Sunday, 20 September 2020

Once the Club Songs Swayed Bollywood

 


Bollywood songs, along with dance, remained a characteristic motif of Hindi cinema In the 50s and 60s club songs were the flavor of Bollywood lovers. Almost every film had one or two club songs. This became a genre in itself. If we look into those songs, we will see a girl or boy singing in a restaurant or a gambling den along boys and girls wearing skirts.with an orchestra playing western instruments.

The first popular club song was 'Patli Kamar Hai Tirchhi Nazar Hai' from Barsaat (1949) was picturized on Premnath and Cuckoo composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The next 'club' song that started a trend of this genre was from 'Baazi'(1951), 'Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer Bana le' sung by Geeta Dutt and picturized on Geeta Bali. 

In this blog, I have selected a few of such popular Club Songs

Song of Barsat 1949

Song of Baazi 1951

Song of Awara 1951



Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Song of Aar Paar 1954


Song of Shri 420 1955


Song of Mr & Mrs 55 1955


Song of Howrah Bridge 1958

Song of Howrah Bridge 1958

Song of Dilli Ka Thug 1958


Song of Anari 1959

Song of Jaali Note 1960



Song of Chhote Nawab (1961)

Song of China Town 1962


Song of Akeli Mat Jaiyo (1963)

Song of Teesra Kaun 1965 





















Saturday, 19 September 2020

Kalpna Kartik- The Lady who brought out Dev Anand from Depression

 


Mona Singh is the real name of Kalpna Kartik. She was introduced to Bollywood by Chetan Anand who spotted her in a Beauty Contest in 1950. She became Miss Shimla in that contest. Chetan Anand persuaded her family to cast her in Baazi (1951) opposite Dev Anand.She appeared in 6 films that too with Dev Anand. She married Dev Anand during the shooting of Taxi Driver in 1954

.We all know that Dev Anand was in love with Suraiya, both wanted to marry but their relationship came to an end. After that, he was heartbroken. It was Kalpna Kartik who brought out Dev Anand from the morass of grief he was feeling.

 It is said Dev Anand was enamored by her during the making of Baazi itself. They did Aandhiyan (1952) and Humsafar(1953) He didn’t want to take any chances this time and decided to marry her as soon as she said yes. It was during a lunch break of Shooting Taxi Driver Dev Anand and Kalpna Kartik married secretly. Trust Dev Anand to do something different. Dev Anand in an interview to Simmi said that both had planned that they'll get married and will not tell anybody and then they'll throw a reception." 

The sorrows and wounds of Dev Anand were finally healed, and he finally found his true soul-mate. Dev Anand and Kalpana were blessed with a son, Suneil Anand, in 1956 in Zurich, where they were attending a film festival. They later had a daughter too, Devina Anand, thus completing their picture-perfect family.

After the marriage, she appeared with Dev Anand in only two films House No 44(1955) and Nau Do Gyarah(1956), many offers came to her opposite Dev but she declined wanted to raise her children.

She became an associate producer with Tere Ghar Ke Samne(1963) and later produced Jewel Thief. Prem Pujari., Shareef Budmaash (1973), Heera Panna (1973), and Jaaneman (1976).  She is a private person and always remained away from film parties. So there were rumors that she is separated from Dev Anand but that was not true. Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik remained espoused till his death in the year 2011.

Songs of Kalpna Kartik

Song of Baazi 1951

Song of Aandhiyan 1952

Song of Taxi Driver 1954

Song of House No 44 1955

Song of Nau Do Gyarah 1957

Song of Nau Do Gyarah 1957










Thursday, 17 September 2020

Hasrat Jaipuri- A Bus Conductor to a Great Lyricist

 


He was born as Iqbal Husain on April 15, 1922.in Jaipur Rajasthan. He got the education of Urdu and Persian from his grandfather Fida Husain. He started writing poems at a young age His mother was not in favor of his Shayari.  He came to Bombay at the age of 18 to earn Bread & Butter, he started working as a bus conductor, earning a monthly salary of eleven rupees. He worked as a conductor for 8 years In an interview, he told that he never asked for a ticket from beautiful girls. Beautiful girls were his inspiration for writing romantic words. His love for writing Urdu poetry remained intact, he used to participate in Mushairas, 

in one of such Mushairas, the late Prithviraj Kapoor heard his poetry and recommended him to his son Raj Kapoor who was planning a musical love story with two new composers, Shanker - Jaikishan. Raj Kapoor heard his poems he invited him to write songs for his film Barsaat, his first recorded song was, 'Jiya Beqaraar Hai' for the film. His second song (and first duet) was 'Chhod Gaye Baalam' for the same film. Both songs became popular. In this film, he wrote 7 songs,

Awara (1951) was his second film.he wrote 4 songs in this film, one of the immortal song is 'Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Karke Sanam'. In the same year, his 3rd film Badal got released in the same year. Shankar Jaikishan was the music director of this film also. He wrote 3 songs for this film. In 1951 his 9 films were released, he was now writing songs for other music directors also.

Hasrat Jaipuri wrote lyrics for all Raj Kapoor films till 1971. After the death of Jaikishan and failure of Mera Naam Joker and Kal Aaj Aur Kal, Raj Kapoor turned to other lyricists and music directors.
He wrote 1100 + songs in more than 300 films, the last song he wrote was for Saazish with Jatin-Lalit and at the time of his death, he was working on a few small films and a book of Shayari. To his credit, there are more than 2000 recorded songs. He also wrote the screenplay for the movie Hulchul (1951). His last film as a lyricist was Hatya: The Murder (2004
He won many awards and mementos for his Songs and Urdu Poetry. He was also awarded a Doctorate from the World University Round Table and Josh Malihabadi Award, from Urdu Conference. He wrote several books of poetry, in Hindi and Urdu. He once said, "Hindi and Urdu are like two great and inseparable sisters. He died on 17th September 1999.

Hasrat Jaipuri Earlier Songs

Song of Barsat 1949

Song of Awara 1951

Song of Badal 1951

Song of Kaali Ghata 1951

Song of Nagina  1951

Song of Daag  1952

Song of Parbat 1952

Song of  Poonam 1952

Song of Mayurpankh 1953 

Song of Naya Sansar 1953





















Tuesday, 15 September 2020

The Top Courtroom Drama in Hindi Films



Courtroom scenes were once a favorite genre during the Golden Era of Bollywood. Of late this is completely missing in our films, barring one or two exceptions like Jolly LLB or Pink. 
The reason I think for creating a courtroom scene, a solid script is required, a lot of groundwork, understanding of law and procedures of a court, and finally a perfect direction. 
In the 1950s and 1960s, the court scenes usually come at the fag end of the film. Most of these scenes foretold by a quick shot of the national slogan "Satyamev Jayate" or by the shot of Goddess of Justice wearing a black colored bandage on the eyes and carrying a pair of weighing scale on the hand and almost invariably, the truth did prevail.

Courtroom Scene Amar 1954

Each decade presented a peculiar legal drama, in the late 40e patriotic court cases were common, recall the court scene of Shaheed (!949), where Dilip Kumar is being prosecuted. In another film Amar (1954).Dilip Kumar plays the role of an advocate. There was a court scene where Dilip Kumar fights a case for Madhubala.

Courtroom Scene Paying Guest 1957

Dev Anand films had many courtroom scenes. every fourth film of his had a court scene, either he is a lawyer or a convict. In Paying Guest he plays the role of an advocate. Similarly in 1962 film Baat Ek Raat Ki, he once again played a lawyer. In Kala Bazar there was a famous court scene in which Chetan Anand appeared. as a lawyer. In the 1968 film Dev Anand once again played the role of an advocate.

Courtroom Scene Awara 1951

In the 1951 film Awaea, in a very famous court scene, Nargis appeared as an advocate for the convict Raj Kapoor. This was perhaps one of the earliest instances of a female lawyer being shown in our cinema. The film starts with the courtroom scene where Nargis walks in to announce that she is going to defend Raj Kapoor in this case much against the wishes of Prithviraj Kapoor the father-like figure who had brought her up.

Courtroom Scene Pooja Ke Phool 1964

Mala Sinha also appeared as a lawyer in Pooja Ke Phool (1964). Dharmendra, the hero is charged with the murder of an unknown young woman.  Mala Sinha who plays a defense lawyer and her father Ashok Kumar who plays public prosecutor is one of the highlights of the film. There were interesting and dramatic courtroom scenes and the confrontation between Mala Sinha and Ashok Kumar. The last 45 minutes were devoted to this courtroom scene.
Courtroom Scene Mamta 1966
Suchitra Sen also played as an advocate in the 1966 film Mamta. Suchitra Sen in memorable double role-playing both mother and daughter. The daughter is brought up by Ashok Kumar without letting her know the identity of her mother.  The last scene of the film which is both emotional and impactful has the daughter Suchitra Sen as the defense lawyer pleading her mother’s case and she comes up with a splendid performance that leaves the audience stunned.

Courtroom Scene Kanoon 1960
Kanoon (1960) was an outright courtroom drama film. .A story of a murder mystery, starting with the Judge having Bet with Fellow judge to commit a murder and get Scot free from Law. It was the first songless film. The film was a courtroom drama of a murder case, where the judge's perspective son-in-law (Rajendra Kumar) is the defense lawyer in a case of murder, for which he suspects his would-be father-in-law. 


Courtroom Scene BaaT Ek Raat Ki 1962
Baat Ek Raat Ki is a 1962 Hindi film directed by Shankar Mukherjee, starring Dev AnandWaheeda Rehman, and Johnny Walker. Dev Anand plays the role of a lawyer. Waheeda Rehman is accused of a murder.. The film starts with a court scene. Renowned lawyer Rajeshwar (Dev Anand) decides to represent her, he accepts her guilt, but as he goes deep into the details of her story and the circumstances, he is not sure whether or not she is guilty. Neela's employer Beni Prasad is the mastermind behind Neela's imprisonment. He is after her property. Rajesh disguises himself and appears at the court on the final day and accuses Beni Prasad and tells the whole story.


Courtroom Scene Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke 1963
Yeh Raste Hain Pyar Ke is a 1963 film. The film was based on a real story and famous case of the sixties "Nanavati" case. In the real-life story of crime and passion, Cdr. Nanavati, on his return from an assignment one day in 1959, was outraged to find that the British-born wife he adored had allowed herself to be seduced by his friend of 15 years, Prem Ahuja.
Without a doubt, the courtroom scenes played out by stalwarts Ashok Kumar and Motilal are the highlights of the film. In every scene, one tries to be up on the other and both are an absolute treat to watch. Without these two superb artistes and the riveting courtroom performances, this film would have been hollow. As it is, there are too many empty spaces when Dutt and Naidu are in the same frame.



Courtroom Scene  Waqt 1965
Waqt was a 1965 super hit film, it had very classic court scenes.  Balraj Sahni’s Lala Kedarnath is reunited with his family against the backdrop of a murder trial, and the court scenes serve a clear dramatic function in a story that is already much larger than life. Never in a Hindi film, such drama is shown in a courtroom. 
Sunil Dutt plays the defense advocate and acts his heart out, complete with long emotional gazes and melting puppy eyes in a bid to engage the conscience of witnesses. During one cross-questioning, he engages in an entire spectrum of emotions. From screaming at a witness, he moves close and almost whispers to him, urging him to place his hand on the Bhagwad Gita and reverse his earlier statement. Further, in order to prove a point about footprints at the crime scene, he actually drags a sack dripping with red liquid into the courtroom and asks the prosecutor to enact it himself.


Courtroom Scene Mera Saaya 1966
Another iconic courtroom scenes were in 1966 film Mera Saya, directed by Raj Khosla. Sunil Dutt plays an advocate who fights his own case. A lady resembling his wife claims to be his wife. His wife got died on his arms a year back refuses to accept her claim.


Courtroom Scene Mamta 1966
Mamta a 1966 film in which Suchitra Sen had a double role, playing mother and daughter. Ashok Kumar is the judge and the daughter becomes a lawyer. In the last scene of the film which is both emotional and impactful has the daughter Suchitra Sen as the defense lawyer pleading her mother’s case and she comes up with a splendid performance that leaves the audience stunned
.
Court Scene Duniya 1968
Duniya 1968 film is having a memorable courtroom scene. There is a beautiful argument between Dev Anand and Balraj Sahni both are the advocate. The movie deals about three friends Amarnath, Gopal, and his sister, Mala, Years later, all three have grown up. Mala's mom is deceased, while she continues to live with her aunt and uncle, Public Prosecutor Ramnath Sharma; Amarnath is now an Advocate working with Senior Advocate Mehta, and is in love with Mala, not knowing that she is his childhood friend; while Gopal has been to prison in Poona, Madras, and the Police in Hyderabad want him for questioning. Soon Amarnath will be defending Gopal, alias Ram Singh, for the murder of one Mohanchand - and it will be an uphill task for Amarnath - for not only do the Police have airtight evidence against Gopal, Mohanchand


Courtroom Scene  Gambler 1971
Gambler, 1971 film having a long 30 minutes climax court scene. In this film Dev Anand (Raja) plays a gambler who faces a trial in the court for murder. In the climax in Raja's life is in the Court Room where he will find out about his past, and about his parents.



Courtroom Scene Insaf Ka Tarazu 1980
Insaaf ka Tarazu a 1980 film also had memorable court scenes. In the courtroom scene,  Zeenat Aman who has murdered the rapist is the defendant. Pitted against her is Sriram Lagu as Prosecution lawyer. Ifthikhar is the judge. Zeenat Aman says yes she murdered Ramesh Gupta. 



Andha Kanoon released in 1983 was a film about law and justice. The film takes a shot at how manipulative could be the law. Jan Nisar Akhtar Khan (Amitabh Bachchan is charged with killing Ram Gupta (Amrish Puri), , tried in Court, and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Years later, an angry and embittered Khan is released from prison. Khan finds out that Gupta is still alive and decides to kill him, quite dramatically in the same courtroom where he was convicted for his murder. 


Courtroom Scene  Meri Jung 1985
MERI JUNG, a 1985  film with a  subject revolving around lawyers and their questionable practices in the court playing with the hidden truth.  The most electrifying and famous sequence of the film was the one in which Anil Kapoor who plays an advocate shockingly drinks poison from a bottle right within the court in order to prove it hasn’t got any poison at all and his client has just been framed for an undisclosed reason.



                                                     Scene of Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986)

Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986)  features the case against a teenager for killing his father by stabbing. The film not only focuses on the courtroom arguments but also show how jurors debate to reach out for the truth and what goes on in their head and mind when they declare a verdict. This film is an outright law film.



Courtroom Scene  Shehenshah 1987
In the movie SHAHENSHAH starring Amitabh Bachchan where Shahenshah drags JK back to the court and argues his case against JK after JK manages to escape from the news journalist's murder case for lack of evidence.



Court Scene of Damini 1993
Damini 1993 had an unforgettable courtroom scene. Recall  Sunny Deol's famous monologue ‘Tarikh pe Tarikh, Tarikh pe Tarikh’ ! in the courtroom. The heroine named Damini (Meenakshi) fights to get justice, for a rape victim. Sunny Deol appears in the court as her advocate

 
Court Scene , No One killed Jessica (2011)

No One killed Jessica (2011) based on a real case that happened in New Delhi.  Jessica, a young attractive model, a per time bartender, got shot dead at a celebrity party! The film follows the murder case trial and her sister Sabrina’s fight for justice. Rani Mukherjee as Meera Gaity, a news reporter, whereas Vidya Balan plays Jessica’s sister Sabrina.


Court Scene of Jolly LLB (2013)

Jolly LLB (2013) is a realistic film.  It comments on corruption and exploitative behavior of the rich as lawyer Jagdish (Arshad) fights a case for six innocent wage earners. The monopolistic behavior of the rich and judicial corruption are being focused throughout the film. Its sequel is also equally appreciating.


Court Scene of Pink 2016
Pink 2016 a fantastic film in court proceedings. Amitabh Bachchan played a strong and dominating role as a lawyer who criticizes about the stereotypes about girls and the term and conditions which only applicable (so-called) to girls. Pink is not just a movie, about the attempt to murder case, it questions about the thinking of society and how we judge people and women by looks, actions, and lifestyle. With his every delivery of dialogue, Amitabh takes this Courtroom Drama to its next level of success. 




Saturday, 12 September 2020

This Iconic Song was Picturised on Music Director Jaikishan


All the fans of Music Director Shankar Jaikishan and Indian film enthusiasts would be surprised to note that the haunting melody ‘Ae Pyase Dil Bezubaan’ from the film Begunah, sung by the great Mukesh was picturized on Jaikishan. In the song sequence, Jaikishan is playing the piano and also singing.
 This film was released on 8 March 1957 but The film was banned 10 days after its release because it was a plagiarized version of the American film Knock on Wood (1954, starring Danny Kaye, Mai Zetterling). The producers of the film filed a copyright lawsuit in India. They won the case and the judge ordered all prints of Begunah to be destroyed. However, the songs especially Mukesh number "Aye Pyase Dil Bezuban" became quite popular 

There is a story behind this song was that once Mukesh was in need of money and approached Shankar for a song That time Shankar was in the process of composing the tune for the film Gunah. The hero of the film was Kishore Kumar so there was no scope for Mukesh to sing in that film. Music Director Shankar assured Mukesh that he will give him a song in this film. Shankar got his collaborator and friend, the renowned lyricist Shailendra, to write the lyrics and called the film’s producer Mahipatray Shah to tell that the song, which would be sung by Mukesh, would be picturized on Jaikishan. The idea startled Shah, who feared that the song had no relation to the film. But in the late 1950s, Shanker-Jaikishan practically ruled the Indian film music world and Shanker’s word was final,” 
The song was the highlight of that film and Sheila Vaz’s dancing was another major highlight of the song.
Sheila Vaz was a popular dancer in Hindi films from 1953 – 1960. Some of her important films included Shree 420 (1955), where she danced memorably not just to Ramaiya Vastavaiya but also to Dil Ka Haal Sune DilwalaCID (1956), Johnny Walker (1957), Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Mr X (1957), Solva Saal (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) and Bahana (1960).


Wednesday, 9 September 2020

25 Years of Rangeela

 


Rangeela released on September 8, 1995, was A. R. Rahman's debut Hindi film with an original score and soundtrack, The film was a major box office success and received critical acclaim. Rangeela is considered to be a cult classic in the history of Bollywood. 

Aamir Khan gave a brilliant performance in the film but eluded from the Filmfare's Best Actor Award. After that, he decided not to take any award and attend any award function. He played an unusual character of a Mumbaiya Tapori in the early stages of his career and that proved to be the milestone for him. Urmila Matondkar in the film became the talk of the town as it re-invented the image of the Bollywood Heroine.


The story evolves around Munna (Aamir Khan) & Milli (Urmila). Aamir is a tenant who lives in the same apartment as Milli, he is a street thug who makes a living by selling cinema tickets in black. In the turn of events, Milli ends up with a role in a big Bollywood movie, and the world around her changes. The hero of her film Jackie Shroff falls in love with her. Munna once her best friend, is in love with her but because this new turn in her life gets ignored. Feeling inferior, Munna decides to leave Mili to Raj. In the end, misunderstandings get cleared up and the lovers unite.



Rangeela is a great musical Hindi movie. The soundtrack featured 7 songs, all the songs were popular. The soundtrack fetched Rahman two Filmfare awards, Filmfare Best Music Director Award and Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent

Rangeela remains RGV's only successful light-hearted film that consisted of romance, music, and comedy. After that he shifted his focus to thriller and gangster films. 


Rangeela Soundtrack
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Rangeela Re"Asha BhosleAditya Narayan5:25
2."Hai Rama"HariharanSwarnalatha5:14
3."Kya Kare Kya Na Kare"Udit Narayan5:42
4."Tanha Tanha Yahan Pe Jeena"Asha Bhosle5:36
5."Pyar Ye Jaane Kaisa"Kavita KrishnamurthySuresh Wadkar4:59
6."Yaaro Sun Lo Zara"Udit NarayanChitra5:53
7."Mangta Hai Kya"Shweta ShettyA. R. Rahman6:45
8."Spirit of Rangeela"(instrumental)3:02  


Song of Rangeela 1995

Song of Rangeela 1995
Song of Rangeela 1995

Song of Rangeela 1995

Song of Rangeela 1995















Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Asha Bhonsle- Awarded for a song that never picturized

 


You would be surprised to know that Asha Bhosle won her 6th Filmfare Best Singer award of 1974 for a playback song that did not figure in the movie at all? The song was in the Long Playing Record but was not in the film.

The song was 'Chein se hum ko kabhi aap ne jeene na diyaa' from the film 'Pran Jaye Per Vachan Na Jaye'  released in 1974.The song was composed by O P Nayyar.It was the last song of Asha Bhonsle for O P Nayyar.After this song they parted away. Asha  Bhosle did not turn up to pick up the award, which was, ironically, received by OP Nayyar. 

The story behind the song was that this song was recorded after the completion of the shooting of the film. The song was to be added in the last moment but the producer had already sent the film to the censor board and before the song to be picturized, the film got the censor certificate.

The song was written by S H Bihari.lyrics are full of emotions and Ashadidiji sang this song from the depth of her heart and she made the song superb.


Asha Bhosle(born 8 September 1933) has won seven Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards of 18 nominations. After receiving the award in 1979, Bhosle emulated her elder sister and requested that her name not be considered for the nominations hereafter. Despite this, Bhosle is the most frequent winner of this award to date, tying with Alka Yagnik. She was later given a Special Award for Rangeela in 1996, and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001.