Laxmikant Pyarelal (LP) were a prolific music director duo of Hindi cinema. They saw unprecedented success and continued to work together from the early 1960s till the late 1990s (Laxmikant had passed away on 25th May 1998). While they had their share of critics, it did not affect their whopping output, delivering one hit after the other across various genres. Similar to other music directors, they created their own brand LP, which had an enduring journey.
Hindi films have situations where the actors are involved in deception for various purposes. This may be to commit a crime, to fool someone, save someone and so on. And may involve the use of disguises. Overall, resulting in some entertaining situations for the audience. Today’s post covers such songs involving disguises and deceptions, all from the able hands of LP. Enjoy!
1) Song: Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra
Film: Parasmani (1963)
Credits: Asad Bhopali | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Lata Mangeshkar and Kamal Barot
Lets start with LP’s debut film Parasmani, a B grade fantasy film. With songs like “Woh Jab Yaad Aaye“, “Mere Dil mein halki si“, “Hansta hua“, “Roshan Tumhi se,” it marked the arrival of LP as new music directors. The hero (Mahipal) in search of the parasmani reaches a strange land ruled(?) by a sorceress. He pretends to be in love with her and she believes the deception. She is happy and arranges an entertainment song through her magical powers. Apparently, LP felt this was a weak song compared to the others but this became the most famous song from the movie. Today, Parasmani is synonymous with this song, what say?
2) Song: Pyar Kiye Jaa
Film: Pyar Kiye Jaa (1965)
Credits: Rajendra Krishan | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Kishore Kumar
This delightful comedy film was a remake of a Tamil film. Here, we have Kishore Kumar masquerading as an old man for most of the movie. He teases the young heroine (Kalpana) who doesn’t know it’s her boyfriend behind the beard. LP gave some light compositions suiting the mood of the movie. They seem to give a free hand to Kishore Kumar in this song, who as expected excels in the singing and acting.
3) Song: Mera Naam Hai Chameli
Film: Raja Aur Runk (1968)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Lata Mangeshkar
Based on the prince and the pauper plot of lookalikes getting interchanged, the movie had all great songs by LP. This is a situational song. A dancer (Kumkum) hatches a plan to free Sanjeev Kumar from the prison. She assumes the role of a gardener (maalan) and reaches the prison with her basket of flowers. In filmy style, she sings this catchy number, diverts the attention of the prison guards and gets closer to the prisoner. Seems its not very difficult to fool filmy security guards through such deceptions.
4) Song: Geet Tere Saaz Kaa
Film: Intaqam (1969)
Credits: Rajendra Krishan | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Lata Mangeshkar
Deception for revenge would be the apt description of this song. Circumstances lead the heroine (Sadhana) to trap the hero (Sanjay Khan) and make him fall in love with her. All this to avenge the wrongdoings of the hero’s villainous father. The beautiful heroine sings the song and the hero enchanted by her voice (and beauty) gets drawn to her. This is a melodious song. Intaqam is better known for the Aa Janeja number, arguably one of few such songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
5) Song: Jaipur Ki Choli
Film: Gehri Chaal (1973)
Credits: Rajendra Krishan | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle
A not so famous movie but had some catchy numbers by LP. Jeetendra and Hema Malini disguise as dancers and visit Bindu’s house to trick her and get some vital information. They perform this folksy number and get closer to their purpose.
6) Song: Amar Akbar Anthony
Film: Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Kishore Kumar, Mahendra Kapoor and Shailendra Singh
A crazy but one of the most entertaining movies from Manmohan Desai complemented by fun songs from LP. Based on the lost and found formula, the three brothers from different religions reunite (in disguises) in this climax song. Once again, LP gave some evergreen songs and won their fourth Filmfare award for this movie.
7) Song: Hum Banjaaron Ki Baat
Film: Dharam Veer (1977)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Chorus
Same year, another Manmohan Desai movie. This time a plot of lost and found twins. The songs are a bit weak compared to Amar Akbar Anthony. This is another escape via deception song. Dharmendra is imprisoned by Zeenat Aman. Jeetendra (a prince) gets the help of gypsies (banjaras) to get him freed. He pretends to be a dancer with Neetu Singh and they perform this hit song. This is one of those songs with a grand set and an equally grand musical composition, courtesy LP!
8) Song: Band Aankh Se Dekh Tamasha
Film: Parvarish (1977)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar and Chorus
And one more Manmohan Desai movie with all the masala elements of lost and found, crime, revenge etc. Almost all songs from this movie involve some disguise or deception! Hum premi prem karna jaane and Jaate ho jaane jaana are more famous compared to this song. In this song, Amitabh pretends to be blind. He visits his brother Vinod Khanna who teaches in a blind school. In reality, Vinod is a smuggler. Amitabh joins the blind students on a boat tour. But his purpose is to catch his brother red handed while completing a smuggling operation in the sea. It is fun to note that Vinod Khanna “teaches” a song to the students by playing the tape recorder while he completes his smuggling job in a nearby boat. The things that happen in movies!
9) Song: Hawa Hawai
Film: Mr. India (1987)
Credits: Javed Akhtar | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Kavita Krishnamurty and Chorus
A delightful movie that became a cult classic. And what an iconic composition by LP! A reporter (Sridevi) overhears a conversation involving some villains and a dancer called Hawa Hawai. Being the investigative journalist, she presents herself as Hawa Hawai and performs this weird song.
10) Song: Choli Ke Peeche
Film: Khalnayak (1993)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Alka Yagnik, Ila Arun and Chorus
Sanjay Dutt is the Khalnayak. Madhuri Dixit is the policewoman tracking him in order to capture him. And being Madhuri, a dance performance is the best way to try and trap the offender. A controversial song but LP prove they still had it in them to give a chartbuster, 30 years after Parasmani. Indeed, this catchy rhythmic song has become synonymous with the movie. It also got the Filmfare awards for its singers.
Cine Gaurav 
First thing first.
Quite innovative concept of deceptive songs. Reminds me of HOTON MEIN AISI BAAT from Jewel thief and YAMMA YAMMA from Shaan, but ofcourse in this case, the music directors are Burmans and not LP.
AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY was a favourite with me. There’s a song called RANG JAMAAKE JAYENGE in movie Naseeb too on similar climax pattern.
Personally my favourite tune from the above songs is HASTA HUA…
Very well written as always.
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