The Most Expensive Songs Ever Made In Bollywood

Songs and dances are an integral part of Bollywood. Our audiences love these songs, and hence our filmmakers invest a lot of money to make the song glamorous. 

.Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya (Mughal-E-Azam) was the costliest song. Rupees 10 Lakhs were spent in the Year 1960. If we take into account the inflation and the value of the rupee it would be the costliest song ever made.

There were many Directors earlier and today who spend a lot on their Songs picturisation. Raj Kapoor, V Shantaram and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are few of them.

Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya from Mughal e Azam

The song "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" was filmed in a set inspired by the Sheesh Mahal of the Amber Fort of Jaipur, in the Mohan Studios. The particular set was noted for its size, which measured 150 feet in length, 80 feet in breadth and 35 feet in height.

Song of Mughal e Azam 1960

.Party All Night (Boss) - 6 Crores

The song had everything it needed to be a blockbuster. From Honey Singh to Akshay Kumar‘s swag and Sonakshi Sinha‘s moves, the song defined the perfect ‘Party’ song. The location of the song was a pub in Bangkok with almost 600 foreign dancers and well, judging the popularity of the song, we think it was totally worth it.

Song of Boss 2013

Malang (Dhoom 3) - 5 Crores

The film's choreography required performer Aamir Khan to spin about 60 times in a minute at an elevation of 80 feet. The song involved nearly 200 gymnasts, who were flown in from the United States to Mumbai. It took 20 days to complete the song.

Song of Dhoom 3 (2013)

Gerua song from Dilwale (4.5 Crore)

The track was shot in the scenic locales of Iceland, making it super expensive. Apart from the location, a lot of money has been spent on the VFX and special effects. A source reveals, "The special effects in Gerua are amazing. It is something that hasn't been attempted in Bollywood before. 

Song of Dilwale 2015

Saturday Saturday (Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania) - 3 Crores

It cost Rs. 3 crore to produce this insane party track which featured Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and an awesome futuristic set. Judging by the fact that this song is blasted every day, including Saturdays, that’s money well spent Mr Johar.

Song of Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania 2017

Azeem O Shaan Shahenshah (Jodha Akbar) - 2.5 Crores

The song "Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah", which was choreographed by Prakash, featured about 12 assistant choreographers, 400 dancers and 2,000 extras acting like the citizens of Agra. Prakash used the dance steps featured in the songs of films such as Ganga Jamuna (1961) and Guide (1965) as a reference. The song was completed in 15 days.

Song of Jodha Akbar 2008

Dola Re Dola (Devdas) - 2.5 Crores

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his magnificent sets and the director definitely did not compromise while filming ‘Dola re Dola’ starring the most iconic actresses of all times. Made with a mega-budget of 2.5 crores, Aishwarya and Madhuri gave a stellar performance that we will cherish forever.

Song of Devdas 2002

The Meteoric Rise of Rajesh Khanna

There has been no other star in the film industry who saw such a meteoric rise within such a short span of time.  He starred in 15 consecutive solos hit films from 1969 to 1971, still an unbroken record. He was the first Hindi actor whose films ran to full houses for months on end in non-Hindi speaking areas.
He had substance as well as charisma. The innocence and freshness we can see in his performances, that vulnerable, lost look-all created a persona that gave joy to hearts and romance that made hearts skip a beat. 

Rajesh Khanna (29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) made his debut in 1966 with Aakhri Khat. During his career, he appeared in more than 168 feature films. It was the 1969 film Aradhana,  he rose to "instant national fame" and film critics referred to him as the first superstar of India. In 1971, he acted in Haathi Mere Saathi, which became that year's highest-grossing film and the biggest grosser ever till then. He had all the films hits except Badnam Farishte in 1971 that was the first film flopped at the box office since his consecutive 17 hits from 1969.
.During the peak of his career he would be mobbed during public appearances. Fans kissed his car, which would be covered with lipstick marks, and lined the road, cheering and chanting his name. Female fans sent him letters written in their blood.
Music remained one of the biggest attractions of all Rajesh Khanna films throughout his career. His films were always known for the music with chartbuster soundtracks. The reason for this was that Khanna used to personally sit in music sessions with music directors such as Kalyanji Anandji, R. D. Burman, Shankar Jaikishen, Lakshmikant Pyarelal, S.D. Burman, Bappi Lahiri and select tunes for duets and solo songs in his films. He used to be personally present for the recording of the solo songs to be picturised on him.
Rajesh Khanna was indeed a Superstar, but we’re sure he wouldn’t have been the same without Kishore Kumar. Kishore Kumar who usually sang for Dev Anand and for himself in the films took the permission from Dev Anand to sing for Rajesh Khanna in Aradhana songs. It was the music of Aradhana that created two sensations in Bollywood one was Rajesh Khanna and the other was Kishore Kumar.

'Rajesh Khanna once in an interview said  "Kishore Kumar was my soul and I was his body,"  Along with RD Burman, Kishore Kumar and Rajesh Khanna churned out one hit after the other. ‘Kati Patang’ released in 1970 was this trio’s first film together. Songs like ‘Yeh Shaam Mastani’ and ‘Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai’ hit the bull’s eye. Kishore Kumar's songs can be called a key reason of many Rajesh Khanna’s films. 'Aap Ki Kasam', 'Amar Prem', 'Mere Jeevan Saathi', the list of their successful films together is endless. Listen to the best songs of the duo here

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Aradhana 1969

Song of Sachaa Jhutha 1970

Song of Kati Patang 1970

Song of Kati Patang 1970

Song of Amar Prem 1972

Song of Mere Jeevan Saathi 1972

Song of Aap Ki Kasam 1974

Song of Mehbooba  1976

Song of Agar Tum Na Hote  1983

50 Years of the film DUNIYA

Dev Anand and Vyjayantimala have acted together in 3 films. This was the last film they worked together. Before this they were seen in Jewel Thief released a year ago in 1967.  The 149-minute romantic thriller was amongst the year's big hits grossing Rs.18 crores 
The music of the film was hit, the songs: Dooriyan Nazdikiyan Ban Gayi (Kishore-Asha), Falsafa Pyar Ka Tum Kya Jano, Jaawan Tum Ho Jawan Hum Hain (Rafi) by Hasrat Jaipuri; are still in our heart. The film was released on 28th Dec 1968.

The film starred Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala in the lead with Balraj Sahni, Johnny Walker, Lalita Pawar, Prem Chopra, Sulochana Latkar, Madan Puri, Nana Palsikar, Achala Sachdev, Laxmi Chhaya,  written by K. A. Narayan and directed by T. Prakash Rao.
The film's soundtrack was composed by the Shankar Jaikishan duo, while the lyrics were provided by Hasrat Jaipuri, S. H. Bihari and Gopaldas Neeraj.

The film is about three friend Amarnath(Dev Anand), Gopal(Suresh) and his sister, Mala(Vyjayatimala). As Mala and Gopal's mom is a widow and is unable to care for both the children, she decides to let her Bombay-based cousin, Shobha R. Sharma, adopt Mala. Gopal is always in trouble with the villagers for petty theft, and when he learns that Mala has left, he too runs away from home. Years later, all three have grown up. Mala's mom is deceased, while she continues to live with her aunt and uncle, Public Prosecutor Ramnath Sharma( Balral Sahini); Amarnath is now an Advocate working with Senior Advocate Mehta, and is in love with Mala, not knowing that she is his childhood friend; while Gopal has been to prison in Poona, Madras, and the Police in Hyderabad want him for questioning. Soon Amarnath will be defending Gopal, alias Ram Singh, for the murder of one Mohanchand - and it will be an uphill task for Amarnath - for not only do the Police have airtight evidence against Gopal, Mohanchand was to be the future son-in-law of Ramnath - who has sworn to bring Gopal to justice by hook or by crook.

Performance-wise, Dev Anand displays flashes of histrionics, Vyjayantimala is her usual competent self, excelling in the customary dance sequence in her films Balraj Sahni is brilliant, Johnny Walker provides relief in his inimitable style.

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Song of Duniya 1968

Collection of Bollywood Songs on Ghalib Shayari

Mirza Ghalib is the topmost poet whose poems are used as songs in Hindi films.His poems, his lifestyle, his behaviour everything is a great inspiration. He continues to be one of the best and oft-quoted writers in history. 
Bollywood has paid a tribute to this legendary poet through a film named Mirza Ghalib (1954) in which Bharat Bhushan plays Ghalib and Suraiya plays his courtesan lover, Chaudvin. The musical score of the film was composed by Ghulam Mohammed and his compositions of Ghalib's famous ghazals are likely to remain everlasting favourites
On the 221st Birth Anniversary, I have made a collection of Bollywood Songs on Ghalib Shayari.
In 1954 a film on Mirza Ghalib was made by Sohrab Modi. The film won (1) the President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film and (2) the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Hindi in the 2nd National Film Awards for 1954. Suraiya's singing (of Mirza Ghalib's ghazals) and her acting was specially applauded by the Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru, who remarked to her " You have brought back Ghalib to life", in a special screening of the film in Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib 1954

Song of Mirza Ghalib T V Serial by Gulzar

Song of Mirza Ghalib T V Serial by Gulzar

The Great Romantic Songs Associated with Moon

My blogs on the theme songs are very well appreciated by the readers. In this blog I am taking a few romantic songs associated with the moon.Moon has fascinated and charmed the poets and the lovers alike. Poets have turned into lovers and lovers have turned into poets because of its beauty. Perhaps the moon may be the coolest thing a man can perceive in his life, besides his lady love. From Shakespeare to our Bollywood lyricists — all do mention a lovely romantic moonlit night in their creations. 
The silence and the beauty of the moon have that flirtatious effect on everyone.
Here are few such songs from the  Golden Era Hindi films.

Song of Dillagi 1949

Song of Lav Kush (1951)

Song of House No 44 1955

Song of Shatranj 1956

Song of  Navrang 1958

Song of Anari 1959

Song of  Barkha 1959

Song of Chaudhavin Ka Chand 1960

Song of Asli Naqli (1962)

Song of Aashiq 1962

Song of  Phool Bane Angaare,1963,

Song of  Dil Ek Mandir,1963,

Song of Mahabharat 1965

Song of Lal Bangla 1966

Song of  Padosan 1968

Song of  Reshma Aur Shera 1971

Song of Pakeezah (1972) 

Mohammad Rafi - A God-gifted voice.

Mohammad Rafi was born on 24th Dec 1924 in Kotla Sultansingh village in Punjab,  near Amritsar. Although music was not a part of his family background, there is no doubt that he was born with a gift for music in his heart.
 Rafi Sahab had picked up the rudiments of music from a fakir while already possessing a God-gifted voice. At a tender age of about fifteen decided to become a singer, his elder brother encouraged him to become a singer. When he was barely seventeen years old and sang his first playback song for a Punjabi film,  'Gul Baloch' under the music direction of the late Shyam Sunder in 1941. The song became popular, he was invited by the same composer to sing in a Hindi film he was composing.
Rafi Sahab took the final big step in his life and ventured off to Bombay to realise his dreams of making singing his career. In 1942 he arrived in Bombay to sing,  again under the music direction of Shyam Sunder for the movie 'Gaon ki Gauri'.  
Following the success of his song, Rafi Sahab approached the renowned music director Naushad, confiding in him his admiration for the great Kundan Lal. Saigal,  and how his ambition was to sing with Saigal Sahab.  Naushad did not disappoint him,  giving him two lines (Ruhi Ruhi Mere Sapnon ki Rani) with K.L Saigal for a song in the movie 'Shahjehan'. 
Rafi saheb had a tough competition with singers like  Manna Dey,  Talat Mahmood,  Hemant Kumar and Mukesh. He moved ahead of all of them after the success of Baiju Bawra under the music direction of Naushad Sahab.  "O Duniya Ke Rakhwale" together with 'Man Tarpat Hari Darshan' left Rafi Sahab in a league all of his own. 

With Naushad, he gave many immortal songs. Their collaboration produced some of the best and most memorable music of the Golden Era. His talent could not remain confined to just the classicism of Naushad. Many talented composers such as OP Nayyar, SD Burman, Shankar Jaikishan, Roshan, Ravi and numerous others gave their the best with Rafi and presented him in myriad colours. 

He was notable for his voice, versatility and range; his songs were varied from fast peppy numbers to patriotic songs, sad numbers to highly romantic songs, qawwalis to ghazals and bhajans to classical songs. He was known for his ability to mould his voice to the persona and style of an actor, lip-syncing the song on screen in the movie.
He has recorded songs for over a thousand Hindi films and has sung songs in various regional Indian languages as well as foreign languages, though primarily in Hindi-Urdu and Punjabi over which he had a strong command. He has recorded as many as 7405 songs in many languages.
He received six Filmfare Awards and one National Film Award. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri award by the Government of India.
Mohammed Rafi died at 10:25 pm on 31 July 1980, following a massive heart attack, aged 55. The last song sung by Rafi was for the movie Aas Paas. One source says it was "Shaam Phir Kyun Udaas Hai Dost / Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost", recorded just hours before his death.
Some of my Fav Songs of Rafi

                                                          Song of Dulari (1949)

Song of Deedar (1951)

Song of Pyasa (1957)

Song of Kohinoor (1960)

Song of Kala Bazar (1960)

Song of Chaudhvin Ka Chand 1960

Song of Sasural 1961

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Song of Taj Mahal 1963

Song of Dosti 1964

Song of Guide 1965

Ameen Sayani` - The grand old man of radio

His style of addressing the crowd with "Bhaiyo aur Behno " (meaning "brothers and sisters") is still treated as an announcement with a melodious touch. He achieved fame and popularity all across South Asia when he presented his Binaca Geetmala, a countdown program of Hindi hit songs over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon on every Wednesday from1952 to 1988. He remains one of the most imitated announcers of India  
His mother Kulsum Sayani was a social activist, recipient of Padma Shri and a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. She edited, published and printed a fortnightly journal for neo-literates in simple language, on the instructions of Mahatma Gandhi. From his childhood, Ameen helped his mother in all the activities related to the journal, Rahber, which was published from 1940 to 1960. 
In the early 1950s, All India Radio (AIR) had stopped broadcasting Hindi film music. It was a mad decision, which hit AIR very badly and Radio Ceylon, which was still finding its ground in the radio industry, came up because of that. Ameen Sayani joined All India Radio, Bombay, on a reference from his brother Hamid Sayani. There, Ameen did English programs for ten years. It was sad that AIR never recognized Ameen's talent, and he had to use Radio Ceylon all the time. 
Between All India Radio (since 1951), AIR’s Commercial Service (since 1970) and various foreign stations (since 1976), Sayani has produced, compared (or spoken for) over 54,000 radio programmes and 19,000 spots/ jingles.

He was also a part of various movies throughout the years like Bhoot Bungla, Teen Devian, Boxer, and Qatl. He appeared in all of these movies in the role of an announcer in some event.

He has conferred the Padma Shri award in 2009.

In one of his interviews, the versatile presenter revealed that Amitabh Bachchan, who had wished to become a radio presenter before he tried his luck in Bollywood, visited the studios multiple times but failed to make the cut as Ameen Sayaani didn’t clear him.

Binaca Geet Mala

Binaca Geet Mala part 2

Binaca Geet Mala part 3

Binaca Geet Mala 1952-54

Binaca Geet Mala part 4

Om Prakash- Widely Remembered for his Versatile Roles

He acted in more than 350 films in a career spanning four decades. His style of delivering satirical dialogues was inimitable. His roles as Sharmila Tagore's 'brother' in the memorable Chupke Chupke and Amitabh Bachchan's 'Daddu' in Namak Halal.his God-fearing drink enjoying Catholic rail engine driver in Julie (1975)
His comic performances in Howrah Bridge, Dus Lakh (he won his first major award for this performance), Pyar Kiye Jaa, Gol Maal and Chameli Ki Shaadi.  His roles in Sharabi, Bharosa, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Mere Humdum Mere Dost, Loafer and Dil Tera Diwana were also appreciated. His performance as Dilip Kumar’s elder brother in Gopi gave his career new impetus.

Om Prakash (19 December 1919 – 21 February 1998) was born in Jammu, as Om Prakash Chibber.  Since his career began in 1942, he was a popular supporting actor from the 1950s until the 1980s. He also produced Jahanaara starring Bharat Bhushan, Shashikala, Prithviraj Kapoor and Mala Sinha in the title role of Jahanaara.

He got his first break as a villain in a film called Lakhpati. It won him acclaim and got him roles in films like Lahore, Char Din and Raat Ki Rani. It was during this phase in his career that he did Azaad with Dilip Kumar, Sargam with Raj Kapoor and Miss Mary, Bahar, Pehli Jhalak, Asha and Manmauji with Kishore Kumar followed by Howrah Bridge with Ashok Kumar and then Tere Ghar Ke Samne with Dev Anand.
In the movie Dus Lakh(1966) he played the role of a misery father of a large family who loses his bearings after he comes into a lottery of 10 lakhs. Om Prakash won the Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Another memorable role played by him was in Buddha Mil Gaya (1971). he played a character of a mysterious millionaire with a vendetta. 
Chupke Chupke came in 1975 and is one of the most iconic and incredible performances. He performed as Raghavendra Sharma in a suspicious way. He managed to outshine a peak Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan combination.

In Namak Halal (1982) he played as the grandfather who goes undercover to check up on his grandson. His role was small but still, his camaraderie with Bachchan remains incredible.
Om Prakash had a special rapport with Amitabh Bachchan and both worked in many successful films from Zanjeer to Sharaabi
Om Prakash suffered a massive heart attack in his home and was rushed to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai where he suffered another heart attack and went into a coma from which he never recovered. He died on 21 February 1998
Some of the great songs of Om Prakash

Song from Miss Mary 1957

Song from Howrah Bridge 1958

Song from Budha Mil Gaya 1971

Song from Budha Mil Gaya 1971

Song from Annadata 1972