Happy birth anniversary to royal actor Pradip Kumarji and remembering his royal combination with Rafisahab and Roshanji

Viewers of Bollywood films wish Happy birth anniversary to brilliant actor Pradeep Kumar on 4th January, 2023. Whenever any reference relating to everlasting singer Mohammad Rafi comes, the attention goes to the big budget films and songs for big banners. Rafi is known the most for singing catchy numbers for Shammi Kapoor under the composition of Shankar Jaikishan and classical songs for Dilip Kumar under the composition of Naushad Ali. Although Rafi had sung brilliant songs for all the leading actors of 40s, 50, and 60s, much had been written about the successful films where both the songs and the films did excellent business. But Rafi had sung excellent songs for Pradeep Kumar under the composition of Roshanlal Nagrath, where even if the mass was not touched, the class was addressed and the royal andaz of singing showed the range of Rafi to suit his voice for any form of playback singing. The magic of Roshanlal Nagrath, Pradeep Kumar and Mohammad Rafi started in Aarti released in 1962. Phani Majumdar directed the film. Four of the songs of Rafi stand out, “aapne yaad dilaya”, “ab kya misaal doon”, “baar baar tohe kya” and “tere bin lage na jiya”. Some of them were solo songs, while others were duet songs sung with Lata Mangeshkar. There were other duet songs of Rafi with Asha Bhosle, but the ones in pathos andaz like “aapne yaad dilaya” mesmerized the audience. The lyrics of Majrooh Sultanpuri, the composition of Roshanlal Nagrath, the voice of Mohammad Rafi and lips of Pradeep Kumar made the viewers spellbound. None of the songs had lost their charm even today. The magic continued in the film Tajmahal in 1963. M. Sadiq directed the film. Pradeep Kumar played the role of Shahjahan while Beena Roy played the role of Mumtaz Mahal. Here the combination was different with Sahir Ludhiyanvi writing the songs for Roshan which were sung by Mohammad Rafi. Four of Rafi’s songs were masterpieces including “jo wada kiya wo nibhana parega”, “paon chulene do phulonko inayat hogi”, “chandi ka badan”, and “jo baat tujhme hai”. Roshanlal Nagrath won the filmfare award for the best composer only once in his life, that was for the composition of the music of the film Tajmahal. He deserved it many more number of times. Sahir Ludhiyanvi won the best lyricist award for the lyrics of the film. Rafi was as outstanding as Pradeep Kumar in the role of Shahjahan. The magic continued in the film Chitralekha in 1964. Kidar Sharma directed the film. Pradeep Kumar, Meena Kumari and Ashok kumar played the main roles. Rafi’s song “man re tu kahe na dheer dhare” is still considered one of the 10 best bhajans Rafi had sung. Sahir Ludhiyanvi wrote the songs of the film. Rafi’s other song “cha gaye badal” was equally impressive. The Roshan, Rafi, Pradeep Kumar combination continued in the film Bheegi Raat in 1965. It was directed by Kalidas. Rafi’s songs in the film “dil jo na keh saka”, “aise to na dekho”, “jane wo kaun hai kya naam hai”, “mohabbat se dekha” all were masterpieces. Some were duets with Suman Kalyanpur, while the others were solo songs sung by Mohammad Rafi. Lyrics were written by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The words were excellent. Rafi was unparallel in all the songs. The combination continued in the film Bahu Begum in 1967. It was directed by M. Sadiq. Rafi’s songs “hum intezar karenge tera qawamat tak”, “dhoond ke layun kahan se”, “vakiv hoon ishqgade” were all masterpieces. While some had ghazal andaz, the others were stand out qawallies with Manna Dey. Roshan was as brilliant as Mohammad Rafi as Sahir Ludhyianvi. In the same year, the combination was sublime in the film Noorjahan. Rafi sang the songs “aap jab se kareeb aye hain” and “wo mohabbat wo wafayen” in style. For a change the lyrics were written by Shakeel Badayani. The unfortunate death of Roshanlal Nagrath in 1967, ended the journey of Rafi with Roshan and Pradeep Kumar. Otherwise masterpieces after masterpieces could be created. Rafi’s archive should preserve the songs of Pradeep Kumar and Roshan, which showed the royal andaz of music existing in the courts of Mughals

Happy birthday to Biswajeetji and remembering his everlasting bond with Rafisahab.

Happy birthday to romantic star Biswajeetji on 14th December 2022. Romantic film of Biswajeet’s had melodious songs of Mohammad Rafi. Bengali actor Biswajeet Chatterjee after acting in hit films in Bengali namely Mayamrigo in 1960 and Dui Bhai in 1961 went to Mumbai to pursue his acting career there. He made his debut in the film Bees Saal Baad where Hemant Kumar was the producer of the film and also the music composer. In a short period of time Biswajeet got roles to play in films of different producers and directors namely Nasir Hussain, Satyen Bose, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and others. Mohammad Rafi played a very important role in the success story of Biswajeet’s films because most of the films ended up being musical blockbusters. In the film April Fool, released in 1964, Shankar Jaikishan’s composition for Rafi picturised on Biswajeet became super hit including “April Fool banaya”, and “aa gale lag ja”. In Shenai in 1964, Ravi’s composition for Rafi namely “na jhatko zulf se paani” became smash hit. Composer Hemant Kumar used Rafi in Biswajeet’s film Bin Badal Barsaat in 1963 in the song “dil me teri yaad sanam”. Mere Sanam released in 1965 was the greatest hit film of Biswajeet where Rafi was unparallel. OP Nayyar’s stylish westernized compositions were given expression by Rafi in the songs “pukarta chala hoon mai”, “hue hai tumpe aashiq hum”, “humdum mere maan bhi jayo”, “thukre hai mere dilki ay jaan teri aansoon”, “haji baba”, “humne to dilko aapke kadmo pe rakh diya”, “roke kaibaar maine dilki umangko”, to name a few. After that Rafi and Biswajeet went on giving hits after hits. In Do Dil, composer Hemant Kumar composed a soft romantic song for Rafi namely “tera husn rahe mera ishq rahe”, which touched the souls of music lovers. All the songs in the film Yeh Raat Phir Na Ayegi in the year 1966 became super hit. OP Nayyar’s composition in the song “phir milogi kabhi is baat ka yaada karlo” stands out. It was a duet where Rafi was as romantic as Asha Bhosle. Ravi composed excellent music in the film Sagaai, in 1966, where Rafi’s song “nay eh zameen thin a aasman tha” became immortal. LP composed super hit song in the film Aasra, in 1966, where Rafi’s romantic song “sokhiyan nazar me hai” stands out. Laxmikant Pyarellal made the musiclovers spell bound in Night in London in 1967, with Rafi’s songs “night in London”, “o my love” and “bahosh –o –awaz me diwana”. Rafi was sublime in all the songs. LP continued the dream run in the film Jaal in 1967 with Rafi’s songs “akela hoon mai humsafar”, “mizaaz-e-garami”, etc. Shankar Jaikishan composed excellent music in the film Hare Kaanch Ki Churiya in 1967 with hit Rafi number namely “aye janeman” and “panchi re panchi”. Madanmohan was excellent in the film Ghar Ka Chirag in 1967, where Rafi’s song “aaj rota hai kyun” stands out. In the film Vaasna in 1968, all the songs of Rafi composed by Chitragupt became super hit including “itni nazuk nabano”, “yeh parbaton ke dayre”, “aaj is darja pila do”. The Chitragupt and Rafi magic continued in Biswajeet’s next film Pyar Ka Sapna in 1969 in songs like “ay meri zindagi”, “tere chehere se haten ankh to”. Rafi was the major contributor in Biswajeet’s other films like Do Kaliyan, Ishq Par Zor Nahi, Mai Sunder Hoon, Shararat, etc. In the 70s with the advent of action films Biswajeet faded away from the industry. All the giant composers of golden age namely Shankar Jaikishan, OP Nayyar, Ravi, Chitrgupt, Madanmohan, Laxmikant Pyarellal, Hemant Kumar and other composed music in the films of Biswajeet. Rafi’s songs in Biswajeet’s films require recognition and restoration

Happy birthday to Twinkle Khannaji

Happy birthday to Twinkle Khanna. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Twinkle Khanna on 29th December, 2022. She has left films after marrying Akshay Kumar, but her performances in the recent past still haunts the viewers of bollywood films. She was very successful in the film Barsaat opposite Bobby Deol. Bobby Deol started his career with that film and it was produced by Dharmender. The music was impressive. Twinkle Khanna expressed her romantic feelings very well in the film. The viewers accepted the pair of Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna. With the success of the film in the early 90s, Twinkle Khanna became a readymade choice for any type of film. She acted with Shahrukh Khan in the film Badshah. Just like other films of Shahrukh Khan the film was based on fantasy and funny acts. Twinkle Khanna played her part very well in the film. The song “humto diwane hue yaar” became superhit. Twinkle Khanna also acted in the comedy film Joru Ka Ghulam with Govinda. As the name suggested, the film was related to the story of how a groom became obsessed with the bride and almost became her servant. Although the term was used in the literal sense, Govinda’s character proved the title of the film. Johnny Lever did well in the film. Twinkle Khanna gave able lips in the song “mai joru ka ghulam banke rahunga” with Govinda. Twinkle Khanna got a challenging role in Amir Khan’s film Mela. The story was related a girl being chased by dacoits and how she was saved. Amir Khan’s own brother acted in the film. The film had action sequences as well. Sonu Nigam’s song in the film “mela dilon ka aya hai” became super hit. The other challenge was matching Amir Khan’s acting performance in the film as in most of his films he had strived to reach perfection in the respective roles. The viewers accepted Twinkle Khanna’s performance opposite Amir Khan in the film. Probably Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai with Salman Khan was the most successful film of her career. The film was shot in UK, Switzerland and other European Countries. All the songs of the film were super hit including “o jana”, “is dil me kya hai”, “pehli pehli baar”, etc. In the film the love of Salman Khan for her reformed Salman Khan’s character, who was a playboy before that. Twinkle Khan looked gorgeous in the film. Twinkle Khan in a number of films opposite Ajay Devgan also in the late 90s. She had acting in her blood, as her mother Dimple Kapadia is considered one of the greatest actresses of bollywood films with landmark performances in films like Lekin, Prahar, Krantiveer, Sagar, Rudali, to name a few. Besides her father Rajesh Khanna was a superstar of the 70s. When Twinkle Khanna looked like dethroning Juhi Chawla, Preeti Zinta or Kajol in bollywood films, she married Akshay Kumar and ended her career. She must have been a proud wife as Akshay Kumar had proved himself to be the greatest entertainer of 2007 and 2008, with majority of his films becoming blockbusters. But a lot of acting was still left in Twinkle Khanna. The viewers of bollywood films expect Twinkle Khanna to make a comeback and contribute in character roles where there are not many matured actresses at the moment.