All posts by GGaurav

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About GGaurav

I am passionate about old movies, songs and trivia.

“Mukesh” Solo Songs

My Lists

22 July is the birth anniversary of Mukesh Chand Mathur, more famously known as the singer Mukesh. He may not be as technically competent as his contemporaries and had his limitations. But he managed to leave a lasting impression on most of the songs he sung, which is indeed an achievement. It can be said that you can either like or dislike his singing but you certainly cannot ignore him.

There are some songs which I would say bear the Mukesh “stamp.” You cannot imagine any other singer signing that song with the same emotions. So, here are 10 solo songs of Mukesh picturised on different actors but all bearing the distinctive Mukesh stamp. Which songs do you recall?

1) Song: Hum Tujhse Mohabbat Karke
Film: Awara (1951)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

Mukesh was undoubtedly Raj Kapoor’s voice all the way. It’s so difficult to select one song instead of a whole list. But this is from one of the earlier RK movies starring a young Raj Kapoor. Mukesh’s voice is the perfect foil and brings out the pathos and pitifulness of the situation through his singing.

2) Song: Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai
Film: Yahudi (1958)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

While Mohammed Rafi was Dilip Kumar’s voice, Mukesh has sung some limited but memorable songs in Andaz, Mela, Madhumati etc. In this song, Mukesh’s singing reminds us of K.L. Saigal’s singing style. The expressions bring out the character’s apprehension as he waits for his lover.

Dil Ko Tere Hi Tamanna,
Dil Ko Hai Tujhse hi Pyar,
Chaahe Tu aaye na aaye,
Hum karenge Intezaar…
Yeh mera Deewanapan hai…

3) Song: Jaaoon Kahan Bata Aye Dil
Film: Chhoti Behen (1959)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan| Mukesh

Picturised on an actor who would rarely get to lip sync songs. But what a fit! The singing brings out all the emotions that Rehman’s character is going through and the lyrics describe the futility of the situation.

Banke toote yahaan arzoo ke mahal,
Ye zameen aasmaan, bhi gaye hain badal,
Kehti hai zindagi, is jahaan se nikal,
Jaaoon kahan bata aye dil

4) Song: Mujhko Is Raat Ki Tanhaai Mein Awaaz
Film: Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960)
Credits: Shamim Akhtar Jaipuri | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh

It is difficult to imagine Mukesh on Dharmendra but this was the latter’s debut movie. While other singers eventually became Dharmendra’s voice, Mukesh suits the song and the mood of the hero. Here he is remembering his lady love who has apparently died and her memories keep haunting him.

5) Song: Bhooli Hui Yaadon
Film: Sanjog (1961)
Credits: Rajendra Krishan | Madan Mohan | Mukesh

This is a song which is more Mukesh than the actor Pradeep Kumar. Beautiful tune in Yaman brought alive by Mukesh’s singing.

6) Song: Haan Deewana Hun Main
Film: Saranga (1961)
Credits: Bharat Vyas | Sardar Malik | Mukesh

Another gem but picturised on a forgettable Sudesh Kumar. Once again the expressions are top notch bringing out the desperateness of the character.

Maangi khushiya magar gham mila pyaar mein,
Dard hi bhar diya dil ke har taar mein,
Aaj koi nahi mera sansaar mein,
Chhod kar chal diye Mujhko majhadhaar mein,
Haye teer-e-nazar ka nishana hun main
Haan deewana hun main

7) Song: Teri Yaad Dil Se
Film: Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mukesh

After Raj Kapoor, Manoj Kumar was another actor who could carry Mukesh’s voice effectively. Similar filmy situation where the heroine is presumed dead and the hero brings out his emotions through a song.

Gham-e-ishq le phoonk de mera daaman,
Main apni lagi yun bujhaane chala hun,
Teri yaad dil se bhulaane chala hun…
Ke khud apni hasti mitaane chala hun

8) Song: Chandan Sa Badan
Film: Saraswati Chandra (1968)
Credits: Indeevar | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh

Mukesh in a happy romantic mood singing for Manish. His soulful singing describes the beauty of the heroine. Simple rendition with superb diction is the highlight of the song.

Tan bhi sundar mann bhi sundar,
Tu sundarta ki murat hai,
Kisi aur ko shayad kam hogi,
Mujhe teri bahut zarurat hai,
Pahale bhi bahut main tarsa hun,
Tu aur na mujh ko tarsana

9) Song: Oh Re Taal Mile
Film: Anokhi Raat (1968)
Credits: Indeevar | Roshan | Mukesh

Another tailor made song for Mukesh. Sanjeev Kumar sings a philosophical song as he brings home his newly wedded wife.

Suraj ko dharti tarse dharti ko chandrama, dharti ko chandrama
Paani mein seep jaise pyasi har aatma, pyasu har aatma
O mitwa re…
Paani mein seep jaise pyasi har aatma
Boond chhupi kis baadal mein
Koi jaane na

10) Song: Chandi Ki Deewar
Film: Vishwas (1969)
Credits: Gulshan Bawra | Kalyanji Anandji | Mukesh

This is meant to be a happy birthday song for the heroine. But a dramatic scene changes the situation and makes it a song of anguish for the hero Jeetendra.

Kal tak jisne kasame khai, dukh me sath nibhane ki,
Aaj woh apne sukh ki khatir ho gai ik begane ki,
Shehanaiyon ki goonj mein dabake reh gayi aah divane ki
Dhanavano ne deewane ka Gham se rishta jod diya
Ik dhanavan ki beti ne nirdhan ka daman tod diya
Chandi ki deewar na todi
Pyar bhara dil tod diya

Do Jasoos (1975)

My Reviews, ,

12 July was Rajendra Kumar’s death anniversary and his birthday falls on 20 July. I thought of revisiting one of his later movies. That is after his jubilee stardom was on the wane, and a new crop of actors had made their way in the 70s. In Do Jasoos, he teams with his old friend Raj Kapoor with both playing the protagonists. The movie was made under Rajendra Kumar’s banner Dimple Films and directed by his brother Naresh Kumar.

The Plot

Dharamchand (Raj Kapoor) and Karamchand (Rajendra Kumar) are two out of work detectives. Their job is to roam around singing the title song highlighting some evils in the society like the widespread adulteration of milk, food items and medicines, unwanted strikes by labour unions and so on.

They are deep in debt with no resources. They have locked the office and put up a fake notice stating they are away in Kashmir for some important work. Well, both are inside the office deciding on the next course of action. They decide to stop all social service and concentrate on real work. Better late than never!

Coincidentally, they get a phone call from Seth Nihal Chand (Asit Sen). Upon visiting his house, he tells them his daughter Hema (Farida Jalal) is getting married next week but has ran way with her boyfriend. He wants them to bring her back at all costs as soon as possible. Unfortunately his glasses break when he is searching for Hema’s photo and gives her friend’s photo (named Pinky Verma) by mistake. Dharamchand & Karamchand promise to bring her back in return of a hefty fee cum reward.

Here we are introduced to their two wheeler partner in detection – Radha. They even sing Bol Radha bol sangam hoga ke nahin. They are lucky and find the real daughter Hema immediately, who returns home. But they continue the search of the friend Pinky Verma (Bhavna Bhatt). This is where the real story begins.

Ashok Sinha (Shailendra Singh) is a singer. He is in love with Pinky Verma. Ashok’s father V.N Sinha (Manmohan Krishna) is a journalist. He was responsible for exposing the bad deeds of Prem (Prem Chopra) which resulted in Prem going to jail. As a result, Prem’s father, who is now dead has left his property to Pinky Verma. Apparently Prem’s father had ill treated Pinky’s late father and deprived him financially and wants to make amends and compensate his family! By the way, Pinky’s mother (Dulari) is blind. Too complicated.

Prem is out of jail and is happy to hear of his father’s death but not happy to hear about the will’s implications. He joins hands with his smuggling partner Motilal Sippy (Kamal Kapoor) to track Pinky, marry her and get hold of all the money.

But first, Prem visits the journalist Sinha’s house and kills him in revenge. Pinky happens to witness the murder and runs away. Thus begins a long chain of chase sequences. Prem and his goons as well as the two detectives are chasing Pinky, ironically for the same reason – money!

After a lot of silliness including a visit to a fake currency unit deep in the jungle, Dharamchand and Karamchand mange to catch Pinky and take her to Nihal Chand’s house. Hema explains what has happened and things get cleared. Pinky calls them her brothers and they both promise to save her from Prem and ensure her safety.

Pinky is asked to stay with one of their friends, a fisherman called John uncle for a few days. Pinky is happy and sings a duet with Ashok.

But Prem is hot in pursuit. He visits Pinky’s house and later kidnaps her mother leading to the climax.

The Music

Ravindra Jain has composed the songs but its definitely not one of his best scores. The title song Do jasoos kare mehsoos is popular. Another song, apparently inspired is the melodious duet sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Shailendra Singh – Dariyacha raja deva re deva…purvaiya leke chali meri naiyya.

My Thoughts

Do Jasoos could have been an entertaining movie but things don’t work out. Rajendra Kumar and Raj Kapoor are past their prime and don’t make the proceedings interesting. Raj Kapoor maintains his image of a simple person and do gooder who doesn’t understand the practical aspects of his profession, especially money matters. Whereas Rajendra Kumar is shown as the one more practical. Nevertheless, there a few scenes where Raj Kapoor makes you laugh with his reactions. Wondering if another duo like Ashok Kumar and Pran would have made the roles memorable and funnier.

The rest of the cast don’t add much value. This is Shailendra Singh’s debut movie as actor after his blockbuster singing debut in Bobby. But he doesn’t get much to do. Bhavna Bhatt is a teenager and appears too raw for the role. The baddies Prem Chopra, Kamal Kapoor and Ram Mohan seem more impactful. The plot is complicated with unnecessary sub plots. Overall, Do Jasoos fails to leave the mark as a fun film.

The movie left me with 2 questions. Where can we find the below police station?

Why does a fisherman’s house have these stack of brass pots..?

Qatl (1986)

My Reviews, , ,

Cheating or adultery in marriage has been an old theme in Hindi movies. Qatl is another movie in the same genre, directed by R.K. Nayyar. The movie is a tribute to Sanjeev Kumar who passed away before the movie’s release. He plays the blind protagonist effectively and raises the plot’s believability by a few notches. Presenting the review and remembering this great actor whose birthday falls on 9 July.

The Plot

Rakesh (Sanjeev Kumar), Rohini (Sarika) and Ranjit (Marc Zuber) are the principal characters, forming the pati, patni aur woh trio. Rohini is a poor girl who happens to meet Ranjit in a departmental store. She is about to be caught for shoplifting but Ranjit saves her (impressed by her beauty). He offers her a chance to become a drama heroine but she lacks the necessary acting skills. By chance, superstar Rakesh sees her and decides to train her to succeed as an actress.

The training starts and Rohini becomes a successful actress. Along the way, Rakesh and Rohini fall in love and get married. But their joy is short lived as Rakesh loses his eyesight while trying to save Rohini from a falling chandelier. Rohini as the dedicated better half quits the theater to take care of Rakesh.

Rakesh realises he is doing an injustice to Rohini’s talent and asks her to resume acting. She reluctantly agrees. She appoints a nurse Sita (Ranjeeta) to take care of Rakesh when she is away. Sita is the same nurse who was treating Rakesh in the hospital and he is happy to have a familiar companion for support.

They get on well and Rakesh becomes fairly independent to manage things without relying on others for support. And his “sixth” sense improves. But things are not as they seem. Through a coincidence, Rakesh becomes aware of Rohini’s affair with Ranjit and he is shattered.

The sad reality is revealed to him on Rohini’s birthday and he starts planning his revenge to teach both of them a lesson.

Rakesh’s anger is uncontrollable and he plans to murder Rohini and make Ranjit the prime suspect. No one will believe Rakesh is the murderer as he is blind. Is it possible for a blind man to plot a murder, travel alone and kill someone? Nah!

Well, Rakesh commits the murder (dressed as a Pathan) in Ranjit’s flat with Ranjit’s revolver. Ranjit is arrested. Enter Inspector Shatru (Shatrughan Sinha) who plays a bumbling police officer but with a knack of solving difficult cases. Shatru realises it has to be Rakesh who killed Rohini. And Sita seems to be involved somehow. What happens next is interesting to watch. The plot takes more twists and turns when Sita confesses the murder leading to the all important court scene. Saeed Jaffrey plays the judge.

Does Sita get convicted? Will Rakesh own up the murder? And does Ranjit walk away as a free man? The answers are revealed in a nail biting climax with a final twist!

The Music

Laxmikant Pyarelal have composed the music. The songs are not bad but don’t add to the story. The exception is the philosophical Kisi Ka Dil Jo Todega, sung by Anup Jalota and picturised on a roadside fakir (Ashok Kumar credited as Dada Muni in the titles!) The song appears in parts throughout the movie.

My Thoughts

Qatl is a well presented and directed movie and different from the regular fare. There are loopholes and too many coincidences to digest. But Sanjeev Kumar saves the day. While the blind man committing a murder may not sound very convincing, he manages to make it believable. Of special mention is the murder scene and climax. We get to see scenes from Naya Din Naya Raat, in flashback where a blind Rakesh is remembering the roles immortalised by him. Sarika, Marc Zuber and Ranjeeta are effective in their roles. Ameen Sayani appears in a short cameo.

Shatrughan Sinha manages to be funny without being too irritating. But I wonder if a serious inspector character would have made the investigation more impactful as he gets closer to the murderer.

While not a classic, Qatl manages to keep the viewer engaged till the end and Sanjeev Kumar leaves a lasting impression.