PRADEEP KUMAR- The Royal Hero of Bollywood

 

When you think of the actor Pradeep Kumar, immediately the image of a Mughal Emperor or a prince emerges in our mind. He was the first choice to play prince/king in numerous Hindi films. He was a hero of many period films. Even though he acted in films of other genres, he is famous for his portrayals of kings and princes. His splendid performance as Prince Salim in Nandlal Jaswantlal’s tragic love story Anarkali, and as Shah Jahan in M. Sadiq’s Taj Mahal, demonstrated his ability to slip into royal roles with ease.

Pradeep Kumar (born Sital Batabyal; 4 January 1925 – 27 October 2001) made his debut from a period film Anandmath(1952), he became a sensation with the Bina Rai-starrer Anarkali (1953) and the Vyjayanthimala-starrer Nagin (1954). He had to face a tough competition with the trio of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor films. He had limited success in the 5os and 60s. in the 1960s, though Ghoonghat (1960), Aarti (1962) & Taj Mahal (1963) were successful many of his films flopped though he worked with Madhubala and Meena Kumari.

He did not get to act with the newer heroines of the 1960s such as Sadhana, Saira Banu, Babita or Sharmila Tagore, though he did work with Asha Parekh in Ghoonghat and Meri Surat Teri Aankhen and with Waheeda Rehman in Raakhi (1963). In 1969, he moved to character roles with Sambandh and Mehboob Ki Mehndi, but did not have many visible roles till Jaanwar and Razia Sultan in 1983.

In 1969, Pradeep saw a glimpse of success once again withSambandh, albeit in a character role. 
He lived a life removed from the spotlight for the next 18 years and died a quiet death on October 27, 2001, at the age of 76.

Pradeep Kumar's famous songs

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Nagin 1954

Song of Adaalat 1958

Song of Ghunghat 1960

Song of Aarti 1961

Song of Tajmahal 1963

Song of Chitralekha 1964

Song of Bheegi Raat 1965

Song of Bahu Begum 1967

SAHIR LUDHIANVI- Different from his Contemporaries

 

True to his name "Sahir" which means a magician, he proved to be a magician of words. He painted fascinating images in songs and ghazals, He made his debut as a lyricist with the film "Azadi Ki Raah Par" in 1948. but got fame in 1951 after the release of Baazi, Naujawan, and Saza 

 He did not praise Khuda (God), Husn (beauty), or Jaam (wine). Instead, he wrote bitter yet sensitive lyrics about the declining values of society; the senselessness of war and politics; and the domination of consumerism over love. His love songs, tinged with sorrow, expressed his realization that there were other, starker concepts more important than love.

Close to his heart was the farmer crushed by debt, the soldier has gone to fight someone else's war, the woman forced to sell her body, the youth frustrated by unemployment, and the family living on the street for instance.

 He touched upon issues like poverty, inequality, gender gap, environment, the threat of a war that has not gone away. Some of the challenges are even bigger today than in his time. If he would have been alive today, he would be writing on the self-appointed custodian of religion, the self-serving politician, the exploitative capitalist, and the war-mongering super-powers.

Recall the songs of Pyaasa or Phir Subah Hogi The song Woh Subah Kabhi Toh Aayegi with its minimal background music remains popular.

Sahir was a communist sympathizer, but he never became a member of the Communist Party of India or an agenda-pushing poet. He always expressed his true feelings. Sahir did something which no film lyricist did before. He transitioned his literary poetry from his book Talkhiyaan (1945) into film songs.

Sahir was hardly 58 and at his creative best when he suffered a massive heart attack. This bard from Ludhiana bid adieu to this world on October 25, 1980.

Here are some of his immortal songs

Song of Naujawaan 1951

Song of Sazaa 1951

Song of Baazi 1951

Song of Devdas 1955

Song of Pyaasa 1957

Song of Sone Ki Chidiya 1958

Song of Naya Daur 1957

Song of Phir Subah Hogi 1958

Song of Hum Dono 1961

Song of Taj Mahal 1963

Song of  Chitralekha 1964

Song of  Waqt 1965

Song of  Kabhi Kabhi 1976

Jeevan- The Naarad Muni of Hindi Films

 

Jeevan  (24 October 1915 – 10 June 1987),, played the role of Narad Muni in more than 60 films. Jeevan, born as Omkar Nath Dhar. He has played the role of Narad Muni in more than 60 films. No actor in the history of cinema has played one character so many times.

He wasn’t just Narad Muni, he was also one of Hindi cinema’s most iconic villains. The first time he became a villain in the 1938 film Rajkumari. He is also known for his style of acting and mannerism  He came to Bombay to become a photographer but became an actor. His first film was the 1935 film,

In 1935, he was highly recognized for the role in ‘Romantic India’. In 1942, he was notable for his role in Station Master, and in 1946, he was notable for his role in Afasana.His popularity increased from the 1949 film Mela where he played Mehkoo, who lusts after one of the young village girls. He was also seen in many of Dev Anand's films. Recall him as Heera in Johny Mera Naam. Also, recall his character of Robert in the 1977 blockbuster Amar Akbar Anthony,

Jeevan in Johny Mera Naam

Jeevan in Amar Akbar Anthony

 He also acted in “Naya Daur”, “Rangoli”, “Nagin”, “Do phool”, “Dharam Veer”, “Roti”, “Laawaris”, “Suhaag”, Waqt”, “Darling darling”, “Sangham”, “Naseeb”, “Takkar”, “Chacha Bhatijia”, “Humraaz”, “Aabru”, “ Bandhan”,“Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya” and many other films. His last movie was “Insaaf Ki Manzil” and it was released in 1986 

He died on 10 June 1987 at the age of 71.

D N MADHOK- Lyricist First Generation

 

D N Madhok (22 October 1902 – 9 July 1982) was a prominent lyricist of Bollywood in the 1930s to 1960s. He started his career with the 1932 film Radhey Sham. Apart from writing lyrics, he wrote screenplays and directed films. He directed almost 17 films.

Filmmaker and songwriter Gulzar considers two lyricists as tops in the old days. Shailendra in the 50's and D N Madhok in the 40's.The immortal song "Diya Jalao" sung by K. L. Saigal was written by him, He was instrumental in introducing the famous composer Naushad to Bollywood He appointed Naushad as an assistant music director in his directorial venture, a Punjabi film Mirza Sahiban (1939). The first film which Naushad composed as an independent music director was Prem Nagar' (1940). This time also it was Madhok who penned the lyrics for the songs of that film.

He joined Ranjit Movietone in 1939. His career as a lyricist took off with several major successes. He wrote lyrics for popular songs in the 1940s and 1950s for films such as Nadi Kinare (1939), Musafir (1940), Pagal (1940), Ummeed (1941), Bansari (1943), Nurse (1943), Bela (1947), Bhakt Surdas (1942), and Tansen (1943). 

He worked with almost every prominent music director of the 40s and 50s such as Gyan Dutt, Khemchand Prakash, S. N. Tripathi, Bulo C Rani, Khurshid Anwar, Pandit
Amarnath, Sardul Kwatra, Anil Biswas, R. C. Boral, Robin Chatterjee, C. Ramchandra, Sajjad Hussain, Ghulam Haider, Vinod, Gobind Ram, Husnlal Bhagatram, A. R. Qureshi, Roshan, Sardar Malik, Ghulam Mohammad, and Hansraj Behl.

He wrote over 800 songs in his career, some of his notable songs are-

Diya Japao Jagmag Jagmag(Tansen)

Ghata Ghan Ghor Ghor...(Tansen)

Too Kaun Si Badli Mein Mere Chand Hai...(Khandaan)

Aaye Bhi Wo Gaye Bhi Wo...(Namaste)

Milke Bichhad Gayi Ankhiyaan...(Rattan)

Ankhiyaan Milake Jiya Bharmake...(Rattan)

O Jaanewale Baalmawa Laut Ke Aa...(Rattan)

Panchhi Baanwara...(Bhakt Surdas)

Madhukar Shaam Hamare Chor...(Bhakt Surdas)

Pehle Jo Mohabbat Se Inkaar Kiya Hota...(Pardesi)

Toot Gaye Sab Sapne Mere...(Parwana)

Jab Tum Hi Naheen Apne...(Parwana)

Jeene Ka Dhang Sikhaye Ja...(Parwana)

Shikwa Tera Main Gaoon...(Anmol Ratan)

Maine Dekhi Jag Ki Reet...(Sunehre Din)

Song of Mirza Sahiban (1939).

Song of ‘Prem Nagar’ (1940).

Song of Tansen 1943

Song of Rattan’ (1944).

Song of Rattan’ (1944).

Song of Bhakta Surdas (1944) 

Song of Singaar (1949).

Song of .Sunehre Din  ( 1949) 

Song of Rasiya 1950

Song of Dard e Dil 1950

Song of Goonj 1952

Song of Bilwamangal (1954) 

Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche- The song created for Dev Anand.

 

This super hit song was originally written and composed by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shankar Jaikishan for Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai released in 1961to be picturized on Dev Anand and Asha Parekh. But Dev Anand rejected it because he felt it wouldn't go down well with his personality.

When an upset  Jaikishen mentioned Shammi Kapoor about this song, he asked him to play this song for him.he just freaked on it" I love this song"He immediately told Jaikishan to keep it reserved for him, he will use this song in one of his future films.

Shammi Kapoor gave this song to Manmohan Desai who was making 'Budtameez' at that time but he couldn't be picturized for that film. Shammi Kapoor then gave this song to G P Sippy for Brahmachari

This song was picturized on Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz.Bhappi Sonie, the director of the film, wanted Mumtaz to Wear a Sari in this song but Mumtaz declined saying that she would be uncomfortable dancing in a Sari. Bhappie Sonie then discussed this with the costume designer Bhanu Athaiya who tried something innovative which became a rage as the Mumtaz Sari after the release of the film. She devised the Sari with readymade pleats and a zipper on the side.

The song became hit before the film got released.  People rushed to the theatres to catch a glimpse of this song and its incredible star cast. Mumtaz draped in a  low-waist, unconventional pre-pleated saree, which featured gold gota borders and a frilled hemline form-fitting bright orange saree, paired with a short sleeveless blouse was the attraction. She paired it with gold chandelier earrings, a choker necklace, a hath Patti, and the iconic 60s puffy hairstyle.

The song was one of the Top Songs in Binaca Geetmala of that year competing with Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein from Padosan. Shammi Kapoor and Mumtaz made the Shake Dance popular in India. The signature tune of this song was its Prelude music. As soon as this music starts, everybody started to tap their feet and shake head.

This song has been recreated multiple times since but nobody has come close to repeating what Shammi achieved.

Song of Brahamchari 1968

Dil Dhoondta Hai- A Song Composed While Cooking

 

This song from Mausam(1976) was written by Gulzar, composed by Madan Mohan, and sung by Bhupinder. The song has two versions, one a solo by Bhupinder and a duet of Lata Mangeshkar with Bhupinder. The solo was used during the titles of the film and the duet was picturized on the young Sanjeev Kumar and Sharmila Tagore.

The solo version happens to be Gulzar's favorite, is by far the soberer and serene. The duet has a faster tempo. Both versions have three stanzas with different interludes. The Mukhada was taken from a Ghalib ghazal with a slight change. In the ghazal, it is 'Jee Dhoondta Hai', Madan Mohan changed it to Dil Dhoondta Hai., since it worked better for the metre.

This wasn’t the only time Gulzar was inspired by Ghalib. He went a step further in the song Satrangi Re, (Dil Se, 1998), in which he wove Ghalib’s couplet into his lyrics, crediting the source by its name.

This song is the pivot around which the film revolves. It connects the characters in time. the first time when the Doctor(Sanjeev Kumar) is traveling from Calcutta to Darjiling by road where he met Chanda decades ago.

Gulzar in a book told that while composing the interludes of the song Madan Mohan was strolling between his music room and his kitchen. He(Gulzar) had gone to his house for dinner. Madan Mohan was a good cook, he was cooking mutton at that time. During that duration, he composed the tune of this song.

Gulzar was one of the contenders for the National Award for that year. Unfortunately, no award was given to any lyricist that yeat. Similarly, he was nominated for Filmfare's Best lyricist award but lost out to lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi for Kabhie Kabhie.

Madan Mohan had a habit of making 5-6 tunes of one song, he then selects the best out of them. For this song too he made 6 tunes one of which was later used in Veer Zara (2004). Here a clipping is given below, you could see his versatility

Dil Dhoondhta Hai - Madan Mohan sings many tunes for one song

Song of Mausam 1975 Solo Version

Song of Mausam 1975  Duet Version

Om Puri- The Actor Par Excellence but Awful with the Women in his Life.

 

Om Puri (18 October 1950 – 6 January 2017) was an actor par excellence. He displayed his skill in Art as well as Commercial Cinema. He acted in more than 300 movies, bringing many characters to life. He was an unconventional hero, he worked in Bollywood and Hollywood, and British Cinema. He was the first Indian actor to be nominated for the BAFTA award for his role as a Pakistani father in East is East.

As per his biography(Unlikely Hero- Om Puri), written by his wife Nandita Puri in 2011 he had relations with many women but couldn't continue long.In this book, she disclosed that he had sex with his maid when he was 14. He then went on to have another deep, personal, and sexual relationship with another woman who was a caretaker of his ailing, old father.

This was his second marriage to Nandita Puri. His first marriage was with Seema Kapoor, sister of actor Anu Kapoor. This marriage ended in 11 months. After 2 years he married Nandita who was a journalist She was 10 years younger than him, he had a son with this marriage. Their marriage was also not going well. Sema, his ex-wife once again emerged in his life. Before he died Om Puri was planning to divorce her and remarrying Seema again.

Now let's talk about his reel life. He is best known for his author-backed roles in films like Aakrosh (1980), Arohan (1982), Ardh Satya and television films like Sadgati (1981) and Tamas (1987) and also light-hearted roles in Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983) and Chachi 420 (1997). 

His film was Chor Chor Chhup ja, a children's film He made his debut in the mainstream films genre in the 1976 Marathi film Ghashiram Kotwal. He came into prominence with Ardha Satya (1982).for which he got the National Film Award for Best Actor;.He had a cameo in the highly acclaimed film Gandhi (1982, directed by Richard Attenborough).In the mid-1990s, he diversified to play character roles in mainstream Hindi cinema, 

His notable roles in commercial Hindi films included Drohkaal, In Custody, Narsimha, Ghayal, Mrityudand, Aastha, Hey Ram, Pyar Toh Hona Hi Tha, Farz, Gadar, Lakshya, Dev (2004), Rang De Basanti, Yuva, Singh Is Kinng, Mere Baap Pehle Aap, Billu, Kyunki, Lakshya, Dabang, Bhaji In Problem, Khap, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Ghayal Once Again. Puri was seen in the role of Mohammad Ali Kasuri in Road to Sangam (2009).

On 6 January 2017, Puri died at the age of 66, after having a heart attack at his residence in Andheri, Mumbai

Song of  Pathar 1985

Song of  Pathar 1985

Song of Saanjhi 1985

SIMI GAREWAL- Way Ahead Of Her Time, Excelled in Supportive Roles

 

 Simi has always been ahead of her times. In an era where actresses even refused to kiss, Simi never hesitated from flaunting her svelte figure if the role demanded that. Recall her nude scene in the film Sidhartha which caused some controversy in India.  Her immaculate dressing sense was an inspiration for many

She was excellent in supportive roles, she was one of the heroines of Dev Anand in Teen Deviyan. She played the third angle in Raj Khosla's love story Do Badan (1966) She played a spoilt rich girl in Saathi(1968) who sets her eyes on Rajendra Kumar and marries him -- though he remains faithful to his first love Vyjayanthimala. She was awarded as Best Supportive Actress for both the films.

She was born (17th Oct 1947)in Muktsar, Punjab, India, in a Jat Sikh family. Her father, J. S. Garewal served in the Indian Army rising to the rank of Brigadier. After spending much of her childhood in England, Garewal returned to India while a teenager. Her felicity with the English language induced the makers of the English-language film Tarzan Goes to India to offer her a role. A gangly 15-year-old, Garewal made her debut alongside Feroz Khan in Raaz Ki Baat in 1962

During the 1960s and '70s, she was in several notable Indian films, working with leading directors such as Mehboob Khan's Son of India,  Satyajit Ray cast her in his Bengali film Aranyer Din Ratri (1969), Raj Kapoor in Mera Naam Joker (1970)., She was in a supportive role in Ramesh Sippy's Andaz (1971), In Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Namak Haram (1973), she was the rich but eternally sympathetic voice of sanity who tries to curb Amitabh Bachchan's anger. In Prakash Mehra's Haath Ki Safai (1974), she just threw her long hair around in the hit number, Waada Kar le Saajna.   

By the mid-1970s, Simi's career seemed to have run out of steam. Films like Chalte Chalte, which cast her as an older woman opposite newcomer Vishal Anand did not make waves despite the melodious music; while a blockbuster like Kabhi Kabhie had her in a peripheral role (as Neetu Singh's foster mother). Another notable role she played was as a vamp in Karz (1980). 

 In the early 1980s, her attention turned to writing and direction. She formed her own production company, Siga Arts International. She hosted, produced and directed a TV series for Doordarshan called It's a Woman's World (1983). She also made a documentary for Channel 4 in the UK called Living Legend Raj Kapoor (1984). This was followed by a three-part documentary on Rajiv Gandhi titled India's Rajiv.

In the late 90s, she anchored a talk show in Television   Rendezvous with Simi Garewal which became very popular with the elite class.

Song of Teen Deviyan 1965

Song of Johar Mehmood in Goa 1966

Song of  Do Badan 1966

Song of  Saathi 1968

Song of Mera Naam Joker 1970

Song of Haath Ki Safai 1974

Song of Chalte Chalte 1976

Song of Karz 1980

The Dream Girl Turns 72

 

Born on 16th Oct1948 to a Tamil-speaking Iyengar family, Hema Malini did her early education in Chennai. Her father was later posted in Delhi, where she attended school at the Delhi Tamil Education Association Senior School (DTEA) on Mandir Marg. After Class 11, she quit commencing her acting career.

She made her debut in Hindi films with Sapno Ka Saudagar(1968). She made her mark next in Dev Anand’s Johnny Mera Naam (1970). After that, there was no stopping Hema. In 1971 her next hit film was Andaz and with the release of Sita Aur Geeta(1972), she was among the top 3 heroines of Bollywood.

She went on to star in a number of hit films -- Sholay (1975), Trishul (1978), Meera (1979), Naseeb (1981), and Satte Pe Satta (1982) to name a few. She emerged as the highest-paid female actor of her time (1976 - 1980).

She made a hit pairing with Dharmendra in the seventies,  acted together in 28 films including Sharafat, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Naya Zamana, Raja Jani, Seeta Aur Geeta, Patthar Aur Payal, Dost (1974), Sholay (1975), Charas, Jugnu, Azaad (1978) and Dillagi (1978).

In 1980, she married Dharmendra, she continued to give hit movies even after her marriage. In the 80s Malini continued to star in big-budget films like Kranti, Naseeb, Satte Pe Satta and Rajput, most of which proved successful at the box-office. She continued to work in heroine-centric roles after becoming a mother, in films like Aandhi Toofan, Durgaa, Ramkali, Sitapur Ki Geeta, Ek Chadar Maili Si, Rihaee, and Jamai Raja. 

In the 1990s, she produced and directed the 1992 film Dil Aashna Hai, starring Divya Bharti and Shah Rukh Khan in the leading roles. She also produced and directed her second feature film Mohini (1995), starring her niece Madhoo, both the films flopped. She then focused on dancing and television work.

After taking a break from films for a number of years, Malini made a comeback with Baghban (2003),^[29] for which she earned a Filmfare Best Actress Award nomination. She also made guest appearances in the 2004 film Veer-Zaara and the 2007 film Laaga Chunari Mein Daag. 

 From 2003 to 2009, she served as an MP to the upper house – the Rajya Sabha, having been nominated by the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In February 2004, Malini officially joined the BJP.In March 2010, Malini was made general secretary of the BJP, and in February 2011, she was recommended by Ananth Kumar, the party general secretary. In the 2014 general elections for the Lok Sabha, Malini defeated the Mathura incumbent, Jayant Chaudhary (RLD) She once again won the Lok Sabha election in 2019. She is very active in Politics.

Song of Sapno Ka Saudagar 1968

Song of Johny Mera Naam 1970

Song of Seeta Aur Geeta 1972

Song of Jugnu 1973

Song of Dulhan 1974

Song of Prem Nagar 1974

Song of Sholay 1975

Song of Mehbooba 1976

Song of Dream Girl 1977

Song of Trishul 1978

Song of Meera 1979

Song of Kranti 1981

Song of Satte Pe Satta 1982

Song of Razia Sultan 1983