Saturday, 25 November 2023

Navjeevan Films

Navjeevan Films 
Producer Tony & Tito.
(Ramanjeet and Khushaljeet Singh Juneja)
Does this ring a bell ?
The banner was launched in 1974 and the first film was Do Anjaane which released on 26th November 1976.
As Do Anjaane was completed they announced Ram Balram which however was delayed and released only on 28th November 1980.
(Today 41 years)
Infact due to the delay in
Ram Balram in between they shot a quickie Mr Natwarlal in 1978-79.

DO ANJAANE:
The first half of the movie deals with, Amitabh, enacting a simple , but not a stupid guy, who loves his wife, and son, Rekha, unhappy with their social and financial low status, Prem Chopra, a slimy guy, who knows how to take advantage of the situation, and finally, going to the gruesome extent, by pushing somewhat drunk, yet outspoken hero, out of the running train !
in the second part, which is more or less, seems cliched, and loses it's tempo, while explaining all the happenings, in between the wife becoming an upcoming heroine, much in demand , and the hero, who has survived the tragedy, living with his newly found, rich and kind, loving, parents ! The son is tucked away in a Boarding School, as obviously, the glamorous lady has no time for his upbringing ! Enter Amitabh (PART 2), and Rekha starts sweating under her heavy make-up, and sequined dresses, frightened at the striking similarity, between this rich, handsome, polished gentleman, who wishes to produce a film, with no one else, but her in the leading role ! And lo !The story matches so much with her own past ! Now this is a real panic situation . The villain is also suspicious, but has no clue. momentarily convinced, after phoning the hero's father, they try to take things for granted. Amitabh also visits his son in the school, and there is that adorable song, Luk Chup, which makes the son realise, and even the kind Principal, that indeed , this is the long lost father ! Things end happily after all, with some turmoil, fighting, and Rekha realizing what she had missed. Amitabh , Rekha and Prem Chopra, are perfectly cast in their respective roles. Utpal Dutt is as usual, most natural, and helps to lighten the mood of the movie, otherwise heavy, with anticipation, and Rekha's agony. Especially, his efforts at pronouncing the difficult Hindi words, gives a different touch to his personality. But it is Amitabh, who steals the show. One of his memorable performances, he has superbly underplayed, not giving in to the temptation of being melodramatic !  Yet, I have rated this movie on 6 out of ten, because, it doesn't convince on the situations, where the hero boldly encounters his wife, with gifts, ideas, and reminders, when she can easily find out , who the hell he is ! Forget the flaws, and enjoy the movie, not too bad by Indian cinema standards !
Do Anjaane was a film for the multiplexes. Not for the front benchers. 

RAM BALRAM
As mentioned very delayed film
The third pairing of Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan (After Chupke Chupke and Sholay).
The story by Vijay Anand who directed and edited the film goes like this
Jagatpal (Ajit) causes a misunderstanding between two brothers who he claims as relatives (but obviously not). While they were arguing, he shoots both of them from the window, and frames them for murdering each other. Meanwhile he tries to molest and kill Ram's mother Saraswati who also raises her brother in-law's son Balram as her own (supposedly, but she survives and pops up at the end somehow). Jagatpal forcefully raises Ram to be a thief, and Balram to be educated without the accompaniment of his brother/cousin. He does this with sharp-pointy objects on the ends of his crutches...if they don't listen he threatens to stab them.
Ram (Dharmendra grows up to be a Mechanic who also is a Robinhood Charecter ) and makes Jagatpal rich.
Balram ( Amitabh Bachchan) is made into a Police Inspector..(Ek Chor Ek Sipahi) to see that Ram gets away always.
The first half of the movie (excluding the evilness of their evil uncle) was pretty entertaining ~ Dharmendra and Amitabh are first shown together and then shown in different scenes separately to show the differences and similarities in their life. Balram falls in love with Shoba (Rekha -Who was signed again after Do Anjaane) and Ram falls in love with Madhu (Zeenat Aman). The part where they display their own girls to each other is pretty amusing.

Part two is the Revenge angle
Ram and Balram continue to acquire wealth, by hook or by crook, for their uncle. In so doing, Bholuram incurs the wrath of Chandan Singh (Prem Chopra) and Suleiman Seth (Amjad Khan) and finally the thrilling climax on a ship.
The topic of 2 brothers on opposite sides of law became a common feature of Amitabh's movies like Deewar Parvarish and Suhaag .But none of them were so cool and celebrated about it as this movie.Here there is no friction between the brothers as the opposite side of law is deliberately enacted.
The film was a hit and so was the music with catchy songs 'Ek rasta...do raahi', 'Yaar ki khabar mil gayi..gayi', 'Ladki pasand ki mushkil se milti hai' and 'Balram ne bahut samjaaya

The film was released just a week ahead of Shaan bit that did not deter it's business and prospects.

This was the story of Navjeewan Films and it's two releases of November.

Tuesday, 14 November 2023

Chailla Babu : Rajesh Khanna Reloaded

Chailla Babu released in 1977 was a runaway hit. It starred Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman in the lead. This action suspense movie must be watched carefully else one would lose track. The movie has good music by Laxmikant Pyarelal and some numbers were very popular then and still are. Rajesh Khanna is good in the movie and is in various characters all rolled into one. He looks great in action scenes also. Zeenat Aman looks awesome as always and performs well. This is a revenge drama told in a different style but as suggested if one is not careful - he would not understand. It is of course a must watch for Rajesh Khanna fans as he shows his skills in all - action, comedy, romance and drama.. Bruce Lee movie Enter The Dragon theme music "The Big Battle" by Lalo Schifrin is used during some of Rajesh Khanna's action scene's, as also the climax was a mirror image of the climax of enter the dragon. Who is Chailla and what is he after? Enjoy watching this crime thriller unfold. Film was a much needed hit for Rajesh Khanna whose films were not doing well then. The unexpected success of the film gave a boost to the careers of both Khanna and Zeenat.
Joy Mukherjee was the director and his only hit.
The movie maintains the slickness and pace required for a thriller.
Songs are hits like Main Babu Chailla, Yaar Dildar Tujhe, Chailla Mera Chailla, Humko nikalogi ghar se, 
The suspense doesn't startle one , but is well executed. Photography by Nariman Irani is eye Candy. writer Kader Khan has a great voice over for Scorpion , in fact when I first saw the movie in a rerun in 1980 I thought he would be the undercover Scorpion ( No more spoilers ).

Thursday, 9 November 2023

Aankh Micholi

New Film Review
Aankh Micholi
The film was released with minimum publicity and went to see it with minimum expectations firstly for the director Umesh Shukla who gave us O My God , Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge and 102 Not out.
Secondly for Paresh Rawal.
Honestly came out with a smile.
The film introduces us to the Singh family from Hoshiarpur, Punjab, a quirky bunch with a penchant for peculiar medical conditions. We've got the forgetful Ayurvedic Doctor, Navjot Singh (Paresh Rawal), his deaf elder son, Yuvraj Singh (Sharman Joshi), the stammering second son, Harbhajan Singh (Abhishek Banerjee), 
(The names adapted from Cricket stars for a story having no relation to the game )
and the daughter, Paro (Mrunal Thakur), who is suffering from night blindness.
It's all in the family..
Yuvraj is married to Billo ( Divya Dutta ) who was not aware of his deafness. 
Now the father is looking for a match for Paro lead to the introduction of Rohit Patel (Abhimanyu Dasani), a potential groom with his own secret. 
( Whom Paro had met in Switzerland but unknown to her) The ensuing comedy of errors is the heart of the film, where secrets continue to pile up and complications rise with Bhatti 
(who also wanted to marry Billo and wants his daughter to link up with Rohit ).
The climax is a bit far fetched but keeps the light moments intact.
All the actors have done their part and Paresh Rawal stands out. Mrunal and Abhimanyu are competent but somehow can't create an attachment.
The film's attempt to rekindle the charm of clean comedies falls a bit short but It does pay homage to the golden era of Bollywood comedies, one can't help remembering the Priyadarshan and David Dhawan comedies.
If you're a fan of slapstick comedies and are willing to overlook its shortcomings, then I would recommend a one time see .
The give it *** Three Stars


Sunday, 15 October 2023

50 Years of Active Practice!! A Landmark

Landmarks are there to be made.
Today I witnessed a unique Landmark.. (there may be Many more similar cases but Unique for our Family).
My Uncle (Kaka) Shripad Narayanrao Dhanagare, Advocate High Court Nagpur completed 50 years of Active Practice.
The third and youngest son of eminent Lawyer Adv.N.R.Dhanagare , was the only sibling who took up his profession in Law.
He joined Law College Nagpur in 1970 after completing his  BA in Amravati and Passed out as an Advocate in September 1973.
He started Practice on the auspicious day of Navratra Ghatasthapana on 27th September 1973 at Washim ( Then Akola District)
Initially he assisted his father (my grandfather) for a year or so. The motto of both was the same ..to help the needy and downtrodden bylarge.
But 1975 was a turning point as Emergency and MISA were declared and my Grandfather was arrested being an active member of the RSS.
Suddenly all responsibility fell on Shripad Kaka, to manage the cases and also to manage the family.
He ably managed the same and it was indeed a case of Baptism by fire.
Emergency was lifted in 1977 and same year in November he married Shyama (my Kaku). Since then she has been his biggest support and  almost a backbone..more so after my grandparents passed away. He had self belief and followed the golden rule that "You can’t survive on the reputation of your father.  You have to make one for yourself "
After serving in Washim for 20 years..he took the call of shifting to Nagpur where he took up the challange in High Court. Being an idealist, intellectually inclined, he tried to visualize all the professional challenges that lay ahead and took the step
That was in 1993.
Since then he has been practicing successfully in Nagpur. 
The journey over the last half century has been incredible for him. So satisfying and constructive.  He got an opportunity to handle all types of cases , including Corporate Legal consulting.
He has two daughters Renuka Dhanagare-Bhadang and Devika Dhanagare-Saodekar .
Both married and well settled but that also left Kaka and Kaku alone at Nagpur.
(That's a Universal truth ).
And now today he completes 50 years of Active Practice. The last few years being a bit testing due to health reasons.
Our family and I wish him and Kaku All the best for the future

Tuesday, 10 October 2023

Tribute to Kishore Kumar on his 94th Birth Anniversary : Published on Movie Speak on 4th August 2023

Today is the 94th
Birth Anniversary of Kishore Kumar.

Singer, actor, lyricist, Music composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter, Kishore Kumar born and named Aabhas Kumar Ganguly (4 August 1929 – 13 October 1987) was/is one of the crowning Jewels of the Indian Film Industry. Winner of 8 Filmfare Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, he holds the record for most number of Filmfare Awards won for that category. He remains immortal .. a born genius who is with us with his melodies for ever.
In his career spanning 41 years (1946 to 1987) He sang over 2500 songs.

Let's Play a A to Z of Kishore Kumar Songs..
Iam sure we will find songs from almost every alphabet.

A: Aa Chal Ke Tujhe main Leke 

B: Babu Samjho Ishaare Horn 

C: Chalte Chalte Mere Ye Geet

D: Dil Kya Kare Jab Kisi Ko

E : Eena Meena Deeka / Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si

F : Foolon Ke Rang Se
( I know it's a Ph but couldn't find one with F)

G: Gaadi Bula Rahi hai

H: Hamen Tumse Pyaar Kitna

I : Inteha Ho gayi Intezaar Ki

J: Jahan Teri Yeh Nazar Hain

K: Koi Hamdam Na Raha Koi Sahara

L: Le Jayenge Le Jayenge 

M : Musafir Hoon Yaaron

N: Nafrat Karne Waalon Ke 

O: O Mere Dil Ke Chain.

P: Pyaar Maanga Hain Tumhi Se

Q : Qasam Khao Tum Ek Baar 

R: Ruk Jaana Nahin Tu Kahin Haar 

S: Sama Hain Suhana Suhana 

T: Tum Bin Jaoon Kahan

U: Uparwale Tera Jawab Nehin

V : Vaada Karo Jaanam / Vaada Karo Nahin Chhodoge 

W : Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thee
 
X : No song ?

Y : Ye Jawani Hai Deewani / Yeh jeewan Hain Iss Jeewan Ka

Z : Zaroorat Hai Zaroorat Hai

Make your own list..
These are top of mind selections.

Hope you like this novel Idea.
Couldn't find a song with X and F.

Saturday, 23 September 2023

Amjad Khan: Memories and Tributes

Today is the 31st Death Anniversary of Amjad Khan.
Another brilliant actor lost early.
He was not even 52 when he passed in 1992.
Son of actor Jayant ( Zakaria Khan)
Amjad started as a child actor in films like Ab Dilli Door Nahin.
His first adult appearance being as a Pakistani Pilot in Chetan Anands Hindustan Ki Kasam.
However his passport to fame was his immortal role as Gabbar Singh in SHOLAY.
Infact he was almost an unknown face in the caravan of stars when the film started substituting Danny
But he carved a niche for himself and Gabbar remains his most memorable role.
Sholay was followed by Charas 
where he played the Sauve Robert.
Amjad suffered a serious accident in 1976. The drugs administered to him caused a lifelong weight issue for the actor.But he was an actor who was blessed with the kind of talent which could tide over the most threatening circumstances and overcome.
He became so popular in demand that he did ,11 movies in 1977.
Which include three Super hits 
Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, Parvarish and Inkaar.
He also acted in Satyajit Ray's 
Shatranj Ke Khiladi written by Munshi Premchand as a Nawab whose kingdom was under siege from the British colonial rulers.
Khan’s incomparable diction, which he meticulously practiced, mannerisms and adaptation got him many roles as the villain. However he did get different roles ( Comic and Emotional both ) which helped him to be versatile.
His comic touch was so evident in films like Qurbani and Love story.
He even played characters which were stronger and more popular than the heroes of films, especially films like Dada, Commander and Pyaara Dushman. 
He had a successful pairing with Amitabh Bachchan with whom he did 18 films almost all of them being hits.
Amjad Khan was one actor who could switch on to play nine different characters in nine different films shot in just one day. 
He was only interested in giving the people the kind of enlightening entertainment of which he was an expert par excellence.
He never went after awards and recognition and won just three Filmfare awards for Dada, Yaarana and Maa kasam where as he had done many better roles earlier.
He briefly ventured into direction too
This first Adhura Aadmi was completed but not released and he produced and directed a couple of movies — Chor Police (1983) and Ameer Aadmi Gareeb Aadmi (1985).
Both films were mauled by the censor board for flimsy reasons and that affected their continuity and presentation.
Amjad Khan was a very bitter man after both his films flopped at the box -office and was never the same man again. 
To add to his woes a film he planned with Amitabh Bachchan
Lambai Chaudai was shelved due to Amitabh Bachchan's sudden Hietus.
The last role he played was that of an old Maharaja lying on his death bed in an art film called Rudaali.
(Some delayed films however released after his death like Soutela Bhai, Aatank and Do Funtoosh where his brother Imtiaz dubbed for him).
He came, He conquered and He left.
Will miss him and his unique mannerisms always..like
'Hello Hello ji "in Chor Police
'Ludka Ludki" in Love Story
' I Like it ' in Qurbani &
Many more
Above all his dialogues from Sholay remain etched in our hearts for ever.

Please do add any anecdotes and Trivia.

Bibliography: Remembering Amjad Khan by Ali Peter John.

Friday, 28 July 2023

The Bond of Two Brothers.


Today is the Birth Anniversary of my elder uncle Anna (Kaka or Chacha), Born 1934 he was a couple of years older than my father whose birth anniversary fell just two weeks back on 15th July.
Both the brothers shared a great bond ..Dad ( Bhau as he was called by his siblings) used to share their stories of School days and beyond but the true gelling began when they were both together in Nagpur for their Graduation and Post Graduation. They lived together and shared almost everything.. Anna was a sickler for English, in fact he is largely responsible for the proficiency in English that Daddy had mastered (and subsequently me too).
Anna developed in Daddy the habit of reading and reading aloud. He encouraged him to start writing too. They shared a lot of time together, right from cooking, going out and also seeing movies. (Movies were something imbibed genetically as my Grandmother was also fond of films and all the genes passed on to me ).
They got married on the same day in July just 3 mins apart ( in short they could not attend each other's marriage persay).
There were both the rare breeds having their Birthdays and Anniversaries in the same month ( Mom's Birthday added to the list )
The story of my father's marriage is a different chapter all together.
They were pretty inseparable, but while Anna settled in Amravati, Daddy moved on to Agra, USA, later Kanpur, England and finally Pune.
Always in touch very constructively argumentative with each other they were still very close.
They faced a lot of ups and downs individually but came up triumphed most of the time.
I was also ironically closely associated with Anna as for my Graduation I was in Amravati and he was my Local Guardian. He has his own way of getting things done and inspiring people.
He believed that if anyone is challenged that person has a higher probability of succeeding. His ways may have been sarcastic but he always meant the best.
His support to me during my courtship with my future wife (who was incidentally his best friend's daughter ) was invaluable.
Time waits for no one and in 2004 my Aunt ( Kaku) left us for her heavenly abode and just 4 years later my mother joined her (both after acute illness and testing Times for Anna and Dad).
Anna crossed 80 and used to not keep well.. after fighting it out he breathed his last in 2016 just a couple of months before his grand niece and my daughter was to get married. 
I remember Dad was broken after that.. he has lost the second closest person to him after my mother. It was as if he lived to see Sneha get married and a year later he also succumbed to his suddenly developed cardiac and nephro illness. Possibly now together in their heavenly abode.
July makes me emotional..
The bond they shared is something rare..
So they were born two years apart , Stayed together till they married minutes apart and finally passed a year apart.
There is so much to share possibly some other time.
अण्णा भाऊ तुम्ही नक्की एकत्र आहत 🙏🏻

Sunday, 23 July 2023

HUM HAIN RAAHI PYAAR KE

हम है राही प्यार के हम से कुछ न बोलिए
Sang Dev Anand in Nau Do Gyarah..(1957)
The song was used in Dil Hain Ki Maanta Nahin (1991) playing in the background as Aamir Khan's car is being repaired and Aamir has a playful dance with the runaway Pooja ( Bhatt). This was directed by Mahesh Bhatt..
Two years later this was released as a full film directed by Mahesh Bhatt with Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla
HUM HAIN RAHI PYAR KE COMPLETES 30 YEARS TODAY.
Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla were then considered as one of the most popular on-screen couples of the 90s. They were first seen together in the film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988). Their chemistry was loved by all, as they later went on to become one of the favourite on-screen pairs of several filmmakers as well.
They did 7 or 8 films together and I would rate this film as the best.
HHRPK is an innocent, fun film also having its strong emotional moments.
The story is simple; Aamir plays Rahul whose brother and sister-in-law die in a car accident. Besides the family business, he now has to look after his two nephews and a niece, who can be quite a handful. Juhi, on the other hand, is a Tamil girl ( Vaijayanti )whose strict father is forcing her into a marriage that she opposes (with a groom Natarajan who dances Bharatanatyam).
She runs off and ends up meeting the kids Aamir is looking after at a fair. They play tricks together and she ends up telling the kids her unfortunate situation; no place to go spend the night. The kids agree to let her stay over at their house, and Aamir discovers a new housemate the next morning..
The is a sub plot of Mushtaque Khan  (Aamir's Manager  Khan) "Humara full name BP Mishra hai. Hum Japan se training lekar aaya hoon", with his hilarious English. And also Dilip Tahil as Bijlani ( who wants to take over the company)and Navneet Nishan as Maya ( His daughter having a crush on Aamir).
Juhi and Aamir naturally have excellent chemistry , and comic timing and Juhi especially portrays her character very well - I believe she won her first Filmfare award for this one.
This review will be incomplete without a mention of the melodious  music of this movie. One of the best scores of Nadeem Shravan indeed. Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik have given elite singing performances. YUNHI KAT JAYEGA SAFAR  ,The song GHOONGHAT KI AAD SE - made Alka Yagnik a very common household name.  Sadhana Sargam got only one song in this movie - a sad song - WOH MERI NEEND MERA CHAIN MUJHE LAUTA DO, The TITLE song and CHIKNI SURAT are fun songs . For the fourth consecutive year, Nadeem Shravan were nominated for the Filmfare best music director Award for this movie but they lost out to Anu Malik for Baazigar.
Just writing about the film makes me want to rewatch it!

Thursday, 20 July 2023

Suchitra Sen..The Enchantress


The original Paro of Bimal Roy’s classic Devdas breathed her last today 9 years  ago. She was 82 years old…
Suchitra Sen, the first Bengali actress  to have garnered an international award at the Moscow Film Festival in 1962, breathed her last on January 17, 2014  in Kolkata. 
Known for her effortless charm and inimitable style, Sen made her movie debut with Shesh Kothaay in 1952, but the production was never released. In the next year she acted opposite Uttam Kumar in Nirmal Dey’s Sharey Chuattor. The film was a box-office hit and launched Uttam-Suchitra as a leading pair. The duo went on to become icons for Bengali dramas for more than two decades.
In 1955 Sen received the Best Actress Award for her portrayal of Paro in Bimal Roy’s classic Devdas. She went on to work in various Bengali and Hindi movies thereafter, but it was her role in Aandhi opposite Sanjeev Kumar that helped her bag a Filmfare Best Actress nomination.
Suchitra Sen combined understated sensuality, feminine charm and emotive force and a no-nonsense gravitas to carve out a persona that has never been matched, let alone surpassed in Indian cinema.
Who can forget Devdas, Aandhi, Bambai Ka Babu ..
Deewana Mastana Hua Dil..
Goosebumps!!
रहें न रहें हम महका करेंगे बन के कली
बन के सबा बाग-ए-वफा में
very true 
She was instrumental in coining the phrase of eternal Bengali Beauty..
Her legacy lives on in daughter Moon Moon Sen and Grand Daughters Raima and Ria.
Raima looks a split image of Suchitra Sen but the similarity ends there

Friday, 7 July 2023

NEEYAT A WHODUNNIT WITH A DIFFRENCE.

 

FIRST DAY REVIEW

NEEYAT

A NEAR PERFECT WHODUNNIT

When an exiled on the run multibillionaire Ashish Kapoor ( AK) ( Ram Kapoor guised on “The Kingfisher” ) hires a Mountaintop Scottish Castle /Mansion to host his birthday and mysteriously dies , all his family and friends are prime suspects, each with a motive to kill him. CBI Officer Mira Rao who has initially come to extradite him must use her skills and deductive acumen to solve the murder.

Neeyat is loosely taken the essence of “Knives Out” (2019)and Agatha Christie's "And then there were None "but is not a remake or copy. After an introductory bit slowish start it does picks up and changes to a racy plot with twists and turns

Everything matters that is going on and no sequence is wasted. There may be a few loopholes but I suppose they can be accepted .

Anu Menon who directed Shakuntala with Vidya Balan. The humour is something that always lands nicely without taking away anything from the moment. She knows what she is doing.

Vidya Blan is a class apart .The art of being a player, even from the background, is something that Vidya Balan knows too well. For an actor of her stature, underplaying herself doesn’t come easy to get and she does that so well. For some this might seem like a dull act, but it works so well in the situation. She is as clueless as the audience, so she is out eyes in this situation.

Ram Kapoor carries out his role without going over the top even after having many shades.

Rahul Bose plays his Character with a comic touch. In his party-hearty no-gooder act. Shashank Arora stands out as the junkie and troubled son of AK, and his dialogue timing is impeccable. Neeraj Kabi and Niki Walia also deserve mention. The other actors do their parts well.

It's a good attempt and the craftsmanship shows. Somehow it cant but help you be reminded of. Gumnaam (1965)

Cant add anything more at the risk of giving spoilers.

See It if you like

Whodunnits.

Wednesday, 5 July 2023

Sujata

Today woke up early and on Zee Classic got to see Sujata again..
The film is a classic and has been discussed but I just wanted to mention the music by Sachin Dev Burman.
The film starts with some melodious title music..(when heard properly one realises that it was an inspiration for 
Aap Ke Kamre Main Koi Rehta Hain..Trust Pancham to develop such a tune from a title music strip by his father.)
The melodious music, with S D Burman at his best. All time classics like  the  favourite lullaby by Geeta Dutt (Nanhi kali sone chali Hawa Dheere se Aana ), One piano song by Asha ji and Geeta ji (Tum jiyo hazaaron saal, which could also qualify as my favourite birthday song!) Filmed on Cukkoo and Shashikala with Nutan in the backy. The all time favourite telephone song by Talat Mahmood saab(Jalte hain jiske liye). Sublime indeed 
The monsoon song Kaali Ghata Chhai ( Asha Bhosle in a chirpy mood )..
Wah Bhai Wah by Rafi Saab
and the nostalgic Bachpan Ke Din Bhi kya din ( Asha Bhosle and Geeta Dutt) on Shashikala and Nutan .
The epic Sun Mere Bandhu Re by Dada Burman himself on the river..
The real beauty of this film is in the languid ease with which Bimal Roy tells this well-textured emotional tale. He cleverly represents how society treated the lower caste or then called untouchables without making the viewer feel as so he were having a history lesson or watching a documentary and he actually manages to show the film as Sujata's story in her perspective.
The music is totally interwoven with the script joining the film and creates the required aura.


Monday, 3 July 2023

The Original Heir Amit Kumar

Happy Birthday
Amit Kumar 
Born 3rd July 1952 turns 71 today.
The true heir of Kishore Kumar,but never imitated him. 
Amit Kumar is himself a talented and melodious singer with a style of his own who has sung many popular songs. However, some people believe that he has not been able to fulfil his full potential. There are a few reasons for this.
Amit Kumar was and had always been overshadowed by his father ,Kishore Kumar who was a larger-than-life personality and a hugely  maverick singer. Amit Kumar was always compared to his father , but he as far as possible never imitated him. 

Second, Amit Kumar has never been as prolific as his father . Kishore Kumar recorded hundreds of songs, while Amit Kumar has recorded a fraction of that number. This is partly due to Amit Kumar's own choice. He has always been more interested in singing for the love of it, rather than for commercial success.
Again it’s a classic case of a tree not growing under the shadow of a taller tree.

There are so many Kishore Kumar clones or imitators but Amit Kumar preferred to stay away from that group and maintained his own unique identity. Kishore Kumar had the depth deepest baritone. Amit's voice is not that deep-throated.
The choice of songs Amit Kumar sings on stage and picks for his own private albums suggests that out of the two diverse aspects of his father's repertoire — being as sad in emotional songs as he was peppy in comic ones — he picked only the latter. Amit Kumar has very, very few numbers that move you for their sheer pathos; his father had many. 
Amit Kumar also suffered also because he had barely started rising as a constant voice of first Kumar Gaurav and then Anil Kapoor — four back-to-back hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s — when Kumar Sanu took the audience by storm, debuting with Ashiqui. While Sanu's greatest support Nadeem-Shravan was on the rise, the only duo that was giving Amit chances repeatedly, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, was at the fag end of their career followed by Anand Milind.
Amit Kumar gave his best with his mentor Pancham ( R.D.Burman ). After Burman's death in 1994, citing a lack of quality music composition, Kumar withdrew from playback singing and concentrated on live orchestra shows. In addition to singing in Hindi, has also performed in Bengali, Bhojpuri, Odia, Assamese, Marathi and Konkani.
Kishore Kumar and Amit Kumar sang a total of 28 songs together. 5 of them for Amitabh Bachchan starrers.
When you listen to them together you understand how individual and different they were from each other.
He now sings with his brother Sumeet and both give Private albums under their own banner.
Amit Kumar's best would be Base Acche Lagte Hain followed by his songs in Love Story and Teri Kasam.
Later his songs of Baazi 
One of my favourites is the one stanza he sang in Roz Roz Aankhon Tale (Jeeva).
One landmark moment in his career when he sang for Rajesh Khanna ( Kishore Kumar was known as Voice of RK) in Fiffty Fiffty, Akhir Kyon.
Another moment was when he won the Best Singer award in 1982 for Yaad Aa Rahi Hain when KK was also nominated for Choo Kar Mere Man Ko ( Yaarana) and Hamen Tumse Pyaar Kitna ( Kudrat).
These days he comes on various TV programs as an expert or Guest and his tales of his father are a treat to one's ears.
Happy Birthday Amit Ji..
Base Acche Lagte Hain Aapke Nagme.

Sunday, 25 June 2023

Two Maestros..Two Days Apart

Madan Mohan & R.D Burman..

Both share their Birth Anniversaries  2 days apart..25th June and 27th June ( But 15 years apart )..Both died young Madan Mohan at 51 and R.D.Burman at 54...
You may think it odd, but when I think of Madan Mohan, I can’t help but think about the parallels between his career and RD Burman’s. Both Madan Mohan and RD Burman had to work hard to make a mark in their careers..
Both Mohan and RD struggled for many years before seeing some success. It took them both about six years before they saw their first hit – Teesri Manzil (1966) for RD Burman and Bhai Bhai (1956) for Madan Mohan. Towards the end of their career, both Madan Mohan and RD Burman grew disillusioned with their careers and died before they could enjoy the success of their last films – Mausam (1975) and Laila Majnu (1976)for Madan Mohan and 1942 – A Love Story (1994) for RD Burman.

Both Madan Mohan’s and RD Burman’s legacies have grown by leaps and bounds after their deaths. While RD Burman’s legacy grew mostly because of his fan base, Madan Mohan’s legacy had help from his family. But in Both Cases Melody was supreme.
The class of Panchamda ( R.D.Burman) won only 3 Filmfare awards.. The last after he passed away..out of 17 nominations..and one as best play back singer.
and The Agony is that the Musical magic of  Madan Mohan had 4 nominations and never won the award in his lifetime.

Friday, 2 June 2023

Film Maker and Music Director Pairing and how R.D lost out

Pairing of Music Director and Director/ Actor is common.
Many a time dependant on the equation and relationships they share and the success they achieve.
Raj Kapoor- Shailendra- Shankar Jaikishan or Dilip Kumar Naushad.
Brij - Kalyanji Anandji, 
Dev Anand S.D.Burman
Chetan Anand - Madan Mohan 
Prakash Mehra Kalyanji Anandji
Prakash Mehra Bhappi Lahiri
Manmohan Desai Laxmikant Pyarelal
Yash Chopra Khayyam
Yash Chopra Shiv Hari
J.Om.Prakash Laxmikant Pyarelal

But when one goes to R.D.Burman one finds that barring Ramesh Behl, Nasir Hussain and Shakti Samanta we hardly find anyone pairing up inspite of giving hits.
Mehmood off course was the one who introduced R.D.

Let's take the example of
Prakash Mehra and Manmohan Desai.
Prakash Mehra used R.D.Burman for Mela, Samadhi and Khalifa.
The songs were popular but after Zanjeer it was back to Kalyanji Anandji till Namak Halaal where he switched to Bhappi Lahiri.

Manmohan Desai had R.D.Burman in Rampur Ka Laxman and Aa Gale Lag Ja. The latter being a true musical melodious treat but differences came when Manmohan Desai wanted to use Mohmmad Rafi Saab for Shashi Kapoor but R.D. Insisted on Kishore Kumar due the Charecter being depicted by Shashi Kapoor. After that it was Laxmikant Pyarelal all the way till Mard ( Allha Rakha before that ) made way to Anu Malik and after Rafi Saab passed away..it was Shabbir Kumar and Mhd Aziz .

There is another example of Tinnu Anand ..Kaalia was a big hit and the music also was successful and songs are still popular but he never worked with him again.

Yash Chopra worked with R .D in Joshila and  Deewaar but due to personality clashes never worked with him again. The producer Gulshan Rai also shifted from
R.D .Burman back to to 
Kalyanji Anandji (Johnny Mera Naam).

J.Om Prakash made Aap Ki Kasam which was a musical blockbuster. and then never worked with Pancham again.??

With Actors it was like a Combination once of Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar and R.D.Burman.

Randhir Kapoor, R.D.
Rishi Kapoor , R.D
Used by R.K. however just for Dharam Karam and later Biwi O Biwi.

Why was it that after churning melody after Melody he was not offered films in his last days ?
Yes one association which can be cherished is that of Gulzar and R.D.Burman as a Lyricist and as a director.

Another Post on that soon 🙏
I still feel he deserved better.

Adbhut Pancham

#adbhutpancham 


Today is the 82 nd Birth Anniversary of the Wizard of Music also 
Called the musical phenomenon, a maverick, the game-changer of the Indian film and music industries, the quintessential musical genius — he was none other than Rahul Dev Burman, known popularly as RD or Pancham.
For three decades, he ruled the hearts of music lovers( still does 27 years after he left )and gave to the film industry new sounds and dimensions in music which would captivate the imagination of music lovers and music makers for a long time to come. Some artistes create a world of their own, where they make invaluable art that moves the hearts of people when it reaches them. RD was one such artist who created music for his own joy and satisfaction without giving much thought as to what people would appreciate.
Hundreds of wonderful compositions, based on Indian classical music as well as Western music, come to mind immediately — Raina Beeti Jaaye (Amar Prem), Ghar aaja ghir aaye badra saanwariya (Chhote Nawab), Yeh shaam mastani (Kati Patang), Churaa liya hai tumne jo dil ko (Yaadon ki Baaraat), Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi (Buddhha Mil Gaya), Dum maro dum, mitt jaaye gham (Hare Rama Hare Krishna ), Aaj unsay pehile mulaaqaat hogi (Paraya Dhan), the wonderfully melodious songs of the classic film Padosan including Sharm aati hai magar aaj yeh kehna hoga, Kehna hai, kehna hai aaj tumse yeh pehli baar, Mere saamne waali khidki mein, O mere dil ke chain (Mere Jeevan Saathi), the Sholay songs and the background score, Aandhi’s songs and those of Love Story — the list is no doubt too long to complete!
In the 1980s, RD gave us the songs of Khoobsoorat, Love Story, Kudrat, Rocky, Sanam Teri Kasam, Shakti, Masoom, Betaab, Sunny, Ijaazat, Parinda and Gardish. But in the second half of this decade, he had health and career problems. A famous director reportedly replaced him, and did not even inform him that he had been replaced. RD was tired and not quite himself. However, his swan song, the music of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s grand film 1942: A Love Story, vindicated him completely — he showed the world that musicians like him can never fade away. Fade away, though he did, shortly before the release of this film. It was in January 1994, three months before the film came out, that RD left this world.
The fact is that all these resounding soulful melodies created by Pancham are an integral part of our lives and memories and will always be.
RD made magic — the era has changed but we can still hear RD’s sounds in the music of modern composers like AR Rahman , Vishal Shekhar , Jatin Lalit and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy.
His songs are the most remixed songs that bring his music to this generation.
Pancham will never be forgotten.
His vast body of work will never let any music lover forget him.
RD is forever. And we all know this.

Memories of Pancham are shared by his Singers and Lyricist and his own Voice..
Do Listen to this Music Sitting Mix 
The first of three parts.

https://youtu.be/8loVKY0QVdU

Yateendra Manohar Indapwar 

Reference 
Adbhut Pancham ( YouTube )
Galaxy Golden Stars Jaskiran Chopra

Thursday, 25 May 2023

Saaransh

When the parallel cinema movement was at its peak in the early and mid 1980s, 
Mahesh Bhatt’s acclaimed Saaransh (1984) was one among that class of films

Saaransh, which was released on 25 May 1984, completes 39 years.

This saw Anupam Kher and Rohini Hattangadi play senior citizens, B.V.Pradhan and Parvati who lose their young son in one of those routine and senseless shooting incidents you still hear about in the United States.
The sequences showing the anguish of the father who has to plead and also loose his cool to get his sons Ashes. There is a beautiful interjection with  the minister Aaksh Khurana and speaks dialogues that I feel can never be forgotten, it's a voice of a common man .The minister tells Mr.Pradhan that he as a teacher had taught him the meaning of hope and now irony is that Pradhan Sir is saying there is no hope.
Pradhan sprays the Ashes over the nearby park ( Shivaji Park ). With loss of all the purpose they had in their life, their son, there is no meaning left to their lives anymore. 
Even as they are trying to come to terms with their loss, struggling actress Sujata (Soni Razdan) enters their house as a paying guest. Sujata is in a relationship with boyfriend Vilas (Madan Jain) and one day she finds out she is pregnant. Parvati, still trying to cope with her grief, is convinced the unborn child is a reincarnation of her son. Pradhan, an atheist and rationalist, disagrees.
As they are dealing with this Vilas's father Gajanan Chitre,(Nilu Phule in a menacing role) a political bigwig, wants the pregnancy aborted by hook or crook as elections are looming and he does not want a scandal to taint his campaign.
Sujata and Vikas  want the child and Pradhan get ready to support them. Parvati feels it is coming home for their son through Sujata and is obsessed with the feeling.
Then starts the story of a 'hopeless' life getting a purpose. An old couple against the might of the big politcian to save a child who is not yet born.
What happens can be predictable but the end remains a landmark..
Anupam Kher acts his part with sheer brilliance, he carries the film all on himself. He plays an old man in his first film! He won a Filmfare Award for an act in the parallel cinema. He just proves his grasp over the character in certain scenes, depicting despair and hope. Rohini Hattangadi's performance comes just next to her performance in Gandhi. Nilu Phule looks sinster, Madan Jain and Soni Razdan carry their role very well.
Ajit Varman gives a good music as the film demanded. Dialogue, screenplay and writing are simply fabulous, all credits to Mahesh Bhatt for etching the characters so well. You just live the lives of the characters while going through the movie
SPOILER  ALERT:
The Happiness of the couple towards the end lies in the dialogue
which Pradhan says to his depressed wife
 "Tumhari chehre ki jhurrio mein mere jeevan ka saaransh hai"
Very touching. Also at the end we see their sons ashes turning into flowers of the garden and both of them touching the flowers feeling the life they have, which too is a part of them.
The real beauty of life is that we all are mortal, but life goes on.
I left the theatre with moist eyes .
It's a lovely film.
It's available on Amazon Prime.
++
Additional Trivia
The film is produced and was Distributed by Rajshri Productions
and the Asst Director was Sooraj Barjatya
And it was edited by David Dhawan.
Both became successful and top Directors in later days and future.

Sunday, 21 May 2023

Laawaris 22.5.1981

22.5.1981
Laawaris was released.
Completes 42 Years today..

There is something in May which suited Prakash Mehra and Amitabh Bachchan.
11th May Zanjeer
18th May Sharaabi
22nd May Laawaris.
Namak Halaal was also released on 30th April.
Laawaris was the first Solo film of Prakash Mehra and Amitabh Bachchan after Zanjeer.

The film starts with a Love story of Ranveer Singh( Amjad Khan) and Vidya culminating in her pregnancy. Vidya dies during child birth and the born son is disowned by his father.
Vidya's Brother a lawyer ( Satyen Kappu) gives the child to a driver Gangoo Ganpat ( Dr Shriram Lagoo) who decides to raise him.
He is named Heera after a pet dog.
Laawaris is the story of this orphan.
Gangoo keeps his liquor running with Heera's earnings.But in a state of intoxication and being rebuked he tells Heera that he is a " Gandi Naali Ka Keeda" and wouldn't share the identity of his parents.
Heera is now determined to find the identity of his lineage.
Heera leaves Gangu and proceeds to work for Mahendra Pratap Singh ( Ranjeet) son of Ranveer Singh ( his step / foster brother) now tormented by guilt for his past misdeed. 
The film takes off from there including a romantic liaison with Mohini ( Zeenat Aman)  a spoiled vixen he quickly tames, who is also (unbeknownst to him), the daughter of the very lawyer who disposed of him as an infant and who turns out to be his childhood crush.
Mahinder puts Hira in charge of his most obstreperous millhands (among whom Hira quickly establishes himself as alpha male) and also gives him special assignments like demolishing hutments and a Hanuman temple to make way for a “five star hotel.” Hira spares the temple ( after a complete riot of using all languages known his knowledge of numerous Indian languages and the characteristic mannerisms of their speakers is attributed to his younger days in an Udupi hotel ) and leads the homeless poor to the mansion of Mahinder’s girlfriend ( Padmini Kapila) where he contrives to have them accommodated while compelling Mahinder to build a “model town” for them. Eventually he runs afoul of Mahinder and earns the affection of the pious Ranvir, who disapproves of Mahinder’s misdeeds but, naturally, does nothing to check them. 
Heera himself develops a love-hate relationship with Ranvir, to whom he is strangely attracted, and Ranbir's Daughter Madhu.
He also champions the cause of a potter whose sister ( Preeti Sapru) Mahinder tried to ravish, and when the poor potter loses his arms .
Hira even does a stint of expertly shaping clay on the wheel.
There are several claptrap situations and Amitabh's character has a lot of mass appeal. His scene where he delivers a speech at a function to award Amjad Khan is superb,Another one is Amitabh and Zeenat's first meet and the confrontation after the song Kahe Paise Pe which is at interval Prakash Mehra's films always had a strong message on society too and this film too has a strong message. On the flipside the film does tend to slow down at times and several instances the story does deviate at times focusing on comedy scenes and other stuff ( The sequence where Heera saves a Temple and beats the goons in their own languages is hilarious.
The relationship between Amitabh and Suresh Oberoi is well depicted and the turn of events are well handled, Amitabh being accused and threatening to take revenge on Amjad Khan is superb and the scene when Amitabh confronts Amjad in his bungalow is terrific.
Music by Kalyanji Anandji is awesome, Apni to Jaise Taise, Kab Ke Bichre, Mere Angne mein(sung by big B) are still remembered, Kishore sang almost all songs for Big B again as in those days and every song is Melodious, Kahe Paise Pe ,Jiska Koi Nahin are brilliant too while the first song Mere Angne mein filmed on Rakhee is sung by young Alka Yagnik and she is shows her class.
The premise of Laawaris was apparently based on the strained relationship Prakash Mehra had with his own father. He would later explore a similar theme with Sharaabi. His direction is slick.
He was assisted by Ram Sethi
He used many carry overs from MKS..
kids separating in childhood and reuniting as adults, Young actor Mayur Verma played the child version of Amitabh Bachchan’s character in Laawaris and had done the same in Muqaddar Ka Sikandar.
Even cast wise he keeps his regulars..Ranjeet is good in his role, Suresh Oberoi is superb Om Prakash is good too while Bindu is stereotypical Ram Sethi entertains as the loud yes man of Ranjeet, he starred mostly in all films of Big B and PM. Satyen Kapuu as the villain is good while Sreeram Lagoo is fabulous ,Jeevan is as usual  Padmini Kapila plays his  daughter in a relationship with Ranjeet in the film.
Predictably Amitabh scores and delivers yet another superlative performance, he had  played streetsmart characters often but Laawaris is still remembered amongst them. Zeenat Aman ( who replaced Parveen Babi) is apt in her role Amongst actors Amjad Khan is superb in a positive role(he starred in most Bachchan releases that year Kaalia, Yaarana, Naseeb and Barsaat Ki Ek Raat too).
Amitabh in Drag is a rarity but it is here in the song Mere Angane Main.
Which was a last minute addition to the film. ( Which apparently was disliked by Jaya ).
Laawaris remains a PMP and AB film and a Blockbuster 
( My memories include fighting for the tickets and seat in Gopal Theatre Amravati at the age of 16.)
As Heera says
"Kabhi kabhi insaan apne paap ka ek chota sa paudha chhodkar bhaag jaata hai ... lekin kismat us paudhe ko ek pedh banakar uske samne khada kar deti hai.."

Saturday, 6 May 2023

Rang Birangi and The Hrishikesh Mukherjee Trilogy

Today is 40 years of a Colorful Classic Comedy
Rang Birangi
Released in 1983 this was the third in the series of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Amol Palekar and Utpal Dutt movies 
Gol Maal (1979)and Naram Garam (1981) being the other two ( although Utpal Dutt had just a friendly appearance in Rang Birangi.)
 It was a trilogy of sorts and the fourth angle (Quartet) was completed 15 years later in 1998 without the key players replaced by Anil Kapoor and Amrish Puri walking into Utpal Dutt's shoes.
Gol Maal was a huge success and now a cult film.
Naram Garam though a well scripted comedy didn't do as  the predecessor
Coming to Rang Birangi
A Sparkling comedy about a meddling friend (Deven Verma) whose attempt to rekindle the spark in his friend’s Ajay( Amol Palekar..again at his best) relationship with his wife Nirmala ( Parveen Babi.. elegant as ever ) of seven years leads to complications to their lives, and to the lives of his secretary Anita  ( Deepti Naval) and her boyfriend Jeet ( Farooq Sheikh) he has not ‘scripted’ …where Jeet has to impersonate as a detective Dhurandhar Bhatavdekar ( A powerful name which turns out to be a real Cop who is Nirmala's uncle ).. resulting in an utterly  comical climax.
Splendid performances by Amol Palekar, Deepti Naval, Parveen Babi and Farooq Shaikh, Cameos by Om Prakash and Utpal Dutt stand out.
Music is by R.D.Burman (for the complete Trilogy). Kabhi Kuch Pal Jeevan Ke is a sheer melody.
A perfectly pitched script, witty dialogue and a aptly placed film reference to Pati patni Aur Woh
make this a film one can watch over and over again.
It's available on Amazon Prime , MX Player and YouTube.

Image & Ref : Bollymints, Wikipedia

Friday, 31 March 2023

R.D and his Pairings..

Pairing of Music Director and Director/ Actor is common.
Many a time dependant on the equation and relationships they share and the success they achieve.
Raj Kapoor- Shailendra- Shankar Jaikishan or Dilip Kumar Naushad.
Brij - Kalyanji Anandji, 
Dev Anand S.D.Burman
Chetan Anand - Madan Mohan 
Prakash Mehra Kalyanji Anandji
Prakash Mehra Bhappi Lahiri
Manmohan Desai Laxmikant Pyarelal
Yash Chopra Khayyam
Yash Chopra Shiv Hari
J.Om.Prakash Laxmikant Pyarelal

But when one goes to R.D.Burman one finds that barring Ramesh Behl, Nasir Hussain and Shakti Samanta we hardly find anyone pairing up inspite of giving hits.
Mehmood off course was the one who introduced R.D.

Let's take the example of
Prakash Mehra and Manmohan Desai.
Prakash Mehra used R.D.Burman for Mela, Samadhi and Khalifa.
The songs were popular but after Zanjeer it was back to Kalyanji Anandji till Namak Halaal where he switched to Bhappi Lahiri.

Manmohan Desai had R.D.Burman in Rampur Ka Laxman and Aa Gale Lag Ja. The latter being a true musical melodious treat but differences came when Manmohan Desai wanted to use Mohmmad Rafi Saab for Shashi Kapoor but R.D. Insisted on Kishore Kumar due the Charecter being depicted by Shashi Kapoor. After that it was Laxmikant Pyarelal all the way till Mard ( Allha Rakha before that ) made way to Anu Malik and after Rafi Saab passed away..it was Shabbir Kumar and Mhd Aziz .

There is another example of Tinnu Anand ..Kaalia was a big hit and the music also was successful and songs are still popular but he never worked with him again.

Yash Chopra worked with R .D in Joshila and  Deewaar but due to personality clashes never worked with him again. The producer Gulshan Rai also shifted from
R.D .Burman back to to 
Kalyanji Anandji (Johnny Mera Naam).

J.Om Prakash made Aap Ki Kasam which was a musical blockbuster. and then never worked with Pancham again.??

With Actors it was like a Combination once of Rajesh Khanna, Kishore Kumar and R.D.Burman.

Randhir Kapoor, R.D.
Rishi Kapoor , R.D
Used by R.K. however just for Dharam Karam and later Biwi O Biwi.

Why was it that after churning melody after Melody he was not offered films in his last days ?
Yes one association which can be cherished is that of Gulzar and R.D.Burman as a Lyricist and as a director.

Another Post on that soon 🙏
I still feel he deserved better.

Pancham and Ramesh Behl

How Ironic and Rare is it that two friends ..
A Film maker and a Music Director (The filmmaker never made a single film without his friend doing the music).
Some films flopped but the music was evergreen.
Iam talking of R.D.Burman who passed away on 4th January 1994 and four years before that on 5th January 1990 Ramesh Behl one of his closest friends passed away.
Together they made 12 movies.
A Tribute to this friendship.
The association started with 
" The Train".
“The Train” was a good thriller. Rajesh Khanna was then on the verge of sweeping the audience with his romantic image, wooing the leading lady with songs written for him, belting out hits after hits, with the trusted combination of lyricist Anand Bakshi, composer RD Burman and singer Kishore Kumar. This movie did not have a Kishore number but Mohammad Rafi delivered in the rare style that made him a super star among singers. 
A suspence film which had its soul in the music..
The songs were in fact thrown in at strategic interludes because the script was not strong enough to sustain the interest of the audience. It was unsurprising that the CID Inspector Shyam Kumar and Neeta, played by Nanda, were introduced through a song, the lilting Rafi number “Gulabi Aankhen Jo Teri Dekhin”. It figured in the Binaca Geet Mala list for weeks.
The story was nothing spectacular
A series of murders on a train, on a specifically targeted route, and a pattern of robbing jewellers, sets the police on a trail. Shyam Kumar ( Rajesh Khanna) has a tough assignment since he has to find the culprit responsible for framing Neeta’s ( Nanda) father in a murder trap. The character of Lily, so brilliantly portrayed by Helen, livens up the narrative. Tasked to seduce Inspector Shyam the hotel dancer falls in love with the detective and complicates the situation for her boss, No. 1 (Madan Puri). The Don and his cronies went by numbers as identity. Lily gets two lilting numbers to share the space with Neeta, who tries to match the Inspector’s dancing skills in “Gulabi Aankhen” and later in “Kis Liye Maine Pyaar Kiya” and a duet “Mujhse Bhala Yeh Kaajal Tera”. The Helen numbers, sung by Asha Bhosle – “Maine Dil Abhi Diya Nahi” and “Meri Jaan Maine Kaha” with RD, were well received too.
This was the level of melody in R.D.Burmans music.
It was the music which capitulated this film to be a big success..A super star and one in the making contributed to give “The Train” the status of a hit.

This was followed by
Jawaani Diwani (1972)
A romantic caper which added Randhir Kapoor as the third angle of this friendship triangle.
Romance was portrayed essentially through RD’s tunes. The variety that he brought was amazing, pumped life into what would have ended as a mundane narrative involving two college students falling in love with each other and achieving their goal after some hiccups. There is a villain too, some slapstick humour, and a predictable happy ending. The plot does not appeal but the music lingers. RD was the best ambassador for youthful and romantic genre not to forget the classical touch that he brought to songs.
Songs from “Jawani Diwani” impressed a cross-section of music-lovers. “Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani” was a peppy number and is still a regular in remixes.. “Saamne Yeh Kaun Aaya” could be heard at most parties. “Nahi Nahi Abhi Nahi” and “Agar Saaz Chheda Tarane Banenge” became popular too but he icing on the cake was “Jaane Jaan Dhoondta Phir Raha” which had a distinct RD touch, a unique blend of instruments that only he could use.
The film is remembered today just for its musc.

The pair of Ramesh Behl and R.D went on to give further hits like Kasme Vaade, Basera,Yeh Vaada Raha. These were quality films with melody.
Even insipid films like 
Dil Deewana (almost a sequel to Jawani Diwani) , Harjayi, Jaane Jaan and Apne Apne are remembered (?) just for their music.
Pukar had lovely music and songs but the film came with Amitabh in a bad patch..R.D singing for him ( due to a fall off with Kishore Kumar)
The prolific music of Jawaani (Too Rootha toh main roh dungi) is remembered.
The association ended with Indrajeet released a year after Ramesh ji passed away.
R.D Burman was also in obliviation.
Here's to their friendship..and the music they created.

Collage Credit: Shailendra Mishra.

Wednesday, 15 March 2023

# Re-post Sleeping with the enemy

Trivia : 
Revival of an article I had written last year.. due to S.Ps song of Yaarana.

This has to do with same story many films 😀

Sleeping with the Enemy the 1991 blockbuster starring Julia Roberts..
Had in 1995/96 a total of three adaptions and Remakes.. and one later.

Yaarana *( Madhuri Dixit) Directed by David Dhawan

Daraar * ( Juhi Chawla) Directed by Abbass Mastan

AgniSakshi * (Manisha Koirala) Directed by Partho Ghosh 

Surprising that in the first two the hero was the same Rishi Kapoor..( wonder how he agreed unless he didn't read the scripts). He did his part well in both the adaptations. Genuine as always.
Agnisakshi had Jackie Shroff.

The negative/ Gray  character stole the show in Daraar ( Arbaaz Khan ) & Agnisakshi (Nana Patekar who won a National award for this characterisation) however Raj Babbar in Yaarana was totally miscast.
However it was only AgniSakshi that did well commercialy and proved to be successful the other two remakes tonked at the box office.

These movies released in quick succession . Oct 95 March 96 and July 96
Which shows the lack of coordination in the industry and the wild race to adapt successful scripts.
The top heroines * of that period did the lead role of Laura Burney (Julia Roberts). All three did a commendable job of it.

Technically all 3 movies were having good music ( again Anu Malik did music if both Daraar and Yaarana ) and Nadeem Shravan for AgniSakshi.

The real reason for AgniSakshi being successful was it was more faithful to the original script.
Hard to believe this was 24-25 years ago..

Later came Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche in 2002  with Aftab Shivdasani  Esha Deol , Sanjay Kapoor and Jaya Bachchan
Another Flop
These are some bollywood trivia I felt like sharing.

Monday, 13 March 2023

Baat Ban Jaaye 14.3.1986

Everyone knows the song 
Baat Ban Jaaye .. immortalised by Nazia Hassan and filmed on Zeenat Aman.
I am not sure if Many know about a film called
Baat Ban Jaaye with Zeenat Aman in the lead in a very different role.
The film completes 37 years today.
Directed by Bharat Rangachary first Assistant of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and the first production of Nitin Manmohan and one of the last films of Sanjeev Kumar ( released after he passed ).
The star of the movie is without doubt Utpal Dutt who carried his role from Hrishi Da's Gol Maal, Kisi Se Na Kehna , Naram Garam etc ahead.
I personally really enjoy this comedy and try not to miss it when it is telecast on Zee Classic Cinema.
Nisha Singh ( Zeenat Aman) is a single rich businesswoman running a family business. She detests or as is said Hates rich / wealthy men ( as they apparently love their success and wealth more than their family !?) and wants to marry a pauper or common man. Her uncle Mr Singh Chachaji (Utpal Dutt) plays match-maker, trying to find the perfect groom for his one and only niece.
He sees a prospective groom in every common man he meets.
One of the first match is a TV Mechanic Yashwant Bhonsle (Amol Palekar ar what he does best), to arrange meetings with Nisha he breaks the TV , and calls Yashwant for repairs. Yashwant is also a budding scientist and as providence would have it one of his inventions makes him a millionaire and so he is now ruled out for Nisha.
Second in line is a Hyderabad Tourist Guide Viju ( Raj Babbar)
During a historical visit he finds buried treasure and he too becomes rich..it's as if Nisha has the Midas touch.. everything she associates with turns gold.
Meanwhile Nisha is facing 
a strong competition from Khanna Group of Industries being run by a Ravi Khanna  who also wants to marry her. Now Nisha has a friend cum secretary Aruna who is engaged to Advocate Bharat Sinha ( Jalal Agha ) who is the legal advisor to the Khanna's . They too are silently trying to help Chachaji.
After Viju Guide Chachaji finds   a motor mechanic, Prakash, who, in turn, ends up being the only son of wealthy builder, Jayant Amar Nath ( Imtiaz Khan),and gets  married to his sweetheart and neighbor, Rosy( Nisha Singh). Finally Nisha meets her ideal match in Rukhtapur-based Suraj Singh ( Sanjeev Kumar), a wedding singer/dancer, and gets married to him being Impressed by his down to earth attitude and simplicity. she shifts with him to his village (?) but..
Who is Suraj ? Will Nisha find her match ? The end is obviously alls well  but not before making things more hilarious.
Don't hunt for logic.. just enjoy the madness.
No spoilers even for this 😀
The film has the HrishiDa touch and one can see that Bharat Rangachary was a good and loyal student.
I personally love the film.
All actors have performed to perfection. Yes Mithun Chakraborty gets the biggest sub plot and story but he was the star then.
Amil Palekar is his vintage self .
Raj Babbar is apt.
Aruna Irani and Jalal Agha are like the levers of the film.
Sanjeev Kumar shows why he would be missed so much.
But the film belongs to Zeenat Aman and Utpal Dutt.
Music is however nothing exceptional by Kalyanji Anandji.
See it if you haven't and if you have it's worth another view anytime.
On YouTube, Jio Cinema., Zee 5 and Amazon.

Nasir Hussain: Maverick of Musicals

21st Death Anniversary of Nasir Hussain

Nasir Hussain best known as a writer, director and then producer. That is the order in which he emerged as a film personality. His forte was writing and he developed a unique style of storytelling. He wrote and co-wrote a string of hits for Filmistan Studios, started his own banner Nasir Hussain films, Changed the persona of Dev Anand ( Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hain), developed the persona of Shammi Kapoor ( Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Teesri Manzil) as the Rebel Star, provided the platform to composer Rahul Dev Burman for his first big banner hit, sustained his faith in lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri  ( an association which went on till almost 1986.)
However as a film maker in continuation as a writer he is known to have  had only one story to tell; He could not think beyond lost and found sagas; and the hero Heroine being engaged in childhood only to meet as adults. The maker whose films always had masquerading characters and revenge plots running through; the film-maker to whom cinema was all about song and dance, someone who loved mountains and balloons; and an ear for music.
In fact after Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon it was joked that it should be Phir Wohi Story Laaya Hoon
However as as maverick he is known as the man who made Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Jab Pyar Kiseese Hota Hai, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Caravan, Teesri Manzil, Yaadon Ki Baarat and Hum Kisi se Kum Nahin. But he also had Baharon Ke Sapne, Pyaar Ka Mausam too.
I don’t think Nasir Hussain’s cinema has been given the recognition it deserves. He is never spoken of in the same breath as Shakti Samanta, Pramod Chakraborty ,Subodh Mukerji, Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra, all of who used the same or similar tropes, as often and as unrealistically, if not more so. They were all contemporaries of, or just that bit junior to Nasir ji.
To give him his due 
Nasir Hussian was possibly the biggest mainstream filmmaker of the 1960s and 1970s. He knew the pulse of the audience for two decades and his cinema reflected a certain modernity and cosmopolitanism that hadn’t been seen in Hindi cinema before.
The slide started with Zamane Ko Dikhana Hain in 1981, a lavish film which didn't do well ( Ironically one of biggest hits of 1982 a year later Sanam Teri Kasam was a complete rehash of the Nasir Hussain formula and which gave R.D.Burman his first main stream award )
Manzil Manzil, Zabardast ( all delayed and recast films ) bombed and it seemed curtains.
But the new generation came in form of his son Mansoor Khan for whom he wrote Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Joh Jeeta Wohi Sikandar redeemed his status but alas without R.D. and his own direction.
He passed away on today's date in 2002
An era ended. But his Films and their Music Lives on..

Reference & Quotes: 
Akshay Manwani
Music, Masti, Modernity 
The Cinema of Nasir Hussain

Sunday, 19 February 2023

Doosra Aadmi: A film far ahead of it's Times

DOOSRA AADMI
Doosra Aadmi explores love in its various facets – love, passion, infatuation before and after marriage and the desperate attempt to cling on to memories of love. 
It’s an elegantly simple plot. 
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh are college sweethearts who are so in love they can’t be apart. Their parents reluctantly agree to let them get married very very young.
They exude their passion for each other and very much in love.
Meanwhile, Raakhee is a beautiful older woman who has been living in self-imposed celibacy and seclusion since the tragic death of her boyfriend Shashi Kapoor. She is  hired by Rishi Kapoor and Raakhee is taken by his resemblance to Shashi ( Excellent casting scenario) and begins almost unconsciously gets attracted to him, Rishi is now seeing monotony with Neetu and intrigued by Raakhee, and Neetu is trapped in a one sided love and one sided marriage with Rishi.
Even more simply, Neetu wants Rishi, Rishi wants Raakhee, and Raakhee wants dead Shashi ( in the form of Rishi Kapoor). It’s 3 people trapped in one way love stories.
Neetu (Timsi) is to obsessed over her husband (Karan) and want to spend more time with him, Rishi’s is to look outward to new challenges and, eventually, a new woman ( Nisha) (Typically urbane male)
Raakhee is trapped too. After Shashi’s death, she isolated herself from the world. She killed her natural desires and need for human contact. Rishi breaks through that and it comes out in such a powerful flood that Raakhee is almost unaware of what she is doing. She is lost in a dreamworld, torn between believing Rishi to be Shashi, and believing that she is having a “harmless” fantasy that does no damage to this nice young married man ( which she is unaware of). Both of these things are of course not true.
Now there is a forth angle too..
Her friend and well-wisher Parikshit Sahni, who silently loves her too, warns her of the consequences of a relationship with a married man.
Nisha realizes her mistake and to get a grip on her life, she deliberately avoids Karan to create a distance between them which Karan is not able to endure. He is not aware that Nisha’s intimacy with him is purely on account of his resemblance with Shashi. Caught in this dilemma and on the verge of losing his wife, Karan loses his peace of mind. To make amends, Nisha brings the Karan and Timsi together and clears their misunderstanding.
For the discerning though, there is a hint in Majrooh’s words in the song, “Chal kahin door nikal jayen”. The song ends with Raakhee’s character singing, “Achcha hai sambhal jayen”.
Now coming to the music ..
Other Melodies by Rajesh Roshan are still fresh.
For this Yash Chopra production, music director Rajesh Roshan, in a departure from his image, came up with a score that was peppy, cheery and throbbed with life. Not replete with his trademark melodious compositions, this one was a teaser with Lata Mangeshkar letting herself go in songs like “Nazron se keh do pyar mein milne ka mausam aa gaya” and “Chal kahin door nikal jayen”. When a super hit song like “Ankhon mein…kaajal hai” is relegated to the third slot and “Aao manaye jashn-e-mohabbat” not even talked about, it says all that needs to be said about Roshan’s music. As indeed it does about Majrooh Sultanpuri,
Jaan Meri Rooth Gayi is another fun song.
Ramesh Talwar shows competence and to an extent justifies the faith Yash Chopra had reposed in him..
I think this movie was about forgiveness (of both self and others), or maybe temptation, or recognizing the flaws in one's sense of reality, but I'm not sure. 
I was not allowed to see it in 1977 but saw it in a rerun two years later.
Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh chemistry is superb.
Rakhee is restrained and lives her role.
The film was far ahead of its times.

Thursday, 16 February 2023

Ravi Tandon On His Birth Anniversary

TRIBUTE TO RAVI TANDON

 Film 1 : Khel Khel Main..1975 super-hit (which came out in the same year as Sholay, Deewar, Chupke Chupke, Aandhi and Dharmatma) held its own then and continues to brim with vivacity and freshness even after 47 years of its release..
College is the most cherished chapter of one's life. Yet to embrace worldly responsibility but free from the contained, protective atmosphere of school, carefree teenagers treat life like a grand adventure.
What happens when harmless fun takes an ugly turn and jeopardises everyone's future?
Director Ravi Tandon's Khel Khel Mein examines the hazards of excessive pranks in his wholesome, engrossing romance mystery starring Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Rakesh Roshan, Aruna Irani and Iftekhar (a must-have in this genre of Hindi films).
Neetu and Rishi -- one of our sweetest on/off-screen couples -- injected the screen with their spontaneous adoration and ebullience against Rahul Dev Burman's delightfully addictive tunes.What follows is a cat-and-mouse game, complete with an unidentified stalker and mysterious men who aren’t who they seem.
Yet, even in all this we see songs, dance and romance. It’s so nostalgic especially, because R.D. Burman’s tunes for this movie are great fun, and still on every ’70s hits playlist. Decades later, it was a song from this film that gave Rishi Kapoor the title of his memoir, Khullam Khulla. It was how he lived his life, no secrets, no-holds barred, brash, youthful and full of energy.
Owning the DVD of this classic is sheer nostalgia watching it whenever one feels.

Film 2 : Jhoota Kahin Ka ( 1979 )
The Khel Khel Main team come together 4 years later for Jhoota Kahin Ka.
The Rai family ( Om Shivpuri, Indrani Mukherjee, sons Ajay and Vijay) is on a ship back to India, The ship capsizes and they are seperated with Ajay remaining with Mom.
Wealthy Jagat Narayan Khanna rescues Rai, takes him home, ensures that he is treated well, and makes him a business partner. Years later, the Rai sons have grown up. Ajay ( Rishi Kapoor )is a motor mechanic working in Pinto's Garage, but has big dreams, and a dual life as a Casanova, who is a liar and a conman, who dreams of making it big with a wealthy woman named Sheetal Khanna( whose uncle is Rai ). Then there is Vijay, who is now known as Vikram ( Rakesh roshan ), who works for Sheetal Khanna, and hopes to marry her one-day, but has an affair with a gorgeous woman named Mala. Shortly thereafter, Mala is killed, and Vikram is being blackmailed by a man named Prem, who claims he saw Vikram kill her. When Vikram and Prem find out that Sheetal may marry Ajay, they get together and plot against him - and Ajay's lies, and a dual life, make it easy for them to frame him. What will happen when Ajay realizes that he has been romancing the actual Sheetal Khanna this whole time? Is a motor mechanic good enough for a rich girl? Will the Rai family ever be reunited? Or will Ajay and Vikram beat each other to a pulp first?
After many permutations and coincidental combinations the family is united.
The film maintains a comic touch throughout the movie and is very entertaining.
Rishi- Neetu chemistry is absolutely fabulous . Rakesh Roshan doesn't have a big role ( seems he was included for Khel Khel Main continuity but Aruna Irani is missing ( Preeti Ganguly takes her place who plays Sheetal’s best friend and is lively and funny as usual.)
Music by R.D.Burman is blockbuster stuff. All songs are fabulous.
These films were made with Ravi Tandon at his peak.
But he had started off with a suspense thriller Anhonee..
Anhonee.1973
Direction Debut of Ravi Tandon who was Producer too.
The Story Revolves Around Sunil (Sanjeev Kumar) & Rekha ( Leena Chandrawar )...Sunil Who Is A Mental Patient & Rekha Is A Doctor... How They Meet ..How They Fall In Love ...Get Engaged ...And Then Both Have Few Secrets Which Becomes The Suspense Drama Of The Movie...There Are Many Twists & Turns Which Will Keep You Surprising ...A Outstanding Mystery Thriller..
The music by LP is melodious and situational.
Bindu does well with the song Hangama Gaya.
Asrani is hilarious as a mental patient.
Kamini Kaushal is a surprise.
Manmohan is in a positive role.
I won't comment on the Suspense.
But is definitely worth a watch even today after 49 years.
One of the first of Sanjeev Kumar and Leena Chandrawar ( followed by Manchali, Apne Rang Hazaar and Imaan ).

33.Years of Agnipath

16th February 1990
AGNEEPATH
31 YEARS.
Mukul. S. Anand’s Agneepath is iconic both in terms of content and success. It is one of those films which not only redefined Indian cinema but also added a new dimension to its protagonist Amitabh Bachchan persona. With this film he took his angry young man image another step forward. Who could possibly forget that high pitched voice that resounded through cinemas? How could one forget that somewhat twisted posture that came to identify him with the masses and above all how could one forget that simmering drama between him and his mother who loved her son just as much as she detested his ways of getting back at the world.
The film portrays Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, the son of an idealistic teacher, Dinanath Chauhan who sets his eyes on changing the life and times of the village of Mandwa. Dinanath not only wants to see the village of Mandwa grow but also tries to bring the light of education in the lives of the villagers. In walks Kancha Cheena (Danny) the marauding businessman who wants to use Mandwa as an epical point for the creation and distribution of his hallucinogens. The master stands as the biggest challenge in his path and so he schemes against him with the help of the local landlord and gets name tarnished and him wacked from the village.
Vijay, his sister and his mother are left all alone in the big bad world. Vijay, who is burning up inside, wants to get his revenge on Cheena and the others but before that he must set foot into the world of crime and smuggling. He does so in style and grows up through the ranks until the day when he axes all competition to emerge as the king of Bombay. He soon makes way to Mauritius to forge a partnership with Cheena who plots to kill him but Vijay emerges successful and is able to forge the partnership. He comes back to take control of Mandwa and soon his crosses path with Kancha who now comes down to India for a final showdown with his adversary for life.
In the midst of all this he is able to find a true friend in Krishnan Iyer MA(Mithun Chakravarti), an educated youth who is forced to selling coconuts to make ends meet. He meets Krishnan during an encounter when a gang of people are all set to kill him but Krishnan saves his life. He also finds the love of his life in a nurse who treats him at the hospital and whom he marries subsequently. Throughout the course of the film his relationship with his mother is a constant source of self criticism as well as self evaluation for him. After every encounter with his mother he either is left to rue the wounds that she forces on him or made to change his path of propagation.
Agneepath can easily be considered as the Indian equivalent of Scarface. While the story takes certain points from the classic the treatment and the screenplay is completely different. The most astute addition that the film contributed to Indian cinema was the iconic character of Vijay. The way it depicts Amitabh Bachchan, his mannerism, his way of speaking and also the action have acquired cult status. The Gangster films from thereon sort of took Agneepath as a parameter and template on which they pictured their protagonists until that was reworked by a film called Satya. For generations, Agneepath remained a benchmark for films of this genre in India.
At 187 minutes, Agneepath is in no way a short film but the amount of material that its screenplay holds is enough to keep the audience interested all the way through. This is one film which is brimming with characters and situations with its protagonist at the center of all things. There are no less than six major negative characters who get dispatched before the film ends. Four of these baddies get a lucrative chance to shoot and kill Vijay but even after putting in four bullets he survives. Later he hands these bullets back to the people as he sends them back to hell.
The film has two romantic tracks, one involving Mithun and Neelam who plays Vijay’s sister and another involving Vijay and his nurse played by Madhvi. While the Mithun Neelam track is  un-poetic, the one involving Bachchan and Madhvi has its share of tender and affective moments. The discussions between Vijay and his nurse are a way for the audience to look at his vulnerable side which at times is great. This part also gives Vijay something to lose apart from his mother and sister. In key scene he is shown insulted in a restaurant in front of his love when people are unable to fathom his presence at the dinner table banishing him as a goon and anti social element.
Amitabh Bachchan turns in one of those performances in which he is more the character and lesser himself. His blood red eyes, twisted posture and heavy voice coupled with a Mumbaiya lingo completes his transformation into the character and people loved him for that. This got him the National Award for that year.
 Rohini Hatangadi as his mother is a revelation. Danny plays Kancha with ferocity. He appears as someone who you feel afraid of. He works as the perfect adversary to Bachchan’s larger than life Vijay. Neelam and Madhavi do their part. Mithun I felt was a tad bit too loud even though his character demanded that. Tinnu Anand as Nathu Kaka and Vikram Gokhale as Police Commissioner Gaitonde add weight to this movie. Both have given too class performances.
Agneepath is a cult classic which has been watched and re-watched across three decades now over and over again. It is one of those films which defined the Indian film industry over the years. 
The Title was taken from a poem of the same name called ''Agneepath'' which was penned by
Harivansh Rai Bachchan ji.
Karan Johar released a Trailer of the movie last year
https://youtu.be/hMt_VO6edRs

The film was released in two versions
One with the original hoarse voice ( which sounds a lot like Tinnuji) but suits the Charecter. But as the feedback came that public did not like the hoarse voice so it was dubbed again in his normal Voice.
For me the Original modulation of voice is the best.
तू न थकेगा कभी,
तू न रुकेगा कभी,
तू न मुड़ेगा कभी,
कर शपथ, कर शपथ, कर शपथ,
अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।