All posts by GGaurav

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About GGaurav

I am passionate about old movies, songs and trivia.

Rain Songs – Romantic Duets

My Lists

The rainy season has finally arrived bringing with it a variety of emotions. And our movies also make most of the opportunity to explore these emotions. One of them obviously being love.  This post is made up of romantic rainy duets, all featuring different pairs of actors. Which songs would you add here?

1) Song: Pyaar Hua Ikraar Hua Hai
Film: Shree 420 (1955)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar

What can we say about this iconic song and the chemistry between Raj Kapoor and Nargis? The song begins with a reluctance from both sides. The umbrella is the bridge between the two lovers. In the starting lyrics itself there is an admittance of love, accompanied by caution of an unknown destination in the path of love. Their story will be repeated and legacy of love carried on by the generations to come.

Raaton daso dishaaon se kahegi apni kahaniyaan, Geet hamaare pyaar ke doharaaegi jawaaniyaan, Main na rahungi tum na rahoge, phir bhi rahengi nishaaniyaan…

2) Song: Rimjhim Ke Taraane
Film: Kala Bazaar (1960)
Credits: Shailendra | S.D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi & Geeta Dutt

A chance meeting, again a single umbrella 🌂 compels the couple to come closer and walk in the rain. The thoughts are all in the mind. Just a recall of memories right from their first meeting and time spent together. Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman bring out the unspoken emotions beautifully.

3) Song: Dil Tera Diwana
Film: Dil Tera Diwana (1962)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar

Unlike the first two songs there is no reluctance or unspoken emotions here. Its full throttle time with Shammi Kapoor wooing Mala Sinha in the heavy rain, who responds in full. So enjoyable.

4) Song: Jaane Chaman
Film: Gumnaam (1965)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi & Sharda

Set against a murder mystery story, there is no scope for a romantic song that too in the rain. But being a Hindi movie, the director manages to do this by connecting it to the plot. But perhaps more difficult is to imagine Manoj Kumar and Nanda enacting a sensual number. Surprisingly, they do it well and show how much they are in love!

Pani jo ham par gire, ek aag tan mein lage, Tumko khabar kya sanam kehte hai ulfat ise! O mere dil mere hamdam, baho mein aa jao….

5) Song: Rimjhim Ke Geet
Film: Anjaana (1969)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Mohammed Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar

Based on Raag Shivaranjani, this is a soft and soothing number. Rajendra Kumar saves Babita from a car accident. He gets injured. Later she takes care of him and goes out in the rain to get some milk from the village. The heavy rain, a drenched heroine and an injured hero are sufficient to bring out the realization of love, that too straight from the heart.

6) Song: Ab Ke Saawan Mein Jee Dare
Film: Jaise Ko Taisa (1973)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R.D. Burman | Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar

Jeetendra saves Reena Roy from a goonda. It starts raining and they come closer. The sudden rain ignites a fire of passion between the two!

Aisa mausam pehle kabhi bhi aaya nahi, Aisa badal ambar pe sajna chhaya nahi…Ho… Ye suhana sama prem ki khoj mein, mauj mein, Pagal premi banke phire rimjhim tan pe pani gire, man me lage aag si…

7) Song: Bheegi Bheegi Raaton Mein
Film: Ajanabee (1974)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R.D. Burman | Kishore Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar

A flashback song. Rajesh Khanna and Zeenat Aman enjoying and singing in the rain. A soft, melodious number.

Barkhaa se bachaa loon tujhe seene se lagaa loon, aa chhupaa loon aa chhuupaa loon, Dil ne pukaaraa dekho, rut kaa ishaaraa dekho, uff ye nazaaraa dekho, kaisaa lagtaa hai…

8) Song: Naukri Sau Ki Hazaar Ki
Film: Aahutee (1978)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Kishore Kumar & Anuradha Paudwal

A relatively unknown song. Shashi Kapoor has rejected the golden opportunity to marry a rich girl. He comes to meet the “poor” girl Parveen Babi who is his true love. It suddenly starts raining as he sings the song. The song describes how love is priceless and important compared to other material comforts. Not very practical but it does it matter for the lovers?

9) Song: Aaj Rapat Jaye
Film: Namak Halaal (1982)
Credits: Anjaan | Bhappi Lahiri | Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle

Rain song unrestrained on the streets would be the apt description of this song. Amitabh Bachchan and Smita Patil realise they are in love and enact this catchy number.

Badal se chham chham sharab barse, Saawari ghata se shabaab barse,                                  Boondon ki baji payal haan, Ghata ne chhedi gazal haan, Ye raat gayi machal re..
Dilon ke raaz khule haan, Fizaa mein rang ghule haan, Jawaa dil khulke mile re,
Hona tha jo hua wahi ab darna kya. Aa ha ho ho, Aa ha ho ho,
Aaj doob jaaye to hame na bachaiyyo…

10) Song: Parbat Se Kali Ghata
Film: Chandni (1989)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Shiv Hari | Vinod Rathod & Asha Bhosle

Another flashback song. A paralysed Rishi Kapoor is remembering his romantic association with Chandni (Sridevi). A well choreographed rain number bringing out the passion between the lovers.

“Before a Crime” Songs

My Lists,

Crime scenes are an integral part of many Hindi movies. Ranging from cheating, fraud to murder, the choice is impressive for film makers. Of course, this is based on the story and plot requirements. In this post, I am presenting a list of 10 songs where the crime is committed towards the end of the song. The viewer is hooked to find out what happens next. Enjoy and do leave your comments!

1) Song: Raat Bhi Hai Kuch Bheegi Bheegi
Film: Mujhe Jeene Do (1963)
Credits: Sahir | Jaidev | Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus

This is a lovely song performed by Chamelijaan (Waheeda Rehman) during a wedding at a zamindar’s house. Also “attending” the wedding uninvited is Thakur Jarnail Singh (Sunil Dutt) for the purpose of looting the zamindar. After completing his job, he settles down to enjoy the mujra and is mesmerized by Chamelijaan. There is a quick change in plan and he abducts the dancer at the end of the performance. (Crime: Abduction)

2) Song: Yahan Ke Hum Hai Rajkumar
Film: Rajkumar (1964)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

Prince Bhanu Pratap (Shammi Kapoor) is returning to India after a long stay abroad. However his step uncle mamaji (Pran – who else?) has made special plans to ensure the prince will not reach the palace alive. There is a long welcome procession with Shammi Kapoor leading the proceedings. Someone attempts to shoot the prince at the end of the song. But the prince is one step ahead and survives to take on his enemies. (Crime: Attempted Murder)

3) Song: Jhumka Gira Re
Film: Mera Saaya (1966)
Credits: Raja Mehdi Ali Khan | Madan Mohan | Asha Bhosle

Another great song! Sadhana is part of a gang of dacoits and is entertaining the villagers by singing and dancing. However she is also communicating with her gang members who have started gathering waiting to strike. They attack the village as soon as the song ends. (Crime: Dacoity)

4) Song: Kaise Samjhaoon?
Film: Suraj (1966)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi & Asha Bhosle

This is a robbery sequence involving a king’s necklace. Suraj (Rajendra Kumar) competes with Vyjanthimala in a music cum dance face-off. His intention is to steal the necklace worn by the king. Helping him is his accomplice Johnny Walker. Entertaining song that brings out the competitiveness and the viewer is curious to find out if the robbery succeeds in full public view. (Crime: Robbery)

5) Song: Lut Jaa, Lut Jaa
Film: Ankhen (1968)
Credits: Sahir | Ravi | Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar & Kamal Barot

Possibly, one of the best spy movies in Hindi. In this song, Mala Sinha and team are spying on Sajjan, disguising as a dance troupe. Before the start of their show, Sajjan sees a French girl befriending one of his gang members and trying to elicit information. At the end of the song, he kills both of them. That’s quick decision making! About the song – its catchy with an Arabic feel. (Crime: Murder)

6) Song: Husn Ke Lakhon Rang
Film: Johny Mera Naam (1970)
Credits: Rajendra Krishan | Kalyanji Anandji | Asha Bhosle

A seductive song with an undercurrent of sorrow and helplessness. Tara (Padma Khanna) is pleading for her lover Babu’s (Randhawa’s) life with the main villain Premnath. Babu has betrayed his boss for which he has to pay with his life. The song ends and Babu is taken to the forest and killed. (Crime: Murder)

7) Song: Holi Ke Din
Film: Sholay (1975)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R.D. Burman | Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar & Chorus

The song follows one of the most famous dialogues by Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) – Kitne addmi the? Gabbar Singh is itching to take revenge and teach the villagers a lesson. Holi celebrations end on a bitter note as Gabbar Singh’s gang attacks the village. (Crime: Dacoity)

8) Song: Aayi Woh Raat Aayi
Film: Parvarish (1977)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri| Laxmikant Pyarelal | Lata Mangeshkar & Usha Mangeshkar

Parvarish is a standard Manmohan Desai movie with all typical plot points including the lost and found formula, revenge, reunion, unexplainable coincidences and so on. Shabu (Shabana Azmi) and Neetu Singh (Neetu) want to avenge their parent’s murder by killing the murderer Daku Mangal Singh. By coincidence, they see Mangal Singh on T.V., who is now a respected citizen. They intend to murder him at the function he is attending by disguising as qawwali performers. (How they manage all this in a short time, what happened to the original performers, how do they know the song and dance steps, well…too many questions!). Anyways, they plan to shoot Mangal Singh from the stage (in front of the audience!). But Mangal Singh is a shrewd villain. He manages to get someone else killed and shift the blame on the two sisters. (Crime: Murder)

9) Song: One Two Cha Cha Cha
Film: Shalimar (1978)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R.D.Burman | Usha Uthup

The movie begins with this song. Kumar (Dharmendra) is a club owner. Aruna Irani is teaching the cha cha cha in the dance studio. One of the guests Premnath suddenly collapses and Kumar helps him towards his car. But someone shoots Premnath unexpectedly. (Crime: Attempted Murder)

10) Song: O Sherowali
Film: Suhaag (1979)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle & Chorus

Another Manmohan Desai movie based on the lost and found formula. The villain Vikram (Amjad Khan) promises money to Amit (Amitabh Bachchan) to help him complete a Durga Mata temple he is constructing. But in return Inspector Kishan (Shashi Kapoor) will have to be killed. There is a glitch as Amit and Kishan are friends. Ultimately, Kishan incurs a fake injury and Vikram attempts to finish him off (Crime: Attempted Murder)

Paradh (1977)

My Reviews,

June 4th was the birth anniversary of Nutan. So this post is a late tribute to one of Hindi cinema’s acting greats. Presenting Paradh (meaning hunting), a Marathi movie starring Nutan and other Hindi movie actors. Possibly the only Marathi movie of Nutan, it was also made in Hindi as Anjaam (1978).

The Plot

The story begins with Seth Dinanath (Shreeram Lagoo) arriving at a mansion. He has recently purchased it for Rs 20 lakhs. He is greeted by an old servant Sadoba (Dhumal) working for the previous owners. As he is settling down in his new property, strange things start happening. The lights flicker, windows bang, a painting frame crashes. He feels the presence of someone in the mansion and hears a supposedly haunting song. Is the place haunted?

As he is wandering about the place looking for an explanation, he is met by an old lady. This is Vidya (Nutan), who was the previous owner of the mansion. She thanks him for the purchase and helping her in her difficulties. He tells her about his intention to build a cancer hospital on this property in memory of his late wife.

Vidya notices the fallen frame. The painting is of her late husband Thakur (Ramesh Deo). She continues to narrate her story to Dinanath who is intrigued in general by all the happenings since he has arrived.

Time for a long flashback. After initial issues, Vidya and Thakur are leading a happily married life and Vidya is expecting their child. However Thakur owes one Seth Dharamdas (P. Jairaj) a lot of money and he is required to pay monthly instalments without fail.

Vidya delivers a boy but Thakur gets killed in an accident on his way to the hospital. The boy grows up as Sunil (Sachin) studying in Maharaja college. His friend and soon to be fiancee is Seema (Sarika). Sunil is an outstanding student and wins all the awards in the annual function. He is awarded by Raja Saab (Gajanan Jagirdar) who invites him to his palace.

Sunil is angry when he comes to know of the money owed to Dharamdas. Vidya has been selling her jewellery to repay the money all these years. And the day is not far away when the family mansion will have to be sold. Sunil meets Dharamdas requesting him an extension for the payment but he refuses to show any sympathy. By chance, Sunil saves the life of Shrikant Moghe (who works for Dharamdas). In return he receives a substantial amount of money which helps him repay the full debt of Dharamdas.

Sunil also gets a job in Shrikant Moghe’s office. His boss is Shekhar (Chandrashekar). Things couldn’t have been better. He is also looking forward to get married to Seema who has been visiting their house frequently and Vidya approves of her too. But tragedy is waiting to strike.

Unknown to Sunil, Dharamdas is running a smuggling ring and Shekhar and Shrikant Moghe are part of the gang. When Sunil comes to know the real picture, he is forced to steal a Nataraj statue worth Rs 2 crores from Raja Saab’s palace. Sunil is successful but refuses to give the statue to Dharamdas and team. Vidya hides the statue in the mansion while Sunil calls the police. However Sunil gets killed before the police arrive. Later, a sorrowful Seema commits suicide. Vidya completes her narration.

What happens next is the twist in the story leading to a startling revelation in the climax.

The Music

Ram Kadam gives some catchy music. Ajun athawe ti raat pawsali is a romantic song sung by Chandrashekhar Gadgil. The haunting Ye na sajali is sung by Suman Kalyanpur. But the big surprise is Nutan singing and dancing to Saang sakhya tuja kay hawe? Great effort for a difficult composition! One has to wonder why she didn’t sing more in her hey days.

My Thoughts

As mentioned, this is possibly Nutan’s only film with 2 language versions. She acts effortlessly and lights up the screen with her presence especially during the twist in the end. Then there is a long list of Hindi movie actors including Sachin, Sarika, P. Jairaj, Chandrashekhar and Jagdish Raj but the non Marathi speaking  actors’ voices are dubbed. The spooky atmosphere keeps the viewer guessing as to where the story is really leading to. The thriller element and final reveal are worth watching and of course, Nutan.