Songs were the Integral Part of Dev Anand Personality

Can you imagine a film with Dev Anand without singing a song in that film? Songs were always an integral part of his personality. Could you believe that he got to sing very few songs in his early films? Maybe it was a trend in those days but the heroines got all the songs. Between 1946 to 1952 he had 28 films but there were hardly a few noteworthy songs for him. Even in his debut production’Afsar’ he had no song. A film like ‘Aaram’ which had such good songs, one song -Shukriya ai pyar tera shukriya’ was filmed on Talat Mehmood himself and another great song ‘Ai jaane jigar’ sung by Mukesh was lip synced by Prem Nath. In another film, Manmohan Krishna playing a sidekick of Dev Anand had two good songs while Dev had none. Even in ‘Milap’ directed by his close friend Raj Khosla the Hemant Kumar song Yeh baharon ka samaan filmed on Dev Anand is edited out in the film while the female version is there. It was only, later on, say after 1955 that he got to sing many songs and he developed his signature style in song picturisations.

It is also seen that the majority of the songs from his movies are lip-synced by him. A solo or a duet – but Dev Anand got to lip sync even if it was a word or 2.He even appear in the frame whether he has no line to lip sync.

In this Blog I have selected those songs where Dev Anand is in the same frame with his co-actor but not lip syncing.

The first song in my list is from CID (1956), the song is Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re

It is a complete village belle song but wouldn’t be complete without Dev Anand. He just smiles throughout the song and that makes the song so much more charming!!

Song of  CID (1956)

In this song from House No 44 released in 1955,Dev Anand  is a part of the song even if he is just humming. Like in Peechhe peechhe aakar all he does is just hmm hmm hmm hmm.

Song of House No 44 (1955)

The next song is Hum Jaan Gaye Sarkar Tum Lakh Karo Inkaar from the film Love Marriage (1959), here Mala Sinha is all delighted to tease Dev Anand. Insisting that he’s in love and Dev Anand like an innocent boy keeps denying.

Song of Love Marriage (1959)

Another song in my list is from Bombai Ka Babu 1960, in this song Suchitra Sen is singing and dancing with her friends but Dev Anand appears on full frame.

Song of Bombai Ka Babu 1960,

Sach Hue Sapne Tere-Kala Bazaar 1960

In this song, Waheeda Rehman teasing Dev Anand while he is sulking. But we’re treated with a charming Dev smile by the end of the song.

Song of Kala Bazar 1960,

In the song, Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai from Guide Waheeda Rehman sings a solo but it will be incomplete without the caring and charming yet a silent guide beside her.

Song of Guide 1965

Honthon pe aisi baat is an all Vyjayantimala song, but here too Dev Anand gets to sing that inimitable call O Shalooooo. 

Song of Jewel Thief 1967

JAISE RADHA NE MALA JAPI SHYAM from Tere Mere Sapne 1971 is one such song ia a heroine song but Dev Annand in full frame

Song of  Tere Mere Sapne 1971

Koi Koi Raat Aisi Hoti Hai from the film is one such song where heroine Rakhi is singing a solo song but Dev Anand is shown in full frame even his photograph is shown in full frame.

                                                             Song of Banarsi Babu 1973

Lootmar, the 1980 film where a cabaret was picturised on Simple Kapadia, the song 

Jab Chaye Mera Jadoo-Koi Bach Na Paye here also Dev Anand appears on full frame

Song of Lootmar 1980

Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh’s chemistry worked like magic

Jagjit Singh met the love of his life, Chitra Singh in a studio to record a jingle for an advertisement in 1967. Both of them were struggling singers. Initially, both were singing jingles together for many advertising companies, this brought closeness.
 Chitra ji was earlier married to Debo Prasad Dutta and had a daughter with him, Monica. Chitra ji decided to part ways with her former partner in 1968 and moved on to live separately with her daughter.It was in 1969 Jagjit Singh and Chitra decided to marry.

Their first Album "The Unforgettable" in 1976 made them star. The album is notable for one exceptional ghazal, Raat Bhi Neend Bhi, based on a Firaq Gorakhpuri poem. Chitra Singh did not like the initial composition. Jagjit Singh changed the tune and it became one of her most recognised solos in an album over which her husband towers with Baat Niklegi Toh Phir Door Talak Jayegi and Sarakti Jaaye Hai RukhSe.
Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh’s chemistry worked like magic and there was no looking back for the much-in-love couple. The duo recorded dozens of albums in Hindi and Punjabi and also cut devotional albums. Among their subsequent duo recordings of the 1970s were Shiv Kumar Batalvi – Birha da Sultan (1978), Live in Concert at Wembley (1979) and Come Alive (1979). Of those released in the 1980s, "The Latest" by Sudarshan Faakir was the best selling album with his lifetime hit "Woh Kagaz ki Kashti...Woh Baarish ka Paani". It was the first album by the duo with the poetry of only one Poet. Ecstasies (1984) has also been described as "one of their finest". The joint projects ceased in 1990 when their 18-year-old son, Vivek, was killed in a road accident. Chitra felt unable to sing following these events. Monica, Chitra's daughter from her first marriage, committed suicide in 2009.
Jagjit Singh.s work in film encompassed playback singing for productions such as Arth, Saath Saath and Premgeet. He composed all of the songs for the latter, as well as for the TV serial Mirza Ghalib that was based on the life of the eponymous poet, Mirza Ghalib.
Chitra Singh sang in Bengali as well as for Hindi films such as Saath Saath (1982) and Arth (1982).
He toured the UK in 2011 and was due to perform with Ghulam Ali in Mumbai but suffered a brain haemorrhage on 23 September 2011. He was in a coma for over two weeks and died on 10 October at Lilavati Hospital, in Mumbai.

Punjabi Tappe

The Rise and Fall of Iconic Studios and Banners of Bollywood

A Film Studio is an organisation and a place where artists, technicians, laboratory, sound studio, film sets, editing all present under one roof. Initially, cinema was run by the individuals but gradually studio system emerged in India. Prabhat Studio was the first Hindi film studio of India. It was established in 1929.
It made twenty-five films in its 15 years long journey. Those days all the artists were employed by the studios and were given salary. Some of the big names like V Shantaram, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt, Durga Khote were the product of this studio.

Prabhat Films Logo

Song of Hum Ek Hain 1946

In 1931 came up B N Sircar's New Studio in Calcutta. This studio made 165 films over a span of 25 years. K L Saigal and Bimal Roy were the product of this studio.  Another studio the Wadia Movietone was established in 1933 by the Wadia brothers J. B. H. Wadia and Homi Wadia, who were most known for Hunterwali (1935).  

Song of Jeevan Naiya 1936

In 1935 Devika Rani and Himanshu Rai started Bombay Talkies. They made 102 films and introduced stars like Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand.

Rajkamal Kalamandir

Song of Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955),

V Shantaram who was with Prabhat studio started his own studio Rajkamal Kalamandir in 1942.It defied the star system and concentrated more on music, drama and new techniques It made both Hindi and Marathi films. It was best known for Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (1946), Amar Bhoopali (1951), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959) and Pinjra (1972). In its heyday, Rajkamal was one of the most sophisticated studios of the country.

Song of Mother India 1957

In 1943 another iconic Studio started, it was Mehboob Studio which gave us Mother India. It had made hits such as Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Andaz (1949). Guru Dutt shot his iconic Kaagaz Ke Phool here, and actor-director Dev Anand shot many of his movies under the Navketan Films banner here, starting with Hum Dono and followed by Guide; he even maintained an office at the studio complex for 20 years.

Song of Munimji 1955

In 1943 came Filmistan Studio by Shasdhar Mukherjee which changed the face of Hindi Cinema. It was based in Goregaon, Mumbai. Spread over five acres, near Patkar College on SV road, the studio has seven shooting floors and a temple and garden for outdoor locations. Filmistan produced a number of successful hit movies in the 1940s and 1950s, including hits such as Shaheed (1948), Shabnam (1949) and Sargam (1950) and successful films such as Anarkali (1953) and Nagin (1954). Other notable films were Jagriti (1954), which won the Filmfare Best Movie Award in 1956, and also Munimji (1955), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957) and Paying Guest (1957).

Song of Barsaat 1949

In 1948 established R K Studio by Raj Kapoor. The studio occupied nearly two acres of land in the Mumbai suburb of Chembur. The studio's main building was constructed in the early 1950s. Raj Kapoor’s cottage was behind this building where he often organized small intimate meetings and functions.After the commercial failure of the studio's first venture, Aag (1948), it found success with Barsaat (1949). After this success, the company's logo was drawn to imitate the poster of Barsaat. Successful films such as Awaara (1951), Boot Polish, Jagte Raho and Shri 420 followed. Awaara was particularly successful, not just in India, but all over the world. Many R.K. Films movies featured Kapoor opposite actress Nargis.

On 16 September 2017, RK studio has caught fire and collapsed as of now. A massive fire broke out in the studio during the shoot of a television reality show and the studio was engulfed in fire.

The Kapoor family has decided to sell the iconic RK Films and Studios, which was built by legendary actor Raj Kapoor nearly 70 years ago, due to growing losses.

Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Navketan Films is a film production house based in Mumbai, India. Started in 1949 by actor-director and producer Dev Anand and his elder brother Chetan Anand, The first film under this banner was Afsar released in 1950 Since then 32 films were made under this banner. The last film was Chargesheet in 2011.

Song of Madhumati 1958

In 1953 came Bimal Roy Production. Under this banner, many great films were made. The first film under this banner was Do Beegha Zamin in 1953, Devdas (1955), Madhumati(1958), Sujata(1960), Bandhini(1963) and many more.

Song of Pyaasa 1957

In 1954 Guru Dutt Films was established. The first film Aar Paar was released in 1954. Guru Dutt not only produced, directed but also acted in the film. This was followed by the 1955 hit, Mr. & Mrs. '55, then C.I.D., Sailaab and in 1957, Pyaasa His 1959 Kaagaz Ke Phool was an intense disappointment.Later in 1960 came Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam  in 1962 were remarkable.

Song of  Naya Daur 1957

 In 1955, B R Chopra formed his own production house, B.R Films. His first movie for this production house was Ek hi Raasta which was highly successful followed it up with Naya Daur (1957) starring Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala Bali, the film became a golden jubilee hit.His subsequent releases like Kanoon, Gumrah, Humraaz were major hits in the sixties.

In 1961 Nasir Hussain Films started. The musical hits like Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961), Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963), Teesri Manzil (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne(1967), Pyar Ka Mausam (1969), Caravan (1971), Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973), and Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) came under this banner.

Song of Kabhie Kabhie 1976

YRF was founded by Yash Raj Chopra, a veteran of the Indian film industry, in 1970. Yash Chopra started out as an assistant to his elder brother, B.R.Chopra, and went on to direct five films for his brother's banner - B.R. Films. YRF controls almost every part of the value chain from production to post-production, domestic and international distribution, music, home entertainment, marketing, design, digital, licensing, merchandising, talent management, brand partnerships, music studios and film studios - all in-house facilities. YRF has its own fully integrated studio that houses shooting stages and sound studios and is headquartered in Mumbai. After the death of founder Yash Chopra in 2012, his son Aditya Chopra took over as Chairman and Managing Director of the company.

Bhagwan Dada- The Original Dancing Star of Bollywood

When we talk of male dancing stars the name of Hrithik Roshan, Govinda and Shammi Kapoor comes to our mind but the original dancing star was Bhagwan Dada.
He was perhaps the first to introduce Ramba, Samba, Disco, rock-n-roll and other dance forms to Hindi cinema, the first male star to do so in the industry ruled by female dancers. Bhagwan Dada as he was popularly called, created a new grammar of comedy, through the unique style of acting and dancing, which inspired a whole generation of comedians in Hindi cinema.
Bhagwan Abhaji Palav popularly known as Bhagwan Dada was born on 1st Aug 1913 and died on 4th February 2002 was a popular comedian of Bollywood of the Golden Era. He is best known for his social film Albela (1951) and the song "Shola Jo Bhadke".A veteran actor of about 600 films in the course of more than five decades, 
 He was a wide-eyed admirer of the silent cinema and worshipped Master Vithal who was the star of the day. He used to dream of emulating his stunt and fight scenes.
He started his Film Career in the Silent Film Era, in 1930, he got a break. Producer Siraj Ali Hakim gave him a comedian’s role in the silent film "Bewafa Aashiq," based on "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". The film was a hit, but he was without offers for eight months because it was believed that he was really a hunchback!
In 1934 he made his first talkie "Himmat-e-Mardan". After that, he joined another company and directed a film called "Bahadur Kisan", with Hansa Wadkar as the heroine. The movie again was a big hit. During the shooting of the film, he had taken a lanky young man, Chitilkar Ramachandra, as his assistant. He gave him a break as a music director in the three. Tamil films he directed in Madras. He used to call him Anna and there began their long association during which C. Ramachandra, out of gratitude, gave him Hindi film industry’s all-time favourite songs for "Albela," including one of the loveliest loris Dhire se aaja ri, ankhiyan mein.
He produced many films after ALBELA but most of his films flopped, His film "Sahme Hue Sapney" didn’t survive beyond the first show. Then he suffered a heavy loss while making "Hanste Rehna" with Kishore Kumar. He had invested his own money, pawned his wife’s jewellery and withdrawn all his life’s savings. But halfway through, Kishore started dilly-dallying and "behaving crazily" and the project had to be shelved.

His sea-facing Juhu bungalow with 25 rooms along with his fleet of seven cars (one for each day of the week) had to be sold. The family moved to a two-room set in a chawl at Dadar. In his last days, he was being looked after by his unmarried daughter and the family of his youngest son, who is a sound recordist. Bhagwan died of a massive heart attack at his residence in Dadar on 4 February 2002

Song from Albela 1951

Song from Albela 1951

Song of  Bhagam Bhag  1956.

Comedy Clip from Mein Bhi Ek Ladki Hoon 1964

Song from Badlaa 1974

Waheeda Rehman- A Journey from Kamini(C I D) to Nurse Radha of Khamoshi

Her first appearance in a Hindi film was in CID (1956) as Kamini then came Gulabo of Pyaasa, Shanti of Kagaz Ke Phool, Rosie of Guide, Hira Bai of Teesri Kasam to Nurse Radha of Khamoshi gave Hindi Film Industry many immortal characters.
In her acting journey, Waheeda Rehman established a great working relationship with Dev Anand, and together as a pair had a number of successful films to their credit. The box office hits of the pair include CID (1956), Solva Saal (1958), Kala Bazar (1960), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962) and Guide (1965); box office duds were Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961) and Prem Pujari (1970). She reached her peak with Guide (1965) and was much in demand. Rehman was cast as Gulabi in Satyajit Ray's Bengali film Abhijan in 1962.
She has played all type of characters in her journey. She worked in the comedy film Girl Friend in 1960 with Kishore Kumar. She worked in two psychological thriller films Bees Saal Baad and Kohra opposite Biswajeet.

Her career continued throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her roles in Guide (1965), where she hit the peak of her career, and Neel Kamal (1968), but despite excellent offbeat roles in subsequent films, including a National Award winning performance in Reshma Aur Shera (1971), some of the films failed at the box office. Seeing her films being successful, Waheeda decided to experiment with roles at this stage of career. She accepted Reshma Aur Shera, opposite her old co-star Sunil Dutt, with whom she had previously in the sixties had hits such as Ek Phool Char Kaante, Mujhe Jeene Do, Meri Bhabhi and Darpan. Her performance was appreciated by critics, but the film failed at the box office. But Waheeda continued to experiment with roles and accepted the offer to play a mother to Jaya Bhaduri in Phagun (1973). 
She played pivotal roles include Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978), Jwalamukhi (1980), Namkeen and Namak Halaal (1982), Mashaal(1984), Chandni(1989) and Rang De Basanti(2006). She played the central character in the Mahesh Bhatt directed film Swayam that starred Akash Khurana and Anupam Kher. She also appeared in a tele-series being directed by Gulzar.
In recent years she made a comeback playing elderly mother and grandmother roles in Om Jai Jagadish (2002), Water (2005), Rang De Basanti (2006), 15, Park Avenue and Delhi 6 (2009) which were all critically acclaimed.

Song of C I D (1956)

Song of Pyasa (1957)

Song of Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam 1962

Song of Bees Saal Baad  1962

Song of Mujhe Jeene Do  1963

Song of Guide  1965

Song of  Teesri Kasam 1966

S D Burman was the Soul of Navketan Films

Dev Anand in an interview said "Burman Da was not only a composer to me but also a fatherly figure to Navketan. I depended on him for all aspects of the film, not just the music. I would consult him on the script and ask him whether it is okay to make a film on this theme.
When Dev was starting Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Dada was not convinced with the theme on Hippies. It was S D Burman who proposed R D Burman's name for the music of the film.
Dev Anand' liking for Dada started with the film Shikari, he liked its music. This was Dada's first Hindi film, he was the joint composer along with Anil Chand Sengupta. It was his film Vidya in which he gave the music for the first time, after that he decided it will be Dada who would give music for his Banner.

The first film of the banner was Afsar and Dada gave the music for that film. The music of that film was not very popular but Dev Anand retained him for his next film Baazi. The songs of the film became popular, The song"Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer Bana Le" sung by Geeta Dutt is an immortal song.
Dev Anand had the liking for Bengali Music. In Dada's music, he found a blend of the Rabindra Sangeet and very modern rhythm. His music was very innovative and modern. It was full of hope.
With the success of their second film Baazi (1951), he made it to the top and a long association with Navketan and Dev Anand was on its way. The next film he gave music was Jaal in 1951, a ghazal that was occidentalise into a seductive song. The "Jaal" song "Yeh raat yeh chandni" by Hemant Kumar is an all-time great classic. 
After Taxi driver in 1954 he gave music in all the Navketan films except Hum Dono, it was given by Jaidev who was his assistant and was recommended by himself. This banner is known for great music and modern films. Taxi Driver released in 1954, it gave Dada the first Filmfare Award. Talat Mehmood version of the song- "Jayen To Jayen Kahan" became the most popular song of the year.
 The Dev Anand-S D Burman partnership, under Navketan banner, continued to churn out musical hits like Funtoosh(1956), Kala Pani(1958),Kala Bazar(1960),Bombai Ka Baboo (1960), Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Teen Devian (1965), Guide (1965) and Jewel Thief (1967). Tere Mere Sapne and Prem Pujari (1970)

Song of Afsar 1950

Song of Baazi 1951

Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Song of House No. 44 (1955)

Song of Funtoosh(1956)

Song of Kala Pani 1958

Song of Kala Bazar 1960

Song of Tere Ghar Ke Samne 1963

Song of Guide 1965

Song of Jewel Thief 1967

Song of Prem Pujari 1970

Song of Tere Mere Sapne1971