Manoj Kumar -He sold patriotism at the box office

He is known for acting in and directing films with patriotic themes, and has been given the nickname Bharat Kumar.
It was Manoj Kumar who stirred this nationalism in public consciousness. He sold patriotism at the box office in a poetic fashion.
Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri after the 1965 war advised Manoj Kumar to make a film highlighting the ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ slogan. The idea of making Upkar initiated in that meeting with Shastri Ji. He produced and directed the film.
In it, he played both a soldier and a farmer. The film was also noted for the famous song "Mere Desh Ki Dharti", written by Gulshan Bawra, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Upkaar was a hit and won Kumar his first Filmfare Best Director Award.
The success of the film encouraged him to make more films on this subject.
Manoj returned to patriotic themes in Purab Aur Paschim (1970), in which life in the East and West are juxtaposed.
He made Roti Kapda Aur Makan (1974) which was a social commentary, featuring an all-star cast including Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan. He won his second Filmfare Award for Best Director for the film Roti Kapda Makan.
In 1981, Kumar reached the peak of his career when he got the opportunity to direct his idol, Dilip Kumar, as well as to star in Kranti, a story about the struggle for Indian independence in the 19th century. Kranti was the last notable successful Hindi film in his career. He also starred in the hit. 
After Kranti in 1981, Kumar's career began to decline, when the films he did with him in lead role like Kalyug Aur Ramayan in 1987 and later Clerk in 1989 failed at the box office. In 1989, he cast Pakistani actors Mohammad Aliand Zeba in his film Clerk. 
For him songs were always integral to the story and conveyed what dialogues could not. “Songs like ‘Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa’, ‘Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai’ or ‘Jab Koi Tumhara Hriday Tod De’ add depth to the narrative and this was possible because he himself was involved in the process. Kalyanji-Anandji always acknowledged his contribution. 
He was born on 24 July 1937 in Abbottabad, a town in the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan.His family had to migrate from Jandiala Sher Khan to Delhi due to the Partition.After graduating from Hindu College, University of Delhi, he decided to enter the film industry.He made his début in Fashion in 1957.
He is remembered for his versatile performances in films like Hariyali Aur Raasta, Woh Kaun Thi?, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Do Badan, Upkar, Patthar Ke Sanam, Neel Kamal, Purab Aur Paschim, Beimaan, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Dus Numbri, Sanyasi and Kranti. 

Song of Upkar 1967

Song of Upkar 1967

Song of Purab Aur Paschim 1970

Song of Roti Kapda Aur Makan 1974

Song of Kranti 1981

Dara Singh Went to the Moon Before Neil Armstrong

On the successful launch of Chandrayan 2,reminded me of Dara Singh movie "Chand Par Chadhayee ( A Trip to Moon)" released in 1967.
You would be surprised to note that our own Dara Singh went to the moon two years before Neil Armstrong. There was one difference: Armstrong did this in real life, while Dara Singh on a 70-mm screen. In 1967,
Chand Par Chadayee (Trip to Moon) was a 1967  Hindi-language science fiction film produced and directed by T. P. Sundaram. The film stars Dara Singh, Anwar Hussain, Bhagwan, G. Ratna and Padma Khanna.This film is the first science fiction of Bollywood

. 
Trip to Moon begins on the moon, where India has set up a "camp". It's a mission to explore and learn, but the Moonlings are suspicious of these human scientists, who roam around the satellite puffing a pipe and brandishing a walking stick, unaffected by low gravity. So, as a warning, the Moonlings kidnap the scientist and send a crack team to sabotage the next Indian mission to the moon, which is Astronaut Anand's ticket off the planet.
Dara Singh, who played the role of Astronaut Anand, who with his sidekick Bhagu (Bhagwan), travels to different planets and beats up aliens, a galactic rhinoceros and becomes a heartthrob of the lovely ladies who live on the moon. Yes, there's life on the moon according to Trip to Moon, and not just that, two of them go so far as to fight for him in a contest that involves both dancing and sword fighting.

Another fantasy in the film was the aliens from other planets especially Mars. There's conspiracy shown in the film . A moonling aristocrat named Simi (Padma Khanna) is scheming with the king of Mars (Anwar Hussain), who wants the moon's princess Shimoga (G. Ratna) as his bride. Shimoga's heart, however, belongs to Anand and he loves her too. So the king of Mars doesn't really stand a chance, but he gives it his best shot by doing everything from unleashing missiles to giant robots and an alien rhinoceros at Anand.
This film is available in you tube, one can see this fantasy of the writer and director of the film.

Song of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Song of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Song of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Action scene of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Comedy scene of Chand Par Chadhayee 1967

Mukesh Sang Maximum for Shankar-Jaikishan

Mukesh (22 July 1923- 27 Aug 1976 ) sang around 1300 songs in films out of these he sang around 134 songs for Shankar-Jaikishan followed by kalyanji Anandji ie 99 songs. Out of 4 Filmfare awards, Mukesh won 3 awards for Shankar Jaikishan songs.
 He got his break as a playback singer for actor Motilal in 1945 with the film Pehli Nazar with music composed by Anil Biswas and lyrics written by Aah Sitapuri. The first song that he sang for a Hindi film was "Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De".
In this Blog I have taken only those songs which he sang under the Music Direction of Shankar-Jaikishan. 
Mukesh created his own singing style with the help of music director Naushad Ali, who helped Mukesh to come out of his Saigal style and create his own style. Naushad gave him songs for the film Andaz. Initially Mukesh was the ghost voice of Dilip Kumar in this movie and Mohammed Rafi sang for Raj Kapoor. He delivered many Hits for Naushad in films like: Anokhi Ada (1948), Mela (1948), Andaz (1949).
Barsaat (1949) was the first film of Shankar-Jaikishan, Barsaat’s music was dominated by Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh getting two duets with her. But their next venture, Awara (1951), had the title track which became a global sensation making Raj Kapoor-Nargis one of the most recognizable faces abroad, and India’s cultural ambassador.
In the same year, in a non-RK film Baadal, too, SJ created an outstanding solo, Main raahi mbhatakane wala hun, and an equally good duet with Lata Mangeshkar, Ae dil na mujhse chhupa.
SJ’s next film Aah (1953) didn’t fire up the box-office, but what great songs Mukesh sang! The two solos, Raat andheri door kinara, Chhoti si ye zindagani, and the two duets with Lata Mangeshkar, Jaane na jigar pahchaane nazar, Aa ja re ab mera dil pukara are among the most loved songs for Mukesh fans.
With Mukesh becoming identified as Raj Kapoor’s voice, in almost all the films of Raj Kapoor whether under RK banner or outside, if SJ were the music director Mukesh was almost invariably the voice for him. And every film had great songs remembered till today: Kanhaiya, Main Nashe Mein Hun (1959), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Bahti Hai (1960), Aashiq, Ek Dil Aur Sau Afsaane (1962), Sangam (1964), Teesri Kasam (1966), Around The World, Deewana (1967), Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) and Mera Naam Joker (1970).
SJ also used Mukesh as the voice for many heroes, such as Manoj Kumar (Hariyali Aur Rasta, 1962), Sunil Dutt (Ek Phool Aur Chaar Kaante, 1960) and Rajendra Kumar (Aas Ka Panchhi, Sasural, 1961).
Mukesh received his first Filmfare Award for the song Sab Kuch Seekha Humne" in the movie Anari (1959), Shankar-Jaikishan also received Award for Best Music direction. After this Mukesh received Award for Sabse Bada Naadan Wahi Hai" in Pehchaan (1970), "Jai Bolo Beimaan Ki" in Beimaan (1972) under the Music Direction of Shankar-Jaikishan. 

Song of Barsaat 1949

Song of Barsaat 1949

Song of Awara 1951

Song of Shri 420  1955

Song of Anari  1959

Song of Jis  Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)

Song of Sangam (1964)

Song of Teesri Kasam(1966)

Song of Mera  Naam Joker (1970)

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The Deleted Scenes of Sholay

Sholay is more than just a film. It is one film nobody ever forgets.This legendary film came into being after a lot of cuts and chops and what stood in front us was a portion of a genius film. Say for example this scene where you can see Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendrahaving food at a dhaba. This was kept aside from the final cut.

Here's one more deleted scene for you to check out...

Unreleased end of Sholay

Rajesh Khanna- Dev Anand was his Inspiration

Rajesh Khanna in an interview said that he was an ardent admirer of Dev Anand from his teens.When I joined films in 1967, I was highly inspired by his acting style. He was amongst the first to view Aradhana and compliment me genuinely. As I rose in stature as an actor in the early 70s, I received healthy and clean competition from Anand, who was still going strong with a super hit like Johny Mera Naam. 
He allowed Kishore Kumar to sing for me in Aradhana without a second thought. The songs of Aradhana made him the super star.
Rajesh Khanna was first taken by Chetan Anand in Aakhri Khat.It was during the muhurat he met ehis idol Dev Anand. Before that he used to come to see the shooting of Jewel Thief.

Rajesh Khanna, Yash Chopra's with Dev Anand

There were talks of Amit Khanna producing a film in which both were to have acted together. The film never went on floors. In fact, when Khanna’s films started flopping in the late 70s, Anand was the first to encourage him by saying, “Why are you losing confidence? You are a brilliant actor. Look at me and my ups and downs. You termed me the leap year hero. Have confidence in yourself and march forward keeping in mind that the coming days are yours.”

Song of Aradhana 1969

Des Pardes was the last hit of Navketan

Des Pardes  is a 1978 Hindi film, produced and directed by Dev Anand.It dealt with the subject of illegal immigration.  It was on a flight that Dev Anand struck upon the idea of making this film as he read a story on illegal immigrants. Issue-based stories always caught his imagination and here was a subject that begged attention. 
It was a burning issue during the 70s when youngsters, driven by an ambition to make money, took enormous risks at the behest of corrupt agents and explored a future in distant lands. United Kingdom.
 It was a pleasing debut by one of the most beautiful faces that Dev Anand introduced as a filmmaker with amazing vision. Dev Anand always claimed that she was special.
Tina Munim had approached Dev Anand as a 16-year-old, seeking an autograph, before she was picked to play the role of Gauri in “Des Pardes”. 
Dev Anand, at that time was producing 3 films (no other film maker attempted that) together each film was being directed individually by the three brothers. Janeman by Chetan Anand, Bullet by Vijay Anand & Des Pardes by Dev himself. Out of the three Des Pardes was Super Hit. As the years goes by, the film, Des Pardes becomes more fresher and more good, the film grows to become more new as the years goes. This film will always remain evergreen.
The highlight of the film was its music. 
Music composer Rajesh Roshan had just made his debut with Julie. Dev Saab signed him for Des Pardes and song writer Amit Khanna, they all created the big successful, hit music, the songs also had became very popular and memorable till now. Rajesh Roshan was nominated as the best music composer, by Filmfare. 
Dev Anand had insisted to music composer Rajesh Roshan to compose the song tu pee aur jee......in 3 antras, which was difficult and songs were not compose that way, it was something new, but Rajesh Roshan composed it successfuly with kishore Kumar's energetic singing. The other difficult song was Lata's aap kahe aur hum na aye aise baat nahin hai...many days Dev saab heard several tunes from Roshan, but he was not satisfied and rejected. Finaly one day Rajesh Roshan made Dev Saab hear Mehdi Hassan's song and Dev liked it very much and then the song was recorded. Des Pardes's music and songs are the best work of Amit Khanna and Rajesh Roshan. The best combination.
One of Des Pardes 's song Nazrana Bheja Kisi Ne Pyaar Ka' is inspired from Cliff Richard's 'The Young Ones
When this film was released in London many people thought that the pub shown in the film, is an real pub which is some where in East London. That pub was made in Mehboob studio in Bombay, under the supervision of art director T.K..Desai, who won the award of the best art director.
One interesting fact was that Dev Anad had fixed the date to release Des Pardes on the same day Satyam Shivam Sundaram, was to be released, Dev Anand wanted both films to be released toghether, but then Raj Kapoor, last moment, he decided to change the release date of his film.

Song of Des Pardes 1978

Song of Des Pardes 1978

Song of Des Pardes 1978

Song of Des Pardes 1978

Song of Des Pardes 1978

ROSHAN- The Composer who had the Heart of a Poet

Not all music directors are created equal. Some have a passion for instruments, others for the perfect pitch, yet others for rhythm. A few, like Roshan, also had their focus on the words that their music would carry to the ears of the listeners.
He worked with a dizzying number of poets throughout his career, having started with Kidar Sharma. This included the more prolific writers of the time, as well as the lesser-heard poets: Sahir, Majrooh, Shakeel, Shailendra, D N Madhok, Kavi Pradeep, Neeraj, Kaifi Azmi, Khumar Barabankwi, Bharat Vyas and many more.
It would be impossible to showcase all the songs Roshan composed which had poetry that made the listener go ‘aah!’.Here are few of my favourite such songs.

Song of Bawra Nai 1950

Song of Malhar1951

Chandni Chowk, 1954

Barsat ki Raat, 1960, 

Song of  Aati 1962

Song of  Taj Maal 1963

Song of Chitralekha 1964

Song of  Mamta 1966

Song of AnokhiRaat 1968

Songs of Talat Mahmood You would like to Listen Again and Again

Talat Mahmood , I adore his songs. I can listen to him over and over and over again without ever getting bored. But I love almost anyything Talat sang.In this blog I have taken those songs which are solo and sad songs.
His control, evocative voice, and pauses won him the admiration of fans across the Indian subcontinent.

Song of Aarzoo (1950)

Song of Madhosh 1951

Song of Daagh 1952

Song of Daagh 1952

Song of Sangdil 1952

Song of Footpath (1953)

Song of Taxi Driver (1954)

Song of Baradari (1955)

Song of Sone ki Chidiya, 1958)

Song of Jahanara 1964