Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh.

Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh.

Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh had performed in successful films in the 60s which had picturesque locations, romantic music and decent stories. They were extremely successful in the film Phir Wahi dil Laya Hoon.

The film was mainly shot at Jammu & Kashmir and OP Nayyar’s compositions in the film had created a lasting effect for generations. Rafi and Asha’s songs “banda parwar”, “lakho hai nigahon me”, “zulf ke chaon me chehereka ujala lekar”, “aanchal me saza lena kaliya”, “naznee bara rangeen hai wada tera”, “aji kibla mohe tarma”, etc., had all become legendary creations over the years. Asha Parekh went to Kashmir with her friends and entered into an affair with Joy Mukherjee. Pran created problems at the by pretending as an impostor. Rajendernath showed his comedy skills in the film.


Both of them did well in the film Ziddi. Asha Parekh was very adamant about whatever she liked to have in life. Joy Mukherjee came to their house and taught her to be patient and have tolerance like her sister played by Nazima. The music composed by SD Burman is worth mentioning with songs like “teri surat se”, “bolo bolo bolo bolo” sung by Rafi, “pyar ki aag me’ sung by Manna Dey, etc. the comedy portion performed by Mehmood, Dhumal and Subha Khote require special mention.


Probably the greatest hit of Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh was the film Love in Tokyo. The film was shot in Tokyo, which added the attraction for the viewers along with strong music composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Songs like “Japan, love in Tokyo”, “aaja re aa zara aa”, “o mere shahe khuba”, “hume tum mil gaye humdum”, sung by Rafi and Lata stormed bollywood in the mid-60s.


Besides, Pran had kidnapped the nephew of Asha Parekh and created obstacles in the marriage of Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh in different ways. Lalita Power, the mother of Joy Mukherjee did not accept Asha Parekh as the daughter-in-law initially, which was resolved at the end of the film. Although these films did not provide any messag to the audience, they had entertained them to the fullest extent. The films should be restored for those reasons.

By: Rumi Chatterji.