Majestic combination of Shankar Jaikishanji with Rafisahab is still remembered today

Immortal combination of Shankar Jaikishan with Mohammad Rafi sahab. Great composer Shankar Singh Raghubvanshi is remembered on his birth anniversary on 15th October, 2024. He was also remembered on death anniversary on 26th April, 2020

. He was one of the genius composers of the famous duo Shankar Jaikishan. In the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s a number of composers dominated Bollywood films. Naushad Ali, Roshanlal Nagrath, Madanmohan Kohli, OP Nayyar, all had the class of their own. Shankar Jaikishan composed music in almost 195 films in that golden age. One of the great reasons of Shankar Jaikishan’s huge success was due to the great combination with immortal singer Mohammad Rafi Sahab. If Rafi’s stylish andaz relating to westernized compositions are adequately it is Shankar Jaikishan who had used it to perfection. They had used Rafi for singing romantic songs with Japanese orchestration in Love in Tokyo, released in 1966 including songs like “aja re aa zara aa”, “Japan, Love in Tokyo”, “ o mere shahekhuba”, etc. In Biswajeet’s April Fool, released in 1964 SJ’s composition for Rafi including “aa gale lag ja” had westernized background. At the same time Rafi’s song “tumhe chaha” with Suman Kalyanpur was a great rendition in pensive mood. SJ’s composition for Rafi in Shammi Kapoor’s An Evening in Paris, in 1967, like “akele akele kahan ja rahe ho”, “raat ke humsafar”, had loud French music with echo effect and Rafi’s intonation was also westernized. Shankar Jaikishan gave a completely different style of music to Rafi in Rajender Kumar’s Aarzoo, released in 1965 with songs like “aji ruth kar ab”, “chalke teri aankho se”, “ai nargisi mastana”, etc. SJ had given songs addressing children to Rafi including “nanne munne bache teri mutthi me kya hai” in Boot Polish which was produced by Raj Kapoor and released in 1954, “hai na bolo bolo”, “re mamma re mamma re” in Shammi Kapoor’s Andaz, released in 1971 and “chakke p chakka” in Brahmchari, in 1969. Rafi pronounced the words with childish accent and SJ used the orchestration to attract children. There were ghazals also given by SJ for Rafi including “rukh se zara nakab”, “kya kya na kahe” in Jeetender’s Mere Huzoor, “unke khayal aye to” in Raj Kumar’s Lal Patthar, “saaze dil ched de” in Pradeep Kumar’s Rajhaath, etc. Besides SJ’s creation involving Rafi in somber mood had created great impact including songs like “teri zulfon ki judai to nahi maangi thi” in Dev Anand’s Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, “ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar” in Shammi Kapoor’s Junglee, “yaad na aye” in Rajender Kumar’s Dil Ek Mandir. Shankar Jaikishan had used Rafi’s classical andaz in the songs “radheke tune bansoori churai”, “ajahu na aye”, etc., and combined the ragas with devotional andaz. SJ has given music in almost 200 films within the span from 1949 to 1971, and at least each year they composed music for approximately 10 films. As Rafi was given predominance over other male singers SJ had use him in regular intervals even without doing injustice to Mukesh, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Talat Mehmood and others. Songs like “kaun hai jo sapno me aya” from Jhuk Gaya Aasman, “to bura maan gaye” from Ayee Milan Ki Bela, “yeh ankhen” from Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, “tujhe jeevan ki dor se” from Aasli Nakli, “dheere dheere chal” from Love Marriage, “badan pe sitaren lapete hue” from Prince, “mai kahin kavi na banjayun” from Pyar Hi Pyar, “mai gayun tum so jao” from Brahmchari, had not lost their flavour even 40 years after their creation due to sheer brilliance of Shankar Jaikishan. It is really tragic neither Shankar Jaikishan had received the accolades that they deserved nor Rafi’s association with them had been glorified but history says that the combination of Rafi with Shankar Jaikishan had produced invaluable creations which had become immortal over the period of time.

Happy birthday to superstar Akshay Kumarji

Happy birthday to superstar Akshay Kumar. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Akshay Kumar on 9th September, 2024. He had acted in more than 100 films and given blockbusters like Rowdy Rathore, Good News, Housefull 4, Toilet Ek Prem Katha, Kesari, Namste London, Singh is Kinng. In 2019 both his films Kesari and Mission Mangal became super hit. While Kesari did business of 154 crores, Mission Mangal did business of 194 crores. In 2014 his film Holiday did business of more than 115 crores. 2012 had been a brilliant year for him. He had given 2 blockbusters doing business of more than 100 crores. The films were Rowdy Rathore and Housefull 2. His film Joker opposite Sonakshi Sinha flopped, but that does not stand in the way of his success. In 2013 his film Once upon a time in Mumbai dobara did not do great business. But he has a number of films in the pipeline to be released later this year. When Akshay Kumar cemented his position in bollywood films, he was known for Khiladi series films. He acted in the films Khiladi, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Mai Khiladi Tu Anari, International Khiladi, etc. But from 2000 onwards he changed the style of acting. He acted in comedy films like Hera Pheri, Phir Hera Pheri, and also romantic films like Namaste London. In 2008, Akshay Kumar ruled the Lux Sabse Favourite Kaun Award. Priyanka Chopra won the award for the best actress in Lux Sabse Favourite Kaun award. She had continued the dream run that she started in 2008. She received the award for her brilliant performance in the film Kaminey. She won the award against the other nominees like Kareena Kapoor in Kambakht Ishq, and Katrina Kaif in Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. Akshay Kumar won the award for the best actor in Lux Sabse Favourite Kaun award. He won the award against the other nominees like Salman Khan in Wanted, Amir Khan in Ghajini, Shahrukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, etc. He won the award for his sheer hard work. The viewers liked him inspite of his films Chandi Chowk to China, Kambakht Ishq, Blue, not doing good business in 2009. Sanjay Dutt won the award for the best comedian (male) for his hilarious performance in the film All the Best. Divya Dutta won the same award in the female category for her comedy performance in the film Saajan Chale Sajjanpur. The film Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani won the award for the best film. Raj Kumar Santoshi, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and the entire team of the film should be proud about it. Hrithik Roshan won the style icon (male) award. There is no doubt that he is probably the most stylish actor in the industry. Bipasha Basu won the most fit actress award while Shahid Kapoor won the most fit actor award. Priyanka Chopra won the award for the most favourite ada, as against Lara Dutta, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai. She is really having a fabulous year. The viewers expect Akshay Kumar to continue giving hits after hits, the way he had done few years back. Even his recent films like Laxmi and Bell Bottom had good review.

Happy birthday to legendary composer Pyarelalji of famous Laxmikant Pyarelal duo

The viewers of Bollywood films wish happy birthday to Pyarellal on 3rd September, 2024. Laxmikant Pyarellal had a very successful career in bollywood films. Their success in the film Parasmani and Dosti had proved the fact that they had emerged in the film arena to play a long innings. In the 70s they gave music in most of the successful films and the music was innovative too. After the death of Jaikishan in 1971, Raj Kapoor used LP in the film Bobby in 1973. The songs “mai shayar to nahi” sung by Shailendra Singh, and songs sung by Chanchal had given them an opening for flourishing their musical careers as well. LP gave successful music in the film Aan Milon Sajna, where songs like “aan milon sajna” sung by Rafi and “acha to hum chalte hai” sung by Lata and Kishore became hits. LP gave successful music in the film Amar Akbar Anthony, where Rafi’ssongs “parda hai parda”, “shirdiwali saibaba”, Kishore’s song “my name is Anthony Gonsalves”, etc., had catered to the popular taste of film music. LP gave successful music in Rishi Kapoor’s film Sargam, with hit songs of Rafi and Lata including “dafliwale”, “koel boli”, “ramjiki nikli sawari”, etc. Even the songs in Rishi Kapoor’s film Karz, including “darde dil” sung by Rafi and “om shanty om” sung by Kishore gave super hit in the late 70s. Songs like “yeh dil tum bin kahin lagta nahi” sung by Rafi and Lata in the film Izzat, and “patta patta boota boota”, sung by Rafi and Lata, in Ek Nazar are quality compositions showing the class of LP. LP also gave quality songs in the film Jeevan Mrityu, with Rafi’s song like “jhilmil sitaronka”, songs like “o sapno ka raja” sung by Rafi and Lata in the film Banphool. LP in many cases compromised with the taste of mass audience in composing music in the late 70s if compared with the superlative class of music composed in the 60s. He even gave classical songs in the 60s like “roushan tumhi se duniya” and “woh jab yaad aye” sung by Rafi and Lata in the film Parasmani based on classical touch. Even then the compositions of LP in the 70s are notable and should be preserved.

The nation remembers Rishi Kapoorji on birth anniversary

Rishi Kapoor died on 30th April 2020 and shocked the nation. One day ago the country was devastated with death news of talented actor Irfan Khan. Rishi Kapoor suffered from cancer and died at an of 1967. He is alive in his works. The viewers of bollywood films wished happy birth anniversary to Rishi Kapoor on 4th September 2024. He had remained one of the most romantic actors that bollywood had ever produced. He started his career as a child artist in Raj Kapoor’s film Mera Naam Joker in 1971. He stormed bollywood films with his romantic performance in the film Bobby in 1973. The film did great business and Rishi Kapoor received the filmfare award for the best actor for his performance in Bobby. Raj Kapoor as producer and director started a new innings with a new team of Laxmikant Pyarellal as against Shankar Jaikishan after the death of Jaikishan in 1971. LP had huge contribution in the music of the films of Rishi Kapoor for the next ten years. From that time onwards Rishi Kapoor remained one the most romantic actors in bollywood films. His films Amar Akbar Anthony in 1977, Laila Majnu in 1976 and Sargam in 1978 were the greatest musical blockbusters of the 70s. The songs composed by Laxmikant Pyarellal, Jaidev and Madanmohan in these films became everlasting hits. The notable songs of Rafi and Lata in this film included “koel boli”, “parda hai parda”, “dafliwale”, “barbad muhobbat ki dua”, “is reshmi pazeeb”, to name a few. LP received the filmfare award for the best composer for 3 Rishi Kapoor’s films namely Amar Akbar Anthony, Sargam and Karz from 1978 to 1980. Rishi Kapoor’s extraordinary capability of giving lips in these songs separated him from other actors of that era. His films Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai, Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahi and Karz created history. He showed his dancing skills in every type of songs of Rafi and Kishore including “hai aga dushman zamana”, “bacchna aye haseeno”, “dard –e- dil”, “om shanty om”, “puchona yaar kya hua”, to name a few. RD Burman and Laxmikant Pyarellal probably gave their best music to Rishi Kapoor in the 70s and 80s. In the 80s, Rishi Kapoor’s films Duniya, Sitamgar, Saagar, Chandni, Cooli, Naseeb, did fantastic business. He got the opportunity of acting opposite stalwarts in the industry namely Dilip Kumar in Duniya, Dharmender in Sitamgar, Kamal Hassan in Saagar, to name a few. In fact due to presence of Rishi Kapoor, producers and directors created romantic stories during an era when Big B, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughun Sinha dominated bollywood with action films. Even in the 90s, Rishi Kapoor’s films Bol Radha Bol, Damini, etc., were appreciated by the audience. He was successful opposite young actresses like Juhi Chawla, Meenakshi Sheshadri, who were one generation younger than him. He had great contribution in the films of eminent directors like Yash Chopra, Manmohan Desai, Subhash Ghai, Ramesh Sippy, David Dhawan, and others. After the debut of his son Ranbir Kapoor in the film Sawaariya, Rishi Kapoor switched to character roles. In 2009 also Rishi Kapoor did well in films like Dilli 6, Pyar Me Twist, Luck By Chance. He received Star Screen award for the best supporting actor in 2010 for his performance in the film Love Aaj Kal. In 2010 he acted in the films Chintuji and Sadiyaan. 2012 had been an excellent year for Rishi Kapoor. At the beginning of the year he acted in a negative character for the first time in his career in the film Agneepath. The film with hero Hrithik Roshan had done business of more than 125 crores. His other film Housefull 2 with Akshay Kumar had become super hit too. It also had done business of more than 110 crores. He is experimenting with new characters in this part of his career. He received best villain award for his performance in the film Agneepath. In 2013, he had acted in the films Chasme Baddoor and Besharam. In 2015 his performance in the film All is Well was very well appreciated. With his death the 3 generation actors Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor ended. It is an irreparable loss to the industry.