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.

# 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.

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