Film Song Story

Stories behind some bollywood songs
on: May 15, 2008, 12:22:15 PM

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1. Music Director Naushad and lyricist Shakeel Badaiyuni, sat on a terrace ( and not an airconditioned Hotel room ) for a whole night, composing, writing, rewriting a song. No
wonder it is evergreen - 'Jab pyar kiya toh darna kya.'
2. Shakti Samant wanted for "Amar Prem' a song with lines full of extreme contrasts and
lyricist Anand Baxi, otherwise known as 'Factory of songs' could not write one. Suddenly
one night, at a filmy party, with a glass of wine in one hand, cigar in another, he was
standing at the window when rain-water extinguished his cigar. Immediately it struck to
him - ' Chingaari Koi bhadke, toh saawan use bujaye'
3. Music director Jaikishan, a romantic man, while in car, saw a beauty on road. He
turned behind, a number of times, to see her. Lyricist, sitting besides, immediately
created ' Mud mud ke naa dekh mud mud ke'.
4. Rafi was rehearsing the song ' Dil ke Jharukhe me tujko..' from Brahmachari. Shammi
Kapoor, present, requested : please sing all the 4 lines of the first stanza,IN ONE
BREATH. Rafi laughed : do you want to kill me ? But he sang- breathless.
5. Khai Ke paan... was originally composed for Dev Anand - film Banaarasi Babu. But he
did not like the idea of wearing a "Dhoti' . So later Kalyanji Anandji used it for Don, but
here too, writers Salim -Jaaved would not let their hero to wear a "Dhoti', and
Amitabh created history with his steps in trousers as well.
Read more: http://www.funonthenet.in/forums/index.php?topic=91458.0#ixzz2rh8fckJ9
nteresting Questions, Facts, and Information
Bollywood
"Dilliagi", a movie released in 1999, had a popular song 'Haan Haan Yeh Pyaar Hai' as part of
its soundtrack. This tune is blatantly copied from the English number 'Can't Take My Eyes Off
You'. Who sang the English song?
'Inspired' Bollywood Songs
Frankie Valli. Another song from the same movie, 'Koi Nahin Aisa' has been copied from
'Mony Mony' by Tommy James and The Shondells. Jatin & Lalit, the music directors of this film,
are a well-known duo who have a number of hit songs to their credit.
'Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi' features on the soundtrack of the movie "Aa Gale Lag
Ja"(1973) in two versions. Both have been copied from the English number 'The Yellow Rose of
Texas'. Who sang this song in the 1963 movie "Viva Las Vegas"? 'Inspired' Bollywood Songs
Elvis Presley. The music director of the film, R. D. Burman, is highly respected for his original
compositions. Looks like he slipped up here though.
The title song of "Dil Deke Dekho"(1959) is a direct lift of 'Sugartime'. Which group sang the
original?
'Inspired' Bollywood Songs
The McGuire Sisters. Usha Khanna is credited with the Hindi version.
'Pal Pal' from one of 2006's biggest hits, "Lage Raho Munnabhai", is a rehash of an old English
song 'Theme For A Dream'. Which singer sang the original song?'Inspired' Bollywood Songs
Cliff Richards. Shantanu Moitra, the music director of the film, was regarded as a talented
new composer before a number of his songs were found to have been copied from various
sources.
Finally, these are the lyrics to which song? "Dhandha Hai Yeh Uska Puraana, Hai Ram,
Kudiyon Ko Daale Daana."
Name That Bollywood Song!
Didi Tera Dewar Diwana. Hope that wasn't too hard! The song 'Didi Tere Dewar Diwana' is
from the movie 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' starring Madhuri and Salman Khan.
"Doli mein bitha ke, Sitaro se sajake, Zamane se churake, Lejayega ek roj tera udke jiya..."
These lyrics are from which song?
Saawariya. These lyrics are from the song "Saawariya" which is the title track to the movie
'Saawariya' starring Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in their debut film. 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' is
from the movie with the same title which stars Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, and Rani Mukherji. 'Tujh
Mein Rab Dikta Hai' and 'Dance Pe Chance' are both from the movie 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi'
starring Shah Rukh Khan and Anushka Sharma.
"Aaja Aaja Dil Nichodhe, Raat Ki Matki Tode, Koi Good Luck Nikale, Aaj Gullak To Phodhe,
Aaja Aaja Dil Nichodhe, Raat Ki Matki Tode, Koi Good Luck Nikale, Aaj Gullak To Phodhe." These
are the lyrics to which song?
Dhan Te Nan. 'Dhan Te Nan' was a hit song from the movie 'Kaminey' starring Shahid
Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. 'Pehli Baar Mohabbat' is also a song from the same movie.
'Discowale Khisko' is a song from the movie 'Dil Bole Hadippa!' starring Rani Mukherji and Shahid
Kapoor. 'Man ko Ati Bhavey' is from the movie 'London Dreams' which stars Salman Khan, Ajay
Devgan, and Asin Thottumkal.
"Saachi saachi teri nazrein ek darpan, Dede mann ki yeh khabrein ek pal chin, Adharon ne
kuch na kaha re... Naino ne keh diya..." These are the lyrics to which Bollywood song? Name
That Bollywood Song!
Chori Kiya Re Jiya. All of the songs are from the movie 'Dabangg' which stars Salmaan
Khan as a police officer alongside Sonakshi Sinha. It was her debut film.
The following lyrics are from which song? "Ab se koi khushi nahi, Jiski tum wajah nahi, Ab se
koi din nahi, Jiski tum subah nahi, Ab se koi baat nahi, Jo tumse na hogi shuru, Ab se koi raah
nahi, Jo tum sang main mudhoon."
Tumse Hi Tumse. All of the songs above are from the movie 'Anjaana Anjaani' and the movie
has Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra in it. The movie came out in the year 2010.
"Tere dil ke ishaaron pe main chalta hoon, Teri khwaabon ki baharon mein main palta hoon,
Tere dil se main hokey bina rokey bina tokey tere ishq ki raah nikalta hoon." These are the lyrics
to which song? Name That Bollywood Song!
I'm Dog Gone Crazy. The song 'I'm Dog Gone Crazy' is from the movie 'Action Replayy' and
stars Akshay Kumar and Aishwariya Rai. 'Udi' is from the movie 'Guzaarish' which has Hrithik
Roshan and Aishwariya Rai. 'Ajab Leher' and 'Main Jiyoonga' are both from the movie 'Break ke
Baad' which stars Imraan Khan and Deepika Padukone.
"Tumhe kaise main bataun, kya main paa gaya hoon, Tum jo mere saath ho, Mujhko duniya mil
gayi hai, zindagi badal gayi hai Tum jo mere saath ho..." These are the lyrics to...?
Name
That Bollywood Song!
Hey Ya. 'Hey Ya' and 'Uff Teri Ada' star Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone in the movie
'Karthik Calling Karthik'. Aishwariya Rai and Akshay Kumar are in 'O Bekhabar' and 'Dhak Dhak
Dhak' both of which are songs from the movie 'Action Replayy'.
Which song are these lyrics a part of? "Jis pal na chaha tujhko, Uss pal sazayein maangi, Paya
hai maine phir tujhe". Name That Bollywood Song!
Sajde Kiye hai Lakhon. 'Sajde Kiye hai Lakhon' is a song in the movie 'Khatta Meetha' which
stars Akshay Kumar and Trisha. It was Trisha's first film in Bollywood. 'Nanachi Taang' is also in
'Khatta Meetha' while 'Marjaani' and 'Love Mera Hit Hit' are part of the movie 'Billu'. This movie
stars Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan, and Lara Dutta. The song 'Marjaani' has Kareena Kapoor as
a guest star and 'Love Mera Hit Hit' has Deepika Padukone in it.
"Jaise gadhi ke gihra se, Waqt kahin pe gira ho, Jaise roshni subah se, Ho jaaye judaa..."
Which song are these lyrics part of?
Jab Mila Tu. These lyrics are from the song "Jab Mila Tu" from the movie "I Hate Luv Storys"
which was released in July 2010. This song was sung between Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor.
The music director for this movie was Vishal-Shekhar. The other songs, 'Bin Tere', 'Bahara', and
'Sadka' are also part of the same movie
Bollywood Music Directors - Some Facts!

Dr. Narasinha Kamath
Dr. Narasinha Kamath / Blog / 11 yrs ago /
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AA+A++
Khwab HoTum
All music lovers of Hindi Film songs should be highly indebted to the Great Music Directors of the
Golden Era of 1950s and 1960s. Most of these music directors left a treasure of melodious songs
behind them, which we still want to listen and enjoy even after 50 years. Many movies of the
golden era have been long forgotten, yet the songs of these old movies still linger on to entertain
us over and over again. There are lots of inside stories associated with these old music directors.
The purpose of my article is to bring forward some of these inside stories to the readers.
I have written this article based on what I read in various cine magazines, Marathi books on film
music, various radio and TV interviews. Later, I validated this information by checking with
insiders of the Hindi film industry.
CREAM OF THE CROP: Music Directors
of 1950's and 1960's
Shankar-Jaikishen: Popularly known as SJ, they were considered to be the magicians of swaras.
They were the most prolific in composing variety of songs with almost no repetition. Almost every
song of every movie, which was composed by this duo, was a super hit. SJ were responsible for
bringing in more than 200 instrumentalists to support a song. In the 1940s, before SJ arrived on
the scene, there used to be only 4 to 5 musicians to accompany a song. SJ were the trendsetters,
and most of the time, other music directors had to follow this SJ trend or opt out from music
industry.
When the song `Kahan jaa raha hai' from Film Seema was recorded in Rafi's voice, in the final
antara of the song `Vo kyun tod daale', his voice cracked while rendering the word `tod'.
Normally, any such discrepancy would be removed and the song re-recorded. Shankar ordered
that this song be re-recorded. But Jaikishen intervened and told Shankar to retain this song with
the cracked voice at the word `tod'. Since this song was being picturized for a tragic sequence, it
would be very effective if this cracked voice was retained, Jaikishen reasoned. This was finally
accepted by Shankar and this song with the discrepancy was retained as the final version. Those
who saw this movie can see for themselves how effective Jaikishen's decision was.
When the song `Mujhe tumse kuch bhi na chaahiye' from Film Kanhaiyaa was being composed,
one of Jaikishen's beloved uncles had just died. Jaikishen was in a very sad mood. He instructed
lyricist Hasrat Jaipuri to write the lyrics that will express Jaikishen's sad feelings at the time.
Hasrat Jaipuri did justice by penning down appropriate sad words. Jaikishen set the tune in raga
Darbari. And all of us know how sad we get when we listen to this song, especially when we listen
to the lyrics `Mujhe mere haal pe chod do'. In reality, this song represents the sadness Jaikishen
felt at the time of composing this song.
When the song `Manzil vo hi hai pyar ki' (Film: Kathputli) was being recorded by SJ, the new
singer Subir Sen could not render it properly. There were more than 18 takes and yet singer Subir
Sen could not deliver. Finally, Shankar got so upset that he decided to replace Subir Sen with
some other singer. But Jaikishen persuaded Shankar to try one more time. Jaikishen advised
Subir Sen to concentrate a little bit more. This encouraged Subir Sen and he did full justice to the
song at the next take, and finally the song was recorded to the satisfaction of Shankar. This song
went on to become a hit.
At the time of recording of `Pyar huwa, ikraar huwa' (Film: Shri 420), sthaayi (beginning piece) of
this song was composed by Shankar and antara (middle piece) was composed by Jaikishen.
Later, Shankar wanted to change the antara composed by Jaikishen, which Jaikishen vehemently
opposed. Finally, this confrontation led to fist fight between the two greats. Only the timely
intervention by other musicians calmed down both of them and finally Shankar agreed to retain
Jaikishen's composition of antara às is'. We all know this song is very popular even today and
the best rain song composed ever.
When film Sangam was released, in the beginning, the song `Dost dost na raha' composed by
Shankar topped the music popularity charts far ahead of another song `Ye mera prempatra
padhkar' composed by Jaikishen. At a weekend music party hosted by Raj Kapoor to celebrate
the success of Sangam, one of the guests asked Jaikishen why his song was lagging far behind
Shankar's in the popularity charts. Jaikishen told him to wait for few more weeks and check the
charts again. Later, the same guest approached Shankar and told him what Jaikishen had just
said. Shankar was furious at Jaikishen's remark. This was really a battle royal of Shankar vs
Jaikishen. Few weeks later, as Jaikishen had predicted, his song `Ye mera prempatra padhkar'
topped the popularity charts far ahead of Shankar's `Dost dost na raha'. Personally, I like both the
songs.
Once, in early 1950s, Lata had refused to sing the song `Main baharon ki natkhat rani' (Film: Boot
Polish), because initially the lyrics were `bazaron ki', which was objectionable to Lata. So it was
changed to `baharon ki' for Lata's sake. Even then Lata would not budge and continued her
refusal to sing the song, and finally SJ had to record this song using Asha's voice.
When superhit song `Main kya karoon ram mujhe buddha mil gaya' was being composed at the
behest of Raj Kapoor, because of the earlier incidence, SJ were worried that Lata would refuse to
sing this song because of the lyrics. Lata always used to be very particular about the lyrics of the
songs before recording. And Raj Kapoor wanted SJ to record this song as quickly as possible
with Lata as the singer. SJ decided to trick Lata. So, SJ telephoned Lata and told her that a quick
picturization of a song for Sangam had to be done at RK studios, and that she should come
immediately and record the song without much rehearsal. So Lata came hurriedly and the song
was quickly recorded before giving any time to Lata to grasp the meaning of the lyrics. We all
know how much fun this song brought to the audience when beautiful Vyjayantimala danced to
the tune, teasing aging Raj Kapoor.
Song `Rasik Balma' (Film: Chori Chori) was so much liked by famous producer Mehboob Khan
that when he was hospitalized in Los Angeles, since the record was not available in the US at that
time, he telephoned Lata in Mumbai and asked her to sing this song over the telephone. Listening
to this song brought Mehboob Khan a great solace while he was still recuperating in the hospital.
And thereafter, Lata sang this song for him over the telephone for many more days. Hats off to
Jaikishen who composed such a great tune.
Dattaram was assistant music director to SJ till the end. SJ were very considerate towards
Dattaram. Dattaram was a great tabla and dholak player. The beautiful dholak in the song `Gori
gori gori main pariyon ki chhori' (Film: Begunah) was played by Dattaram. In my opinion, this was
the best dholak accompaniment ever.
While being assistant music director to SJ, Dattaram also worked as independent music director
and composed music for a few films. Most notable was his melodious music for the film
Paravarish of 1958. Do you remember that lovely and all time song of Mukesh Àansoo bhari hai,
ye jeevan ki raahe' from the same film?
In the late 1960s, Shankar and Jaikishen were breaking apart because of Shankar's excessive
insistence to take singer Sharda in place of Lata, which Jaikishen never liked. Although SJ
continued to give music together, they were really competing against each other. Finally,
differences grew up so much that Raj Kapoor literally had to pull both of them together to
compose music for his film Mera Naam Joker of 1970. Later, Shankar and Jaikishen took
independent contracts as music directors although they still continued to give combined SJ name.
For instance, in film Andaz of 1971, music was completely composed by Jaikishen, yet in the film
credit, the name Shankar-Jaikishen was retained. Film Andaaz was Jaikishen's last film.
Jaikishen died on 12th Sept.1971.
After the death of Jaikishen, Shankar continued to compose music under the banner name
Shankar-Jaikishen, but with the exception of his music for the film Lal Pathar (1976), Shankar's
music failed miserably. Maybe after Shankar lost his soulmate Jaikishen, he could not compose
properly. Shankar died later in 1987.
S.D. Burman: S.D. Burman was one of the most brilliant music directors of 1950s through mid
1970s. He was the only music director who continued to give very melodious music until his last
film Abhimaan (1973). His frail health did not allow him to take too many music contracts. So he
composed music for fewer films per year. He never depended on any one particular singer. On
the contrary, he kept on experimenting with a variety of singers. It was one particular folk tune
sung by tribal people in the forests of Tripura (which many years later he used it for the song Ò
re maazhi' in the film Bandini) that SDB used to listen to during his childhood, which inspired him
to become a composer. Later, SDB himself sang this song for the film Bandini.
His son R.D. Burman assisted him most of the time until RDB himself became an independent
music director in his own right. Most of the mouth organ pieces in SDB films were played by RDB.
RDB was a great mouth organ player. In 1956, when SDB composed music for Dev Anand's film
Funtoosh, after the release of this film, RDB discovered that his father had stolen one of his tunes
for the song Ài meri topi palatake aa'. When RDB questioned his father the reason for this, SDB,
in his characteristic Style, replied that he purposely did it so that he could test RDB's composition
skills in public domain. Everyone knows this song became very popular.
When RDB started composing music independently, one day he noticed SDB returned from his
morning walk in a very good mood, which was very unusual. So RDB asked his father the reason.
SDB replied that while he was taking his morning walk, he came across two people who were
talking to each other. One person told his companion, Look, R.D. Burman's father just walked
by. This statement assured SDB that RDB had finally arrived in music world. Earlier, RDB was
known as SDB's son. Now on, people will recognize SDB as RDB's father.
SDB gave new lease of life to Kishore Kumar. In 1968, after singing for RDB's `Padosan', KK was
not getting any assignments and, out of frustration, decided to go back permanently to his native
place Khandwa in MP. KK's song `Kehna hai, kehna hai' in the film was supposed to be his
career's last song. At this time, it was RDB who requested KK to stay back in Mumbai for few
more weeks and assured KK that his father SDB was in the process of composing specially
tailored songs for KK in Aradhana (1969), which could change KK's fortunes. KK roared back with
the song `Mere sapnon ki rani kab aayegi tu' and never looked back until his death in 1987. He
surpassed Manna Dey, Mukesh and even Rafi. RDB went on to use KK's voice superbly in many
of his films in 1970s and 1980s. RDB always used to say that KK, Asha Bhonsle and he
understood each other very well musically. And this was the precise reason how RDB could
compose very romantic duets using this pair.
Initially, SDB wanted to give the famous song `Jalte hai jiske liye' (Film: Sujata) to Rafi. It was
SDB's assistant Jaidev who strongly recommended taking Talat Mehmood instead of Rafi. By
looking at the composition, he insisted that only Talat could do justice to this song and not Rafi.
However, SDB would not listen to Jaidev. Finally, SDB bowed down and took Talat to sing the
song. We all know that Talat did full justice to this song with his mellow voice.
When RDB was young, SDB was very much worried about whether his son was picking up the
composing skills or not. So, whenever lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri visited his house, SDB used to
tell Majrooh to talk to RDB and make him pay more attention to composing skills. Majrooh always
told SDB that if father could not fix his son then how could an outsider like him do it. Anyway,
RDB turned out to be one of the greatest music directors fulfilling the dream of his father.
Unfortunately, SDB did not live long enough to see his son's super success.
Music Director Roshan was a family friend of SDB. Once Roshan came to SDB's house and
asked his permission to use his tune `Thandi Hawaayen' (Film: Naujawaan) for his forthcoming
composition for the song `Rahe na rahe hum' (Film: Mamta). SDB gladly gave him permission
and Roshan made some cosmetic changes and composed this song very well. Later, RDB used
the same tune and composed `Saagar kinare' (Film: Saagar). If you listen to all 3 songs, you will
notice that all of them have same Bandishi and hence sound similar.
Once in a while, SDB asked his assistant music directors to compose antara of the song. SDB
composed sthaayi of the song `Piya tose naian lage re' (Film: Guide) on raga Khamaj, and then
went out to eat paan (betel leaves). In the meantime, he told his assistant music directors to
compose the antara. When he returned to the recording room and listened to the antara
composed by his assistants, he immediately realized that it was a very poor composition. He
scolded his assistants and discarded this antara and then sat down to compose it himself, and
came out with brilliant composition within a short time. His assistant music directors were dazzled
to see the brilliance of SDB. We all know how melodious this classical song is.
Singer Bhupendra used to be a leading guitar player in SDB's orchestra. There were rumors that
some of the songs of film Aradhana were composed by RDB. But according to Bhupendra,
contrary to this popular belief, all the songs of the film were composed by SDB.
O.P. Nayyar: O.P. Nayyar is also referred to as the king of rhythm. The music director gave the
most intoxicating songs and made best use of Punjabi dholak in Hindi film songs. He was also
responsible for creating the `Tonga' beat or `Horse Hoof' beat which was used by other music
directors as well. OPN was the only music director who made his songs popular without using
Lata Mangeshkar.
During the recording of one of the songs for one of his earlier films Aasman of 1952, he had
invited Lata to sing a song for him. It is said that while Lata was in the mixing room of the
recording studio, she heard OPN badmouthing the recording technicians. After listening to some
objectionable words, Lata immediately got up and left the studios without telling OPN and never
again associated with him. Now both Lata and OPN deny that such a thing ever happened. Both
of them always maintain that they are good friends and respect each other. OPN finally took her
sister Asha Bhonsle for many of his songs, which went on to become superhits. In fact, Asha is
very grateful to OPN for giving her a break in the real sense. It was Film Naya Daur that brought
Asha to the forefront of popularity along with her sister Lata who already had made it big.
OPN was a strict disciplinarian. He never tolerated any artist coming late for his recordings. Once
he turned back Rafi for reporting to the studios just 10 minutes late for the song recording of the
film Hum Saaya. But when next day Rafi arrived on time, same OPN embraced him and the song
was recorded.
Sometimes, OPN was short tempered. After the success of SDB's music for Gurudutt's film
Pyaasa, great lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi went on telling everyone that it was he (Sahir) who made
the career of SDB. OPN respected SDB very much. After listening to Sahir's boast, OPN got so
upset that he removed him from many of his future films and brought other lyricists to write lyrics
for the songs composed by him.
Most of the music directors compose the tune first and then ask lyricists to compose the lyrics
accordingly. It is a big frustration to the lyricists to fit words into a precomposed tune. OPN
worked differently. Many a times, he asked the lyricists to write the lyrics first and then composed
the tune using the lyrics. OPN always used to say that fitting lyrics into a precomposed tune was
equivalent to forcing a dead body (without knowing its size) into a prefabricated coffin.
In a recent interview, OPN confessed that he never had any training in music even for one day, let
alone classical music. And nobody in his family had any music background. In late 1950s, OPN
composed music for the film Phagun. Ustad Amir Khan listened to all the tunes on the radio and
was so happy that he immediately telephoned OPN and congratulated him for composing all
songs of this film using one raga Pilu. OPN was stunned to hear this. He told Khan saab that he
was not even aware of it when he composed these songs that he had based them on raga Pilu.
It will be interesting for readers to know that one of OPN's most favorite song is Geeta Dutt's
`Tadbir se bigdi huwi taqdeer bana de' (Film: Baazi) which was composed by SDB.
Naushad: When it came to composing songs based on Hindustani classical music, no other
music director could beat Naushad. His composition for the film Baiju Bawara is considered by
experts to be the best classical ever in Hindi films. Naushad always tried to give prominence to
Indian musical instruments. He was not in favor of using western instruments, although
occasionally he did use them. His composition of classical based songs `Man Tadpat' (Raga:
Malkauns) and 'O! Duniya ke rakhwale' (Raga: Darabari) in the film Baiju Bawara are the best
compositions ever for these two respective ragas.
When it came down to composing music, Naushad was a perfectionist. When Rafi was doing the
rehearsals before recording the bhajan `Man Tadpat', Naushad discovered that Rafi had a
problem in pronouncing certain Sanskrit words in the lyrics. Naushad immediately brought
Sanskrit pundits from Varanasi and asked them to work on Rafi's diction. These Sanskrit pundits
worked day and night to improve Rafi's diction and after several rehearsals, Naushad gave the
green signal for the final recording. And this bhajan went onto become an all time hit and is sung
in almost every Hindu temple all over the world.
After the great success of classical music of Baiju Bawara (1953), Naushad had already won the
admiration of the famous producer V. Shantaram. In 1953, when Shantaram was planning to
produce his most famous film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje, he initially invited Naushad to compose
music for this film. At this time, Naushad already knew that great music director Vasant Desai was
already an employee of Shantaram's Rajkamal studios. Naushad thanked Shantaram for the
offer. But after a few minutes of chat, pointed out that when music director of the caliber of Vasant
Desai was already available in Rajkamal Studios, it would be appropriate that Shantaram offer
this film music to Vasant Desai. He also stressed that Vasant Desai was fully capable of giving
classical based music. So Naushad was noble enough to forego the opportunity to compose
music for Shantaram's film. After coming to know about this incident, next day, Vasant Desai, with
tears in his eyes, personally came to Naushad and thanked him for this noble gesture. We all
know that Vasant Desai did a wonderful job in composing classical based music for the film
Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje.
Naushad not only gave music with classical base but he also guided most of the producers to
write effective script for their films. Naushad put lots of efforts in bringing the script in line with the
music that he had in mind for a particular movie based upon the story of the movie. Very few
music directors acted this way.
Naushad's in-laws were totally against Hindi films and its music, and they considered it to be a
social stigma. Naushad's family hid this fact from his would be in-laws before he got married. And
the in-laws were not aware that Naushad was a music composer in Hindi films. The songs of his
film Ratan had already become a super hit all over India. Ironically, his Baaraat (wedding band) in
his native place in UP (far away from Mumbai), played songs from the film Ratan. Naushad got
scared. In order to show his innocence, he asked one of the members of his in-laws' wedding
party if they liked what the band was playing. And most of them said that they enjoyed the tunes
being played by the band and wondered as to who may have composed these tunes originally.
Naushad heaved a sigh of relief but did not disclose that he was the composer of those tunes.
C. Ramchandra: CR was a creative genius who had his own style in composing music. When film
Azaad was to be produced in the south, the producer of this film was in a great hurry to remake
his Tamil version into Hindi version. So he asked Naushad to give music for the film within a short
period of three months. Naushad would never undertake a project with tight time constraints. So
he refused the offer. So the producer requested CR and asked him if he could do it within three
months. CR accepted the offer and completed the composition of all songs within seven days. CR
proved that he could produce very good music even under pressure. Music of the film Azaad was
a superduper hit. In fact, along with film Anarkali, music of film Azaad is considered to be CR's
lifetime best.
Sometimes, CR also gave playback in his voice. Many a times, his voice sounded like that of
Talat Mehmood. So when Talat fell sick on the recording day for the song `Kitna haseen hai
mausam' for the film Azaad, CR decided to sing it himself. He sang it very well and it was very
close to Talat's voice. Similarly, he sang two songs for his film Baarish, which again sounded like
Talat's voice.
Before CR came on the scene, many other music directors worked on the music composition for
film Anarkali (1954). The producer of this film kept replacing music directors. It was like a
revolving door. Finally, CR stepped in and fine tuned all the songs and gave one of the best music
of his career. During the composition of the intoxicating song `Mohobbat me aise kadam
dagmagaaye' for this film, CR had a problem in fitting a proper word after `peeke aaye' as there
was a small gap. He decided to go home to think more about it. On his way back home, he
bought lots of grocery and then while climbing the stairs of his home with heavy grocery bags, he
started getting hiccups. Suddenly, he realized that he could use hiccups after `peeke aaye'.
After entering his home, he immediately played the tune on his harmonium with a hiccup added at
the end. The gap after the lyrics `peeke aaye' was filled up and the song was completed. Next
day, he recorded this song with Lata's voice and when Beena Rai as Anarkali sang this song on
the screen with a hiccup, the effect was tremendous.
CR accepted suggestions from other music directors as well. In his song Ye zindagi usi ki hain
(Film: Anarkali), he accepted the suggestion from music director Roshan to add Alvida at the
end of the song which made the situation very effective in the last scene of the Film Anarkali
when this song was sung by actress Bina Rai as Anarkali.
CR also gave suggestions to other music directors. He suggested to S.D. Burman to add `La la la
la' in the song `Thandi hawayen' (Film: Naujawan), which SDB gladly accepted and implemented.
With this addition, the song became even more romantic.
Madan Mohan: Madan Mohan served in Indian Army and later decided to compose music. His
father was very rich and owned Filmistan Studios. But Madan Mohan never used his father's
name. He came up in the music world on his own. He is one music director who made best of
Lata's voice. Lata and Madan Mohan were emotionally close to each other. They made a very
good team and created very emotional solo songs.
When it came to composing music, MM was a very intense person. Once while recording a song,
one of the musicians was playing his instrument out of tune (besura), MM was so upset that he
banged the glass window of the recording room with his hand. The glass broke and MM's hand
was bleeding. He shouted at this musician, How come you are so shameless and dare to play
out of tune in Madan Mohan's orchestra! Come on. Shape up or ship out. Needless to say that
musician corrected himself immediately.
While recording the song Àaj socha to aanso bhar aaye' (Film: Hanste Zakhm), Lata got so
emotional that she started crying before the song recording could be completed. MM immediately
requested Lata to go home and relax and come back again for recording the next day. Next day,
after regaining the composure, Lata rendered the song very effectively.
Madan Mohan was a close friend of Jaikishen along with other talented composer Murli Manohar
Swarup. Murli Manhar Swarup composed some private albums but could never make it big like
his two friends.
Kalyanji-Anandji: Music director Kalyanji's father owned a grocery shop in Mumbai and young
Kalyanji used to look after the shop. One day, one customer could not pay for the grocery bills
and instead of making the payment, the customer made a deal with Kalyanji that he would teach
him music in lieu of the payment. Young Kalyanji agreed and learnt basic lessons of music from
this customer. In later stage of his life, Kalyanji made music as his profession and, along with his
brother Anandji, became a famous music director.
When Kalyanji was composing music for his first Hindi film Samraat Chandragupt, producer
Subhash Desai used to visit recording studios with some of his sycophants. Kalyanji had
composed the first song `Chahe paas ho, chahe dur ho' very well. When Subhash Desai and his
sycophants heard the tune of this song from Kalyanji, Subhash Desai did not like the tune and
remarked to Kalyanji Is gaane me `Vo' waali baat nahin hain (This song does not have that
special quality). This was Kalyanji's debut film. Kalyanji did not know how to convince Subhash
Desai. Kalyanji began to think, Ab ye `Vo' waali baat kahan se laaye? (From where can I bring
this special quality?) Suddenly Kalyanji got an idea, he gave money to the beggars who used to
beg outside Subhash Desai's house and told them to sing the song `Chahe paas ho' in chorus
whenever Subhash Desai stepped out of his house. After listening to this song from beggars
several times, one day Subhash Desai came to Kalyanji and told him that his songs have become
popular even before the release of the film. Interesting fact was that the song was not even
recorded. Sometimes, music directors have to deal with the producer's whims in this manner.
Above are some of the inside stories of seven famous music directors of the 1950s and 1960s. It
is very difficult to cover the inside stories of all the famous music directors of this period. So I am
summing up below only a few of them, and this in no way reflects my bias towards any music
directors. I apologize for leaving out some music directors due to lack of information. Please note
that I respect all of them equally.
When music for B.R. Chopra's Film Nikaah (1982) was being composed by music director Ravi,
actress Salma Agha had a put a condition Chopra that she will act in the film as a heroine only if
he gave her a chance to sing the key songs of this film. Ravi was not happy with this condition.
According to Ravi, when he was recording the song `Dil ke armaan aansovo me behe gaye ', he
had to rehearse this song 25 times with Salma Agha and yet she could not render it properly. Ravi
almost gave up and decided to replace her with Asha. But B.R. Chopra intervened and asked
Ravi to stick with Salma Agha. And finally Ravi reluctantly recorded the song with Salma's voice.
Hemant Kumar was the music director of the film Shirth. Hemant Kumar, at the behest of the
producer of this film, composed 22 different tunes for the evergreen song `Na ye chand hoga, na
taarey rahenge' and the producer finally selected one tune after carefully listening to all 22 tunes.
The final tune selected is a very romantic tune indeed and is popular even after so many
decades. I wonder how the other 21 tunes sounded.
Music director Salil Chowdhary was always fascinated with western classical music, especially
European musicians such as Mozart. So when he composed the song Ìtna na na mujh se tu pyar
badha' (Film: Chhaaya), he literally used Mozart symphony tune and adapted it to please Indian
musical taste. This song became very popular.
Many a times, very famous music directors invited great classical vocalists and instrumentalists to
sing/play for their compositions. For example, Ustad Akbar Ali Khan played sarod for ShankarJaikishen's Film Seema (1956) in the song `Suno choti si gudiya ki lambi kahani'. Flautist
Pannalal Ghosh was invited to play flute for Shankar-Jaikishen's `Basant Bahar' including the
song `Main piya teri'. The flute interludes were very meditative. Music director Vasant Desai
invited shehnai maestro Ustad Bismilla Khan to play shehnai for some of the songs for the film
Goonj Uthi Shehnai. Naushad requested Pt. Paluskar and Ustad Amir Khan to sing a classical
duet Àaj gawat man mero jhumke' based on raga Desi for the film Baiju Bawara, which both of
them rendered very beautifully. Later, Naushad invited Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan to sing two
classical pieces for the film Mughal-E-Azam.
R.D. Burman gave music to only two films in 1960s: first one was Chhote Nawaab and second
one was Teesri Manzil. So RDB can be considered to be more of a music director of 1970s,
1980s and 1990s. RDB is the only music director whose music career spanned from the golden
era of 1960s through new era of 1990s.
When Nasir Hussein was producing the film Teesri Manzil (1965), hero Shammi Kapoor asked
him to take Shankar-Jaikishen as its music director. Nasir Hussein decided to give chance to the
young budding music director R.D. Burman. Shammi Kapoor did not like the idea, but agreed to
listen to the tunes composed by R.D. Burman. When he listened to the tunes Ò mere sona re
sona re sona' and Ò haseena zulphon wali', Shammi Kapoor immediately started dancing to the
beat of the tunes. He immediately gave his consent to taking R.D. Burman. When Jaikishen came
to know that R.D. Burman got the contract, he immediately telephoned him to congratulate and
wished him all the best. Such was a close relationship between the music directors of the 1950s
and 1960s. The film Teesri Manzil along with its great music went on to become a big box-office
hit.
R.D. Burman played mouth organ in the famous song `Hai apna dil to awaara' (Film: Solva Saal).
In Gurudutt's classic film Pyaasa, R.D. Burman played a particular mouth organ tune to represent
the presence of Mala Sinha on the screen. So in some of the scenes just before the entry of Mala
Sinha on the screen, this tune was played in the background to indicate that Mala Sinha would
soon be appearing on the screen.
Since S.D.Burman was one of my most favorite music directors, I am attaching herewith an audio
file where I played on my mouth organ the popular song `Khwaab ho tum ya koyi haqiqat kaun ho
tum batalavo' from the film Teen Deviyaan (1965) composed by S.D. Burman. In the original
song, just before the first antara, a mouth organ piece was played by R.D. Burman himself.
CreativeBollywood Music Directors

More Posts by Dr. Narasinha Kamath
My Flute : Jeevan Se Bhari Teri Ankhen (SAFAR) Dedicated to my Dear Friend SABLU
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DOSTI KI DHAMAKEDAR SHURUAAT....Hindi Kavita
Post a Comment
All Comments
sanam12 / / 5 yrs ago
sanam12
For latest Bollywood and pakistani music, check out http://www.udhum.com
Comment
Dr. Narasinha Kamath / / 10 yrs ago
dear nikhil bhat,
thanks a lot for reading and enjoying my article. please note that i did include a section on c.
ramchandra in this article. please read the article again and you will find a section on c.
ramchandra. i would never miss maestro c. ramchandra.
regards,
dr. kamath
Comment
Nikhil Bhat / / 10 yrs ago
Nikhil Bhat
hello dr.kamath,
i got a chance to read your article about all these great music maestros,it was really informative
and enjoyed every bit of it.
i guess you missed to mention ramchandra chitalkar(c ramachandra),another genious composer.
keep up the good work.
regards,
nikhil d.bhat
Comment
Narayan MKV / / 10 yrs ago
Narayan MKV
dear dr. kamath,
i heard your playing raga bhoop. it is wonderful. i have downloaded your article a celestial
experience, flute. i share your views on the greatness of bamboo flute and the unique experience
of playing it. i am an amateur flautist on carnatic music. i started playing light music in my young
age on a flute given by a friend. but after retiring from service as a tata executive, i located a
guru, a young disciple of the great dr. ramani and started learning flute in a formal way, at my age
of 65. now i am 72 and i enjoy playing many krithis of thyagaraja, purandara dasa and other
composers for my own satisfaction. i have not performed on stage yet. it is a satisfying
experience for me at my old age. i see divineness in my flute. whenever i go to us to see my sons
i carry my flute.
carnatic flute has eight holes apart from the blowing hole. we normally use seven holes. we can
play 2 and half octaves on this flute. normally carnatic flutes are set to the hari kambodhi base.
other ragas are played using half and quarter notes. i have tried the hindustani bhajan yehi
murare kunja vihare in the raga bhoop on my flute and i simply love it. i dont know who
composed this song. i have heard this sung by lakshmi shankar once.
we can keep in touch when i visit us if you do not mind. regards.
m.k.v.narayan (mkvnarayan@yahoo.com)
Comment
hagunye / / 10 yrs ago
hagunye
dr kamath,
waiting for the article on khayyam :)
Comment
dear hagunye,
thank you very much for your nice comments. khayyam is one of the most talented music
directors of golden era of hindi film music. his music for film "phir subah hogi" was superb. later
he went on to compose very good music for movies in 1970's such as "noori" and later "umrao
jaan". i did not have enough anecdotes on him and this is the reason why i did not include him in
my article. when i have enough information on him, i will definitely post an article on him in future.
also the original title of my article was "inside stories of hindi films music directors". but editors at
sulekha changed the title to "bollywood music directors - some facts!". i understand your uneasy
feelings for the word bollywood.
with best wishes,
dr. kamath
Comment
hagunye / / 10 yrs ago
hagunye
congratulations dr kamath on this article. it was very informative and the painstaking research
showed in every bit of information. well done. i would like to add that it would be great if you write
similarly on khayyam. he is one of the best composers in the history of hindi cinema. secondly i
think bollywood is a degrading term. so atleast we indians should try to avoid it.
keep up the good work.
Comment
dear raghuraman (kaarkey)
i am really very grateful to you for your highly appreciative comments. you made my day. yes. i
took lots of pains to research and then write this extensive article. as requested by you, i will try to
research further on this topic and when i have authentic information, i will post another article with
lots of anecdotes as suggested by you. thanks once again.
your's musically,
dr. kamath
Comment
Raghuraman Kanchi / / 10 yrs ago
Raghuraman Kanchi
hi
this is indeed one of the most researched and exhaustive article i have read in recent times.
please accept my heartiest congratulations for ur efforts and my best wishes for your future
articles.
really pleasing....
regards
raghuraman
n.b. : please do add some more anecdotes you have and complete the article in future if possible.
Comment
dear advaita lover,
thanks for your nice compliments on my article. the song "pukarata chala hoon main" by
o.p.nayyar is one my most favorite songs too. and i sing this song on my karoke at some of the
music functions in new york.
kind regards,
dr. kamath
The first song to be recorded for DDLJ was Mere Khwaboon Mein Jo Aaye. Aditya Chopra
wanted everything to be just perfect for his debut film.
So he rejected 24 verses by Anand Bakshi before approving this one. The song went on to be a
big hit amongst the masses.
1. The song "Mehandi Lagake Rakhna" of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was originally written for
another movie and was a bit different starting with "Payal Chankate Aa Jana" . However the
Chopra brothers liked the song and included it in the the movie which became a hit track.
Fact One: The film with the most number of songs ever is (surprise, surprise!) a Bollywood movie.
With a whopping 71 songs, Indra Sabha (1932) claimed this title with ease and has never even
had a close competitor. The plot of the film revolved around a benevolent king whose moral
character is tested by celestial powers.
An amazingly rare instance in Hindi films when 'One Melodious Composition' was used in more
than 4 songs by different music directors in their distinctive projects. (Did You Know - 42)
For all friends loving Hindi Film Music from the Golden Era here is a rare and interesting
information of an amazing instance when One Melodious Composition was adapted in more
than 4 songs by different music directors in their distinctive projects.
(To experience the similarities you can also listen to the songs by clicking at the links given below
their details.)
1. "Thandi Hawayein Lehra Ke Aayein"
In the beginning S.D. Burman originally composed this song for film "Naujawan" in the year 1951,
which was a big hit.
(Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ki6Mzkb0GY
2. Tera Dil Kahan Hai
After 3 years Roshan composed this for film Chandni Chowk released in 1954 which had a
similar tune.
(Sung by Asha Bhosle and Lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEo1ygD5GPk
3. Yahi Hai Tamanna
In 1964, Madan Mohan composed this almost similar song for film Aap Ki Parchhayian
(Sung by Mohd. Rafi and Lyrics by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=notx8po-dsg
4. Rahen Na Rahen Hum
Interestingly Roshan himself used his old composition again in another hit song after almost 12
years in film "Mamta" released in the 1966.
(Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VizU0-Gcic
5. Saagar Kinare Dil Ye Pukare
And then R.D. Burman also adapted some of the similar notes for his song in film Saagar
released in 1985.
(Sung by Kishore Kumar and Lyrics by Javed Akhtar)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFWmYPJ_Syc
Apart from the above, R. D. Burman composed Hamein Raaston Ki Zaroorat Nahin Hai on
mostly similar notes in NARAM GARAM (1981) and then used the same composition again for
Hamein Aur Jeene Ki Chaahat Nahin Thi in AGAR TUM NA HOTE (1983).
Hence, unarguably this is a rare and unique instance in the history of Hindi Film Music which
probably hasnt got any parallel as far as I can remember.
(Thanks to Manoj Chandran and Pradeep Mahadeshwar for their valuable contribution in the
songs mentioned.)
However after this article was posted, some new additions were also made by friends as
mentioned below which are equally interesting as posted in the main article :
(Contributed by Chris)
Sham-e-Gham Ki Kasam by Khayyam in FOOTPATH (1953)
Mere Man Ke Diye by Salil Chowdhury in PARAKH (1960)
Maan Ke Panchhi by Shankar Jaikishan in NAINA (1973) and
Ek Din Aap Yun Humko Mil Jayenge by Jatin Lalit in YES BOSS (1997) have huge similarities in
their mukhras.
(Contributed by Justin John)
Muqala Muqabla by A. R. Rahman in KADHALAN (1994) (Tamil-Telugu)
Muqala Muqabla by A. R. Rahman in HUMSE HAI MUQABLA (1994) (Dubbed)
Muh Kaala Muqabla Hoga by Rajesh Roshan in SABSE BADA KHILADI (1995)
Oh Janeman Chehra Tera by Dilip Sen Sameer Sen in RAGHUVEER (1995) and
O Mere Sanam by Anu Malik from SURAKSHAA (1995) have almost similar beginnings.
(More Collected later)
Gori Hai Kalaiyan GORI (1991) (Stalled or unreleased)
Gori Hai Kalaiyan in AAJ KA ARJUN (1990)
Aap Jo Mere Meet Na Hote in GEET (1992) (Inspired Version)
The basic composition of these also reminds you of Maar Diya Jaaye Ya Chhorh Diya Jaaye
from MERA GAON MERA DESH (1971).
_____________________
Dil Ke Armaan Aansuon Mein Beh Gaye in NIKAAH (1982)
Dil Hi Dil Mein Le Liya Dil from AAJ KI AAWAZ (1984)
Dheere Dheere Aap Meri in BAAZI (1995)
Tumse Kitna Pyar Hai in COMPANY (2002), all have similar mukhdas resembling to a Mehdi
Hassan ghazal Rafta Rafta Aap Meri Hasti Ka Saaman Ho Gaye
_____________________
R. D. Burmans Bengali song "Tumi Koto Je Dure was adapted in the song Tune Kiya Kya
Jadoo in APNE APNE (1987) and then used again as Aaja Meri Jaan in AAJA MERI JAAN
(1992). Later it also inspired another similar song Aaja Sunle Sada in GURUDEV (1992) and
recently its again been used as a remix RDB version with the same words Aaja Meri Jaan in I
LOVE NY (2013).
_____________________
Raja Jaani Na Maaro Nayanva Ke Teer in WATAN PARAST (1934) was also heard in LAL
KUNWAR (1952) and SANSAR (1971) which later was also found in SANSAR (1987) as Radha
Rani Na Jaiyo Ri Jamuna Ke Teer.
Link for the complete detailed article on this song is given below:
http://urgetofly.blogspot.in/2012/10/one-tune-many-songsraja-jaani-radha-rani.html
Ten Bits of Trivia from Classic Hindi cinema
Posted on February 29, 2012 by dustedoff
133
This is another of the prize posts for those who participated in the Classic Bollywood Quiz I
hosted on this blog last year. Ive two awards left to hand out (read two more posts to dedicate
to readers) but this post is dedicated to Neha, whose blog is really niche: its a collection of
interesting trivia about black-and-white Hindi films. Neha won the Hope Springs Eternal Award in
the quiz, simply because she didnt allow herself to be deterred by the fact that she couldnt
guess more than a handful of the answers. Atta-girl, Neha! Thats the attitude.
Anyway, here goes: a post for Neha. Since Nehas so keen on trivia, I decided to do something
along those lines for her post. Not, unfortunately for Neha, from just black-and-white Hindi films,
but at least from pre-70s Hindi films. Just some little snippets that Ive discovered over the years,
and thought were fun.
1. Naushad: Tailor or Music Director?
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, the cinema industry was still considered a low profession
and not necessarily just for women, and not necessarily if you appeared onscreen. The music
director Naushad, whod delivered his first big hit score with Rattan (1944), had just become Hindi
film musics blue-eyed boy.
But his parents who were very keen to get their son married figured that there was no chance
of getting a good match for Naushad if they let on that he was in the cinema industry. When they
eventually found a good bride and fixed up the wedding, they informed Naushad: Weve told the
girls parents that youre a tailor. If they knew you worked in the pictures, theyd never allow the
marriage.
So Naushad got married, posing as a tailor and, ironically enough, found that the wedding band
along with the baaraat was playing the latest hit songs from Rattan.
2. How Madan Mohan bribed Manna Dey
Manna Dey recalls that the music director Madan Mohan was a very good cook (as, actually, was
Manna Dey himself). One day, Madan Mohan phoned Manna Dey and invited him over for lunch.
When Manna Dey jokingly asked, But what are you cooking? Madan Mohan replied, Bhindi
meat.
So Manna Dey went to the composers house and enjoyed a hearty meal of bhindi meat curry
and rice. When he was sated and happy, Madan Mohan said, Now, you must listen to a tune I
have composed but on one condition: you will be the one to sing it in the film. And, having thus
bribed Manna Dey into agreeing, Madan Mohan proceeded to sing the song which ended up
being Kaun aaya mere mann ke dwaare, sung by Manna Dey and picturised on Anoop Kumar in
Dekh Kabira Roya.
3. Mohammad Rafis meeting with Mohammed Ali
When visiting Chicago once on tour, Mohammad Rafi (who was very keen on sports, especially
boxing and cricket) requested the organisers of the tour to try and get him an appointment to
meet Mohammed Ali, of whom Mohammad Rafi was a big fan.
Mohammed Ali was not usually available for meetings such as these, but when he was told how
legendary Rafi Sahib was in India, he not only agreed, but even made the effort of coming all the
way to Mohammad Rafis hotel to meet him.
Here is a cute photo of Rafi Sahib and Ali throwing mock punches at each other. And here is
Rafis son, Khalid, recounting the incident.
4. How Joy Mukherjis dance in Duniya paagal hai came about
En route to Tokyo for the filming of Love in Tokyo, Joy Mukherji stopped over in Hong Kong.
There, in a nightclub, he saw a dancer dancing very vigorously and with an infectious verve. He
was so impressed that he introduced himself to her and asked her if she would teach him the
dance. She did, and that was the dance he replicated in Duniya paagal hai ya phir main
deewaana, from Shagird.
5. The filming of the last scene of Jab jab phool khile
If youve seen this Shashi Kapoor-Nanda starrer, you know that it climaxes when the hero Raja
(Shashi Kapoor) realises that his urbanised, made-over persona is all fake and causes only
unhappiness. He therefore decides to go back to his roots by donning his old clothes and
catching the train back home. In the last scene, his sweetheart Rita (Nanda) realises that she
loves him so much, she would rather be poor and live in a village with Raja than in the high
society of Bombay.
In the last scene, Rita is running along the edge of the platform pleading with Raja (whos in the
train) to take her with him. The director, Suraj Prakash, gave Shashi Kapoor explicit instructions
on exactly when to pull Nanda into the train. Shashi Kapoor followed the directions so completely
that he hauled up Nanda when just a few feet of platform were left. Suraj Prakash, at the last
moment, was so petrified that Shashi Kapoor wouldnt lift her up in time and she would be killed,
that he shut his eyes. The last few critical moments were therefore shot with the director not
watching.
6. Shammi Kapoor and two versions of Sugar in the morning
Remember the title song of Dil Deke Dekho (1959)? It was a nice, peppy tune composed by Usha
Khanna well, sort of composed, since the tune was a pretty much straightforward lift from the
McGuire Sisters song Sugar in the morning.
That, incidentally, is a song that Shammi Kapoor actually went on to sing onscreen, in his own
voice, with only a minor change in the words in a film just two years down the line.
The film was Junglee (1961). When Shammis character, Shekhar, comes back after a meeting
with his unwanted fiance, he does an impromptu jig in his office with his secretary and the
manager. He provides the song for the little dance: Love in the morning, love in the evening
You can see the clip shortly after the beginning of this video.
7. A Variety of Fans for Dev Anand
One of my favourite Navketan productions from the late 1950s is the engrossing suspense film,
Nau Do Gyarah. This one had Dev Anand playing an impoverished young Dilliwallah who, on
receiving a letter that a wealthy uncle intends to leave a fortune 11 lakhs worth to him, motors
down in a lorry from Delhi to Bombay to meet the uncle.
The film, directed by a 21 year-old Vijay Anand, was actually filmed along the highway from Delhi
to Bombay, so its an excellent road film. Dev Anand, recalling an incident along the way, said
that during the journey, the crew stopped for the night at Shivpuri. Shivpuri is in the heart of the
Chambal area, which back then was the haunt of some of Indias most notorious dacoits.
In the middle of the night, Dev Anand heard a pounding on the door of his room. When he opened
the door, he found a dangerous-looking dacoit outside, fearsome moustaches, belts full of
cartridges, rifle and whatnot. Can I have your autograph, please, sahib? the man said with an
ingratiating smile, as he extended a photograph of his favourite star.
Yes, we city-dwelling softies arent the only ones who like Dev Saab!
8. Why it wasnt all hariyali for Manoj Kumar
in fact, it must have been pretty ugh for him at times.
Hariyali aur Raasta (1962) became Manoj Kumars first jubilee hit, although hed already acted in
more than ten films. Here, he was teamed with Mala Sinha, who had been a major lead actress
for quite a while by the time Hariyali aur Raasta came around.
One scene of the film takes place while snow is falling. There was no real snow; instead, it was
simulated by using artificial snow: soap flakes. Mala Sinha was either lucky or experienced
enough to know how to deal with a shower of soap flakes, and managed to say her lines. When
Manoj Kumars turn came to speak up, he couldnt because his mouth was so full of soap.
That earned him a sharp set-down from his co-star (it seems Mala Sinha snapped at him, Who
invited you to join the industry?). He supposedly retorted that while she might be in films for the
money, he was in the industry because he loved acting.
Manoj Kumar and Mala Sinha mustve made up soon after, because they acted together in Apne
Hue Paraaye (1964) and Himalaya ki God Mein (1965).
9. C Ramchandra, Speed King
C Ramchandra composed some of Hindi cinemas best-loved songs including light and peppy
ones like Shola jo bhadke dil mera dhadke (Albela), Mere piya gaye Rangoon (Patanga), Eena
meena deeka (Asha) and Gore-gore o baanke chhore (Samadhi) and more soulful or romantic
tunes like Jaag dard-e-ishq jaag (Anarkali), Aadha hai chandrama raat aadhi (Navrang), and
Balma anari man bhaaye (Bahurani).
While he was an extremely creative music director, what is perhaps less commonly known about
C Ramchandra is that he was also a frighteningly (for his competitors!) fast worker. The story
goes that in 1955 S M Naidu, the producer of the Dilip Kumar-Meena Kumari starrer, Azaad, had
approached Naushad to compose the music for the film: with two weeks notice. An indignant
Naushad turned Naidu down, saying he was a composer, not a factory. Naidu, therefore, turned
to C Ramchandra, who took on the challenge and composed the music for the ten songs that
made up the score of Azaad. All within the fortnight hed been allotted.
Azaad went on to be a huge hit, with many of its songs topping the charts: most of us have heard
Radha na bole na bole na bole re, Kitna haseen hai mausam, Aplam chaplam chaplai re, and Pi
ke daras ko taras rahi akhiyaan.
Theres also a story that C Ramchandra received the lyrics for the lullaby Dheere se aaja ri
akhiyan mein (Albela) just two hours before the recording, and composed the tune in the taxi on
his way to the studio. Im not sure exactly how true that could be (wouldnt Lata Mangeshkar and
the orchestra have needed extensive rehearsals before they recorded the song?)
10. Rehmans nemesis
One of my favourite actors of the 50s and 60s, Rehman had a lot of trouble speaking lines which
began with the sound k. If a dialogue began with a k- sound, hed stumble over it, and not be
able to speak it. Waheeda Rehman, in an interview, recalled an example: if the sentence went:
Kaash tum yahaan aa jaate, toh main kitna khush hota (If only you would come here, I would
be so happy) it would stump Rehman. But if the dialogue writer simply switched the sentence
around a bit, making it Main kitna khush hota, kaash tum yahaan aa jaate (which means the
same thing), Rehman would be fine.
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133 thoughts on Ten Bits of Trivia from Classic Hindi cinema
shyamanuja
February 29, 2012 at 6:45 am
Raju Bharatans book on Lata Mangeshkar has quite a few of these. But they are often
repeated by him. Some real gems are in Manna Deys autobiography. I have a list of such books
here: http://wp.me/p4xtI-5. I will also list a few more which Ravi Saab shared with us when I met
him a couple of months back
Reply
dustedoff
February 29, 2012 at 12:25 pm
I had a look at the books youve mentioned quite a comprehensive list. Im not that keen
solely on Hindi film music (I like Hindi cinema per se), so I doubt if Ill ever get around to buying
any of these. I have read one book, though (Ganesh Anantramans Bollywood Melodies), since it
was gifted to me.
Reply
raja
Lovely, Madhu! I enjoyed reading this post. Some of these are new to me and extremely
enjoyable. Never knew the Rehman one. I now need to listen to his dialogues carefully. ;-) Hes
also one of my favourite actors from that era. Others that were new for me were the Manoj Kumar
one, the Jab Jab Phool Khile one and the Joy Mukherji one. So it was fun to add these trivia
bits to my knowledge bank. Thank you!
Reply
dustedoff
Thank you, Raja! Yes, that Rehman one was quite an interesting tidbit, wasnt it? Apparently,
there was one scene written by Abrar Alvi where this happened, and even Alvi couldnt figure
out what was wrong (and Rehman wouldnt say). Guru Dutt happened to notice and told Alvi,
kaash ko andar karo.
The Joy Mukherjee one was from an old interview that he did on Tabassums DD
programme, Phool Khile Hain Gulshan-Gulshan. The Jab Jab Phool Khile bit was also from some
interview, Ive forgotten whose now.
Reply
harvey
Nice anecdotes there, Madhu! Love going through it. I knew some of them but the majority of
them were new for me.
The dacoit and star anecdote crosses boundaries and genres. I have read such stories about
film stars, sportpersons, opera singers, pop artistes. It is still quite probable that many of them are
true.
Re.: Madan Mohans cooking. I remember seeing a photo where Lata and Madan Mohan are
cooking in the latters kitchen, while MMs wife watches on. The chulla is on the ground with fire to
be made with wood and quite prominent to be seen is the Dalda tin!
The sabun aur raasta story was also very amusing.
Reply
dustedoff
Thank you, Harvey! :-)
The dacoit story I actually heard years ago on a TV interview with Dev Anand himself. He
described it very well the pounding on the door in the middle of the night, how he opened the
door and was terrified out of his wits when he saw the daaku outside, and his relief when he
discovered this was just another fan. Ive been to Shivpuri (and that too in about 1981, when
dacoits still held sway in the Chambal ravines) so I could well imagine the scene.
Do you remember where you saw the photo of Lata and MM cooking? Sounds very cute!
Reply
harveypam
I could find only the one with Anil Biswas. Here it is:
http://onlybombay.blogspot.com/2007/01/dalda.html
Reply
harveypam
Maybe I was mistaken. But i have this picture still in my brain, where Lata is sitting on
the left side of the photo and Madan Mohan in the middle and MMs wife standing on the right
side.
Reply
dustedoff
Oh, thank you for this, harvey! That is so cute. I love the rather engrossed (and
expectant!) look on Latas face. Sweet!
Is there some connection between music and a love for cooking/good food? Manna
Dey, Madan Mohan, Anil Biswas, Lata maybe if you dont need to bother to keep trim for the
cameras, you can indulge more easily as compared to a film star
Reply
harveypam
Dont forget Asha!
I had to go back and look at Latas face again. It is sweet indeed!
Now I am hungry!
Reply
dustedoff
Me too! Fortunately, dinner is ready and Ill be eating in 15 minutes time. :-)
Reply
harveypam
What are you having for dinner?
Reply
dustedoff
Simple stuff: rice, saambaar-flavoured arhar daal (but without the vegetables)
and a stirfried cabbage sabzi, tempered with mustard seeds, green chillies, curry leaves and
peanuts. Have just finished.
Oh, and a square of dark chocolate as dessert. ;-)
Reply
harveypam
My motehr makes a similar type of cabbage bhaji, but instead of peanut
she adds shredded coconut. Simple and healthy food! The Best!
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:13 am
I sometimes make the coconut variation too. But for that, I grind the
grated coconut with garlic and green chillies, then add that to the cabbage. Yum!
Sharmi
So kool! Tell me where you get to learn these!!! You are like a treasure trove of secrets!!
Reply
dustedoff
:-))
Most of them are from interviews I have read, or have seen on TV, or which my father saw
and narrated (the Manna Dey one, for example my father saw it on Zee Classic and phoned me
right after that to tell me!). The Dil Deke Dekho-Junglee one was just a chance observation, and
the Mohammad Rafi-Mohammed Ali bit was pure serendipity!
Reply
chitrapatsangeet
I saw the Manna Dey interview about MM less than a month back,cant remember where-I think
on youtube. :-)
I remember Manna Da relate one more on TV, which is something alone these lines.
When Shankar Jaikishen proposed that he sing the Jugalbandi with Bhimsen Joshi in Basant
Bahar( Ketaki Gulaab Juhi), we went away to Poona virtually into hiding, but his wife managed to
encourage him enough for him to return to Bombay and accept the challenge, and the rest, we
know, is history.
Reply
dustedoff
I was re-reading Ganesh Anantharamans Bollywood Melodies last night, and came across
that Ketaki gulaab juhi incident there. Id thought of including it, but since this post already had a
Manna Dey bit of trivia in it, I left it out. Im glad you mentioned it, Karthik!
Reply
Tarun Bhandari

Just loved the post and the interesting bits of trivia which I did not know. :)
Reply
dustedoff
Thank you! :-)
Reply
Anu Warrier
Madhu, lovely (and interesting) post (Whats new? she asks.) The Joy Mukherjee tidbit and
the one about Shashi Kapoor Nanda were new to me. Forget the director I wonder how
Nanda felt!
The story about Dev and the dacoits was recounted by him in his autobiography. The story that
Harvey recounted about Lata and Madan is mentioned by her in her conversations with Nasreen
Munni Kabir (So, harvey, you werent imagining things!).
There is a lovely bit of trivia about Mahendra Kapoor and Mohammed Rafi. Mahendra Kapoor
considered Mohammed Rafi his guru; he used to play the tanpura for Mohammed Rafi. Once,
when they were coming out of the All India Radio studio, a bunch of school kids approached
them. Mohammed Rafi wanted to know what they wanted; when Mahendra Kapoor told him that
they wanted his (Rafis) autograph, Rafi turned to Mahendra Kapoor and asked him to oblige
them. So Mahendra Kapoor signed the autographs in Rafis name.
One more (thats all,I promise!): Mahendra Kapoor was a diehard Rafi fan, and when he was in
school, had been punished by his teacher for scribbling Rafi, Rafi, Rafi all over his notebook.
One of his classmates gave him Mohammed Rafis address, and the intrepid youngster took a
cab to Bhendi Bazaar. The driver was a Muslim, and this was during the tension-filled days of the
Partition. (Bhendi Bazaar was a predominantly Muslim area.) But he persisted, and when they
reached the house, he rang the bell. It was opened by a man in a lungi and banyan, who wanted
to know why they had come. Mahendra Kapoor said that he wanted to meet Mohammed Rafi.
The man said, Im Mohammed Rafi. Come in.
Reply
dustedoff
Thank you, Anu! And yes, Nanda mustve been pretty gutsy, no? I would probably have
screeched to a halt long before. I dont think Id have trusted Shashi Kapoors strength or reflexes
that long
I love those Mahendra Kapoor-Mohammad Rafi anecdotes. id never come across them
before, but I like the fact that they show how even people we think of as famous and muchcelebrated can in turn idolise others.
Reply
harveypam
Nanda mustve been pretty gutsy, no
See Anu, Nanda was not only a pretty face!
Reply
Anu Warrier
Meh. Preferred Nanda in her saris and ghagras, with her hair in a braid. She looked
awful in those tight Salwar Kameezes that Sadhana made so popular and the beehive bouffants
of those days. Cant say I like her much in films, though Im sure she is a perfectly nice person. :
)
Reply
harveypam
:-)
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:15 am
I think her figure was all wrong for the clingy churidaar-kurtas that looked good on
Sadhana (frankly, though, Sadhana looked good in everything!)
Reply
Anu Warrier
Mahendra Kapoor has narrated the autograph incident many times, Madhu. He used it to
illustrate Rafis simple nature.
Your trivia about Madan Mohans Bhendi Ghosht? That was apparently his signature dish,
and when he offered to cook it for someone, it was a great honour. Only, no one knew that he
happily mixed whiskey into the masala. : )
Reply
harveypam
happily mixed whiskey into the masala.
no wonder everybody was in such a happy mood afterwards!
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:16 am
:-D :-D
So that was the secret! I must tell my father that the next time I talk to him.
Reply
harveypam
Thanks for the confirmation, Anu!
Harvey asks for more!
Reply
harveypam
Harvey asks for more!
trivia not confirmation! ;-)
Reply
dustedoff
@Harvey (in particular): Youll like this one, its again about singers and food. I dont know if
youve ever been to a Bhojohori Manna restaurant. Fabulous chain of Bengali cuisine eateries
the best Bengali food I have ever eaten and they owe their name to a Manna Dey song.
This is what they write on their site:
BHOJOHORI MANNA is named after a famous Bengali song rendered by the legendary
Manna Dey, for a film made in the 70s. The track ami sri sri bhojohri manna which revolves
around a magical cook who traveled to many lands and acquired a unique culinary style of his
own.
The music in their restaurants, needless to say, has a lot of Manna Deys Bangla songs. :-)
Reply
harveypam
You are a treasure, Madhu! (that is a German expression)
Foooood! One of the greatest passions in life. This is not originally from me but from a TV
ad in the eighties.
Food combined with music is magic.
I will just have to try this restaurant when I am next time in Bombay. Shilpi, better said
Shilpis brother, recommended it to me as well. Just to think that I will be eating only bread with a
spread for dinner! :-(
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:17 am
Oh, poor you.
But yes, you must certainly go to Bhojohori Manna. Ive eaten at one of their restaurants
in Kolkata, and their food is out of this world. Its simply fantastic.
Reply
Ava Suri
Really enjoyed reading these. I must look up the links. The radio shows used to have a lot of
such anecdotes being recounted, I am glad some of them were put in books. I must come back
later and follow the links.
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:20 am
I dont recall the radio shows I think I was a little too small back then to remember anything
more than Ameen Sayani and those long lists of who (usually from Jhumri Talaiyya) had
requested which song! But I recall Tabassums interviews on Phool Khile Hain Gulshan-Gulshan.
Then, till a few years ago, DD used to do a themed festival of films stretching over a few weeks,
on Sundays. Old films, and theyd invite someone connected to the film to talk about it.
Reply
Anu Warrier
Madhu, here is one interview with Rohan Kapoor where he talks about the incidents I
mentioned. If I can get my hands on the Mahendra Kapoor interviews where he talks about Rafi,
Ill post the links.
http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-ruhan-kapoor-remembers-his-father-
mahendra-kapoor/20120109.htm
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:22 am
Thank you, Anu!
I loved that little anecdote about Ruhan being allowed to sit for his exams on the condition
that his father sang. Cute! :-)
and, of course, the bit about the deep interest that Rafi took in Mahendra Kapoors
singing. It says a lot for Rafis generosity that he would go so far as to come and tutor Kapoor on
a song that seemed to lack something.
Reply
bollywooddeewana
Vah!Vah! kyaa baat hai, main bahut bahut enjoy aap ka post lol I loved this so much, and Ill
definitely remember them, of all the trivia youve posted I only knew of the Jab Jab phool khile
one and as for the Mala and Manoj Kumar one, i believe she must have been a lot kinder as
Manoj made some reference to her and perhaps that incident in a filmfare interview Ill post up
one of these days
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:33 am
Thank you, bollywooddeewana! And yes, Ill be looking forward to the Mala Sinha-Manoj
Kumar incident, if you can find that reference to it. This one I found from a newspaper interview
with Manoj Kumar, so it may well be skewed in his favour, Considering theyd already acted in two
films Fashion and Suhaag Sindoor, I guess they couldnt be in the-cant-bear-each-other
category!
P.S. May I make a couple of corrections in your appreciation? The second sentence should
read Maine bahut bahut enjoy kiya aapke post ko. ;-)
There! The Hindi lesson for this week! LOL.
Reply
pacifist
A very fitting post for Neha :) though everyone enjoys as usual, in addition.
For me all the anecdotes were new. It was fun reading them and then those in the comments.
Thank you everyone for prolonging the pleasure.
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:36 am
Thank you, pacifist! Im glad you liked reading these as much as I enjoyed collecting
them. :-)
Reply
Neha
March 1, 2012 at 6:03 am
Thank you , thank you ever so much!! What a lovely and fun post! I am so excited to see
my name in your blog I could very well be jumping up and down right now .. but i wont. :D
Loved all the bits especially about Rafi and Mohammad Ali the photograph is
adorable! And guess what I wrote the same bit about Nau do gyarah when I had posted trivia on
the film! :) Thanks Madhulika you are a sweetheart!
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 6:07 am
Thank you, Neha! And Im so glad you liked this bunch of trivia. :-D
Reply
Samir
Great post, most of these snippets were new to me, and hence I read with a lot of interest.
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:39 am
Thanks, Samir. Glad you enjoyed that!
Reply
Banno
March 1, 2012 at 4:41 am
Fun read, Dusted Off. Just what I needed to start off the morning. :)
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:39 am
Thank you, Banno!
Reply
Arunkumar Deshmukh
March 1, 2012 at 5:20 am
Dusted off ji,
A novel idea for a post indeed.
Somehow I felt that some of the trivias are not complete,I mean they dont give the full info.for
example,about CR and the music of Azaad.
This incident is described in details in the CRs autobio in Marathi.
Some of the trivias are new to me.Indian film industry has thousands of trivias,in almost every
field-music,acting,making of the film,stories,actors,directors etc.
I like your blog for its novel ideas and also for comments from some knowledgeable readers.
-Arunkumar Deshmukh
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 5:41 am
Thank you, Arun.
As for the full details of CR and the music of Azaad well, considering I cannot read Marathi
and dont have access to his autobiography, I had to restrict myself to writing what I did know.
Sorry about falling short.
Reply
Arunkumar Deshmukh
March 1, 2012 at 8:03 am
dustedoff ji,
I am sorry if I have offended you,which was certainly not my idea.next time I will be more
careful in choosing wordings.

I mentioned the CR incident because it was translated and was in ample circulation on the
net as it was very meaty.
When Naidu approached Naushad with a 15 days timeframe,first Naushad said,I dont
run a factory.
Then Naidu extended the period to 1 month. Naushad got irritated and said,Perhaps you
should have enquired about me in the industry before coming here.I take sometimes 1 month for
just 1 song.You better go to somebody else.
Naidu became desparate as he had kept some sets of Azaad ready in Madras and was
paying daily rent for them.Then someone suggested him the name of CR,about whom Naidu had
heard earlier.
He went to CR with his proposal.Those days,Naushad was the only composer who was
demanding and getting 1 lakh per picture,besides all other expenses.CR was around 50-60
thousand bracket.
He told Naidu,I will do your music in stipulated time and give you songs which will
become Hit too,but I want 1 lakh rupees.
Naidu did not even think,and agreed immediately.
CR did the work almost in stipulated time and pocketed 1 lakh rupees cheque coolly.
-AD
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 2:14 pm
No problem, Arunji! I just didnt have access to a lot of books to draw trivia from, so I
just used whatever I could lay my hands on.
I liked that entire anecdote very much; thank you for adding it here. And Im glad C
Ramachandra had the courage to stand up and ask for 1 lakh instead of his usual fee!
Reply
Arunkumar Deshmukh
March 1, 2012 at 8:05 am
dustedoff ji,
I would be interested to read Nehas blog,if you can give me the URL please.
-AD
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 2:15 pm
The link to Nehas blog is in the second paragraph of my post itself; you can click her
name, and youll reach her blog. Anyway, here it is again:
http://nehamalude.wordpress.com/
Reply
Shilpi Bose
March 1, 2012 at 6:47 am
Now what do I do, I am itching to put down some stuff but I should be keeping something for
my blog, whenever I launch it, shouldnt I? at the rate I am going, I will probably launch it in my
next birth- then there is also the problem, should I reveal such trivia or shouldnt? When mum was
around I usually asked her Is it OK to reveal this or will the people concerned object? Will I be
betraying someones confidence? So, as mum isnt around to guide me, I will take the next best
route, I will not reveal the name. So the trivia is about this song from Jab Jab Phool Khile
This one was not shot by the films DOP( Director of Photography), in the film industry it is quite
common for DOPs to stand in for one another when they are busy with multiple films and dates
clash, so here too there was a problem of combination dates, another well- known DOP shot this
song.
Another trivia, in the film Aazad Talat Mehmood was to sing Kitna Haseen Hai Mausam, once
again there was a problem of dates and C.Ramchandra stepped in and if you notice he is
imitating Talat Mehmood, how do I know this? Well I got it from the horses mouth, Mr Mehmood
himself.
Clashing of dates has always been a problem, I remember, I was a kid, producers would come
to our house asking for dates and I do not know why much to dads and his secretarys frustration
every body wanted the same dates, funnily enough once every body wanted 20, 21, 22, 23, finally
frustration gave way to laughter as my father looked at his free dates with frustration.
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Thank you, Shilpi! Those are some delightful anecdotes. :-)
I had no idea DOPs stood in for each other it would make sense, of course, and
considering that so many Hindi film songs were fairly generic as far as picturisation was
concerned (Im excluding songs like Aage bhi jaane na tu, where the story progresses quite a bit
through the song) yes, understandable.
My goodness, I have to admit to feeling very ashamed about not having paid sufficient
attention to Kitna haseen hai mausam earlier. Id never even realised that was not Talat Mahmood
singing! Now, of course, when Im listening to it and paying close attention, I can hear the
difference. But hes certainly done a good imitation of Talats voice.
Reply
bombaynoir
March 1, 2012 at 9:47 am
So cool, especially the one about Nau Do Gyarah! (I am a terribly biased person, am I not?) I
dont know a lot about other composers and all, so, thank you so much for sharing! ;) Where did
you get them from, by the way? Any book or something? If thats the case, I must buy it!
Reply
dustedoff
March 1, 2012 at 2:27 pm
Heh. :-) I knew the Nau Do Gyaarah one would appeal to you!
These are all mostly from various interviews Ive either read in newspapers or magazines, or
interviews Ive seen over the years on TV, andsome on the Net (the Rafi/Mohammed Ali one,
the Naushad one). The C Ramachandra anecdote is from a book, Ganesh Anantharamans
Bollywood Melodies. Incidentally, since youre a Dev Anand fan, this post might appeal to you:
http://dustedoff.wordpress.com/2011/12/20/book-review-sidharth-bhatias-cinema-modernthe-navketan-story/
Reply
Anu Warrier
March 1, 2012 at 7:27 pm
Madhu, sorry for butting in, but since shes such Dev Anand fan his autobiography is
also a good buy. This incident is narrated there too.
Reply
bombaynoir
March 2, 2012 at 8:37 am
@ Dustedoff: Yay! Time to go trivia-hunting!

@ Anu: I was thinking about getting his autobiography, but someone (I cant remember
who, sorry!) said that he felt compelled to overshare on every subject except the films before
Guide. Noooooooo. I want him to talk about Tere Ghar Ke Samne and Solva Saal, not about the
times he went Nau Do Gyarah from other people! I dunno whether I should get it or not. Either
way, I still want to give him a big hug for loving writing just like me. xD
Reply
Anu Warrier
March 2, 2012 at 4:43 pm
bombaynoir, its still worth a read. And I like it because its in his voice, and his writing
unlike other autobiographies that are ghostwritten. And I popped over to your blog for a dekko
you like Raj Kapoor. Come into my arms! *grin*
Reply
bombaynoir
March 3, 2012 at 8:06 am
Wow so many ghost-everythings! Ghostwriting, ghost composing, ghost
directing anyway. I guess Ill try to find it if they have it here in the local libraries (which I highly
doubt), and yes, I do like Raj Kapoor a lot! :D
Reply
bombaynoir
March 2, 2012 at 10:31 am
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Dustedoff, have you ever had the
problem where you publish a post and nothing is visible? I had spent two hours doing a post
about the Big Three of Bollywood in 1951, published, boom, finished and gone. AND THERE
WAS NO WAY TO GET IT BACK. -cries- Do you know what I can do?
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 5:24 am
Oh, you poor thing! :-(
Yes, that happened to me years ago Id just begun writing on a travel website. I spent
much time and effort writing a nice long article on a place Id visited. Pressed Publish and
whoosh lost in cyberspace. I think I tried to somehow retrieve for about half an hour before I
gave up.
Since then, I never write anything slightly long directly online. All my posts are written
offline (on a Word doc or Notepad) and then copied into an online post page. Try that.
Reply
bombaynoir
March 3, 2012 at 8:05 am
Guess Ill rewrite it, then. :( Thanks for the tip, by the way!
I was just wondering, theres gonna be a concert next week in Singapore, and theyre
going to perform Devs and Shammijis songs. The singers are Alka Yagnik, Anand Raj Anand,
and I cant remember the other one. Rafis son will be there too, and Shammis son as well!
Should I go? The price is kind of steep if you want a good seat, though.
And that also means Ill have to put Bombai Ka Babu and Baat Ek Raat Ki on hold,
and I really want them both soon.
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 1:28 pm
Though the people whore performing are good singers (well, Alka Yagnik, at any
rate), I would frankly not go just for the music I associate only Rafi with Shammi Kapoors
songs, for instance, and cant imagine anyone else singing them. No matter how well they sing!
Thats one reason I never go to concerts to hear people recreate music by singers I really like.
On the other hand, the presence of people like Shammis son and Rafis son might
mean that youll get to hear some interesting stories. I dont know I probably wouldnt go,
because since Shammi and Dev passed away just a couple of months ago, the chances of the
speeches being very tribute-ish may be high.
I guess youll have to take your chance. If you can find somebody whos as keen
as you, it might be fun.
Reply
bombaynoir
March 4, 2012 at 3:45 am
This is just like one of those filmi dilemnas, except that its about going to a
concert. I think Ill try and see if there are seats in the middle, or just go for the box seats. Thanks
for the tips. ;)
Reply
dustedoff
March 4, 2012 at 5:04 am
Youre welcome. I hope you have a good time! Tell us about it. :-)
Reply
bombaynoir
March 4, 2012 at 6:36 am
Will keep that in mind! :D Photography isnt allowed, though. :(
Reply
Piyush
March 1, 2012 at 8:23 pm
I didnt know any of this. Really enjoyable read. I think I will remember most of the anecdotes.
Thank you :)
Reply
dustedoff
March 2, 2012 at 4:32 am
Youre welcome, Piyush and thank you! :-)
Reply
Lalitha
March 1, 2012 at 8:29 pm
Wonderful post, Madhu! I enjoyed reading all the trivia, but I did hope to see one more the
one about the song Vande Mataram from Anand Math, which you had mentioned in one of
your earlier posts! I guess you dropped it because all the regulars at your blog know about it
already. Anyway, now I have a store of new trivia to relate to my friends thanks!
I had heard the one about CR becoming the MD for Azaad earlier, as well as the one about
Naushads parents telling his prospective inlaws that he was a tailor, earlier, but the rest were all
new to me, and provided a lot of enjoyable reading. When do we get our next dose of trivia? After
your next quiz? Looking forward to your next quiz, then!
Reply
dustedoff
March 2, 2012 at 4:35 am
Thank you so much, Lalitha!
And yes, I did leave out the one from Vande Mataram (and the Premnath-Nimmi scene from
Barsaat) on purpose because most of the regulars on this blog wouldve already come across
those I think the Vande Mataram one a couple of times, actually!
Ah, a trivia quiz? That would be a good idea, but Im clean out of trivia for the time being.
And there are still two prizewinners whose prize posts have to be written up and published.
Maybe a trivia quiz later this year
Reply
Lalitha
March 2, 2012 at 2:27 am
My little piece of Bollywood trivia and I am sure you have heard this before during the
filming of the song Mausam beeta jaaye for Do Bigha Zamin, all the local villagers gathered at
the shooting spot and were visibly upset when the shot was over and the crew packed up.
Reason? They thought they were going to get taaja mausambi and the director didnt give them
any! Balraj Sahni narrated this during a Vishesh Jaymala for the fauji bhais (no behens then, are
there any now?) and this was probably in 65 or 66 that I heard it.
Another snippet Hema Malini was my husbands classmate in the sixth grade, but left before
the completion of the school year. Hubby doesnt remember what she looked like (at least, that is
what he says!), but what was funny was that he told me this on our first outing together, as if that
would interest me at that time!
Reply
dustedoff
March 2, 2012 at 4:39 am
Oh, I LOVE those two little bits of trivia, Lalitha! Theyre so cute. Theres something really
endearing about the local villagers being upset about the Do Bigha Zameen crew packing up
without giving them any mausambi juice simpler times those were, werent they?
So is your hubby a major Hema Malini fan? Or did he imagine you were? That is certainly an
unusual bit of information to share on ones first outing with a girl have you since asked him
why he picked on that? ;-)
Reply
harveypam
March 2, 2012 at 8:38 am
Arre baba, he was just nervous in the presence of beautiful Lalitha, that he just started
blurting out incoherent things.
@ Lalitha: That means your husband and the mother of a college friend/acquaintance of
mine were in the same class. Or was she a dance school class mate? I forget! Anyway, she
showed me once a photo, where Hema was holding her as a baby. Hema unites people, what
say?
Reply
Lalitha
March 3, 2012 at 1:37 am
Thanks, Harvey, for the compliment!
Did your friends mother go to DTEA School, Mandir Marg, in New Delhi? Incidentally,
after coming here, I found that a friends father is Hema Malinis cousin, and another friend hails
from the same village as Garam Dharam -Deol! So Hema and Dharam do unite people, as you
have noted!
Reply
pacifist
March 3, 2012 at 8:39 am
Talking of hailing from same villages.
Did you all know that I hail from the same village as Dev Anand? Gurdaspur? :-D
My mother did have some stories to tell, but I wasnt so interested then. Now that Im
interested shes no more :-(
He was around the age of my mothers older siblings (there were 10 of them). I
vaguely remember her telling us that as children they played together, and talk about their
adulthood, and what they all would be doing when they were older.
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 1:32 pm
Arre wah! Youre from Gurdaspur? Thats a small world indeed. :-) My aunt (my
fathers sister) actually knew Dev Anands family partly through Kalpana Karthik, since
Kalpanas a Christian. And, in our family, we all say that my aunt knows the nitty-gritty of every
North Indian Christian family! She really does, down to the sordid details.
I wonder what Dev Anand wanted to do when he was older might have been
interesting to know him back then!
Reply
pacifist
March 4, 2012 at 8:59 am
I know. I really regret not having quuestioned my mother more.
Yes, Kalpana Kartik is from Batala, near Gurdaspur. :)
Reply
Anu Warrier
March 2, 2012 at 4:44 pm
Madhu, they probably meant the *other* mausambi not the fruit juice. : ) (Lalitha can
clarify.)
Reply
Lalitha
March 2, 2012 at 6:22 pm
Lalitha cannot clarify she is totally, totally in the dark and mystified what other
,mausambi are we talking about?
Reply
Samir
March 2, 2012 at 6:55 pm
Just my blog name should suffice as a hint, but to be explicit :)
Reply
Lalitha
March 2, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Just goes to show that I am out of touch with these things! Thanks for the
enlightenment, Samir!
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 5:27 am

Ah. Enlightenment dawns. When I was reading through this thread, I couldnt
figure out either what the other mausambi could possibly be. Yes, this does make sense. I can
imagine villagers being upset at being deprived of something like this. ;-)
Reply
pacifist
March 3, 2012 at 8:43 am
I did know about the other mausambi, but it didnt occur thats what they meant.
Makes more sense though :-D
@Samir
I wonder what an Oenophile would think of mausambi? :-D
Reply
Lalitha
March 2, 2012 at 6:50 pm
@Madhu, not only was he a major Hema fan, he was also a major Sridevi fan we were
looking to buy a plot of land in Madras, and somebody told him about this plot across from
Sridevis house. I didnt know this until we got there, but luckily for me, the price was more than
we could afford then! I did ask him if he had planned to spend his mornings gazing at her house,
hoping for her darshan, and he said he thought I would be delighted to have her as my neighbor!
Hmph! Oh yes, and the password on our computer was Sridevi for some time, till I changed it!
Reply
pacifist
March 2, 2012 at 10:59 pm
LOL Lalitha. Thankyou for sharing these lovely anecdotes :)
BTW, did you change your husbands password from Sridevi toummmDev
Anand? :-D
Reply
Lalitha
March 3, 2012 at 12:13 am
How did you guess what my password would have been, pacifist? Am I that obvious?
Reply
pacifist
March 3, 2012 at 8:49 am
Hahaha! We are all so obvious. Its either Shammi Kapoor, or Dev Anand (not
Manoj Kumar or Rajender Kumar.for most,though I would have Dilip Kumar too ;-)
Sunil Dutt we all love, but doubt his name would be password inclined along with
many others.
Reply
bombaynoir
March 3, 2012 at 9:06 am
My apologies for butting in, but you guessed my password too! Oh no! I have to
go change it! :P
Reply
pacifist
March 3, 2012 at 9:18 am
:-D :-D
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 1:33 pm
:-D
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 5:30 am
Hehe. Your husband sounds like a very sweet person! :-) Not that I like Sridevi in fact
shes one of the few major Hindi film actresses I dont like at all but anybody whod keep
sridevi as their password thats so cute. I hope Sridevi drops by this blog someday and sees
this little tribute to her!
Reply
harvey
March 4, 2012 at 9:44 pm
Yeah, Sridevi, everybody goes ooh and aah about her, but I dont see much in her.
She was good in Chalbaaz. Chandni and Lamhe didnt do anything to me. It was like somehting
from M&B, form what my freinds have told me about it.
Thanks, Madhu for giving me this coming out moment! ;-)
Reply
dustedoff
March 5, 2012 at 5:49 am
I havent seen Chandni or Chaalbaaz, though Ive watched Lamhe and a few
other Sridevi movies, such as Mr India and Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja. I somehow think her
acting in these, at least, is pretty exagerrated. And her looks just dont appeal to me.
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 5:32 am
@Lalitha, since he thought youd like having Sridevi as a neighbour, he probably also
did think youd want to know that Hema Malini was a schoolmate of his. :-D
Reply
harveypam
March 3, 2012 at 4:18 pm
LOVE this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ROTFL!!!!!! and how!!!!! :-D
This thread needs a post of itself: Of mosambis and passwords!
Reply
Samir
March 3, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Love this thread too !!!
@Harvey : You should do that post !!!
@Pacifist :
I am not really sure if mausambi is even made from the fruit mosambi (sweetlime), perhaps our resident botanist Harvey would elaborate. My opinion, stay away from all such
things; actually stay away from most alcohols except wines & some liqueurs :)
Reply
harveypam
March 3, 2012 at 6:28 pm
Agree with you on staying away form all sorts of alcohols except for wines,
liquers and schnaps.
What I know from hear say is that the in Bombay, the mosambi is made from
rotten fruits from the garbage heap.
Reply
Lalitha
March 3, 2012 at 6:54 pm
And to think that I had never heard of this mosambi until today!
Reply
dustedoff
March 4, 2012 at 5:08 am
@Samir, I am completely with you Ive never liked any alcohol other than
wines and liqueuers (barring Creme de Menthe, which I hate) anyway. Now, because of a
medication, Im not allowed any alcohol, so even thats a thing of the past. :-(
Reply
ASHOK M VAISHNAV
March 3, 2012 at 7:27 am
An enjoyable light session, electrified in the usual manner by all-round comments.
Hats off to DustedOffs free-wheeling imagination!
Reply
dustedoff
March 3, 2012 at 1:34 pm
Thank you! Yes, we do tend to have very all-round discussions, often landing up light-years
away from the topic being actually discussed. :-)
Reply
pacifist
March 3, 2012 at 10:57 pm
RE: Mosambi
Since weve run out of space in that thread Im writing here.
I think the name mosambi is due to the fact that it has a yellowish colour. The orangish stuff is
called narangi and I dont know what the green coloured stuff is called.
How do I know this? Icoloured m not sure at all. The information is all I can remember, how I
came about it is not clear :-D
Reply
dustedoff
March 4, 2012 at 5:09 am
Green stuff? Like Lalitha, I didnt even know there was green stuff.
Pacifist, you are revealing hidden depths to your personality (and knowledge).
Reply
pacifist
March 4, 2012 at 9:05 am
:-))))
I think I read it in a local hindi newspaper while in Kanpur. because illicit production of
hard country liquor was/is (?) rampant in villages around the countryside causing deaths at times.
But again, my memry is so vague that I might be confusing the various colours with some
other thing.
Reply
dustedoff
March 4, 2012 at 9:44 am
because illicit production of hard country liquor was/is (?) rampant in villages around
the countryside causing deaths at times.
Youre right about that. It still happens, out in the countryside. It might seem crazy, but
my brother-in-laws aunt (shes American), whenever relatives from India visit her, asks only for
one thing to be brought for her: tharra! :-))
Reply
harvey
March 4, 2012 at 9:40 pm
asks only for one thing to be brought for her: tharra!
what the goras/goris like, eh?
Reply
dustedoff
March 5, 2012 at 3:12 am
Looks like it!
Reply
Lalitha
March 4, 2012 at 1:37 am
So narangi is different from mosambi, and is not the same as santara, I suppose! Now you say
there is a green one too who knows what all these fruits are called would Harvey be the
authority here? Let me check with Wikipedia and see what is there.
Reply
pacifist
March 4, 2012 at 9:07 am
Oh, now that you mention, I think its santra rather than narangi.
Yes, wikipedia is a good idea. Im going there immediately.
Reply
harvey
March 4, 2012 at 9:38 pm
No, unfortunately I am no expert when it comes to illicit liquor, but I think they just colour
the liqour which they distill with colours they use for the golas (crushed ice).
Reply
dustedoff
March 5, 2012 at 3:15 am
I was discussing this yesterday with my husband, and he was saying that as far as he
was aware (not that he can claim to have even ever drunk this stuff!), the name depended upon
what fruit the liquor had been distilled from. He was giving angoori as another name to support
his theory.
But, like you, I am inclined to think its added colour which gives the iquor its name.
Reply
Anu Warrier
March 4, 2012 at 2:20 am
@harvey, if you are not too careful, you might also get battery acid in it. : )
Reply
harvey
March 4, 2012 at 9:36 pm
AND Methanol, for a good eye sight! ;-)
Reply
Lalitha
March 4, 2012 at 3:45 pm
kahan jaa rahe the, kahan aa gaye hum! From trivia to Hema Malini to mausambi to narangi!
Reply
harvey
March 4, 2012 at 9:35 pm
yeh kahan aa gaye hum yunhi saath saath chalte
humare baaton me hai saathiyon ye themes kaise pighalte!
Reply
harvey
March 4, 2012 at 9:48 pm
As for the earlier question. The girl concerned was a fellow MSc. student at Xaviers and her
mother showed me this foto, I mentioned, and that was twenty years back, so I dont know
anything about the background. I havent heard about her ever since.
Reply
dustedoff
March 5, 2012 at 3:20 am
Its all trivia! Not film trivia, but trivia nevertheless. Seriously, did you think about listing the
different types of country liquor before this? Or thinking over why they may be called what they
are? Or why your husband told you about Hema Malini? :-))
Reply
Shashi
March 5, 2012 at 4:14 am
I am just another of those who loves such little known facts. This post is a storehouse of such
and well written by Dustedoff.
Adding some which I know. It may be that many of you would already know of this.
Dharmendra and Manoj Kumar were to star in solo-hero movies Naqli Nawab (1962) and
Shola Aur Shabnam (1961) respectively. But as luck would have it, they were dropped from
those movies and cast in the other movie.
Dev Anand was to have been the hero of Teesri Manzil (1966). But he was busy shooting
Guide (1966) and Shammi Kapoor was roped in. Incidentally, this was the first Vijay Ananddirected movie which didnt have his brother as the leading man.
Another trivia is that Dharmendra had almost walked out of Phool Aur Patthar (1966) because
he had differences with the Director, O. P. Ralhan. Thankfully sense prevailed and he stayed
back. Even though he had several hits before this movie, this was the one which made him a star.
Before Ralhan signed on Dharmendra, he was considering Sunil Dutt for the role.
After his win in the Fimlfare-United Producers competition, Dharmendra was considered as the
leading man for Love In Simla (1960). But the makers decided they wanted a hero who was
romantic and didnt have the physique of a hockey player. Joy Mukherjee was then cast as the
leading man.
Anupama Chopra has written a book on the making of Sholay which contains several trivia.
Reply
dustedoff
March 5, 2012 at 5:46 am
The only one that I knew from that lot was about Dev Anand being the original choice for
Rocky. The others were all new to me. Thanks! Enjoyed that. :-)
Reply
Arunkumar Deshmukh
March 5, 2012 at 8:35 am
dustedoff ji,
Here is a trivia from 1936.
Ashokkumar,who had gone to Himanshu Roy of Bombay Talkies,to learn Photography, was
forced by Devika Rani to become her hero in films.
His first film was Jeevan Nayya.Just to avoid working in films,Ashok kumar cut his hair
small.on the day of the first shot,H.Roy saw him,forgave him and waited for 2 months for the hair
to grow.
By this time A.Kumar was ready to act.In the first shot itself,he had to jump from the window
and save the Heroine from the villain.The shot started,Ashok kumar was so enthusiastic,that he
not only jumped from the window,but also broke the leg of the Villain.
Himanshu Roy had to wait for another four months before only the second shot of the film was
shot !
-Arunkumar Deshmukh
Reply
dustedoff
March 6, 2012 at 10:19 am
Just saw this comment, Arunji. That was a funny one! Ashok Kumar apparently made quite a
splash with his very first film. :-D
I must admire Himanshu Roys patience!
Reply
Deepak Jeswal
March 9, 2012 at 6:50 pm
Mosambi narangiall of it in this song ;-))
Reply
Sudhir Kapur
April 12, 2012 at 12:06 pm
Dustedoff ji,
Regarding Azaad and C Ramchandra and the compositions completed in two weeks, there is
another very interesting tidbit to add. The song Kitna Haseen Hai Mausam was supposed to
have been sung by Talat Mehmood. On the day of the recording, Talat Saab was unduly late in
reaching the studio. With Lata ji and the rest of the orchestra and crew waiting, C Ram decided to
go ahead with the recording in his own voice. When the recordist questioned him on this choice,
he promised that he would sing as well as Talat Saab does. And the result is very interesting. In
this song, C Rams voice sounds so close to Talat, that on a casual first hearing one might even
mistake it for the latter.
Rgds
Sudhir
Reply
Sudhir Kapur
April 12, 2012 at 12:23 pm
Ooops
Going thru the remaining threads of this post, I realize that this info is already posted by
Shilpi ji a little more than a month ago. Apologies for the repeat.
Rgds
Sudhir
Reply
dustedoff
April 13, 2012 at 3:24 am
No problem. :-) Yes, C Ramachandras voice sounds uncannily like Talats there.
Reply
Shilps
June 21, 2012 at 6:08 am
So much talk about food here.can we have a separate post for food in hindi films (also
hollywood films)??
Reply
dustedoff
June 21, 2012 at 7:20 am
Unfortunately, there doesnt seem to be much devotion to food in old films, whether
Hollywood or Hindi. New films, yes, especially non-Indian films: theres Julie and Julia, Chocolat,
Babettes Feast and the superb Japanese noodle Western, Tampopo. Others too I remember a
Stanley Tucci starrer about two Italian brothers (friends? I dont recall exactly) and their restaurant
in the US but not really much food in Hindi films, at least not playing an important part. Sad! :-(
Reply
Samir Khan
December 18, 2012 at 12:56 am
A really enjoyable read!
A bit of trivia I came to know recently concerns Mera Saaya; Lata was suffering from a throat
infection and not taking any assignments. Madan Mohan recorded the song in his own voice and
Sadhana lip-synched to this during the shooting. Once Lata was well, the song was recorded in
her voice and then dubbed onto the film. I wonder how Sadhana kept a straight face through that
one
Reply
dustedoff
December 18, 2012 at 4:11 am
Oh, yes. Thats a pretty well-known anecdote, so I didnt include it. From what I heard, the
people of Shimla turned out in large numbers to watch the shoot, and were completely
flummoxed (and no doubt amused) to see Sadhana lip-synching to a mans voice! Madan
Mohans rendition of the song is quite nice, actually I remember having heard it.
Reply
Kishore Kumar
Trivia on Kishore Kumar, tidbits on Kishore Kumar
All Kishore Kumar trivia, facts, gossip added by users
Write a trivia
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Last
! report abusePravir
Pravir wrote on 27 Dec 2009
Kishore Kumar had put a "Beware of Kishore" sign at the door of his Warden Road flat, where
he stayed for some time while his bungalow was being done up. Once, the producer-director H.
S. Rawail, who owed him some money, visited his flat to pay the dues. Kishore Kumar took the
money, and when Rawail offered to shake hands with him, he reportedly put Rawail's hand in his
mouth, bit it, and asked "Didnt you see the sign?".
! report abusePravir
Pravir wrote on 14 Oct 2009
Kishore Kumar got an admission in a prestigious college in Indore post his matriculation. He
had acute stage fright then. He used to sing from behind the curtains and never faced the
audience. When he left for Bombay, it is said that he owed an amount of Rs 5.75 to his college
canteen. This probably may be the inspiration for the "Paanch Rupaiya Barah Aana " song in his
'Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi".
! report abuseSwati Chatterjee
Swati Chatterjeewrote on 02 Aug 2009
Kishore Kumar was very fond of Sachin Dev Burman and used to respect him a lot. During a
recording of his song, SD Burman had a heart attack, and was admitted to the hospital. Kishore
Kumar rushed to the hospital and promised him to complete the recording. Not only he kept his
promise, he sang it with such elan that it went on to become one of his signature song in the days
to come -- "Badi sooni sooni hai..."
In another crazy incident, Kishore Kumar once drove straight to Khandala from the film set by
his car. The director was apparently unmindful and forgot to say "CUT" in a car scene where
Kishore was supposed to drive. Kishore Kumar started the car and kept driving as the director
didnt say cut...
Kishore da was very particular about his renumerations. Once a producer paid him half in
advance and said that he would like to pay the rest once the film is completed. The next day,
Kishore Kumar shocked everybody when he appeared with half of his head and moustache
shaved! and he told everybody that he would continue appearing like this in every shot until he is
given the full amount!
Kishore Kumar was known for his pranks and caricatures. Once he started acting as if he had
his son accompanying him everywhere. he would talk to the little kid and reply himself with a
different voice. If he didnt like a song while recording, he would say in the child's voice "baba yeh
gana achha nahi hai". Then he would say "nahin beta aise nahi bolte, ghar pe jake bolna" and so
on. This continued for so long that his coleagues got used to his 'manas putra' (The child of
imagination)
! report abuseDipen Guha
Dipen Guhawrote on 02 Jun 2009
Kishore Kumar sang for Uttam Kumar for the first time in the film "Rajkumari"(1967). But
audiences who had been used to Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey for the voice of Uttam rejected
the venture.In 1974 the music director Shyamal Mitra made Kishore sing for Uttam Kumar in
"Amanush". Both songs and the film became super-hit. The next movie "Ananda Ashram" enjoyed
the same fortune. Uttam passed away and Kishore sang as a tribute "se jeno amar pase ajo bose
achhe" (he seems sitting by me still today).
"Koi hota jisko apna"(Mere Apne), "O raat kuch ajib thi"(Khamoshi),"Geet gata hu
mei"(LalPathhar), "Mere Naina sawanbhado"(Mehbooba)"O Sathi re tere bina kya jina"(Muqaddar
ka Sikandar) "Dil Aaj sayer hai"(Gambler) "Koi laota de mere bite huye din'(Door Gagan ki Chhao
me),"Ghoongroo ki tarha"(Chor Machaye shor)-- and the list is endless. The man who does not
possess deep-rooted pathos within him, can never vent such touchy melodies. Something that
Kishore failed to attain became a boon for him.
Kishor Kumar's acting calibre enabled him to synchronize his voice with that of the character
he was going to sing for. As Mukesh was the soul-voice of Raj Kapoor, Kishore was, primarily for
Dev Anand. Kishore added perfect shades and hues to his voice very much in consort with the
styles and mannerisms of him. In seventies KIshore was meant for Rajesh Khanna whose
romance and pathos in acing could be ventilated by Kishore.Then came the regime of Amitabh,
for whom too, Kishore was a must.
The song "Khai ke pan Banaraswala" was first composed for Dev Anand's "Banarasi Babu".
When Kalyanji-Anandji approached Kishore Kumar for this song, Kishore disliked the lyrics and
refused to lend his voice for the songs. But when the Musician duo convinced Kishore that the
situation as well as times demand such song, Kishore agreed. The hearsay goes, Kishore
chewed dozen of pans while recording the song . . In "Don"the picturisation was so authentic that
Kishor and Amitabh were for each other.
Amitava Bhattacharyawrote on 11 Nov 2008
Kishore Kumar recorded his last song for Bappi Lahiri. Before he left the studio, he sang a line or
two from his famous song "Chalte chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna.." and told Bappida that he
wished that people would remember him. The very next day he passed away.
! report abuseDivya Solgama
Divya Solgamawrote on 28 Sep 2008
Kishore Kumar did not charge any fee for Rajesh Khanna's Alag Alag.
Kishore Kumar was the original choice for Rajesh Khanna's role in Anand.
Kishore Kumar use to call all his wifes Bandariyas, as they all were from Bandra (a suburb of
Mumbai)
All the four singing legends, Lata mangeshkar, Mukesh, Mohd.Rafi and Kishore Kumar sang a
song in Amar Akbar Anthony
During his lifetime Kishore Kumar was married to four different women, including actress
Madhubala, Yogita Bali and Leena Chandravarkar.
Kishore Kumar and his entire unit had decided to wear make-up, with a long beard, at the
premiere show of BADHTI KA NAAM DADHI in Mumbai
Kishore kumar had sung a title track for Doordarshan's serial.."YEH JO HAIN ZINDAGI"...which
was a superhit no...but then this song was take off from air..and the serial started with just the
name...and was banned
Kishore Kumar was a devout minion of K.L.Saigal, would adore Tagore and ardently follow
Hollywood singer-actor Dany Kay. In his house "Gourikunj"there are the portraits of these three
great personalities, before whom Kishore would, as a rule, stand bow and scrape every morning.
He inherited the "depth" from Tagore, mellifluous voice from Saigal, and yeodling genre from
Dany Kay. "Tere mere milan ki ye raina(Tagorian)", "Ghoongroo ki tarha(Saigalian melody),
"Chala ja ta hu(Dany Kay's motion).
Beneath the envelopment of bantering, teasing, mimmicry and apparent eccentricity there ran a
grave serious stream within Kishore Kumar. The man who made "Chalti Ka naam Gadi" or "Badti
ka naam Dadi" can create "Door Gagan ki Chhaon Me" or "Door Wadio Me Kahin". Inspite of his
physical presence Kishore would seek for some unknown remote. The self-composed songs like
"Teri Duniya se hoke majboor chala.....khahin door chala" or "Khahin door gagan ki chhao mein"
manifest his soul's cry.

It took twenty -one days for the reharsal of the difficult song "Ek Chatur nar kar ke sringar.." for
the film "Padosan". The song, though funny and laughter-provoking, was classic based. Manna
Dey, who was at home in classical songs, was taken aback discovering that Kishore delivered his
part so effusively and efficiently. Manna Dey reveals " I was singing in terms of singing, but
Kishore caught the spirit of the song. Oh! What a brilliant singer Kishore was !" A genius
acknowledges a genius.
Kishore Kumar had a very warm relationship with Satyajit Ray. For his film "Charulata" Satyajit
Ray was looking for a singer, not typically of Tagorian style. Ray calls upon Kishore Kumar to sing
"Aami chini go chini tomare, o-go bideshini"a much hummed-about number of Tagore. Kishore
readily accepts the request. Years later in "Ghare Baire" Ray makes Kishore sing two Tagore's
songs. In both cases, Soumitra Chatterjee has given the lips. Kishore felt too honoured to charge
any price.
! report abusepramod kumar
pramod kumarwrote on 27 Apr 2009
Kishore learnt yodeling by listening to his brother Anoop Kumar's Austrian records.
Was a big fan of Alfred Hitchcock films.
Learnt yodeling by listening to his brother Anoop Kumar's Austrian records.
Along with Kalyanji Veerji Shah, he introduced electronic music to Bollywood
Had a misunderstanding with Amitabh Bachchan in the mid 1980s. He refused to sing for Amitabh
when Amitabh refused to act in a movie produced by Kishore. Amitabh then faced his worst
phase in his career after this. He later made a comeback several years later with Kaun Banega
Crorepati.
Brother of Ashok Kumar and Anoop Kumar.
Has sung 327 duets with Lata Mangeshkar. At 440, only Mohammad Rafi has sung more duets
with Lata.
Along with Kalyanji Veerji Shah, he introduced electronic music to Bollywood.
! report abuseNaved
Naved wrote on 27 Feb 2009
Despite "no money, no work" principle, Kishore Kumar sometimes recorded for free even when
the producers were willing to pay, like for Rajesh Khanna and Danny Denzongpa.
! report abuseAnonymous
Anonymous wrote on 18 Feb 2009
They say that during the song recording of the number KHAIKE PAAN BANARASWALA from
DON, Kishore Kumar actually heavily chewed a Banarasi Paan and sang the number and thus
was the effect...
! report abuseNaved
Naved wrote on 16 Dec 2008
"Aaya Toofan" (title song) was the last song Kishore Kumar sung for an Amitabh Bachchan movie
before he died.
ial Sub-Topic: Evergreen Hindi Film Music
Click Here To Play: Evergreen Hindi Film Music
Lata Mangeshkar is considered as the doyenne of Hindi film music. But she has not sung a single
song for one particular music director, do you know his name?
O P Nayyar. Lata Mangeshkar is regarded as one of the greatest singers of India and has
reportedly sung more than 50,000 songs in various languages. She has worked with almost all
the top music directors. The only exception was O P Nayyar, for whom Lata has not sung a single
song. Nayyar initially preferred to work with Geeta Dutt and then later on extensively worked with
Lata's sister Asha Bhosle. Lata has worked with all the other directors including Jaidev, RD
Burman and Khemchand. Incidentally, Khemchand Prakash was the music director who gave
both Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar their first break.
One of the films that revolutionized Hindi film music was 'Teesri Manzil'. This film marked the first
big hit of a great music director, can you name him?
R D Burman. Rahul Dev Burman or Pancham as he was popularly known, was the son of
legendary music director, S D Burman. R D Burman's first big hit was the classic Shammi KapoorAsha Parekh 1963 hit movie 'Teesri Manzil'. The film and its music were a big hit, catapulting
Pancham into the hall of fame. Some of the memorable songs from this film include - 'Aaja aaja
main hoon pyar tera', 'O meri Sona re Sona', 'Ae Hasina Zulfowali' ,etc.
The films of Raj Kapoor were known for their super hit songs. One of the classic Raj Kapoor films
was 'Bobby'. Who was the music director of this film?
Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Raj Kapoor (RK) films have been known for their great music. From 'Aag'
till 'Mera Naam Joker', his preferred music director was Shankar-Jaikishan. The combination of
Raj Kapoor-Shankar-Jaikishan-Lata-Mukesh have produced many a hit song. But following
Jaikishan's death, Raj Kapoor turned to Laxmikant-Pyarelal for 'Bobby' (released in 1973). The
RK-Laxmi-Pyare team brought out two hits 'Bobby' and 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram'. Ravindra
Jain was used by RK in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili' and 'Henna'. RK never worked with Madan
Mohan.
One of the superstars of Bollywood was Rajesh Khanna. Who was the famous singer who was
known as the voice of Rajesh Khanna?
Kishore Kumar. Many singers have been known as the voice of a particular actor. Mohd Rafi
for Dev Anand, Mukesh for Raj Kapoor, Mahendra Kapoor for Manoj Kumar gave successful
musical hits. When Rajesh Khanna entered the scene in the 1970's, the singer who sang most of
his songs for him was Kishore Kumar. The Kishore Kumar-Rajesh Khanna combination gave hit
after hit including songs like 'Roop Tera Mastana', 'Chala Jaata hoon kisi ki dhun mein', 'Pyar
Diwana Hota Hai', 'Yeh Shaam Mastani', 'Oh Mere Dil Ke Chain', etc.
Duet songs are a popular feature in Hindi film music. One of the greatest duet songs, featuring
Raj Kapoor and Nargis was 'Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua'. Who were the singers of this great song?
Lata Mangeshkar-Manna Dey. One of the evergreen songs of Hindi film music is the duet from
'Shree 420', 'Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua'. This song featured Raj Kapoor and Nargis on screen. The
singers of this hit duet sing were Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey. The music directors were of
course Shankar-Jaikishan.
'Mughal-E-Azam' was one of the greatest films made in Bollywood, featuring many hit songs.
Who was the music director of this film?
Naushad. 'Mughal-E-Azam' was one of the greatest hit films in Bollywood. The popularity of
this 1960 black-and-white film was such that it was digitally colourized and re-released in 2004.
One of the evergreen hit songs of this film was 'Jab Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya'. The music director
of this film was the legendary Naushad.
Which of these music directors was NOT a singer?
Roshan. Music director Roshan (better known for the new generation as Hrithik Roshan's
grandpa!) was not a singer. SD Burman sung in his films ('Guide', 'Aradhana'). R D Burman had a
unique voice and is known for the hit song sung by him in 'Sholay' ('Mehbooba Mehbooba'). The
famous music director of the 1950's and 60's C Ramachandra used to sing under the pseudonym
of Chitalkar. ('Shola Jo Badke', 'Aana Meri Jaan Sunday Ke Sunday', 'Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo').
The megastar of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan has also sung a number of hit songs. Which of
these films featured a song sung by Bachchan?
Silsila. Amitabh Bachchan is known as one of the greatest stars of Bollywood. He has sung a
duet song with Lata Mangeshkar in the 1981 film Silsila ('Ye Kaha Aa gaye hum'). The hit song of
Don 'Khaike Pan Banaras wala' was sung by Kishore Kumar. The song from the film 'Hum'
('Jhumma Chumma De De') sounded as though it was sung by Amitabh, but it was actually sung
by Sudesh Bhonsle. The songs in Sholay were sung by Kishore Kumar, Mohd. Rafi and R D
Burman.
Many feel that the 1980's saw a gradual decline of melody in Hindi film music. During this time a
Rajshree Productions film 'Maine Pyar Kiya' was a musical hit and saw the revival of melody in
Hindi film music. Who was the music director of this film?
Ram Laxman. 'Maine Pyar Kiya' released in 1989, was a musical superhit that only revived
melody in Hindi film music, but also resulted in the revival of the career of Lata Mangeshkar. The
music director for this Salman Khan-Bhagyashree starred was Ram Laxman, who also scored the
music for the other Rajshree hit 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun'(1994).
The superstar of the late 90's and 2000's was Shah Rukh Khan. 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
(DDLJ)' was a musical hit starring Shahrukh and Kajol. Which of these songs is from the film
DDLJ?
Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna. 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' or DDLJ, as it was popularly known,
was a Yash Chopra Production, released in 1995. The music of this film was composed by JatinLalit and it included many a hit songs. 'Mehndi Laga Re Rakhna', sung by Udit Narayan and Lata
Mangeshkar topped the charts. 'Yeh Kaali Kaali Ankhen' was from 'Baazigar', 'Chak De India'
from a film by the same name and 'Dard E Disco' was from 'Om Shanti Om'.

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Stories behind some bollywood songs

on: May 15, 2008, 12:22:15 PM

Bollywood Music Directors - Some Facts!

CreativeBollywood Music Directors

Posted in Bollywood, Odds and Ends, Ten of my favourite...

February 29, 2012 at 2:00 pm

careful in choosing wordings.

@ Dustedoff: Yay! Time to go trivia-hunting!

March 3, 2012 at 5:27 am

manifest his soul's cry.

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