Ek Chatur Naar - The Brain Child of Kishore Kumar

This immortal song from Padosan 1968 was the highlight of the film. More than 50 years have passed, it still entertains us. The pivotal role of creating this song goes to Kishore Kumar. He didn't just act or sing in the film, he conducted the proceedings around him. He turned the entire sequence of Meri Pyari Bindu, which was actually a scene into a song. He came up with the tune, polished the words, and even choreographed it on the spot. 
The plan to use the song in Padosan was of Kishore himself. He told Padosan lyricist Rajinder Krishan to do an extended version of the old song sung by his brother Ashok Kumar in Jhoola (1941), which was then picturized so memorably on Saira Banu, Mehmood, Sunil Dutt and Kishore Kumar. A constant companion of brother Ashok in those days, he had heard the song and the tunes stayed with him.
sing for Mehmood and Kishore to sing for Sunil Dutt. When Manna De was approached for this song everybody liked his idea, a situation in the film was created where a music competition to take place between the hero and the music teacher of the heroine. It, being a classical song, Manna De was to by R D Burman with regards to the famous musical face-off number, Manna Dey refused to lose to Kishore, the reality was that he didn't wish to lose to him in the classical song competition since he was a classically trained singer and Kishore wasn't. 
The task of convincing took by Mehmood. He convinced him that its not a real competition but a reel competition. In films, anything is possible when a skinny hero can beat a strong villain why can't this happen in a song. Ultimately Manna De agreed to sing.
 Though the old song was a solo here it will be modified and more catchy to be sung a male duet. Mehmood's voice is also in this song. It was destined to be the most hilarious songs of Bollywood.
Manna De in an interview told,  it took 10 days to compose this song. Everyone who participated in composing this song has contributed. In the final rehearsal of this song, it took 9 hours before they went for a recording. This being a very long song so it was recorded in two parts, later it was merged into one. Manna De further informed that he was surprised when during the recording Kishore Kumar suddenly changed the Sargam and the context by adding his touches like "hmm dhaam.. O Tedhe Seedhe Ho Jaa Re" which took the classical song to a different level.
The song has been composed in the form of a combination of Carnatic and Hindustani music. Mahmood begins with the Aalaap in Carnatic music and the song proper while playing the harmonium. Kishore Kumar sings the Hindustani counterpart for Sunil Dutt. Their preparation for the ‘concert’ itself is funny.
While Mahmood dances, Sunil Dutt moves back towards Kishore Kumar in sync with the rhythm of the song. Kishore Kumar pushes Sunil Dutt in front and simultaneously sings a Bengali song. Beside Kishore, Mukri, Keshto Mukharjee, and Raj Kishore were also part of this song.
Mr. Sadanand Kamath in the book, ” R D Burman – The Man, The Music” by Anirudha Bhattacharjee & Balaji Vittal writes, this song was not only inspired by Ashok Kumar song but also from ‘Van Chale Ram Raghurai’ [SANT TULSIDAS (1939)] for the line ‘….Dekhi teri chaturayee’ and from ‘ Chanda re ja re ja re’ [ZIDDI (1948)] for the line ‘… Kaalaa re ja re ja re’. 
For your reference, I am posting all the three songs

Song of Jhoola 1941

Song of Sant Tulsi Das 1939

Song of Ziddi 1948

Song of Padosan 1968

Prakash Mehra- Who Gave Hindi Cinema a New Definition .

Prakash Mehra(13 July 1939 – 17 May 2009)  was a true entertainer. He changed mainstream Hindi cinema with his sense of drama, Indian emotion, and above all his ear for great music. His songs are still thriving, despite being decades-old. He started off his career with Haseena Maan Jayegi starring Shashi Kapoor and Babita, followed by Mela, and Samadhi which were the perfect formula for a commercial hit. 
With Zanjeer, he started his own banner.  His combination with Amitabh Bachchan proved lethal at the box office. After Zanzeer seven films of this combination ruled the Box office.
He seemed to know the magic of Amitabh the actor which he successfully used in films like 'Muqaddar Ka Sikandar', 'Laawaaris', 'Namak Halaal' and 'Sharaabi', all of them major hits, one bigger than the other. 
Amitabh Bachchan once told that he was a dreamer and was never afraid of taking risks. He wanted to make big things in life. He had a film in his mind to cast the boxing legend, Mohammad Ali, with him. He even scheduled a meeting with him and Ali, at the sports icon's US home in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
He was the first filmmaker to name Amitabh as Vijay in 'Zanjeer'. Amitabh was Vijay in more than twenty films, some of them made by Manmohan Desai and Yash Chopra.
Music was the strong point of all his films. He always had the veteran music directors Kalyanji- Anandji to score the music for his films but had Bappi Lahiri in two of his most successful films 'Namaak Halaal' and 'Sharaabi' He himself used to write poems, In fact in many of the songs of his films, he wrote the first few lines which formed the themes of the songs and left the rest of the lines to be written by Anjaan, In his first film Haseena Maan Jayegi, he wrote the hit song "O Dilbar Janiye" sung by Mohammad Rafi.
Prakash Mehra also directed & produced Zindagi Ek Jua with actor Anil Kapoor in 1991, which was not a commercial success. In 1996, he introduced veteran actor Raaj Kumar's son Puru Raajkumar in Bal Bramhachari which was also unsuccessful. This was the last film he directed.
 He died on 17 May 2009 in Mumbai of pneumonia and multiple organ failure. 

Song of Haseena Maan Jayegi 1968

Song of Zanzeer 1973

Song of Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973)

Song of Haath Ki Safai (1974)

Song of Hera Pheri (1976)

Song of Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978)

Song of Laawaris (1981)

Song of Namak Halaal (1982)

Song of Sharaabi (1984)

The Unforgettable Slaps of Bollywood

Recently I was watching the movie Thappad of Tapsi Pannu in which  Taapsee plays the role of an educated, upper-middle-class woman who is forced to take stock of her relationship after being slapped by her husband. The impact of the slap scene could leave the audience in shock.

Our films are melodramatic, We love drama and emotions, whenever we have a dramatic scene that too ending with a slap, it resonates the entire cinema house. even the dialogues like ‘Jab Ye Dhai Kilo Ka Haath Padta Hai Na, to Aadmi Uthata Nahi Hai Uth Jata Hai’ have made the audiences whistle and clap. 
In 1942, as a part of a scene in the movie Jung-E-Azadi, actor Bhagwan Dada was to slap her hard. Being a new actor, he accidentally slapped her very hard, which resulted in facial paralysis and a burst left eye vein. Three years of treatment later, she was left with a defective left eye; thus she had to abandon lead roles, and switch to character roles, which won her much of her fame later in life
Let's look into the most impressive slap scenes of Bollywood.
In 1949 film Andaj, starring Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Nargis. There was a confrontation scene. In the scene, Raj Kapoor was supposed to slap Kumar. He lands a heavy slap across Kumar's face. Not content he whacks him with a tennis racket 

A scene from Andaz 1949

The other onscreen slap that comes to my mind was from the 1951 film Awara. Bollywood superstar Raj Kapoor slapped Nargis in a scene not once but many times. This was his way of venting out his frustration of loving the unattainable

Clip of Awara 

There was a story about a slap scene in the Navketan film Aandhiyan, directed by Chetan Anand. In the script, there was a scene where character actor Akhtar Hussain had to slap Dev Anand. This was not shot because Dev Anand refused to shoot for this scene and insisted to remove this from the script. Dev felt that this scene will spoil his film image, so this scene was never shot.


In the 1952 film, Anhonee Raj Kapoor once again slapped Nargis. Nargis played a double role in the film. She was highly appreciated for enacting both the roles and her performance garnered critical acclaim.

Slap Scene from Anhonee 1952

There are many types of slaps. In Aar Paar (1954), A Parent slap, for example( Baap Ke Gusse wala slap), when Nikki’s (Shyama) father disapproves of her relationship with Kalu (Guru Dutt), he slaps her. 

Slap scene from Aar Paar 1954

Sometimes the expressions are totally opposite but mean the same thing. The slap from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham showed the love of a father and how much he misses his son. Unable to express otherwise sometimes howsoever hard you try, feelings find a way to express themselves.

Slap of Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum

Recall the slap of Raj Kumar to Dilip Kumar in the 1959 film Paigam. This scene was so impactful that the audience still remembers.

A scene from Paigam 1959

 There was a scene in which Salim was supposed to slap Anarkali. Kumar slapped Madhubala so hard that the latter had tears in her eyes.

A scene from Mughal e Azam 1960

In 1960 film Sarhad, starring Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen, there was a slap scene in which Dev Anand slaps Suchitra Sen

A scene from Sarhad 1960

Recall the scene of Guide when Rosie visits the site of Marcos she tells him that she has decided to dance, this makes Marcos angry and there is a long confrontation between them. Rosie slaps Marcos in a scene.

A Scene from Guide

There was a scene in 1969 film Ram Aur Shyam where Pran asks Dilip Kumar to sign the papers thinking that he is Ram but he does not sign, he slaps Dilip Kumar who in return also slap him.

A Scene from Ram Aur Shyam 1969

During the film, Reshma Aur Shera where Amitabh Bachchan was playing the younger brother of Sunil Dutt Bachchan got a tight slap from Waheeda Rehman 

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Recall the scene from Ketan Mehta's film Mirch Masala.  Sonbai played by Smita Patil Slaps the newly arrived village subedar played by Naseeruddin Shah as he chases her across the river and woos her to agree to his proposition. Sonbai blatantly refuses his advances and slaps him hard!

A Scene from Mirch Masala

Shatrughan Sinha slaps Jaya Bachchan on the wedding night to take revenge in the 1973 film Gaai Aur Gori

A Scene from Gai Aur Gauri 1973

In the 1974 film Aap Ki Kasam, Rajesh Khanna slaps Sanjeev Kumar out of anger and sheer doubt

A Scene from Aap Ki Kasam 1974

There is a very intense scene from the Mafia Movie, Satya.  In this movie, there is a scene in which Manoj Vajpayee comes to his home along with his friend, his wife confronts him, he slaps her.

 

A Scene from Satya

Another memorable slap was from Dilip Kumar to Amrish Puri in the 1984 film Mashal

 

A scene from Mashal 1984

Another memorable slap by Dilip Kumar in 1986 film Karma. this time to Dr Dang played by Anupam Kher

A scene from Karma 1986

In 2002 film Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam, Shahrukh Khan starts doubting Salman Khan & Madhuri Dixit, due to which he overthinks things. He slaps Salman. This slap can be said Dosti Todne wala slap.

A scene from  Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam 2002

A similar slap was seen in Dil Chahta Hai. This slap changed the relationship of friends. It came in the movie when the audiences were not expecting a high-end drama. Akshay Khanna slaps Amir Khan who is a friend

Slap scene from Dil Chahta Hai

Raanjhana, a 2013 film Sonam Kapoor slaps the hero Dhanush 16 times separately in the film

A scene from Raanjhana 2013

DDLJ Slap

Slap Scene from Thappad 2020

Jagdeep - Mera Naam Soorma Bhopali Aise Hi Nahin Hai

Jagdeep(29 March 1939-8 July 2020) the comedian of Golden Era started his film career as a child artist extra in B. R. Chopra's Afsana, then went on to do films as a child artist in films like Ab Dilli Door Nahin, K. A. Abbas's Munna, Guru Dutt's Aar Paar, Bimal Roy's Do Bigha Zamin and AVM's Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke. After Hum Panchi Ek Dal Ke, he received various accolades and high praise for his roles. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru has gifted his personal staff to Jagdeep for his stellar performance in Hum Panchi Ek Daal Ke.
His most memorable character is Soorma Bhopali in Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay. His catchphrase in the film “Mera Naam Soorma Bhopali Aise Hi Nahin Hai” is still remembered by fans. 
 Recall the famous scene of Sholay in which our heroes, Jai and Veeru, come upon Soorma Bhopali telling a bunch of spellbound listeners of how he beat the two with a stick, and how he’s found out: his paan-stained teeth, that Bhopali lilt and comfort in a role meant strictly for laughs, made his Soorma unforgettable. It was a small guest appearance but became immortal.
In a span of 6 decades, he performed nearly 400 roles, this role became so popular that even after 45 years, people still remember that role. His son Naved was so inspired by his father that he produced a film with the same title 'Soorma Bhopali' in 1988. It was not a box office success but did relatively better in the state of Madhya Pradesh. This film was a hit in the city of Bhopal and the surrounding regions.
 Jagdeep’s last on-screen appearance was in the 2017 movie Masti Nahi Sasti co-starring Kader Khan, Johnny Lever, Shakti Kapoor, Ravi Kishan, and others in the lead roles.

A scene from Sholay 1975

Neetu Singh - Retired Too Early

Neetu Singh(8th July 1958) was only 21 when she took retirement from Bollywood. She was 15 when her first film as a Heroine opposite Randhir Kapoor was released. She appeared next in Yadon Ki Barat in the same year in the song 'Lekar Hum Diwana Dil' as a guest performance.
Her second film as a heroine was in the 1974 film 'Hawas' opposite Anil Dhawan. The same year she appeared with Rishi Kapoor as Heroine in.' Zehreela Insaan'. Their next film was 'Rafoochakkar' released in 1975 was a hit, this team repeated the success in 'Khel Khel Mein'  The hit pair were further fortified by, Kabhi Kabhie(1976) and Amar Akbar Anthony(1977).

Hugely popular with the public and within the industry, the bubbly Neetu Singh signed many films opposite the heroes like Amitabh Bachchan (Adalat, Parvarish, The Great Gambler, Yaarana), Rajesh Khanna (Chakravyuh), Vinod Khanna (Yuvraj), Randhir Kapoor (Kasme Vaade), Shatrughan Sinha (Kaala Patthar) and Jeetendra (Dharamveer, Priyatama).
Within 3 years she was among the top heroines of that time like Hema Malini, Rekha. and Zeenat Aman.

Rishi Kapoor in his biography said that he went abroad to shoot for his film Barood, a sense of loneliness gripped him. It was then that he realized the true essence of Neetu Singh in his life and poured his heart out in a telegram. Neetu Singh was elated and they began dating.
They dated for five years before tying the knot. At the time of marriage, Neetu Singh was at the peak of her acting career and was nominated for a Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress for Kaala Patthar (1979). But she decided to bid adieu to the film industry, raising murmurs about restrictions in the Kapoor family. She dismissed all the allegations, stating that it was her independent choice. They got married on Jan. 22, 1980,
The decision of quitting acting was her own, in 1979, when they decided to get married, she stopped accepting offers for more films. She decided to complete all the projects in hand. Even after marriage, she worked in a few films left uncompleted. Her last film released was
'Ganga Meri Ma' released in 1983 opposite Shatrughan Sinha.

She was seen in a guest appearance after a gap of 26 years in the 2009 film Love Aaj Kal, later in Do Dooni Chaar(2010)
Neetu Singh started acting at the age of 8 under the name Baby Sonia, and made her acting debut in 1966 with the film Suraj. Her other early roles included starring in the films Dus Lakh (1966), starring in a double role in the film Do Kaliyaan (1968), as well as appearing in Waris (1969) and Pavitra Paapi (1970). 

Song of Do Kaliyan 1968

Song of Rikshawala 1973

Song of Yadon Ki Barat 1973

Song of Rafoochakkar1974

Song of Khel Khel Mein 1974

Song of Kabhie Kabhie 1976

Song of Amar Akbar Anthony 1977

Song of Priyatama 1977

Song of Parwarish 1977

The Raga based Bollywood Songs- Raga Bhimpalasi

In one of my earlier blog-posts, I had explored the Raga ‘Pahadi & Thumri in Hindi Film songs. In this post, I am looking for the songs based on this one of the most popular ragas among our music composers.
As per the classical text, Bhimpalasi is a rag that is very much associated with a hot Indian afternoon. It evokes a feeling of deep-rooted love and yearning for the lover. Usually, it is sung in the late-afternoons when the harshness of the sun rays recedes. It has five notes ascending and seven notes descending. This Raaga is also used in Carnatic Music where it is called 'Abheri'. It is more used in South Indian languages. This raga is one of the favorite ragas of A R Rehman.
The scale of Bhimpalasi is equivalent to the Western scale Blue scale. Many western Pop songs look similar to this raga. If you listen carefully to the very popular song of Ed Sheeran 'Shape Of You'. This song is influenced by Bhimpalasi.

Song of Afsar 1950

Song of Aan 1952

Song of Anarkali 1953

Song of Amar 1954

Song of Chandrakanta 1956

Song of Amar Deep1958

Song of Kala Bazar (1960)

Song of Saheb Bibi Aur Gulam 1962

Song of Kohra 1964

Song of Ghazal 1964

Song of Mera Saya 1966

Song of Sharmili 1971

Song of Rudali 1993

Song of Criminal 1995

Song of Rangeela 1995

Song of Yaadein 2001

Song of Lagaan 2001

Shape Of You - Ed Sheeran

Brilliance of Shubha Mudgal | Raag Bhimpalasi 

" Fly the Flag". tells Dev Anand to Chetan Anand

Chetan Anand (3 January 1915 – 6 July 1997), while he was teaching History, wrote a film script on king Ashoka, which he went on to show to director Phani Majumdar in Bombay.  Phani Majumdar cast him as a hero in his Hindi film, Rajkumar, released in 1944. The film flopped and so his career. He soon took to film direction The first film he directed was Neecha Nagar. Though the film won the Golden Palm Award at the first Cannes Film Festival in 1946 but couldn't be released.No distributor was ready to distribute the film, the cinema halls were asking for heavy rentals.  This being Chetan's first directorial venture went unseen depressed him. He did not get any work offer after that.
After the release of  Ziddi Dev Anand was going great as an actor, a plan came to his mind. Without discussing with Chetan he went ahead to gather money to start a banner where Chetan could direct films.
After he was assured by one of his producers to give him the required money, he approached Chetan and said: " Fly the Flag". He asked him to name the banner where both of them will work together.
He pulled out bundles of notes and showed it to Chetan and said start a film with me as Hero and Suraiya as Heroine. That was the day when he saw a smile on the face of his brother after one and a half years
The fist film Afsar was started in 1949. The film was based on Nikolai Gogol's play The Government Inspector. This play.was played earlier many times by Balraj Sahni and Dev himself in Bombay.

.Unfortunately, the print of this film is not available. The film was an average success.  After this, the next film was Baazi released in 1951. This was directed by Guru Dutt as promised by Dev Anand to Guru Dutt on their struggling days. The film was a hit that established Navketan.  It became a training ground and school for many famous directors, producers, composers, and technicians.

The next film he directed was Navketan's Aandhiyan released in 1952 was again not a successful. So he refused to do the Navketan's next film Humsafar, in this film he plays the role of Vivek who is a good guy. This film also failed. 

The next film he directed was Taxi Driver released in 1954, it was a smash hit film, the first time he experienced success in Bollywood. After Baazi and Taxi Driver, the Navketan was a big banner. The next film of this banner was Funtoosh released in 1956, he directed this film but the film was not a runaway success. During the making of this film, some differences between the two brothers surfaced. He decided to do outside banner films. He directed Anjali (1957), Arpan(1957)and Kinare Kinare (1963) He acted in all the three films. He started his own company with Haqeeqat (1964) banner called Himalaya films. This banner produced films like Heer Ranjha, Hanste Zakhm, Hindustan Ki Kasam, and Saheb Bahadur. He also directed Navketan's Jaaneman after a gap of more than 20 years.
In the 1960s, well after being estranged from his wife, Anand fell in love with Priya Rajvansh, who had made her debut as a heroine of his film Haqeeqat. The two fell in love during the making of this film and their relationship lasted all their lives. 
He died on 6 July 1997, at the age of 76 in Mumbai 

Song of Neecha Nagar 1946

Song of Afsar 1950

Song of Aandhiyan 1952

Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Song of Funtoosh 1956

Song of Kinare Kinare (1963)

Song of Haqeeqat (1964)

Song of Heer Raanjha (1970)

Song of Hanste Zakhm (1973)