Category Archives: My Lists

“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)

Meena Kumari – Happy Songs

My Lists, ,

Meena Kumari (real name Mahjabeen Bano), popularly known as the “tragedy queen” of Hindi cinema was undoubtedly one of our finest actresses. Right from Baiju Bawra, Parineeta, to all the way Pakeezah, she will always be remembered for her effortless acting and screen presence.

31st March is the remembrance day of this great actress.
In my first blog post, presenting Meena Kumari in a cheerful mood in 10 songs!
Hope you enjoy and do let me know your thoughts.

1) Song: Meri jaan meri jaan
Film: Yahudi (1958)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Lata Mangeshkar

Meena Kumari in a romantic mood. Admitting she is in love with Marcus (Dilip Kumar), she croons –

Inki nigaaho ne ghaayal kiya, lenge unhin se dil ki dawaa,
Na hum muskurate na woh paas aate,
Usiki mili hai sazaa, kya karen,
Meri jaan meri jaan…

2) Song: Dil mein baji pyar ki shehanaiyaan
Film: Kohinoor (1960)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Lata Mangeshkar

Overall, a light hearted film, Kohinoor reunited the pair of Meena Kumari and Dilip Kumar. The Senapati (Jeevan) is holding Meena Kumari (Chandramukhi) captive. Her lover has come to meet her in disguise. She recognizes him and breaks into song.

Door hua gham ka nasha, mujhko khushi mil gayi
Jhum uthi duniya meri, dil ki kali khil gayi
Dil mera lene laga angadaiyaan, angadaiyaan,
Aa gaye woh, aa gaye woh mit gayi tanhaiyaan
Dil me baje pyar ki shehanaiyaan

3) Song: Lau lagaati geet gaati
Film: Bhabhi Ki Chudiyaan (1960)
Credits: Pt Narendra Sharma | Sudhir Phadke | Lata Mangeshkar

Remake of a Marathi movie, it had Meena Kumari playing the bhabhi’s role. This song shows the contentment of her character. She is happy with her family and thanking the lord, what else can she wish for! Of course, being a Hindi film, a twist (read hardships and lots of tears) may be around the corner.

Nayano ki kamana, prano ki bhavna,
Puja ki jyoti bankar charno me muskurati,
Lau lagaati, geet gaati

4)Song: Piya aiso jeeya mein
Film: Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam (1962)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Hemant Kumar | Geeta Dutt

This song is perhaps one of the rare happy moments in an otherwise dark movie and wretched life of the chhoti bahu character. She is eagerly getting ready to welcome her husband. She is hoping her mohini sindoor will work its perceived wonders and bring joy into her wretched married life.

Meena Kumari won her third FilmFare award for this performance. (Trivia shot: Interestingly she was the only actress in the best actress nominees for the FilmFare awards that year. She was also nominated for Aarti and Main Chup Rahungi, and emerged as winner for Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam.)

Piya aiso jiya men samaay gayo re,
Ki main tan man ki sudh-budh gawaan baithhi,
Har ahat pe samajhi wo ay gayo re,
Jhat ghunghat men mukhada chhupa baithhi

5) Song: Nagma-O-Sher ki saugat kise pesh karu
Film: Gazal (1964)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Madan Mohan | Lata Mangeshkar

A Muslim social film. Meena Kumari is presenting a gazal in the company of friends. A passerby (Sunil Dutt) happens to hear her signing and needless to say, is mesmerized. This song has another version in the second half of the movie. Sung by Mohammed Rafi (Rang aur noor ki baraat kise pesh karu), the lyrics, tune and background are contrasting and arguably more effective (!).

Koi humraaz to paaun, koi humdum to mile,
Dil ki dhadkan ke ishaaraat kise pesh karu

6) Song: Ae Ri Jaane Na Doongi
Film: Chitralekha (1964)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Roshan | Lata Mangeshkar

Chitralekha was the story of the protagonist raaj nartaki played by Meena Kumari. She is spending time with her beloved Samant Beejgupta (Pradeep Kumar), singing for him and enjoying the blissful moments.

Ae ri jaane na doongi,
Main to apane rasik ko nainon mein rakh lungi palaken mund mund,
Ae ri jaane na doongi

7) Song: Dil jo na keh saka
Film: Bheegi Raat (1965)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Roshan | Lata Mangeshkar

Same pairing as the previous song. Bheegi Raat had a typical story of the 2 leads separating due to differences and misunderstanding. While the Mohammed Rafi version of this song is more popular, the female version has a softer and romantic tone.

We have that often repeated filmy plot here – hero and heroine get caught in a rainstorm, take shelter in a cave. Needless to say, a fire of passion ignites and we are treated to a beautiful melody.

Nagma sa koi jaag uthha badan mein,
Jhanakaar ki si tharathari hai tan mein,
Pyaar ki inhin dhadakati fizaaon mein,
Rahane ki raat aayi…

8) Song: Mere bhaiya mere chanda
Film: Kaajal (1965)
Credits: Sahir Ludhianvi | Ravi | Asha Bhosle

Meena Kumari won the last of her 4 Filmfare Awards for Kaajal. This song showcases the lovely bond between the heroine and her brother. Its Raksha Bandhan and she is waiting for her brother to return victorious from the boat race he is participating in. Happier times before a tragedy is waiting to overtake their lives!

9) Song: Allah Allah kitne pyaare din aa gaye
Film: Noorjehan (1967)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Roshan | Suman Kalyanpur

Noorjehan was a period film with Meena Kumari starring as Empress Noorjehan (formerly Mehrunnisa). The song portrays the arrival of youth in Mehrunnisa’s life – painful yet soothing!

Aayi baad-e-bahaare leke dard-e-jawaani,
Allah allah kitane pyaare din aa gaye

10) Song: Mausam hai aashiqana
Film: Paakezah (1972)
Credits: Kamal Amrohi | Ghulam Mohammed | Lata Mangeshkar

The swansong of an illustrious career. In an otherwise sorrowful movie, the film’s protaganist Sahibjaan is waiting for her “first love”, her “saviour” to return soon. Poetically, she is pleading her lonely heart to ensure he comes back safe & sound.

Kehna ke rut jawaan hai, aur ham taras rahe hain,
Kaali ghata ke saaye, birahan ko das rahe hain,
Dar hai na maar daale, saawan ka kya thhikaana