Shabana Azmi - An Actress Par Excellence

Shabana Azmi (born 18 September 1950) made her big-screen debut with Shyam Benegal’s first film Ankur in 1974. With this film started a trend of Art Cinema or Parallel Cinema in Bollywood. The film went on to become a major critical success, and Shabana Azmi won her first National Film Award for Best Actress for this film. The very next film of her was Dev Anand's Ishk Ishk Ishk in which she had a small role but in the next year in 1975 she appeared in Nishant which was again an Art film, her acting was appreciated in this film.

Since then she appeared in both commercial cinema as well as Art cinema. She has acted in more than one hundred Hindi films. Real-life portrayals continued in almost all of her movies. Shyam Benegal's Nishant (1975), Junoon (1978), Susman (1986), and Antarnaad (1992); Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari (The Chess Players); Mrinal Sen's Khandhar, Genesis, Ek Din Achanak; Saeed Mirza's Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai; Sai Paranjpye's Sparsh and Disha; Gautam Ghose's Paar; Aparna Sen's Picnic and Sati; Mahesh Bhatt's Arth; and Vinay Shukla's Godmother are some of her notable films. 

Shabana Azmi ruled Indian 'Parallel Cinema' for 30-years. She hit her peak during the ’80s, wowing the audience with memorable performances in Sparsh (1980), Arth (1982), Masoom (1983) and Mandi (1983), playing difficult characters with consummate ease.

She has been a committed social activist, active in supporting child survival and fighting AIDS and injustice in real life Azmi has voiced her opinion on a variety of issues. Initially, her activism drew skepticism and was dubbed by some as a publicity gimmick. However, she proved her critics wrong and used her celebrity status to emerge as a high-profile social activist.

 Since 1989, she has been a member of the National Integration Council headed by the Prime Minister of India; a member of National AIDS Commission (of India); and was nominated (in 1997) as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. In 1998, the United Nations Population Fund appointed her as its Goodwill Ambassador for India.

 In appreciation of Shabana Azmi's life and works, the President of India gave her a nominated (unelected) membership of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of parliament.

She is the daughter of great poet Kaifi Azmi and married to Javed Akhtar who is also a great name in Bollywood.

Some of the songs from Shabana's Films

Song of Fakira 1976

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Parvarish 1977

Song of Swami 1977

Song of Thodi Si Bewafai 1980

Song of Arth 1982

Song of Masoom 1983

The Story Behind the song "Khaike Paan Banaras Wala"

Very few  of us know that the famous Amitabh Bachchan's film song "Khaike Paan Banaras Wala"was not originally created for the film "Don" but it was composed for Dev Anand for the film Banarsi Babu released in 1973.
The music directors for both the films were Kalyanji Anandji. The song was written by Anjaan and  composed by Kalyanji Anandji. When this song was discussed with Dev Anand, he disliked it saying that this will not go with his image, so the song was not included in that film.The song remained in the collection of Kalyanji-Anandji. 
The song was not even kept in Don earlier originally. The film shooting was completed and the film was under post production. It so happened that when the Director of the film Chandra Barot showed the film to his mentor Manoj Kumar to gather his advice. Manoj Kumar advised him that the film is going too fast, it needs some space to breathe, a song should be placed after the interval.
The music director Kalyanji-Anandji were called and were asked to compose one more song for the film urgently , they already had this song in their collection so they suggested this song to the Director. It was agreed by the producer and the director to get it recorded immediately.
When Kishore Kumar was contacted for singing this song he initially  refused to sing Khaike Paan Banarasiwala. The legendary singer said. 'I don't think I can sing this, please find another singer.'

"We pleaded with him. We said he was the best singer to sing it. Finally, he relented on one condition: He would sing it only once."

"If we liked it, good, otherwise, we would have to find another singer. It was agreed on Kishore Kumar's terrms. Kishore Kumar demanded paan while recording the song in the studio. He chewed the paan and spat it on the sheet spread on the floor. All the spitting and chewing that is heard in the song is all real.

We all know that this song became the USP of the film.

Song of Don 1978

Before ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’, Dev Anand and Zeenat Aman actually appeared together in a Hollywood Film

The die-hard fans of the Evergreen Dev Anand might know about this rare fact but for many young friends here,that Dev Anand also featured in an American film along with Zeenat Aman and Kieu Chinh, a leading lady from Vietnem in the year 1970. In fact, Zeenat Aman was signed for ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’ 1971), after Dev Anand chose her to feature in this English film as one of his leading ladies. So before the cult movie ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’, Dev Anand and Zeenat Aman actually appeared together on the screen in this Hollywood venture "The Evil Within".

The full movie is uploaded in this blog,you can watch this movie by visiting my blog.
The movie’s cast and crew includes several other familiar Indian faces, including Prem Nath, Iftekhar, MB Shetty and even Jagdish Raaj. Renowned cinematographer Fali Mistry, who lensed such Indian classics as ‘Amrapali’, ‘Nagin’ and ‘Guide’, shot ‘The Evil Within’.

Dev Anand plays special agent Dev Varma, who teams up with Rod Stevens (American actor Rod Perry) to finish off an opium syndicate. In the opening scenes, an assassin called Fat Man (enthusiastically played by Allen Fitzpatrick) slays the enemies of the syndicate’s head, the grandly named Princess Kamar Souria, played by Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh.
Other gang members, especially Hanif (played by Iftekhar), want to wrest control from the princess. The roster of shady characters includes the India-hating Rita (Zeenat Aman), who is on Hanif’s payroll, and who is the daughter of a judge named Krishna (Prem Nath).
Karan Johar’s father, Yash Johar, who later set up Dharma Productions, served as a production controller for The Evil Within.The Cinematography was done by Fali Mistry who was the cinematographer of Guide and many Navketan's films.Major portions of the movie were shot in and around Udaipur
The film is not released in India,it was dubbed in phlilpino got released in Philippines
Below I  am giving the Link for this movie

https://youtu.be/vJCfjGqfUas

Bollywood in Australia

Last month I was in Melbourne that time India Film Festival Melbourne was being held. Bollywood celebs Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Tabu to Sriram Raghavan, Malaika Arora, Arjun Kapoor and others attended the Indian Film Festival Of Melbourne 2019 (IIFM). 
This made me curious to research the Bollywood connection with Australia. As we know that many Hindi films were shot in foreign locations starting from mid 60s in England,Switzerland, France, USA etc Australia became popular in 90s.
The first film shot in Australia was Tamil and Hindi film "INDIAN" starring Kamal Hassan and Urmila Matondkar in 1995. Major Saab was the next film shot in 1997. Starring Ajay Devgan and Sonali Bendre.
 Major Saab is a movie that was shot in Queensland, Australia.The song Pyaar Kiya Toh Nibhana was shot near the Milla Milla Falls in Queensland.
Prem Agan released in 1998 a film produced and directed by Feroz Khan for his son Fardre Khan was also shot here. The final section of the film was shot in Sydney.
Soldier – This movie (Bobby Deol and Preity Zinta) was shot extensively in Sydney.... not just one song like major saab. Almost 3/4 of the movie was based in Sydney. It was released in Oct 1998.
Salaam Namaste was the first Indian film fully shot in Australia, using various locations in Melbourne and regional Victoria, including the Great Ocean Road. Starring Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan, 
Dil Chahta Hai released in 2001 was also shot here,The song Jaaney Kyun was shot near the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Tanhayee”, another heart-breaking, yet soulful song of the film was shot at Milsons Point Railway Station, Waverley Cemetery and Macquaire Lighthouse in Sydney.
Chak De India was shot in Melbourne, at the Webb Bridge, State Netball Hockey Centre, Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre and the Sydney Olympic Park, these scenic locations only added to the movie watching experience.
Hey Babyy 2007 film starring Ritesh Deshmukh, Fardeen Khan, Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan and Boman Irani was also shot here.In this film Akshay Kumar lives a fairly wealthy lifestyle in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia with roommates Tanmay Joglekar (Ritesh Deshmukh) and Ali Haider (Fardeen Khan).The filmmakers have used a number of Sydney landmarks as locations, including the historic St Stephen's Church in Newtown and the central business district.
Singh Is King Large parts of Singhh is Kingg were shot in Brisbane and Gold Coast
Bachna Ae Haseeno A large part of the film has been shot in Sydney, especially near the picturesque Sydney Opera House and the Archibald Fountain in Hyde Park; one of the Sydney’s oldest and most popular parks.
Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, a biopic based on the life of ace sprinter Milkha Singh. The song Ghul Mil Launda was shot at the beautiful beaches of Melbourne, where Farhan Akhtar serenades the gorgeous Rebecca Breeds.
Shaadi ke Side Effects starring Farhan Akhtar and Vidya Balan has also been shot in Australia. Romantic songs from the film have been shot in Queensland.

Song of Hindustani 1996

Song of Major Saab 1998

Song of Dil Chahta Hai

Song of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag 2013

Song of Bachna Ae Haseeno

Song of Singh Is Kingg

Pyare Lal ji of the Laxmikant Pyare Lal Music Duo - A Music Genius

Pyare Lal ji of the Laxmikant Pyare Lal music duo may not be giving music any more but he is still actively participating in musical events.
At an age when other children were busy reciting nursery rhymes, Pyarelal could play several instruments with phenomenal dexterity? Obviously, the Gods decided to make him a musical genius whereby he was not only invited to music studios at the age of ten but also blessed with a lifelong friend in senior mandolin player Laxmikant.
Could you believe that at the age of 14, he arranged music for Khayyam for ‘Phir Subah Hogi'; its songs are remembered till date for their haunting orchestration.

Pyarelal credits Laxmikant for their partnership and for motivating him into turning composer. He recalls, “I was ready to sail for Venice in 1957 but Laxmikantji advised me to stay back as he felt we could form a great music team.” The decision may have meant spurning the chance of being a disciple of the legendary Yehudi Menuhin but it also led to the duo composing music for over 750 Hindi films.
Pyare Lal ji learned violin from his guru Anthony Gonsalves'.
The popular song, ‘Main Ye Soch Kar,' from ‘Haqeeqat,' which he created and played on Madan Mohan's request!. He was a. musician with SD Burman for few years, he became a good friend of R D Burman. Later he gave music arrangements to R D Burman's ‘Chhote Nawab' and ‘Bhoot Bangla.
Laxmikant and Pyarelal met at Sureel Kala Kendra, a music academy for children, run by the Mangeshkar family. After she came to know about their financially poor backgrounds, Lata recommended their names to music directors like Naushad, Sachin Dev Burman and C. Ramchandra.
Pyarelal often used to frequent the Bombay Chamber Orchestra and the Paranjoti Academy, where he would perfect his skills in the company of Goody Seervai, Coomi Wadia, Mehli Mehta and his son, Zubin Mehta. Laxmikant–Pyarelal were not content with the payments being made to them for their music, so they decided to go to Madras (now Chennai). But, it was the same story there. So, they returned back to Mumbai. 
The two became assistant music directors in 1957 and after assisting Kalyanji-Anandji in a few films, they got their first break in the low-budget costume drama, Parasmani (1963).
The song Hansta hua noorani chehra hit the bull's eye. A year later, Parasmaniwas followed by Dosti. With songs like Chahunga main tujhe and Janewalon zara, there was no looking back. 
In 1966 L-P started cementing their place in Hindi film music. L-P's first musical hit film, with a big star cast, Aaye Din Bahar Ke was released, followed by Pyar Kiye Jaa. 
In 1967, L-P consolidated their position in the Hindi film industry with a series of hits, one after another. Non star cast film Farzwas L-P's first golden jubilee musical hit, followed by big star cast films such as Anita, Shagird, yet another Golden Jubilee hit, Patthar Ke Sanam, Night in London, Jaaland another evergreen musical hit Milan. L-P received their second Filmfare Trophy for Milan without any stiff competition.
Laxmikant–Pyarelal's tunes used to be very simple but at the same time it used to be extremely sweet, catchy and melodious. LP had an excellent sense of what would work at the common man's level and in cinema halls, more than in Internet forums. They had a vast command over Folk and Hindustani Tunes. L-P (Laxmi-Pyare), were the composers who excelled, consistently, for more than three decades. 
Lata Mangeshkar also played a major role in shaping up the careers of Laxmikant–Pyarelal. She sang the highest number of songs for them. 
Asha Bhosle recorded almost 494 songs for Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Their collaboration lasted almost 35 years, 1963-1998. 
Mohammad Rafi has sung as many as 379 songs under Laxmikant-Pyarelal. This is the highest number of songs sung by Mohammad Rafi with any of the music directors in Hindi film music. 
Laxmikant-Pyarelal also produced some memorable songs rendered by Kishore Kumar, (402).
Laxmikant–Pyarelal kept a balancing act between Mohammad Rafi (379 songs) and Kishore Kumar (402 songs). During the peak wave of Kishore Kumar after Aaradhana, it is Laxmikant–Pyarelal who gave highest numbers of songs to Mohammad Rafi.. In 1977 L-P brought back the glory of Mohammad Rafi through "Amar Akbar Anthony" and "Sargam".
After Laxmikant's death, Pyarelal has done some work independently. When the playback singer Kumar Sanu turned music director, he approached Pyarelal to arrange music for him. Pyarelal was approached to assist in the music of Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om song "Dhoom Tana" 
Despite an outstanding run of success, fame sits lightly upon Pyarelal's shoulders. He has no airs and speaks so softly that you have difficulty in catching his words. 

Song of Parasmani 1963

Song of Dosti 1964

Song of Aayi Milan Ki Bela 1964

Song of Milan 1967

Song of Shagird 1968

Song of Do Raste 1969

Song of Shor 1972

Song of Bobby 1973

Song of Roti Kapda Aur Makan 1974

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Karz 1980

Song of Hero 1983

Song of Mr India 1987

Song of Tezab 1988

Song of Ram Lakhan1989

Song of Hum  1991

SHAILENDRA - Lyricist of all Genre’s

Shailendra was a rare lyricist for whom there was no other life beyond lyrics.He was a complete lyricist in all genre’s of lyricism: serious, funny, spiritual, romantic, sad, happy and angry. . Gulzar called him the greatest lyricist in Hindi films. He was associated with not only with Shankar-Jaikishen but also with a number of music directors such as Salil Chowdhury and SD Burman.
His father hailed from Bihar. This U.P. – Bihar cultural influence was to show later in his folk-style film songs. The origins of Chadh gayo paapi bichhua, Sajanwa bairi ho gaye hamar and Ab ke baras bhej bhaiya ko babul  thus can be traced to this family back-ground. 
He was born in Rawalpindi, and brought up in Mathura. He came in contact with Indra Bahadur Khare at the Kishori Raman School. Both started composing poems, sitting on the rock located on the bank of a pond near to Mathura Railway Station
In 1947 he moved to Bombay and started his career as an apprentice with Indian Railways in Matunga workshop.His writing continued during that period also.
He used to recite his poem in Kavi Sammelans,in one such Sammelan Raj Kapoor heard his poem Jalta hai Punjab, he was so influenced by this poem,he thought of taking this poem in his upcoming movie AAH(1948).He approached  Shailendra to buy this poem which Shailendra refused because that time selling their poems was not  good morally.However Raj Kpoor gave him an open offer to write for him.
As you know the life of a writer is always tough,Shailendra was also living that life.During those days Shailendra's wife got pregnant he needed money that time Shailendra himself approached Raj Kapoor in need of money. At this time, Raj Kapoor was filming Barsaat (1949), and two of the film songs had not yet been written. For ₹ 500, Shailendra wrote these two songs: Patli kamar hai and Barsaat mein. Thus the filmy career of Shailendra started.The song "Barsaat mei hum se mile"started a new trend of title songs.This was started by Shailendra,after that he wrote the title song Awara Hoon for Awara which became a huge hit,
Normally, in Raj Kapoor movies in which Shankar Jaikishan have directed music and composed songs on the lyrics of Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri, there is always a title song. For example, I In fact the trend was started by him with Barsaat song. The Awara’s title song Awara Hoon was penned by Shailendra, which was the biggest international hit ever.
Although other contemporaries like Majrooh, Sahir, Kaifi, Shakeel, Jan Nisar Akhtar were regarded as poets who drifted from literature to film songs, Shailendra was generally thought primarily as a lyricist. His sheer diversity of thought is quite unique. Some of his songs are romantic (‘Yeh raat bheegi bheegi’, ‘Tere mere sapne’), some metaphysical (‘Wahan kaun hai tera’, ‘Zindagi khwab hai’, ‘Sajan re jhoot mat bolo’, ‘Jao re Jogi’) others of longing (‘Aja re Padesi’, ‘Oh jaanewalae ho sake’, ‘O basanti pawan pagal’) anguish (‘Kya se kya ho gaya’, ‘Dost dost na raha’, ‘Sajanwa bairi ho gaye’), abandon (‘Mud mud ke na dekh’, ‘Suhana Safar’, ‘Aaj phir jeene ki’), or even nonsensical (‘Tin kanastar’, ‘Chuhe mama’).
Shailendra became popular because he used to write in simple words.He  wrote in the common man’s language. He was economical in his use of words, yet his writing was very meaningful. Take for instance, Teesri Kasam’s Sajan re jhooth mat bolo. he  penned lullabies, bhajans, love songs and even item numbers with equal ease and panache,he was gifted with supernatural quality of writing any stuff of any genre.
In 1961 Shailendra invested heavily in the production of the movie Teesri Kasam (1966), directed by Basu Bhattacharya and starring Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. However, the film was a commercial failure.The falling health resulting from tensions associated with film production and anxiety due to financial loss, coupled with alcohol abuse, ultimately led to his death,he died on 14th December 1966.
The Milestone Songs of Shailendra 

Song of Barsaat 1949

Song of Awara1951

Song of Shree  420 1955

Song of Chori Chori 1956

Song of Yaudi 1958

Song of Madhumati 1958

Song of Anari 1959

 

Song of Parakh 1960

Song of Kala Bazar 1960

Song of Bandini 1963

Song of Dil Ek Mandir 1963

Song of Sangam 1964

Song of Guide 1965

Song of Teesri Kasam 1966

Leena Chandavarkar- Yeh Jo Chilman Hai

Today we know her the 4th wife of Kishore Kumar, once a successful actress of the 70s. She made her debut in Man Ka Meet for Sunil Dutt, and it was his wife Nargis who groomed her to be an actress. Between 1969 and 1979, Leena acted in many films. She was cast opposite many of popular heroes of that era. She gave one of her best performances in Mehboob Ki Mehndi with Rajesh Khanna in 1971.
She was one of the two heroines of Dilip Kumar in Bairag,she  was a heroine for Raj Kumar in Dil Ka Raja,she was heroine of Shammi Kapoor in Jaan Pehchaan,  she was heroine of Dharmendra and Jetendra.
In an interview she said Kishoreji wanted to do a film with me. He had written three scripts for me and he kept meeting me on the pretext of narrating the script and chat with me for hours. One fine day, he proposed to me.

I refused immediately but he didn’t say a word and said he wanted to narrate a script. I refused to meet him. But finally, I signed his film Pyaar Ajnabee and my friendship with Kishoreji deepened.

When I told my parents about my decision to marry him, they were very angry. They had heard stories about him and were concerned. When I called up Kishoreji, the first thing he asked me was whether my parents had consented. I said they hadn’t and had instead left for Dharwad. He was delighted and said, “Well, now I am free to marry you.” Then he said, “Let’s go to Dharwad and take your parents’ permission.”

I was sure my parents would never agree. But when we reached Dharwad, my mother and brother greeted him with so much warmth. He later asked for a mat and a harmonium. He sat down to sing songs to please my father but my father did not relent. His last song was Nafrat karne walon ke seene mein pyaar bhar do. My father came around and hugged him and said, “Your voice has touched my heart and I am sure you will keep my daughter happy.”

After Kishore's death in 1987, she continues to live with her singer-actor step-son, Amit Kumar, and has even written lyrics for his music album.

Songs of Leena Chandavarkar 

Song of Man Ka Meet 1969

Song of HumJolie 1970

Song of Mehboob Ki Mehndi  1971

Song of Jaane Anjane 1971

Song of Dil Ka Raja 1972

Song of Manchali 1973

Song of Bidaii 1974

Song of Bairag 1976

Dahi Handi Songs of Bollywood

On the occasion of Janmashtmi, I am posting few songs of Dahi Handi. In Maharashtra Janmashtmi is celebrated as Gokul Ashtmi. The festival gets this popular regional name from legend of baby Krishna. According to it, he would seek and steal milk products such as yoghurt and butter and people would hide their supplies high up out of the baby's reach.
Govinda would try all sorts of creative ideas in his pursuit, such as making human pyramids with his friends to break these high hanging pots. 
Bollywood celebrates all the festivals enthusiastically both on and off the screen. Dahi Handi, celebrated on the occasion of Lord Krishna's birth, is one such festival which gets a new twist by every filmmaker
The first Dahi Handi song that became popular was Govinda Ala Re from Bluff Master. Shammi Kapoor performed the song gracefully.

Song of Bluff Master 1963

Song of Badla 1974

Song of Muqabla 1979

Song of Khuddar 1982

Song of Kala Bazar 1989

Song of Hello Brother 1999

Song of Vaastav 1999

Song of Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar 2011

Song of OMG 2012

Song of Rangrez 2013