's 1959 Bengali film Apur Sansar (The World of Apu), as the ill-fated bride of the title character. She made her debut in Hindi films with Shakti Samanta's Kashmir Ki Kali in 1964. Samanta later cast her in many more films, including An Evening in Paris (1967), in which she became the first Indian actress to appear in a bikini and with Rajesh Khanna for movies such as Aradhana (1969) and Amar Prem (1972). Other directors paired them together in Safar (1970), Daag (1973), and Maalik (1972). The pair of Khanna-Sharmila gave 7 box office hits – Aradhana, Safar, Amar Prem, Chhoti Bahu, Daag, "Raja Rani" and Avishkaar.

She starred in Gulzar's 1975 film, Mausam and won the National Film Award for Best Actress. She also played a supporting role in Mira Nair's 1991 film Mississippi Masala. She was the highest paid Bollywood actress from 1970 to 1976 along with Mumtaz. She had a very successful pairing opposite Dharmendra, along with whom she starred in seven movies - Devar (1966), Anupama (1966), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), Satyakam (1969), Yakeen (1969), Chupke Chupke (1975), Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (1975) and Sunny(1984). Her filmography also includes Faraar (1975) opposite Amitabh Bachchan; Mausam (1975) and Besharam (1978) opposite Sanjeev Kumar; and Bengalifilm Mangaldeep (1991) opposite Naseeruddin Shah. In 2017.

Sharmila Tagore married Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the Nawab of Pataudi and former captain of the Indian cricket team, in a Nikah ceremony held on 27 December 1969. She converted to Islam upon marriage and changed her name to Begum Ayesha Sultana Khan. They had three children: Saif Ali Khan (b. 1970), a Bollywood actor, Saba Ali Khan (b. 1976), a jewellery designer, and Soha Ali Khan 

She has received two National Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards for her performances. She led the Indian Film Censor Board from October 2004 till March 2011. She was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

Song of Kashmir Ki Kali 1964

Song of Anupama 1966

Song of An Evening in Paris 1967

Song of Talash 1969

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Safar 1970

Song of  Mausam 1975

Song of  Chupke Chupke 1975

Dharmendra -More than just a fine-looking man

Dharmendra has been ruling hearts for nearly 60 years now. The legendary superstar debuted with the film titled ‘Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere’ in the year 1960. Became popular with Phool Aur Patthar(1966). Since then he has been continuously contributing to the Indian Film Industry by donning multiple hats. 
The smitten audience dotingly showered him with nicknames like “Action King” and “He-Man” majorly for his super hit roles in action movies. People were hooked to his fighting scenes. Dharmendra has bagged multiple hits on the box office, but one of the most loved movies of his is “Sholay” which was released in 1975.
Dharmendra was born on 8th Dec 1935 as  Dharam Singh Deol of Nasrali, a small village not far from the main city of Ludhiana, Punjab. Kewal Kishan Singh and Satwant Kaur were his proud parents and belonged to the Jat Sikh community. 

Dharmendra went on to star in a number of action films between 1976–84, including Dharam Veer, Charas, Azaad, Katilon Ke Kaatil, Ghazab, Rajput, Bhagawat, Jaani Dost, Dharm Aur Qanoon, Main Intequam Loonga, Jeene Nahi Doonga, Hukumat and Raaj Tilak.He worked with Jeetendra in Dharmveer, Samraat, Burning Train,Jaan Hatheli Pe, Kinara, Dharam Karma, Nafrat Ki Aandhi.He also played con man or as gangster in Shalimar, Qayamat, Jaan Hatheli Pe, Jhuta Sach, Sitamgar, Professor Pyarelal and Phandebaaz.
He has worked with various directors, each with a different style of film-making. His longest collaboration was with director Arjun Hingorani from 1960-91. Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere was the debut film of Dharmendra as an actor and Arjun's first directorial venture with Dharmendra as the lead hero. They worked together in Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?, Kahani Kismat Ki, Khel Khilari Ka, Katilon Ke Kaatiland Kaun Kare Kurbanie where Arjun Hingorani was the producer and the director, and Sultanat and Karishma Kudrat Kaa, produced by Arjun Hingorani. He worked with director Pramod Chakravorty in Naya Zamana, Dream Girl, Azaad and Jugnu. Dharmendra has played dual roles in many films such as Yakeen (1969) as both the hero and the villain, Samadhi (1972) as father and son, Ghazab (1982) as twin brothers, the unrelated identical person in Jhuta Sachch and Jeeo Shaan Se (1997) in triple roles.

Dharmendra's career seemed to have discovered a magical elixir -- Hema Malini. The Dharam-Hema pair resulted in seven straight successes -- Sharafat, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Naya Zamana, Raja Rani, Seeta Aur Geeta, Jugnu and Dost. Rumours of their off-screen love affair fuelled their on-screen draw.
He experimented with film production; he launched both of his sons in films: Sunny Deol in Betaab (1983) and Bobby Deol in Barsaat (1995) as well as his nephew Abhay Deol in Socha Na Tha (2005). He was the presenter for his films like Satyakam (1969) and Kab Kyun Aur Kahan (1970). In one of her interviews, actress Preity Zinta has been quoted as saying that Dharmendra is her favourite actor. She recommended him to play her father's role in Har Pal (2008)

Dharmendra's first marriage was to Parkash Kaur at the age of 19 in 1954. From his first marriage, he has two sons, Sunny and Bobby, successful actors, and two daughters, Vijeeta and Ajeeta. He has four grandsons.
Dharmendra also wed Hema Malini after allegedly converting to Islam to stay married to his first wife without having to get a divorce. The couple has two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol.
He was a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India, representing Bikaner constituency in Rajasthan from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2012, he was awarded India's third-highest civilian honour Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

Song of Shola Aur Shabnam (1961) .

Song of Soorat Aur Seerat (1962)

Song of Anupama (1966) 

Song of Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966)

Song of Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968)

Song of Black Mail (1973)

Song of Kahani Kismat Ki  1973

Song of Dost (1974)

Song of Pratigya (1975) 

Song of Sholay (1975)

Song of Chupke Chupke 1975

Dharmendra's Landmark Films
Year	Film	Actress
1964	Haqeequat	Priya Rajvansh
1966	Phool Aur Patthar	Meena Kumari
1966	Anupama	Sharmila Tagore
1968	Aankhen	Mala Sinha
1969	Satyakam	Sharmila Tagore
1971	Mera Gaon Mera Desh	Asha Parekh
1973	Jugnu	Hema Malini
1973	Yaadon Ki Baraat	--
1975	Sholay	Hema Malini
1975	Chupke Chupke	Sharmila Tagore
1977	Dharam Veer	Zeenat Aman

The Great Horse Beat Songs of Bollywood

During the 50s and 60s Horse Beat or Tonga, songs were very common. Those days Tongas were the main mean of transport in Indian cities. Victoria which was also called a Tonga or Baggi which was pulled by or trotted by one or two horses produces a typical rhythm. The musical notes of a horse’s galloping have remained etched in our memories even today.
It is believed that O P Nayyar is the music director who gave us the Tonga or Horse beat songs but that is not true. Before O P Nayyar it was S D Burman, Naushad, Roshan who gave many of these beats songs. Remember the song of Deedar (1951) Bachpan Ke Din Bhula Na Dena and the song of Bawre Nain(1950) Ghir ghir ke aasmaan par chhaane lagi ghataayen with one of my fav singer Raj Kumari singing for my fav actress Geeta Bali.
On researching the songs with horse beats, I came across the song  Chale pavan ki chaal by Pankaj Mullick from Doctor (1941), This is the earliest known instance of such a song I could stumble upon.

Song of Doctor 1941

Another tonga beat song of the 40s is from V Shantaram's film Doctor Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani 1946.In this song Dr Kotnis (Shantaram) is singing while plying the cart, calling on people to come forth for service, and stresses even sacrifice of life in the process. The music was given by  Vasant Desai.

Song of Doctor Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani 1946

In 1950 S D Burman was another music director who gave the beats from instruments in an immortal song written by Kavi Pradeep, sung by Manna De for the film Mashaal 1950

Song of Mashaal 1950

The same year C Ramchandra gave us a song Ho Bajoo Mera Dil Hai sung by himself in the film Nirala starring Dev Anand and Madhubala

Song of Nirala 1950

Roshan who made his debut from Kidar Sharma's film Neki Aur Badi in 1949. Despite the disaster of their first film together (Neki Aur Badi, 1949) he gave him a second chance in the film Bawre Nain. The roaring success of the songs shows how legends are created. Roshan never looked back after that. In this film he used these beats in this song

Song of Bawre Nain(1950)

Song of Deedar (1951)

Song of Aan, 1952

Song of Chhoti Bahen, 1959

Let me now present the song from where O P Nayyar became synonymous with ghoda gaadi beats. The song is Piya piya piya by Asha Bhonsle & Kishore Kumar from Baap Re Baap (1955)

Song of  Baap Re Baap (1955)

OP Nayyar is in his elements and ticks off another successful composition.

Song of Naya Daur (1957)

Song of Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957)

Song of Howrah Bridge (1958)

Song of Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963)

Song of Sawan Ki Ghata (1966)

Song of Pyar Ka Bandhan (1963)

Song of Dadi Maa (1966)

  

50 Years of Padosan (1968)

The title “Padosan”  brings a smile to every face. Produced by Mahmood and N.C. Sippy, the film is one of the best entertainers of all times. The film that immortalises Kishore Kumar and Mehmood as master entertainers. The film is also known for the behind-the-scenes rivalry in the song, “Ek Chatur Naar”, between Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar. The film was released on 29 th Nov 1968 and was a super hit. It is among the Top 50 classics of Hindi Cinema.
The film was based on a Bengali story, ‘Pasher bari' (next-door neighbour) written by Arun Chowdhury and adapted in Bengali in 1952, in Telugu as “Pakkinti Ammayi” in 1953, in Tamil as “Adutta Veetu Penn” in 1960 and again in Telugu as “Pakkinti Ammayi” in 1981. 
The film was  Directed by Jyoti Swaroop. The movie stars Sunil Dutt and Saira Banu in lead roles. Kishore Kumar, Mukri, Raj Kishore and Keshto Mukherjee played the supporting roles. Mehmood as the South Indian musician and rival to Sunil Dutt is among the highlights of the film. It was considered one of the best comedy movies made in Hindi film history. Mehmood's portrayal of a south Indian music teacher was one of his noted performances and a key highlight of the film. Kishore Kumar's character of a comical theatre director was also well received.
The music of the film was composed by Rahul Dev Burman and the lyrics were written by Rajendra Krishan.R.D. Burman's hit music gave us all-time great songs like “Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein” (Kishore Kumar) and “Ek Chatur Naar Karke Singaar” (Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar) not to forget “Main Chali Main Chali”, “Sharm Aati Hai Magar”, “Bhai Batur” (all Lata Mangeshkar), “Bindu Re Bindu” and “Kahna Hai Tumse Ye Pahli Baar” (both Kishore Kumar).

Padosan is a story of a simpleton named Bhola (Sunil Dutt) who falls in love with his neighbour Bindu (Saira Banu). To impress her he wants to sing to her. However, he isn't a good singer and so seeks the help of his friend, Guru (Kishore Kumar). Guru, a famous singer, agrees to help his friend.

To impress Bindu, Guru sings in the background and Bhola mouths the words. Bindu is charmed by what she thinks is Bhola's singing. They become friends and fall in love. Bindu has a music teacher named Master Pillai/Masterji (Mehmood) who is also in love with her and keeps proposing to her. Bindu loves Bhola and hence refuses Masterji.
One day Bindu finds out about Bhola's lie. She decides to marry Masterji instead. Bhola thinks of a way to get Bindu back. So on the wedding day, Guru gets an idea. He makes Bhola pretend to have committed suicide.
Guru goes and tells the news to Bindu. She is shocked. She leaves her wedding altar and runs to Bhola. She reads the note and starts to repent. Bindu then tries to wake Bhola up. Bhola wakes up and Bindu is delighted. She tells Masterji that she wants to marry Bhola and he agrees. Bhola and Bindu get married. 
With brilliant performances and enduring songs, “Padosan” can be watched any number of times. 

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Song of Padosan 1968

Let's look into the Philosphy of Dev Anand

Dev Anand was not just the man of success & talent but also a man who had the ability to think. He used to sound like a philosopher. He was well educated and a creative man. His temperament and attitude to face life are extraordinary that made him such a great person. We all talk about his films and songs but in this Blog, I look at the intellect and philosophy of this great hero of Bollywood
In his Auto Biography, he says about becoming an actor "I knew I had that quality, for my mirror always told me, as it lit my reflection in it every time I looked into it, with a chorus of angelic voices, wow! Let the world see you"

On Life.
a philosophy which Dev Anand, a non-smoker, was said to live by. “Har Fikr ko dhue mein udhata chala gaya,” which roughly translates as: “I puff away the worries with the smoke.”

Looking Back on Past

"For me, today is exciting. This moment is exciting. This film I am making is exciting. The past is only where I came from. The present counts.”

On dreams

"You are dead the moment you stop dreaming"

On beauty
I get turned on by anything I find beautiful my greatest necessity is to be activated all the times my strength is my inborn optimism.

On Looks and Style

“There’s no Dev Anand style. If you like yourself, you are going to conquer. That’s self-confidence.”

About a star

A star is a man who is known. That’s all, people look forward to seeing him, listening to him or viewing him. A star is not necessarily a 25, 26, 36-year-old young lad with youth giving him good looks, which will fade away. The first important thing is personality, personality stays.

On his dialogue delivery (Why he spoke so fast). 
“Life is too short,  I don’t have time to speak slowly. My life is without full stop”

What keeps you moving

 It’s the mind which is ticking all the time, if the mind is alert and mind is moving, your mind never gets tired, your body does. My mind is the mind of a creator. One never grows old, one just grows, matures and dies.

On his mannerism

“I speak fast and so I spoke my dialogues fast. I have a stoop and that explains the way I held my body. I walk fast and that explains my movement.”

On Fear

I don’t have any fear... even death... if it comes, I will take it. 

How he finds a story for a film

 Stories are all around us. In newspapers, in trains, in markets… "Wherever there are people, there are stories. 

About discovering Talent

"Dev Anand doesn’t discover anybody. They find Dev Anand". 

On his Flop films

To my mind they are all hits, monetarily, they have not earned big money but that does not mean they are bad pictures.

After a debacle of Ishq Ishq Ishq

"A broken nose sometimes makes a great boxer"

On  youthful spirit
 “My life is the same and I am at a beautiful stage at 88. I am as excited as I was in my 20s.”

On his 88th Birthday
“I am always in a rush because time is slipping away and I am chasing it, chasing it. I have so many stories to tell but where is the time. I wish I am born again as Dev Anand and people will see a young star 25 years later. That will give me some time to finish what I want to do,”

Dev Anand also gave us a most profound philosophy : “Zindagi Ek Khayal Hai Jaise Ki Maut Bhi Ek Khayal Hai, Na Sukh Hai Na Dukh Hai; Na Deen Hai Na Duniya; Na Insaan Na Bhagwan ...Sirf Main Main Main..You have to detach yourself to go further...”.
Let's Watch Some Of the Philosophical Songs from his films

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Song of Munimji 1955

Song of Guide 1965

Song of Guide 1965

Song of Bambai Ka Babu 1960

Song of Nau Do Gyarah 1957

Song of Solva Saal 1958

Song of Kala Bazar 1960

Song of  Baat Ek Raat Ki 1962

Song of Gambler 1971

Song of Joshila 1973

Kashti (Ferry) Film Review

Ferry the film was released in 1954, produced and directed by Hemen Gupta starring Dev Anand and Geeta Bali
Ferry is very different from the usual (mainly romantic or noir) films of Dev Anand film. Dev Anand in a Dhoti Kurta and playing the Sarod is surprising to his fans. In this film, Dev Anand plays a widower and father of 8 years child named Raju, on an island off of Bombay's Gateway of India. Raju has not been told of his mother's demise and believes that she will return home by the next boat. He is looked after and abused by Vikas' aunt and manages to run away. 

 When Vikas goes to work one day, villagers find an unconscious female and bring her to his house. She is looked after, and Raju believes that his mother has returned. When Vikas returns, he decides to let this female, whose name is Juhi, live with them - little knowing that she is a runaway prostitute.

The most interesting in the film is an instrumental Jugalbandi by Geeta Bali and Dev Anand playing the Sitar and Sarod respectively (Originally played by Pt. Nikhil Banerjee and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan). Music by Hemant Da.

                            An instrumental jugalbandi in the movie 'Ferry' (1954)

Song of 'Ferry' (1954)

Song of 'Ferry' (1954)

Song of 'Ferry' (1954)

Song of 'Ferry' (1954)

Song of 'Ferry' (1954)