We are celebrating the 100 glorious years of Indian cinema and what better occasion would I get to mention the movies that proved to be a milestone in these wonderful years of Bollywood. With the first feature film of Indian cinema “Raja Harishchandra” began an era of romance, dance, music, action, thriller, suspense, drama and everything we can imagine about movies. So I take you to the glorious journey of the Indian cinema, the movies which proved to be a landmark for Bollywood. Starting right from the first silent film of the Indian Cinema “Raja Harishchandra” to the blockbuster movie “Lagaan” the movies that I personally believe were epics in true sense of the Bollywood history.
Raja Harischandra
We all know a silent, black and white Raja Harishchandra was the first all Indian feature film of Indian cinema. It was directed and produced by the legend Dadasaheb Phalke. He was also the script writer of the film and is today known as the “father of Indian cinema”. The story was picked from the epics of Indian mythology. It was released on May 3, 1913. The film was on Raja Harishchandra who was a truthful and noble king. He sacrifices his kingdom, then his wife and children in order to keep his promises to a sage named Vishwamitra. The sage was impressed and pleased by his truthiness to his promises and at the end returned the kingdom and family to the king.
At that time women had yet not come into cinema and the lead female role in the movie had to be played by a male actor called Anna Salunke. It is said that it became very difficult for Dadasaheb Phalke to search the female lead who was needed to play Raja Harishchandra’s wife in the film. While sitting tensed at a tea shop he noticed the hands of the boy who offered tea to him. He thought to himself that these hands look feminine and that was the moment that he had the idea that he can make a male actor to play the female lead role in the movie. He offered the boy 15 rupees for playing the role and the boy readily agreed. The boy was Anna Salunke. The male lead was played by a Marathi stage actor called D.D. Dabke, while the role of Harishchandra’s son was played by Dadasaheb Phalke’s own son. The role of the sage Vishwamitra was played by G.V.Sane.
The movie went on to become a hit and proved to be a landmark for Indian cinema. It played an important role as the foundation stone for Indian cinema.
Alam Ara
It is remembered as the first talkie of Indian cinema. It was the movie that paved the way for Indian Bollywood music industry. Playback recording had not yet been introduced and the song was thus recorded live. It was directed by Ardeshir Irani and was released on March 14, 1931. The film showed a love story between a prince and a gypsy girl. The story was adapted from a Parsi play by Joseph David. It is a story about a king and his two wives. The wives were namely Dilbahar and Navbahar. The two wives become rivals of each other when a fakir predicts that Navbahar will give birth to the successor if the king’s throne. As a plan to take revenge Dilbahar tries to have an affair with the chief minister of the kingdom named Adil. The role of Adil was played by Prithiviraj Kappor. The affair does not turn out to be in her favor so she imprisons
Adil and sends his daughter to exile. The daughter called Alam Ara was brought up by tribal people and when she returns to the kingdom after the exile she falls in love with the prince of the kingdom. The end is a happy one with the release of Adil and marriage of the love birds.
By this time women had entered Indian cinema and had taken their place. The role of the lead was played by actor Zubeida. The first song of Indian cinema also became a hit. The song sung by the actor who played the fakir in the movie namely Wazir Mohammed Khan and the song was “de de khuda k naam per”. It also had many other songs and thus was a milestone movie that led the path for the feet tapping Indian Bollywood music. At that time there were no soundproof studios so most of the shooting for the film had to be done at night to avoid the excess noises in the recordings. The film was a success and it is said that in some places police had to be called in to control the crowds during the screening of the film at some theaters.
Mother India
Produced, directed and written by Mehboob Khan Mother India is a movie that depicts the hardiness of Indian women Mother India was a movie that threw light on the high spirited women of our country. The story shows a mother and her two sons fighting the odds in their life. The mother Radha’s character was played by the actress Nargis. The roles of the two sons of Nargis were played by actors Rajendra Kumar and Sunil Dutt. Radha has to repay the loan her mother in law had borrowed from a moneylender. Her husband leaves her and she has to raise her sons and pay three quarters of their crop as interest on the loan. Severe storm and flood destroys the village houses and the villagers decide to evacuate the place but give up when persuaded by Radha. She loses her youngest son to the storm but still firmly decides to stay in their village and rebuild it and also convinces the other villagers. She does not even have the money to buy ox to plough her field and thus has to drag the plough through the entire field by herself. In spite of living in poverty she does not part her ways with her morals. Left with her two sons Birju (Sunil Dutt) and Ramu (Rajendra Kumar) she faces all the challenges bravely. Birju is a disillusioned boy and is short tempered and often harasses the girls in the village specially the moneylender Sukilala’s daughter Rupa. He is easily provoked and eventually after committing crimes like theft is branded a bandit by the villagers. While in the village Radha assures Sukilala that she will not let Birju interrupt Rupa’s wedding Birju returns with his gang of bandits on the wedding day and kills Sukhilala and kidnaps his daughter Rupa. The most dramatic point in the movie comes when the mother shoots her own son when he tries to flee to respect the honour of the society. Her son dies in her arms and thus she teaches a lesson to a criminal not considering her as a son but as a criminal only. Radha is respected by the villagers for her act of utter morality and considered as the mother of the village.
The music in the movie was composed by Naushad while the lyricist was Shakeel Badayuni. The movie had twelve songs which were sung by legendry singers like Mohammad Rafi, Shamshad Begum, Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. One of the famous songs of the movie is “Holi Ayi Re Kanhayi” sung by Shamshad Begum.
A movie that was high on morals and emotionally touching too. The film was high on cost with the expenditure costing up to 35-40 lakh. It was the highest expenditure on a movie till that time. An interesting fact about the movie is that for shooting the flood scene for the movie a farmer agreed to flood his 500 acres of land. The film won the Filmfare award for Best Film in 1957 when Nragis also won the Best Actress for her role in the movie. It was also nominated in the foreign category of films at the Oscars.
Mugal-e-Azam
One of the highest grosser the epic movie Mugal-e-Azam directed by K. Asif was truly a Bollywood flick that had everything needed for full time entertainment of the masses and the classes as well. It depicted the love story between the Mughal Prince Saleem and the beautiful court dancer Anarkali. The legendary actor Dilip Kumar played the role of Saleem in the movie while Anarkali was played by one of the most beautiful actress Indian film industry ever had – Madhubala. The story is a short story based on the life of the Mughal Prince Saleem who later became the Emperor Jahangir. He falls in love with court dancer Anarkali and their relationship is strongly opposed by his father emperor Akbar played by Prithvi Raj Kapoor. The love birds stay strong and face all the hurdles in their relationship until Saleem is awarded death punishment by his own father. The emperor announces that Saleem’s life will only be spared if Anarkali surrenders before him. In order to save the life of her love Anarkali surrenders before the emperor and she is punished with death in exchange for sparing Saleem’s life. However at the end the emperor is reminded of a favor Anarkali’s mother did to him by giving him the news of Saleem’s birth many years ago. So he secretly sends Anarkali and her mother to exile. While Prince Saleem never comes to know that Anarkali is still alive somewhere.
The music was composed by Naushad and lyrics were given by Shakeel Badayuni. There were twelve songs in the movie sung by music legends like Lata Mangeshkar. One of the famous songs of the movie was “Pyar kia toh darna kya”.
The film was released on August 5. 1960 and later re-released in November 2004 in colored version. It won the National Award for the best film and the Filmfare Award in the subsequent year of its release. It is one of the highest grosser of Bollywood history of 100 years. The film’s majestic and beautiful sets, cinematic quality along with powerful performances by the actors truly makes it a benchmark movie of the Indian film industry.
Sholay
Released on August 15, 1975 the most loved films of all time the film had drama, romance, music, comedy, emotion and action. The film was directed by Ramesh Sippy and produced by his father G.P. Sippy. The film had multiple star cast with actors Amitabh Bachan, Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri and Amjad Khan playing the lead roles. In the movie Sanjeev Kumar is shown as the Thakur who was a courageous police officer and in had caught the dangerous dacoit Gabbar Singh played by Amjad Khan. To take revenge from the Thakur Gabbar Singh kills his entire family. Only thakur’s daughter in law Radha survives the brutal attack. To teach the dacoit a lesson Thakur decides to catch him again with the help of two small time thieves he had once arrested. They were Jai and Veeru played by Amitabh and Dharmendra. The film then progresses and shows Gabbar Singh attacking the Thakur’s village Ramgarh on the occasion of the festival Holi when Jai and Veeru bravely fight the dacoit and he flees but they become furious on Thakur who in spite of having a good chance to shoot Gabbar doesn’t pick up the gun. It is when there comes the dramatic point in the movie when Thakur shuns the shawl off his shoulders and shocks both of them with his cut arms. Then he tells them how Gabbar had killed almost all his family members and cut his arms. The romantic quotient between Veeru and Basanti (Hema Malini), Jai and Radha (Jaya Bhaduri) was much loved by people. The plot further progresses among these romances, bits of comedies placed at the right places and powerful dialogues. At the end it is the win of the good over the evil. In the fight between the dacoit and the heroes Jai loses his life in Veeru’s arms. Veeru and Thakur beat him severely and chop of his arms when at the last moment police arrives and arrests Gabbar Singh alive. Veeru and Basanti leave Ramgarh for a new life while Radha is left alone again.
The music composer for the film was R.D.Burman while the lyricist was Anand Bakshi. The songs of the movie are greatest hits of all time. The most popular songs were “Yeh Dosti hum nahi todenge” , “ Mehbooba oh Mehbooba” and “Holi k din”.
At first the movie was being considered a flop but it progressed slowly and went on to become one of the greatest movies of Indian Cinema of all times. The huge success of film impressed the director Shekhar Kapur and he made a statement that “Indian film history can be divided into Sholay BC and Sholay AD. It was even called the “All Time Blockbuster”. The places where the movie was shot in Southern India are still a tourist attraction. The dialogues of the movie like “Kitne admi the” and “Ye haath humka de de thakur” are evergreen. The movie was declared as the Best Film of 50 years by the jury of the 50th Filmafare Awards.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Even after 18years of its release this romantic film is still running on a big screen in Mumbai. Branded as the longest running movie of the history of Bollywood, DDLJ (as everyone calls it) indeed proved to be a milestone movie of the Indian Cinema. The film was produced by Yash Chopra, written and directed by his son Aditya Chopra. The film shows a story of an Indian girl named Simran (Kajol) who on a holiday trip to Europe falls in love with an NRI boy named Raj (Shahrukh Khan). While Raj’s father is an open minded parent and supports his son’s choice to marry the girl he loves but Simran’s father is conservative and opposes her choice. He instead is determined to marry her to his friend’s son Kuljeet (Parmeet Sethi). They return to India and marriage preparations start, but Simran has already given her heart to Raj and was very sad about the wedding. Raj follows her to her village where she tells him to take her away but Raj decides to win over his to be father in law. The story next shows how Raj befriends Kuljeet and thus gets entry in his house and then he tries to impress Baldev (Simran’s father). Along with Simran he secretly makes a number of plans to delay the marriage. He soon becomes the favorite of everyone in the family. Later even Baldev becomes on friendly terms with Raj until one day when he comes to know that the boy Simran had fallen in love with on the Europe trip was none other than Raj. Infuriated he tells Raj to leave the house immediately. Raj disheartened goes to the station where Kuljeet drops in to fight with him. Soon Baldev also comes to the station and stop the fight. While Raj boards the train Simran pleads and begs Baldev to let her go with him. Finally when the train starts running Baldev permits his daughter to go with Raj and she runs and catches the departing train.
The music was as famous as the movie itself. The composer Jatin Lalit, lyricist Anand Bakshi and singers Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Kumar Sanu, Abhijit, Udit Narayan did a great job and gave Bollywood songs that still are favorite of thousands of Indians. The film had a total of 7 songs and almost all of them were hits and one can still hear these songs on wedding ceremonies across the country.
The film was shot in parts of London and Switzerland. The movie has been declared as the all time blockbuster of Indian Cinema while it remains the longest running movie till date. On this year in January 2013 it completed nearly 900 weeks of running successfully at the Maratha Mandir in Mumbai.
Lagaan
A movie based on Cricket with the hero in Dhotis released in May 8, 2002. Many thought that a movie on a sport (Cricket) which was such an untouched topic untill then could never become a success on the box office. However Lagaan proved those people wrong and and went on to become a benchmark movie of Indian Cinema. The film was written and directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar and the cast included Amir Khan (also the producer of the film) and Gracy Singh. The film was shot in Bhuj. The story is set in the India under British Rule. The villagers had to pay high taxes to the British. The villagers in Bhuj are unable to pay the high taxes levied on them due to drought. In a challenge between the villagers led by Bhuvan (Amir Khan) and the British Commander Russel decide to compete in a cricket match. The conditions were that if Bhuvan’s team wins they will be freed of the Lagaan (Tax) and Russel will pay the tax on behalf of the entire province. Initially Bhuvan has to convince the villagers to join the team and fight against the British Rule. Russel’s sister Elizabeth teaches the villagers the rules of the game and falls in love with Bhuvan. However Bhuvan loves Gauri. Bhuvan leads his team of villagers to an enthralling win over the British team defying all the hurdles. With the last ball of the over comes the winning six and the rains that ends all the woes of the villagers. Russel loses and is transferred while his sister Elizabeth returns to her country heartbroken.
The soundtrack of the movie was given by A.R. Rahman and the lyrics were given by Javed Akhtar. The music was an instant hit with vocalists like Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik and many more adding to the glory of the beautiful songs. The movie had many good scores like “ghanan gahnan” and “Radha Kaise Na jale”. There were inspirational songs in the movie like “O Mitwa O Mitwa” and “Chale Chalo Chale Chalo”.
Lagaan was praised worldwide and won many National awards. It was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. It was also listed under the “All Time 25 Best Sports Movies”. The movie broke myths and was truly a milestone movie of the Indian cinema.
(All images source -- Wikipedia)
In this centenary year of Indian cinema, have often wondered as to what makes a song great, that people want to hear it again and again, even after decades. Is it the lyrics or the singer's voice or the music? I would vote for the lyrics, because it is the soul of the song. The singer's voice and music are like the body. As we say the soul is immortal and it keeps changing bodies , in the same way a song with a soul will become immortal and be sung by different voices to different music. It is the choice of words that make a song meaningful and touch one's heart and succeed in conveying the meaning in a harmonious manner.
However when all three components are well matched the song becomes divine and one wants to hear it,feel it again and again. This was the quality of a vast number of Hindi film songs between the golden period from the late nineteen forties till the early nineteen seventies. The lyrics were literature, the singers had golden voices and the musicians were rhythmically simply superb. The results were song after divine song. These are loved by every generation and will continue to be equally loved and hummed by coming generations. A large number of songs af this period have become legendary.
It is going to be very difficult to choose the top ten songs which I have grown up listening and are my favourites. Readers can and will have their own choices which is perfectly alright. Following are my top ten presented without ranking because I like all of them equally:
"Tu Pyaar Ka Sagar Hai -----"
Film : Seema Year: 1955 Lyrics : Shailendra Singer : Manna Dey Music Directors : Shankar - Jaikishen
It is a spiritual song picturised on Balraj Sahni, one of the Bollywood's finest actors. Nutan is the heroine of the film and won the Filmfare Best Actress Award while Amiya Chowdhry the director of the movie went on to win the Filmfare Best Story Award in 1957.
The touching words of thre song are addressing the conflict so many of us face many times in life when we have gone away into a shell and are either afraid or unable to come back and face the reality of life. The writer puts it beautifully " Idhar jhoom ke gaaye zindagi udhar hai maut khadi" and then goes on to add 'koyi kya jaane kahaan hai seema uljhan aan padi". Can the conflict between life and death have a border and when one realises it it is a problem. The poet then makes the mentor/ well wisher say 'kanoon mein zara keh de ki aayen kaun disha se hum". What choice of words. Tell me in my ears from where should I come back into the real world. The mesmerizing music of Shankar-Jaikishen and the soulful voice of Manna Dey go to lift this Shailendra written song to a different plane altogether where one realises the love of the for his astray subjects. The song is picturised on Balraj Sahni sitting on a chair and does not have action to divert attention from the meaningful words.
It truly is a song which touches the heart every time one listens to it.
"Jaane Woh log The Kaise Jinke Pyaar Ko Pyaar Mila--- "
Film : Pyaasa Year : 1957 Lyrics : Sahir Ludhianvi Singer : Hemant Kumar Music Director : S.D.Burman
The song is picturised on Guru Dutt playing the role of a defeated and crestfallen writer whose poems are rejected by every publisher. No one understands him except a prostitute played by Waheeda Rehman.Till he meets his college flame played by Mala Sinha, who has married a publisher played by Rehman only for money and comfort. "Jaane woh log the kaise jin ke pyaar ko pyaar mila, Humne to jab kaliyan mangi thi kantoo ka haar mila--". Loosely tanslated it means that who are the persons whose love begets love, whenever I have desired buds in return I have only get a garland of thorns. The defeated poet then goes on to conclude "Issko hi ghar jeena kahte hain to yoon hi jee lenge, uff na karenge, labh si lenge, aansoo pee lenge---". The choice of words by Sahir the lyracist is simply so apt that the listener sympathises with the hapless poet. In keeping with the mood of the pessimsitic mood of the film the song has been put to matching music by the great composer S.D. Burman. However I feel in this song it is the voice of Hemant Kumar that lends the right touch of agony and despair so necessary to convey the ethos of Sahir's words. Pyaasa has gone to become an iconic picture and this song has also become famous for its musical composition, Hemanda's voice and the melancholy words.
There are many occasions when one is in a downcast mood and wants to listen to this song for the matching mood it generates.
"Pyaar Hua Iqrar Hua --------"
Film : Shree 420 Year : 1955 Lyrics : Shailendra Singers : Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey Music : Shankar -Jaikishen
This song has now become almost an iconic song associated with loveand romance. It is picturised on the hit pair of Raj Kapoor and Nargis during evening atmosphere on wet road with a road side chaiwallah very apprciatingly staring at them. It does not have may lines but it is the music which is the real soul of this song. The harmonium is used very effectively to alter the tune when needed. The fine romantic pair of Raj and Nargis live the song rather than act in it and this lifts the song to very high level. Especially the lines " Mai na rahoongi, tum na rahoge, Phir bhi rahengi nishaniya --" and the camera pans to show two small boy and girl walking togetherin a drizzle of rain. It shows the committment for eternal love between the lead pair. Once it was Manna Dey turning out a romantic songs for Raj Kapoor and along with Lata it has now become an recognition of love and romance. Its tune is used as a signature in many programmes. It is very uplifting to listen the song.
If you are somewhat down just listen to this song to lift your mood.
"Aayega aanewala aayega -------"
Film : Mahal Year : 1949 Lyrics : Kamal Amrohi Singer : Lata Mangeshkar Music : Khemchand Prakash
This 1949 film has given one of the most popular and hummed songs of bollywood. Wheni the song was released, as per custom then the song was credited tom the character Kamini played by Madhubala and not to Lata. The haunting but melodius song became so popular that radio stations where flooded with requests to name the actual singer. Lata has sung this perenially famous song in a superb style which conveys to you that someone is going to come after a long time to a particular place. The movie was the first movie on the theme of reincarnation in Bollywood and had the evergreen Ashok Kumar and the fresh sixteen year old Madhubala in the lead roles. The song keeps appearing frequently in the movie and it went on to make Lata into a household name. The song continues to be popular today also.
For going into a wistful mood this nothing to beat the listening experience of this song.
"O Duniya Ke rakhwale -----"
Film : Baiju Bawara Year : 1952 Lyrics : Shakeel Badayuni Singer : Mohammed Rafi Music : Naushad
This is Rafi at his best. Under the music maestro Naushad Rafi brings out the pathos of the lyrics describing the state of a dejected and heart broken lover addressing God about his sad state. The words are simply fantastic and every line has a contrasting comparison like " Mandir ghirthaa phir ban jhatha, dhil ko kaun sambhale' or "Chaand ko doonde paagal sooraj,shaam ko doonde savera" or "Nayya sung toofan bhanaya ,milan sung judaai". Naushad set it on the classical Darbari raga and Rafi sang it to perfection. Rafi was to become a sensation after this and other songs sung by him in this movie were released. This song was also sung in college competitions by aspiring singers trying to show their mettle. Baiju Bawra was a musician in King Akbar's time and wanted to avenge his father's death on the orhers of the great simger Tansen, by outclassing him in a competition. It is a great musical movie and ironically the great Naushad went on to win his first and only Filmfare Award for Best Music in this movie.
A very soothing and mood uplifting song which can be heard anytime one likes.
"Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya---"
Film : Mughal-e-Azam Year : 1960 Lyrics : Shakeel badayuni Singer : Lata Mangeshkar Music : Naushad
This evergreen song by Lata Mangeshkar under the direction of Naushsd and set in Raga Durga wentv on tombecome a song of the young in a world where love was still not accepted. It was almost the song of defiance. Picturised on the most beautiful Madhubala in a specially erected Sheesh Mahal set both the tone of the music and the voice of Lata along with thec words together go to create a environment of challenging the authority of the mighty King Akbar. The line like"Chup na sakega ishqa humaaaraa,charo taraf hai iska nazara" and the subsequent shot of hundreds of Anarkalis in each small mirror of the Sheesh Mahal are etched in the minds of the viewer. In order to get the feel of echo Lata was made to sing the song in a bathroom during the recording. The more than six minutes in length song continues to be popular today also for its words and quality of music.
A song worthy of listening to anytime anywhere.
"Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer Bana Le ------"
Film : Baazi Year; 1951 Lyrics : Sahir Ludhianvi Singer : Geeta Bali Music : S. D. Burman
The tantalising and teasing voice oF Geeta Dutt has given this song a timeless flavour. The picturisation is equally wonderful in a club. The words are taunting the players to take a gambling risk if they have confidence in themselves. The song is sung in the movie by an equally inviting Geeta Bali. It was produced by Navketan films and directed by Guru Dutt. Its overall music by dada Burman was and is today also very popular. The husky voice of Geeta Dutt is a treat to listen and it was unfortunate that she died in tragic circmstances at a young age.
The song and its tune makes the listener light at heart and peps the mood.
"Dil Jalta Hai To Jalne De Aansoo Na Baha;;;;"
Film : Pehli Nazar Year : 1945 Lyricist : Aah Sitapuri Singer : Mukesh Music : Anil Biswas
This sad song was the first song sung by Mukesh in Hindi films. It is sung by him on the voice pattern of the legendary singer K L Saigal. It is said that after the song became famous Saigal asked when had he recorded this song. Mukesh got recognition in the industry with this song. However he later developed his own style which has also made him a legend of Hindi film singers. The words of the song are best appreciated when heard alone preferably in a dark room. The pain of the lover at the unsure betrayal by the loved is the theme of the song. Anil Biswas was a famous music director of the forties. I once heard this song being played in a multiplex theatre and the whole effect was mesemerising. When the song ended there were a few claps in an otherwise predomnantly young audience. Such is the timelessness of these old songs
This song is a good song to hear when someone does not respond the way you want especially from the opposite sex.
"Yahoo, Chahe Koyi Mujhe Junglee Kahe ---"
Film : Junglee Year :1961 Lyrics : Hasrat Jaipuri Singer : Rafi Music : Shanker- Jaikishen
This Shammi Kapoor song set the whole nation on fire. Rafi sang it with gay abandon. The catchword Yahoo caught the imagination of one and all. Picturised on Shammi Kapoor on a snowy mountain along with the beautiful Saira Banu (her first film) the fast paced and loud music along with the liberating and pleading of love words made the song an immidiate hit and it continues to be liked today also. It is one of Rafi's top selling and heard songs. It also helped Shammi to get a boisterous image. It is a song every youngster when he realises he is in love wants to sing and telll the whole world about it.
The song lifts your mood and wants you to jump and dance.
"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana--- "
Film : Andaz Year : 1971 Lyricist : Hasrat Jaipuri Singer : Kishore Kumar Music : Shankar-Jaishen
This song picturised on the first super star of Bollywood, Rajesh Khanna driving a motor bike with the beautiful Hema Malini on the pillion became an instant hit with the masses. The light song tells about the philosophy of life. The rising singing star Kishore Kumar sang the song and yoodeled also in his unique style. Its music was as usual fitting the lyrics and the situation. India was changing and was becoming a nation of the young. It was therefore appropriate that such songs would capture the mood of the nation. The movie also was a hit. Hasrat Jaipuri won the Best Lyricist Award for the song and Kishore Kumar was nominated for the Best Singer Award category at the 19th Filmfare Awards in 1971.
A pepsy song worth listening whenever one is in a good mood.
Why don't they make such songs anymore ? Any answers.
The hundred years of Indian cinema is an occasion to try and remember the top ten movies I have seen over the years and live the experience and good time they have given me over these years. The ranking is purely my own and readers can have different opinion. The purpose is to recall these great movies and mention their salient features which made them all time favourites with movie fans both in India and abroad.
Ten : Do Aankhen Barah Haath
At number ten is the V Shantaram produced and directed film Do Aankhen Bara Haath in which he also starred. The 1957 movie is now seen as a classic Indian movie. It is based on a true story - an experiment conducted on 'open prisons' in the princely state of Aundh now in Sangli district of Maharashtra State. Shantaram was already a force to reckon with in Hindi and Marathi films for making socially relevant films when this movie was released. It told the story of a jailer who tries to reform six convicted for murder prisoners by keeping them in an open jail. He works by their side on a dilapidated rural farm to produce a great harvest. The process of rehabilitation of these criminals by the young warden named Adinath is the core of the movie.
The end is tragic as Adinath is killed by corrupt persons who do not want competition in their markets from the open jail prisoners.The irony of prisoners getting reformed and free persons plotting the murder of the reformist jail warden is not lost on the viewer.
The movie had excellent music by Vasant Desai and one of its songs 'Aaye Maallik Tere Bandhe Hum' has gained an almost iconic status. Another popular song sung in the movie by its heroine and Shantaram favourite Sandhya is "Sainyyan Jhootoon Ka Bada Sartaj Nikla'. Both songs are sung by Lata Mangeshkar and lyrics are by Bharat Vyas.
Besudes V Shantaram in the main lead it also starred Sandhy and Ulhas.The story and screen play were by G.D. Madgulkar.The length of the movie is 143 minutes. In a shooting sequence for a bull fight Shantaram got injured in one of his eyes but did not lose his eyesight.
It went on to win acclaim in both Indian and foreign countries. In 1957, it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and Best Feature Film in Hindi. In 1958, it went on to win the Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury and the OCIC award at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival. It was nominated for the Golden Globe Award at the same Festival and in 1959 for the Golden Globe Award at the Samuel Goldwyn Awards.
A moralistic movie worth watching even more than fifty years of its release.
Nine : Do Bhiga Zamin
This Bimal Roy directed film is rightly hailed as a trend setter for neo realistic movies in India.It was a story ahead of its time.Today we are seeing in many parts of India the story of the film repeated again and again. Land from farmers is taken away for industrialization. The owner of land is turned into a beggar who has to struggle for a living all his life. The pathetic story is of a farmer who owns two bhigas of land which the rich landlord wants along with other adjoining lands for setting up a profitable industry. The farmer has often borrowed money from the landlord who now tells him to return all the borrowed money along with interest within three months otherwise his land would be auctioned off. The poor farmer goes to Kolkatta to earn the sum so that he can save his land which is his only source of livelihood. The travails he faces while pulling rickshaw in the big city is shown in detail. he collects the required sum only to be told by the landlord that he is late and his land has been sold off. He is not allowed even to take a handful of mud from his land and the movie ends by showing the farmer and his family walking away from what used to be his land once.
Balraj Sahni the ace actor portrayed the role of Shambu the farmer with great finesse. He actually learnt how to pull rickshaw in Kolkatta from actual pullers many of him told him they were indeed victims like Shambu in the movie. Nirupa Roy was in the female lead. Salil Choudhury was the story writer as well as the music director.
Some of its songs are popular today also like Mausam Bheeta Jaye, Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke and Aaja Ri Aa Nindiya Tu Aa.
The movie went on to win the first Filmfare Award for Best Picture and for Bimal Roy the Best Director Award in 1954. It won the Prix International Prize at the 7th Cannes Film Festival and the Prize for Social Progress at the Karlov Vary International Festival.
Do Bhiga Zamin has become a cult movie and is recommended by Indiatimes Movies amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.
Eight : Jagriti
Independent India's first movie to have classic patriotic songs written by the eminent poet Kavi Pradeep, one of India's greatest poets and lyricists. The 1954 film is produced and directed by Satyen Bose. The story revolves around a teacher who tries to install values in his students by unorthodox ways. He tells them about Indian culture and wants them to be patriots. Into his boarding school comes a student who is stubborn and the teacher does not seem to be succeeding in mending him. The student befriends a handicapped student who also tries to reform him but without success. One day the student decides to runaway from he hostel and the handicapped friend chases him to stop him. However in the process he meets with an accident and dies. The stubborn student realizes the sacrifice of his friend and mends his ways under the guidance of his teacher to excel in his studies and sports.
The movie went on to win the Best Feature Film in Hindi from the National Award and the Best Film Award from Filmfare in 1956 and for Abhi Bhattacharya who plays the role of the teacher the Filmfare Best Supporting Award.
The movies patriotic songs are evergreen and music was by Hemant Kumar. The immortal songs are Aao Bachon Tumhe Dikhaye Jhanki Hindustan Ki, De Di HAme Azadi, Hum LAye Hain Toofan Se Kishti Nikaal Ke and the mournful Chale Chale Ma sung by Kavi Pradeep and Asha Bhosle.
Seven: Junglee
This 1961 film was a trend setter in many ways. It lifted the Hindi movies to new heights of pure entertainment. It was produced and directed by Subodh Mukherjee and had Shammi Kapoor in the male lead. It was the movie which introduced Saia Banu into Bollywood. Backed by fantastic music by the evergreen music duo of Shankar-Jaikishen it had hit songs which are popular today also. Its Yahoo song became the symbol of the young generation and its cry for freedom.
It also started the trend of Bollywood films shooting in Kashmir. It was the first film to bring the natural beauty of Kashmir on the silver screen. Film after film followed with shooting in Kashmir. Tourism to Kashmir received a big boost because of Junglee.
The story of the movie is about a strict mother played by Lalitha Pawar who considers love and laughter to be the vices of poor families and not virtues of aristocratic families. Shammi Kapoor goes to Kashmir with his sister, who dares to laugh and fall in love, to try to keep her away from both. But he himself falls in love with Saira Banu in the role of a Kashmiri girl. How both the couples manage to convince Lalitha Pawar that love and laughter are basic and natural to human nature is the plot of the story.
The evergreen songs some of them sung in scenic Kashmir locales are Kashmir Ki Kali Hoon Main, Nain Tumhare Mazedar, Din Sara Guzara Tore Angna, Yahoo Chahe Koyi Mujhe Junglee Kahe, Ja Ja Ja Mere Bachpan, Aaiyya Aaiyya Sukoo Sukko and Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par.
The 150mminute movie is a treat to watch today also.
Six : Ardh Satya
Ardh Satya directed by Govind Nihalani and screenplay by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar was a defining film in many ways.The 1983 film rightly identified the growing unholy nexus between the mafia, police and the corrupt politicians and the marginilization of the honest cop. The powerful portrayals by its cast raised the movie to heights of realism. It hit the audiences hard and brought out how society would be harmed by such unholy alliances between corrupt persons. The 130 minute length filmwas released in 1983.
The story revolves around a honest cop played by Om Puri who finds himself gradually becoming impotent due to the nexus between local goons, corrupt politicians and the police. The idealism with which he joined the police force evaporates wen he sees the real world of deals within deals. His zeal to book the wrong doers brings him into direct clash with the powerful local mafia boss, played to perfection by another fine actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar. He rejects the advances of the mafia boss but soon is in trouble again. He arrests three persons who are the local MLA's supporters. The MLA wants him to be suspended as he refuses to release the arrested persons. He does not find support in his police force. He gets frustrated and takes to heavy drinking. One day he beats up a prisoner mercilessly and causes his death.
The ideal policeman is now in real trouble of being arrested and losing his job. He is advised to go to the local mafia boss who can help him. Reluctantly he goes to him. The boss is waiting for this day. He puts dirty conditions for helping him. This infuriates the police man and he just gets up and kills the gangster and surrenders himself to the police.
The movie was ahead of its time and rightly predicted what we see very commonly these days. Om Puri in the role of a copwas superb and his career took off with it. The movie had actors like Amrish Puri, Smita Patil, Amrapurkar,Shafi Inamdar, Satish Shah and Naseeruddin Shah. With such galaxy of trained actors the movie was bound to make a deep impact on the audiences. The growing anger of the helpless honest Indian was brought out very effectively bu Nihalani.
Ardh Satya went on to win seven National. Filmfare and International Awards. It won the Filmfare Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor(Amrapurkar), Best Screenplay and Best Story. Om Puri went on to win the National Award and the Karlov Vary International Film Festival Best Actor Awards, in 1983/ 84.
Itis truly one of Indian cinema's landmark films and still one of the best movies on Indian police.
Five : Guide
Guide was released in 1965 and went on to become not only a commrercially hit movie but got acclaimed as a classic masterpiece in Indian cinema. It is based on the novel of same name by the famous author R. K. Narayan. Time magazine has placed it at number five in its list of Best Bollywood Classics. The unusually long 183 minute film went on to win a number of Filmfare and other Awards
It is directed by Vijay Anand, brother of Dev Anand the lead actor and Waheeda Rehaman plays the lead female role. The music was by S. D. Burman and songs were written by Shailendra. The movie was shot by the ace cinematographer Fali Mistry. It was produced by Nav Ketan International the home production company of Dev Anand.
Raju guide played by Dev is a happy go lucky person in the historic city of Udaipur. In comes Rosie played by Waheeda Rehman along with her archeologist husband Monto played by Kishore Sahu. The husband dumps her in a hotel and immerses himself in a cave which he wants to discover and write upon. He neglects Rosie who turns to Raju gude for comfort. They fall in love. She is an accomplished dancer. She dumps Marcos and with help of Raju builds up a successful dancing career. Her success makes Raju insecure and he cheats her accounts .He is caught and jailed. Upon release he does not want to go to his family or Rosie. He sets of for nowhere. He reaches a village and takes night shelter in its temple. The village is suffering from draught and everyone is praying for rains. In the morning the villagers see him and take him to be a godman. They request him to bring rains. He pleads with them that he is not what they think he is. But the simple villagers are not convinced. He undertakes a fast for rains. Everyday he is in stress but soon becomes spritual and transforms into a superior being.
His publicity reaches far and wide. His mother and Rosie both see his photo in the papers and go to see him along with thousands of persons for whom he has now acquired a saintly status. When they reach him he is about to die. As he lay dying it starts raining bringing joy to the village people but sorrow to mother and Rosie. The movie tries to convey that soul never dies it is the body that does as per the message of Gita.
The powerful performances by both Dev and Waheeda fetches them the Filmfare Best Actor Awards.The film goes on to win the Best Film Award from Filmfare. Vijay Anand gets the Filmfare Best Director and Best Dialogue Awards. S D Burman gets the Filmfare Best Music Director Award. Lata Mangeshkar gets thr Filmfare Best Play back Singer Award for the now iconic son Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamana Hai. R K Narayan gets the Best Story Award and Fali Mistry The Best Cinematographer Award.
It was the first Indian movie to show a married woman walking away from her marriage and falling in love with another person. Waheeda was advised against taking up the role of Rosie for the theme was supposed to be very bold for its times. However the movie was not only well recieved but went on to be a box office success and a trend setter.The picturisation of the song Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamana Hai aptly conveys the breaking away of Rosie from a disinterested husband and a failed maririge.
The movie is a fulsome entertainer which uplifts the viewer and the experience lives with you for very long.
Four: Haqeeqat
The India- China war of 1962 had left the nation demoralized. Valiant soldiers had fought the hordes of Chinese intruders and laid down their lives but not before inflicting heavy losses on them. The defeat was a stunning blow to national prestige.It was betrayal by a nation considered a friend by Indians.
It was left to Chetan Anand to bring out the true story of the debacle and Haqeeqat managed to do it realistically in a truthful manner. It starred a galaxy of fine actors like Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra, Priya Rajvanshi, Sanjay Khan, Jayant and Vijay Anand. Shot on actual locales it tells the story of Indian troops placed in small numbers on the Indo-China border with very limited ammunition and rations and inadequate winter clothing. Communications are alsoapoor as tre the border roads.
In October 1962 the Chinese cross the border in wave after wave which the Indian soldiers with limited fire power are unable to stop. The only thing they do is fight valiantly and lay down their lives for the motherland. The helplessness of the front line soldiers to receive command or amminition is aptly brought out in the movie. The 184 minute length movie was released in 1964 and was well accepted by the audiences.
The realistic and touching songs written by Kaifi Azmi are supported by excellent and soulful music by Madan Mohan. The Mohammed Rafi sung song Kar C hale Hum Fida, Jaano Tan Sathiyon, Ab tumahare Hawale Watan Sathiyon has become a cult patriotic song in the country. Other touching songs are Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bholaya Hoga and Main Ye Sonchkar Uske Ghar Se Utha Tha.
It was the first war film which brought out the harsh reality of neglect of our troops resulting inoue defeat and humilition.
Three : Pyasa
This 1957 film by Guru Dutt has becomea cult film the world over esp. in Germany and France. The story is of a failed poet who is shunned by relatives and friends but finds solace in the arms of a prostitute played by Waheeda Rehaman. His poems ae rejected by publishers and this disheartens him. However the prostitute appreciates them. One day he meets his college girl friend who is now married to a publisher only for leading a comfortable life. He feels she can help him get his poems published. Her husband employs him only to keep an eye on him and find out the truth between teir relationship with his wife played by Mala Sinha. However one day he gives his coat with his address to a beggar who is run over by a train. The publisher then declares that the poet is dead and agrees to now publish his poems and make profit. The poet fails to convince everyone that he is very uch alive. He is put in a mental assylum.
Meantime his poems have become a hit and the publisher is holding a felicitation function in a hall. The poet escapes from the assylum and reaches the hall. People recognize him but the publisher buys out his brothers to disown him. With a broken heart he leaves the hall with the prostitute disowning his own poems to lead a new life somewhere else.
The film had mesmerising and stirring songs written by Sahir Ludhianvi and music by S. D. Burman and sung by Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt. These songs are popular today also. The film is overall pessimistic in nature but captures the evil side of humans and relationships beautifully. Guru Dutt excelled in the role of the poet Vijay and so did Waheeda in the role of Gulabo.
The movie has now attained the position of a classic in world cinema and is frequently screened and discussed in seminars and festivals abroad. It is a movie which should be seen for its picturisation, songs, music and acting. Its famous song Jinhe naaz Hai Hind Per Woh kahan hai is apt today also. Another popular song is Sar Jo Tera Chakraye filmed on Jhonny Walker. Hemant Kumar has sung the song Jane Woh kaise Log The and the songs of Geeta Dutt are all a treat to listen
Pyasa is a movie to be surely seen at least once.
Two : Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-e-Azam was a magnum opus directed by K Asif and released in 1960 to great acclaim and commercial success. It brought out the splendour of the greatest Mughal Akbar and his Court in all its splendour. No cost was spared or cut to make all sets of the movie grand in scale. It was a visual delight to watch the movie. Starring powerful actors like Dilip Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala ,Durga Khote and Ajit, its dialogues and their deliveries by all the actors wrere of a very high order.
If Prithviraj Kapoor looked every bit the king Akbar so did Dilip look a perfect Salim. Madhubala as Anarkali was simply too beautiful on the screen. Supported by classical music by the master Naushad and excellent songs written by Shakeel Bhadayuni its songs are a rage today also. Especially the song Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya sung by Lata and filmed on Madhubala in the exotic Sheesh Mahal set, it has become a cult song of love and defiance for generations thereafter.
A story of Prince Salim falling in love with a courtesan Anarkali and the refusal of Akbar to reconise it is the simple story. She is then walled up on orders of Akbar but releasd and banished from his kingdom so that Salim believes she is dead and concentrates on matters of State and upholds the kahndani ijjat of the eat Mughals. Thec story is not true but is by now a legend of romance.
The movie was made on a budget of Rs 1.5 crores and went on to gross Rs 5.5 crores a record very difficult to beat. The 191 minute film was recently re-released as a 177 minute movie and the original black and white was converted into coloour digitally. The coloured version brings out the sets superbly and is a treat to watch. The movie ran 90% houseful in all the theatrers. It was re-released in 2003.
The movie brought acting laurels to bothh Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. It was hailed as India's answer to grand Hollywood mega movies. Its dialogues were a rage upon its release.
Mughal-e-Azam is one of India's top movies from all view points of movie making and this has made it into a legendary film. Imagine a lakh people were outside Maratha Mandir theatre wanting to buy its ticket upon release in Mumbai.
ONE : Mother India
Mother India is one of India's most revered films. Producer director Mehboob Khan's opus magnum is one of India's highest grossing films ever. It was released in 1957 and was in continuous distribution till mid nineties when satellite and channels altered the movie goers taste. Even today it is one of the handful of movies which are repeatedly watched all over the country. it has got identified with Indian culture in the minds of the masses.
It was produced as an answer to a book written before Indian independence by Katherine Mayo for American audiences. In her book also entitled Mother India she ridiculed Indians liberally and wrote all sort of trash. The film thus acquired a nationalist touch. It was in fact a remake of Khan's earlier movie named Aurat andcmade in 1940.
Mother India tells the story of rural India where for sake of dowry a mother borrows a sum of Rs 500 from the local money lender. The married couple then try to work on their fields to pay off the loan. Dissaters strike and they are not able to pay off the loan. The money lender true to their reputation make life difficult for the couple. One day the husband feeling inadequate goes away leaving the wife with two children to fend for themselves. The moneylender proposes marraige to the mother which she refuses. She struggles to bring up her family and life is obviously tough. One of the children is normal and well behaved. But the other one is full of revenge for the moneylender and also ikeeps troubling the village girls. The mother's efforts to straighten him fail. He also threatens the moneylender whom he has seen insulting his motherand taking away her ornaments. On the day of his daughter's marraige he stikes at the moneylender and takes away his daughter. The mother tries to stop him but in vain. She then shoots him dead to rescue the girl.
In the role of the mother Nargis played her best role winning accolades all round. Sunil Dutt as the bad son was only a film old but got recgnised as an actor of potential. Rajendra Kumar was the good son whose career also took off positively. Raaj Kumar as the weak husband also came into recognition. The moneylenders role was played to perfection by the ace character artiste Kanhayalal and his utterance of the name Radharani (Nargis's name) is simply superb.
Mother India was the costliest movie till Mughal-e-Azam overtook it in 1960. The movie also made record collections all over India and abroad except in USA and England. It won a host of Filmfare Awards for Best Film ,Best Director, Best Actress, Best Cinematographer and Best Soun. Nargis also won the Best actress award at the Karlov Vary Internatinal Film Festival in 1958.
The music of Mother India is by Naushad and lyrics are by Shakeel Bhadayuni. It has 12 songs sung by Rafi, Shamshad Begum, Lata and Manna Dey and each song is popular today also. Its holi song Holi Aaye Re Kanhai by Shamshad Begum is immensely popular and very pleasing to hear. So is Duniya Main hum Aaye Hain to Jeena Hi Padega by the sisters Lata, Meena and Usha Mangeshkars.
Mother India became a base for movies that followed. THe battle between good and bad. The sacrificing mother fighting the evil forces to save her family. Sunil Dutt's character gave rise to the angry young man's image.
The 172 minute film is an eternal Hindi movie watched for its strong portrayals and wonderful classical music.
In this Part two we shall pay tribute to a few more character actors till the seventies and beyond in the centenary year of Hindi films.
The Bollybood's most famous police officer was the character actor Iftekhar. Born in 1920 in Sialkot, he had the distinction of acting in over 400 films, in a career spanning over four decades. He acted in his first film Qazzak ki Ladki, in 1937. In the 40's and 50's he came as a lead actor in a number of films. He was not only handsome but was suave and dignified in the portrayals of various characters on the screen.
He however made a mark for himself as a righteous police inspector in a large number of films. He rose to further heights of acting in the Yash Chopra film Deewar as the one who initiates and mentors Amitabh Bachchan into the world of crime. With Amitabh he played powerful police inspector roles in Zanjeer and Don bith hit films of their times.
He was also a Dev Anand favourite acting with him in hit films like Johnny Mera Naam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and The Gambler. He also played the inspector's role in the iconic Sholay. Some of his popular films are Mirza Ghalib, Devdas, Shree 420, Jagte Raho, Dilli ka Thug, Professor, Bandini, Meri SooratTeri Aankhen, Sangam,Shaheed, Khamoshi, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Intiquam, Safar,The Train, Sharmeelee, Joshila, Dharmatma, Vishwanath, Karz, Dostana, Mashaal, City of Joy, Meri Jung etc.
He was liked for his sophisticated looks and soft dialogue deliveries. He passed away in 1995.
Another actor who became famous for playing the character roles of father, uncle, police inspector and even villainous roles was Satyen Kappu. born in 1931, he started his filmy journey from the famous film Kabuliwala in 1961. He went on to act in nearly 270 films in a four decade career. He came to films from the theatre and brought a sense of pathos in his acting. He became famous for playing the role of Ramlal in the now iconic Sholay. He got an opportunity to act in many Amitabh films. Some of the films he acted in are Deewar, Kati Patang, Mausam, Mr Natwarlal, Zanjeer, Don, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Dharam Kanta, Bidaai, Red Rose, The Burning Train, Kudrat, Naseeb, Sharabi etc. He passed away in 2007 in Mumbai.
A freedom fighter coming to the silver screen at a late age and going on to win the hearts of the audiences is a very rare phenomenon. That was the brief story of Avtar Kishen Hangal, born in 1917 in Sialkot. He was a freedom fighter from 1929 till 1947. He loved acting and was a stage actor from 1936 till 1965. At the age of 49 in 1966 he became a character actor in Hindi films and continued till 2005. Of kashmiri origin he saw in his life many periods of poverty. A tailor by profession he had to be financially supported by outsiders during his later age as he suffered from medical problems. He was a convincing character actor and brought a rare finesse into his roles. He is remembered for the role of Imam in the iconic movie Sholay and his one dialogue in the film "Itna sannataa kyu hai bhai-- " has also become equally iconic. Even though he came very late into films he got to act in around 225 films. Some of his notable flms are Aaina, Namak Haram, Manzil, Prem Bhandan, Guddi, Bawarchi, Mere Apne, Abhiman, Chichor, Des Pardes, Judaai, Thodisi Bewafaii, Kalyug, Kudrat, Khalnayak and Lagaan. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 95 in Mumbai.
The civil engineer turned character actor was born in 1935 in Balochistan now in Pakistan. The Pathan moved with his family to Mumbai when he was only a year old.He was named Kader Khan. He went on to graduate as a civil engineer and for five years was employed as a professor in a college in Mumbai. It was Dilip Kumar who saw him act in a college play and offered him roles in his two films Sagina Mahato and Bairaag .He never looked back and went on to act in a phenomenal 450 plus films. Besides acting he was equally a famous film dialogue writer and has written dialogues for nearly 250 films. He is known as a legend in Hindi films. His acting was simple but it was the punch dialogues which he deliverd with a fantastic sense of timing. He got to act with all the leading stars of his time including Amitabh, Jeetendra,Govinda and Firoze Khan. He was especially a favourite of the director David Dhawan. Besides plaaying character roles he was also an accomplished commedian. Some of his dialogues have become very famous. Some of his notable films are Sharabi, Coolie, Lawaaris, Muqqaddar Ka Sikandar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Karma, Sarfarrosh, Himmatwala, Coolie No 1,Khoon Bari Maang,Satte Pe Satta, Mujse Shaadi Karogi, Raja Babu,Dhanwaan, Badi Behen, Khoon Pasina,Jhoru ka Ghulam etc. He is presently staying in Mumbai and occassionally acts in films /TV serials. He has contributred a great to Hindi cinema.
Remaining character actors of note will be covered in Part three.
The Hindi movies have given comedians of immense talent, who have regaled millions of viewers time and again. Some of the comedians created a name for themselves and were given full credit by the producers. Roles were specially written to accommodate these comedians to ensure wider audiences. Many of them have now become legends and are fondly remembered today when there is hardly any comedy in today's movies.
One of the first actors to make a name for himself as a comedian was Gope. Born as Gope Kamlani in 1914 in Karachi, he acted in his first movie Insaan Ya Shaitan in 1933. He soon established himself as a comedian who shared credits with the films lead actors. With a serious look on his face his comedy style was subtle. He also acted in some negative roles and brought a comic touch to them. He also produced a few films. Some his notable films are Hindustan Hamara, Patanga, Mirza Sahiban, Chori Chori,Tarana, Pocket Maar,Kismet, Fifty Fifty,Sharada.
Alongwith Bhagwan Dada he is acknowledged as one of the the pioneer comedians of the Hindi movies. He was married to actress Latika. He passed away at the relatively young age of 43 in 1957.
Bhagwan Dada is another comedian of a bygone era who is remembered today also for his unique style of comedy. Born in 1913 in Mumbai, he was obsessed with films. His family was very poor but his dreams were big. He learnt film making and started making low budget films. He had got some acting breaks in silent movies. From 1938 to 1949 he directed many low budget films and in many of them acted as a simpleton with comic touches. These roles endeared him to the masses who loved him in such comic situations. He went on to make a social film Albela with Geeta Bali and that movie has gone to become one of Bollywood's legendary movies. With musical score by Ramchandra its songs have become legendary. Albela was a superhit. His style of slow foot dancing was to become a hit and was copied by Amitabh Bachchan also later on. However Bhagwan lost everything and returned back to live in a chawl and passed away in 2002 at the age of 89 years.
One of the first real comedians of the Hindi screen, Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, popularly known as Johnny Walker was born in 1926 in Indore into a poor textile worker's family who moved to Mumbai when he lost his job. To support his family Badruddin started working at many jobs, including as a conductor in BEST buses. He used to regale commuters with his antics and caught the attention of Balraj Sahni who introduced him to Guru Dutt. His screen test was of a drunkard and he did it so convincingly that Dutt christened him Johnny Walker after the famous whisky brand.They became good friends and Dutt used to create roles for him in his movies.
Johnny Walker went on to act in dozens of films as a comedian and made a name for himself. He shared equal credits with the lead actors and during the fifties and early sixties in almost all films roles were written specially for him. His name became synonymic with comedy. Some of the songs picturized on him became very famous.Some of his more famous movies are Baazi,Aar Paar,Taxi driver, Mr& Mrs 55, CID, Chori Chori, Pyassa, Naya Daur, Jhonny Walker, Madhumati, Mughal-e-Azam, Bees Saal Baad, Mere Mehboob, Ananad, Chachi 420. He passed away in 2003 in Mumbai. He will be remembered for his unique style of comedy.
Such was Mehmood's acting prowess that lead actors were refusing to act in movies with him because they knew it would be him who would walk away with honours. Born in 1932 in Mumbai, he acted in more than 300 films in a career span of nearly four decades. He was an actor, director and producer. His father was a very famous film actor and dancer of the 40's and 50's namely Mumtaz Ali.
Mehmood got his first break in the film CID. He was a hillarious comedy actor who pioneered many comedy styles including the use of Hyderabadi style of speaking.He directed his first movie Bhoot Bangla in 1965 and was its lead actor. He grew as a comedian from strength to strength and the 60's and 70's saw him dominate the comedy scene in Hindi films. He started coming as a lead actor and these movies ran successfully at the box office. His most famous movie remains Padosan in which he acted as a south Indian dance teacher wooing Saira Banu who is also being wooed by Sunil Dutt with the help of Kishore Kumar. It has become an iconic movie and its song 'ek chatur Naar-- ' is one of the most popular songs of Bollywood.
Some of his famous movies are Pyasa, Howrah Bridge, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Choti Bahen, Kanoon.Manzil, Godaan, Bharosa, Bin Badal Barsaat, Johar-Mehmood in Goa, Pyaar Kiye Jaa, Love in Tokyo, Daadi Maa, Dil Ek Mandir, Ziddi, Sanjh Aur Savera, Pathar ke Sanam, Padosan,Neel Kamal, Sadhu Aur Shaitan, Ankhen, Mere Apne, Main Suder Hoon etc. Mehmood is now a legendary actor of Hindi screen.He passed away in Pennsylvania,USA in 2004.
More about other comedians in Part II.