Golden Era of Bollywood

Sunday 12 February 2017

Remembering PRAN -Villain of the Millennium' on his 97th Birth Anniversary

Pran Krishan Sikand.popularly known as Pran was born on 12th Feb 1920 in Ballimaran, Kotgarh Old Delhi.He was one of the seven children.He started his career as as an apprentice with A. Das & Co., Delhi as to become a professional photographer.
He got his first role in Dalsukh M. Pancholi's Punjabi film Yamla Jat (1940) because of an accidental meeting with writer Wali Mohammad Wali at a shop in Lahore.This was followed by small roles in the film Chaudhary and Khajanchi, both in 1941. Pancholi cast him again in Khandaan (1942), which was Pran's first Hindi film. It featured him as romantic hero, opposite Noor Jehan, who had acted with him in Yamla Jat as a child artist.
Due to India's partition in 1947, his career had a brief break.Although Pran had acted in 22 films from 1942 to 1946 in Lahore; 18 were released by 1947 but he had to wait For a year, he looked for acting opportunities while doing other jobs. He worked in Delmar Hotel, Marine Drive for eight months, after which he got a chance to act in 1948.

He got a role in the Bombay Talkies' film, Ziddi which starred Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal in the lead and was directed by Shaheed Latif. The movie launched Pran's career in Bombay. Incidentally, it proved to be Dev Anand's big break as a hero.The film was a great hit which established the career of many,Dev Anand became a star with this film similarly Pran too became star with this film. Within a week of Ziddi's success, he had signed three more films — S M Yusuf's Grihasti (1948), which became a diamond jubilee hit, Prabhat Films's Apradhi (1949) and Wali Mohammad's Putli (1949). By then, Wali Mohammad, who was responsible for Pran's first role, had come to Bombay and became a producer, setting up an office at Famous Studios, near Mahalaxmi Racecourse.
As a villain, Pran's initial successful films were Ziddi and Bari Behan (1949). Pran's trademark blowing of smoke rings first appeared in the latter film. He was regularly offered the role of the main villain or of negative character in films with Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor as the lead hero in the 1950s and 60s. From the 1950s directors like M. V. Raman, Nanabhai Bhatt, Kalidas, Ravindra Dave, I. S. Johar, Bimal Roy repeatedly cast him. Similarly in the 1960s, he was frequent in the directorial ventures of A. Bhim Singh, Shakti Samanta, Bhappi Sonie, K. Amarnath, Nasir Hussain and others.

It was Manoj Kumar who changed his image from Negative characters to Character actor with Upkar as Malang Chacha, a veteran war hero, in Manoj Kumar's film Upkar (1967). The Kalyanji Anandji song "Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafaa" was picturised on him. In this film, Pran played a more sympathetic role. He received his first Filmfare Award for Upkar. Kumar continued to cast him in pivotal roles in films such as Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Be-Imaan (1972), Sanyasi (1975) and Dus Numbri (1976).
In the 1970s, new younger directors and producers cast him in their films even though Pran asked for the highest price among supporting actors from 1968 to 1982
Pran and Ashok Kumar were very close friends in professional and real life. They acted in 27 films together in 1951–1987 starting with Afsana (1951). Their other films include Mr. X (1957), Adhikar (1971), Victoria No. 203 (1972), Chori Mera Kaam (1975) and Raja Aur Rana (1984). Sung by Kishore Kumar, the songs "Hum Bolega To Bologe Ke Bolta Hai" from Kasauti (1974), "Micheal Daru Pita Hai" from Majboor (1974), picturised on Pran, were very popular.
Pran had a six-decade career in Hindi cinema and is one of the most celebrated actors of the industry.r He appeared in over 350 films. He played the leading man in work like Khandaan (1942), Pilpili Saheb (1954) and Halaku (1956). His roles in the films like Madhumati (1958), Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Upkar (1967), Shaheed (1965), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Ram Aur Shyam(1967), Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Victoria No. 203 (1972), Be-Imaan (1972), Zanjeer (1973), Don (1978), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Duniya (1984) are considered to be among his best performances.

His acting is said to have been effective enough to desist people naming their children 'Pran' because of his negative roles, His favourite line "Barkhurdaar" became immensely popular.He was also known for trademark blowing of smoke rings.
At the age of 78, Pran suffered a heart attack in 1998,after which he started rejecting film offers due to age-related problems.
Pran has received many awards and honours in his career. He won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award in 1967, 1969 and 1972 and was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. He was awarded as the 'Villain of the Millennium' by Stardust in 2000.The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 2001 for his contributions to the arts. He was honoured in 2013 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India.
.He died on 12 July 2013 at the age of 93 of pneumonia after suffering from a prolonged illness in Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital
As a Tribute to this Greatest Villain and Character artist of Bollywood I am presenting some of the songs he acted in Hindi films

Song from Khandaan 1942 (Audio only)

Song from Pilpili Saheb (1954) (Audio only)

Song from Jis Desh Mein Ganga Bahti Hai 1961

Song from Half Ticket 1962

Song from Nanha Farishta 1969

Song from Upkar 1967

Song from Adhikar 1971

Song from Victoria No 203 (1972)

Song from Dharma 1973

Song from Zanzeer 1973

Song from Majboor 1974

Song from Kasauti 1974

Song from Karz 1980

Tuesday 7 February 2017

50 years of UPKAR-The birth of Mr Bharat

Upkar is a 1967 Indian Hindi film directed by Manoj Kumar.It was released on 1st Jan 1967.The film held the top spot at the box-office in 1967. Manoj Kumar started his Mr. Bharat persona and his brand of patriotism & fearless courage with this film.
It was the Late Prime Minister Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri ji who praised Manoj Kumar for his earlier film Shaheed and enthused Manoj Kumar to make a film on the Jai Jawaan Jai Kissan slogan.
The film story moves around a widow mother (Played by Kamini Kaushal) having 2 sons Bharat (Manoj Kumar) and Puran (Prem Chopra). While she would like to educate her sons, and ensure that they lead good lives, she cannot do so on her own, and must sacrifice the career of one son so that the second can achieve this goal. For this purpose, Bharat willingly sacrifices his life, toils hard so that Puran can get a decent education, which he does, excels in his studies, and also goes abroad. But Puran on returning back didn't fulfilled the dreams of his mother and brother.He became cruel, self-serving man who now calls himself Kumar (also Prem Chopra), and whose one goal is to usurp and divide the family property, so that he can continue to live a comfortable life.

The story moves further with the 1965 Indo Pak War . Bharat is off to the war; while his selfish brother, with the help of his greedy uncle, Charandas(Madan Puri) and some partners, tries to gain profit by selling drugs and blackmarketering in the market. In the end, Bharat returns as a war hero defeating the demon designs of the enemy and his brother repents as he is caught by the police (by the brother-in-law of Bharat). Hence, he vows to be a good & hardworking brother just like his Indo-Pak war veteran brother Bharat.

The highlight of the film was Pran,who played his first positive character role. Pran has performed the role of the handicapped, carefree and outspoken Malang Chacha so well that you can never forget him after watching this movie. The song - Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa has been picturized on him only.For this role he was given many awards. The film also won several major awards.The music was given by Kalyanji Anandji which was super hit,The song Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle is immortal,other songs like Kasme Vaade Pyaar Wafa and Deewanon Se Ye Mat Poocho were hit.
This film still appeals and should not be missed by the people interested in watching golden oldies. It has a great repeat value and the first time watcher will definitely like to watch it again.
The movie was super hit of 1967,it earned 3.5 crores that time.

Sunday 5 February 2017

Relax & Enjoy your SUNDAY with These BOLLYWOOD FUN SONGS

Sunday,A day to refuel your soul and be greatful for your blessings.Take a deep breath and relax.Enjoy your family,your friends,a cup of coffee with these 7 Bollywood FUN Songs
Part-8 5-2-2017
Mein Banoongee Filmstar by Shamshad Begum
A rare song from the film ,Ajeeb Ladki released in 1952 with Naseem and Rehman .the music director Ghulam Mohammad and Lyricist was Shakeel Badayuni.Only Audio is available.

Song from Chhalia 1960

Song from Humjoli 1970

Song from Aap Ke Deewane 1980

Songs from Appu Raja 1990

Songs from Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain 2000

Songs from Befikre 2016

Saturday 4 February 2017

BHAGWAN DADA-Remembering The Legend And The Pioneer on 15th Death Anniversary

Bhagwan Abhaji Palav popularly known as Bhagwan Dada was born on 1st Aug 1913 and died on 4th February 2002 was a popular comedian of bollywood of the Golden Era.He is best known for his social film Albela (1951) and the song "Shola Jo Bhadke".A veteran actor of about 600 films in the course of more than five decades,
He was a wide-eyed admirer of the silent cinema and worshipped Master Vithal who was the star of the day. He used to dream of emulating his stunt and fight scenes.
He started his Film Career in the Silent Film Era, in 1930, he got a break. Producer Siraj Ali Hakim gave him a comedian’s role in the silent film "Bewafa Aashiq," based on "The Hunchback of Notre Dame". The film was a hit, but he was without offers for eight months because it was believed that he was really a hunchback!
In 1934 he made his first talkie "Himmat-e-Mardan". After that he joined another company and directed a film called "Bahadur Kisan", with Hansa Wadkar as the heroine. The movie again was a big hit. During the shooting of the film, he had taken a lanky young man, Chitilkar Ramachandra, as his assistant. He gave him a break as a music director in the three. Tamil films he directed in Madras. He used to call him Anna and there began their long association during which C. Ramachandra, out of gratitude, gave him Hindi film industry’s all-time favourite songs for "Albela," including one of the loveliest loris Dhire se aaja ri, ankhiyan mein....

He produced many films after ALBELA but most of his films flopped, His film "Sahme Hue Sapney" didn’t survive beyond the first show. Then he suffered a heavy loss while making "Hanste Rehna" with Kishore Kumar. He had invested his own money, pawned his wife’s jewellery and withdrawn all his life’s savings. But halfway through, Kishore started dilly-dallying and "behaving crazily" and the project had to be shelved.

His sea-facing Juhu bungalow with 25 rooms along with his fleet of seven cars (one for each day of the week) had to be sold. The family moved to a two-room set in a chawl at Dadar. In his last days, he was being looked after by his unmarried daughter and the family of his youngest son, who is a sound recordist.

Song from Albela 1951

Song from Badlaa 1974

Comedy Clip from Mein Bhi Ek Ladki Hoon 1964

Song from Marathi Film

Friday 3 February 2017

WAHEEDA REHMAN-The Versatile Actress

Remembering WAHEEDA REHMAN on her 79th Birthday today as a versatile actress of Golden Era of Hindi Cinema.She was born on 3rd Feb 1938 into a Muslim family in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
Her father was a district commissioner who died in 1948 when Waheeda was only 10 years old.Her dream was to become a doctor but, due to circumstances of illness of her mother, she abandoned this goal. Instead helped by her supportive parents, she hit the silver screen with Telugu films Rojulu Marayi (1955), followed by Jayasimha (1955) and Tamil film Kaalam Maari Pochu (1956).

In the success party of Rojulu Maaraayi, Guru Dutt noticed her and decided to groom her and have her act in Hindi films. Waheeda considered Guru Dutt as her mentor. Dutt brought her to Bombay and cast as a vamp in his production CID (1956), directed by Raj Khosla.. After the success of C.I.D., Dutt gave her a leading role in Pyaasa (1957). Their next venture together was Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959),
Waheeda's successful films are Pyaasa (1957), 12 O'Clock (1958), Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1961). Her other notable works include Solva Saal (1958), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962), Kohra (1964), Bees Sal Baad (1962), Guide (1965), Teesri Kasam, Mujhe Jeene Do (1966), Neel Kamal and Khamoshi (1969).

Waheeda Rehman established a great working relationship with Dev Anand, and together as a pair had number of successful films to their credit. The box office hits of the pair include CID (1956), Solva Saal (1958), Kala Bazar (1960), Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962) and Guide (1965); box office duds were Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1961) and Prem Pujari (1970).
Besides Dev Anand she delivered hits opposite Dilip Kumar in three successive years; Dil Diyaa Dard Liyaa in 1966, Ram Aur Shyam in 1967 and Aadmi in 1968.

She reached her peak with Guide (1965) and was much in demand.Her career continued throughout the 1970s, and 1980s. She won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her roles in Guide (1965), and Neel Kamal (1968), but despite excellent offbeat roles in subsequent films, including a National Award winning performance in Reshma Aur Shera (1971), some of the films failed at the box office. Seeing her films being successful, Waheeda decided to experiment with roles at this stage of career. She accepted Reshma Aur Shera, opposite her old co-star Sunil Dutt, with whom she had previously in the sixties had hits like Ek Phool Char Kaante, Mujhe Jeene Do, Meri Bhabhi and Darpan.
She played pivotal roles Kabhi Kabhie (1976),Trishul (1978), Jwalamukhi (1980), Namkeen and Namak Halaal (1982),Mashaal (1984), Chandni(1989), Rang De Basanti(2006). She played the central character in the Mahesh Bhatt directed film Swayam that starred Akash Khurana and Anupam Kher.
After her marriage to Shashi Rekhi (screen name Kamaljeet whom she paired in 1964 film Shagoon )on 27 April 1974, she shifted to a farmhouse in Bangalore. She has two children named Sohail and Kashvi, who are writers. On 21 November 2000, her husband died following a prolonged illness. She moved back to her ocean view bungalow in Bandra, Mumbai where she currently lives.
In recent years she made a comeback playing elderly mother and grandmother roles in Om Jai Jagadish (2002), Water (2005) and Rang De Basanti (2006), 15, Park Avenue , Delhi 6 (2009),Love in Bombay (2013) and Vishwarupam (2015) which were all critically acclaimed.
She has received a Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality, a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, a National Film Award for Best Actress and two Filmfare Awards for Best Actress.