Category Archives: My Lists

Mohammed Rafi – Teasing the Heroine songs

My Lists

It has been a year already. Last year I had posted Describing the heroine songs remembering the great Mohammed Rafi, whose death anniversary falls on 31st July. Our heroes describe the beauty of the heroine in happier times but they also get into a naughty mood sometimes. This leads to some situations involving teasing or flirting with the heroine. While the heroine will be annoyed, the annoyance doesn’t stay that long. The hero is soon forgiven and romance walks in to take the story ahead.

The teasing / flirting can be expressed in different ways as evident from the songs in today’s post. Mohammed Rafi, being the versatile artist could mould his voice to fit any situation and leave his impact. So, here are 10 songs, all on different heroes. Which songs do you remember?

1) Song: Apni To Har Aah Ek Toofan Hai
Film: Kala Bazar (1960)
Credits: Shailendra | S. D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi

This is an unusual song set in a train compartment. Waheeda Rehman is travelling to Ooty with her parents. She and her mother have occupied the top berths while her father is sitting in the lower berth. Dev Anand is the fourth passenger, a stranger. He suddenly starts singing this song. The lyrics portray as if he is singing a devotional song to the uparwala (the almighty!) but that is not so. He is actually addressing the song to the heroine whom he wants to impress. (Unknown to her, he has been following her and wants to get close, as in fall in love).

This is a soft song with an undertone of teasing. The heroine keeps wondering the meaning and intention of the lyrics. Mohammed Rafi impresses by singing with an extra soft tone.

Apni toh har aah ek toofan hain,
Kya kare woh jaan kar anjaan hain,
Uparwala jaan kar anjaan hain,
Apni toh har aah ek toofan hain

2) Song: Aji Qibla Mohtarma
Film: Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | O. P. Nayyar | Mohammed Rafi

Joy Mukherjee was one of the those 60s heroes who was blessed to have Mohammed Rafi as his playback voice in majority of the songs. This is a playful song in Nasir Hussain’s movie. Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh are out in the countryside when the heroine’s friends arrive unexpectedly. She doesn’t know how to tackle the situation. And the hero embarrasses her further by singing this teasing number.

Aji qibla, mohtarma, kabhi shola, kabhi naghma,
Iss aap ke andaaz ka haaye kya kehna

3) Song: Hum Hi Se Mohabbat
Film: Leader (1964)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Mohammed Rafi

It is rare to see Dilip Kumar in a teasing and flirtatious mood and Mohammed Rafi adds an extra dimension with his singing. There is a long scene which culminates into the song. Dilip Kumar annoys Vyjanthimala to the fullest extent with his irritating antics. Her reactions are worth noticing too.

Hum hi se mohabbat hum hi se ladaai,
Are maar daalaa duhaai duhaai,
Abhi naasamajh ho uthaao na khhanjar,
Kahi mud na jaaye tumhaari kalaai

4) Song: April Fool Banaya
Film: April Fool (1964)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi and Saira Banu

Biswajeet was another hero who immensely benefited by Mohammed Rafi singing for him. There are many romantic songs of this combination. Based on the April Fool’s Day concept, this is a typical song where the hero tricks and “fools” the heroine (Saira Banu). She is angry with him and he doesn’t miss the chance to irritate her further.

April fool banaya toh unko gussa aaya,
To mera kya kasoor, zamane ka kasoor,
Jisne dastoor banaya

5) Song: Lal Chhadi Maidaan Khadi
Film: Janwar (1965)
Credits: Shailendra | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

How can a Mohammed Rafi list be complete without a Shammi Kapoor song? He probably sang the most number of teasing numbers for Shammi Kapoor. What a perfectly matching voice! In this song he refers to the heroine (Rajshri) as a red stick and bothers her as only Shammi Kapoor can.

Laal chhadi maidaan khadi,
Kya khub ladi kya khub ladi,
Ham dil se gaye ham jaan se gaye,
Bas aankh mili aur baat badhi

6) Song: Ae Nargis-E-Mastaana
Film: Arzoo (1965)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

This is a bit different song but with a teasing tone. The heroine (Sadhana) has some misconceptions about the hero (Rajendra Kumar). But they have been almost resolved. The hero voices his feelings by taunting her and listing down his “complaints.” She readily accepts them and this is the beginning of romance between the two characters. This was a period when Rajendra Kumar could do no wrong. His consecutive films were turning hits. Not the forget the contribution of Mohammed Rafi in achieving this success.

Ae nargis-e-mastaana,
Bas itni shikayat hai,
Bas itni shikayat hai

Samjha humein begaana,
Bas itni shikayat hai,
Bas itni shikayat hai

7) Song: O Dilbar Janiye
Film: Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968)
Credits: Prakash Mehra | Kalyanj Anandji | Mohammed Rafi

Compared to his brother Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor had a mild personality and you would normally not imagine him in such flirting with the heroine songs. But here he attempts to do that (and succeeds). He goes all out in chasing Babita and being a nuisance. Once again, Mohammed Rafi complements the onscreen happenings with his impressive rendition.

O dilbar jaaniye tere hain hum tere,
Chhupa lenge in aankhon mein,
Sanam hum gham tere

8) Song: Rukh Se Zara Naqaab Hata Do
Film: Mere Huzoor (1968)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi

Like the first song, this has a soft and subtle tone. The film is set in Lucknow with all the tehzeeb and etiquette. So the flirting has to match, right? Mohammed Rafi sings for Jeetendra who flirts/ woos a burqa clad Mala Sinha. Jeetendra plays a poet (shaayar). There is no much moving around as the characters are travelling in a train. But the desired effect is achieved by the lyrics, composition and, of course the vocals.

Apne Rukh Per Nigaah Karane Do,
Khubsurat Gunaah Karane Do,
Rukh Se Pardaa Hataao Jaan-E-Hayaa,
Aaj Dil Ko Tabaah Karane Do,
Rukh Se Zaraa Naqaab Uthaa Do Mere Huzoor
Jalwaa Phir Ek Baar Dikhaa Do Mere Huzoor

9) Song: Chup Chup Chup Kyo Baithi Ho
Film: Hamrahi (1974)
Credits: Jan Nisar Akhtar | Kalyanji Anandji | Mohammed Rafi

And here is another train song with Mohammed Rafi in a mischievous mood. Actually Randhir Kapoor in a flirty mood with his co-passenger Tanuja. Travelling together on a long journey, will our hero miss the opportunity?

Chup chup chup kyu baithi ho,
Main bhi akela or tum bhi akeli ho,
Tumsa haseen dekha nahi mujhsa jawaan hoga kaha,
Khatre bade hai in raho mein, ho aaja aaja meri baho mein,
Chup chup chup kyu baithi ho…

10) Song: O Meri Mehbooba
Film: Dharam Veer (1977)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Mohammed Rafi

And to end the list, a Dharmendra – Zeenat Aman song. He, a blacksmith and she a princess. Actually things have got sorted between the two but our hero has fun troubling her and plays a prank one last time. She detests him as he sings the song but that is temporary. By the end of the song all is forgiven and the romance is on track.

O meri mehbooba mehbooba mehbooba,
Tujhey jaana hai toh jaa teri marzi mera kya,
Par dekh jo tu ruth kar chali jayegi,
Tere saath hi mere marne ki khabar aayegi,
O meri mehbooba

“Yaad” Duet Songs

My Lists

Yaad means memory or remembrance. It can be good or bad. In Hindi cinema, yaad is most commonly associated with separation. And mostly involving lovers or family members. When you leave or separate from someone, the best way to express yourself is through a song. There are so many songs on yaad and yaadein. In today’s post, we revisit some duet songs on this theme.

1) Song: Kahan Ho Tum
Film: Malhar (1951)
Credits: Kaif Irfani | Roshan | Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar

Malhar is an obscure film produced by Mukesh under the banner Darling Films(!). The only “yaad“of this movie today is its beautiful songs. This memorable song is picturized on Arjun and Shammi (the same Shammi who became famous as a character actress in later years). A sorrowful song and probably one of those which is best heard than seen!

Kaha ho tum, zaraa awaaz do, hum yaad karte hai,
Kabhi bharte hai aahe aur kabhi fariyaad karte hai,
Kaha ho tum…

2) Song: Yaad Kiya Dil Ne
Film: Patita (1953)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

A classic composition by Shankar Jaikishan and one of those immortal duets. The voices blend nicely with the onscreen characters. Dev Anand and Usha Kiran enjoy some moments of bliss on screen.

Yaad kiya dil ne kahaan ho tum,
Jhumati bahaar hai kahaan ho tum,
Pyaar se pukaar lo jahaan ho tum,
Pyaar se pukaar lo jahaan ho tum

3) Song: Tumhe Yaad Hoga
Film: Satta Bazaar (1959)
Credits: Gulshan Bawra | Kalyanji Anandji | Hemant Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

While the movie stars Balraj Sahni and Meena Kumari, the song is picturized on another young pair of Suresh and Vijaya Chowdhury. Similar to the song from Malhar, this is another song to be enjoyed in its audio version. A lilting composition by Kalyanji Anandji, enhanced by the soulful singing.

Tumhe yaad hogaa kabhi hum mile the,
Mohabbat ki raaho mein mil ke chale the,
Bhoola do mohabbat mein hum tum mile the,
Sapna hi samjho ke mil ke chale the…

4) Song: Aapne Yaad Dilaya To Mujhe Yaad Aaya
Film: Aarti (1962)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | Roshan | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

Aarti had all good songs and this is another classic composition by Roshan. Meena Kumari is so expressive as she responds to Pradeep Kumar and joins him in the duet.

Aapne yaad dilaya to mujhe yaad aaya,
Ke mere dil pe pada tha koi gham ka saya,
Aapne yaad dilaya

5) Song: Woh Jab Yaad Aaye
Film: Parasmani (1963)
Credits: Asad Bhopali | Laxmikant Pyarelal | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

This is one of the best songs of Laxmikant Pyarelal in their debut film with a combination of good lyrics and singing. Filmed on a forgettable couple of Mahipal and Geetanjali, this is a memorable song in raag Yaman. It describes the state of the separated characters.

Wo jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye,
Gham-e-zindagi ke andhere mein humne,
Chirag-e-mohabbat jalaaye bujhaaye,
Wo jab yaad aaye bahut yaad aaye

6) Song: Yaad Mein Teri
Film: Mere Mehboob (1963)
Credits: Shakeel Badayuni | Naushad | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

Mere Mehboob was another movie with one great song after the other. Rajendra Kumar and Sadhana play the romantic couple. This is a sad song about separation when the lovers are forced to move away from each other. Life is a sorrow when your loved one is not with you with only memories as your companion.

Yaad mein teri jaag jaag ke hum, raat bhar karwatein badalte hain,
Har ghadi dil mein teri ulfat ke, dheeme dheeme chiraag jalte hain, Jabse toone nigaah pheri hai, din hai soona to raat andheri hai,
Chaand bhi ab nazar nahin aataa….ab sitaarein bhi kam nikalte hain,

Yaad mein teri jaag jaag ke..

7) Song: Wo Din Yaad Karo
Film: Hamrahi (1963)
Credits: Hasrat Jaipuri | Shankar Jaikishan | Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar

A light song talking about golden times. Mehmood and Shubha Khote are a married couple with kids. They remember the memorable times when they had lesser domestic compulsions. Life was so enjoyable then but alas change is inevitable.

Woh din yaad karo, woh din yaad karo
Woh chhup chhup ke milna, woh hansnaa hansaana,
Woh din yaad karo

Woh din yaad karo, woh din yaad karo,
Woh phoolon ki chhaiyyaan, woh mausam suhaana,
Woh din yaad karo

8) Song: Yaadon Ki Baaraat
Film: Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
Credits: Majrooh Sultanpuri | R. D. Burman | Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar

A duet which becomes a reuniting song for 3 brothers. The youngest brother (Tariq) sings the song which their family used to sing together every year. However their parents are killed and the three brothers are forced to separate. They remain connected by the memory of those times. After many years, through a coincidence, the 3 of them are at the same location. While Tariq sings, Vijay Arora joins in and identifies himself as his elder brother. The third brother Dharmendra is overjoyed to find his long lost brothers.

Yaadon Ki Baaraat Nikli Hai Aaj Dil Ke Dwaare,
Dil Ke Dwaare,
Sapnon Ki Shehnai Beete Deeno Ko Pukare,
Dil Ke Dwaare,
Ho O O Chhedo Tarane Milan Ke Pyaare Pyaare,
Sang Hamare….

9) Song: Naam Gum Jayega
Film: Kinara (1977)
Credits: Gulzar | R. D. Burman | Bhupinder Singh and Lata Mangeshkar

An iconic song because of the words “Meri awaaz hi pehchaan hai, gar yaad rahe“! From the pen of Gulzar. The song describes how things, events will come and go but ultimately its the voice which will remain eternal, only if remembered.

Naam gum jaayegaa,
Chehra ye badal jayegaa,
Meri awaaz hi pehchaan hai,
Gar yaad rahe…

10) Song: Yaad Aa Rahi Hai
Film: Love Story (1981)
Credits: Anand Bakshi | R. D. Burman | Amit Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar

And to end the list a song between two young lovers. A typical situation where the boy meets the girl and hate each other. Circumstances lead them to spend time together. Later when they separate, the separation leads to the realization of love. They sing this beautiful duet remembering each other. Starring Kumar Gaurav and Vijayta Pandit. There is a solo version of the song for which Amit Kumar won the FilmFare award.

Yaad aa rahi hai, teri yaad aa rahi hai,
Yaad aane se, tere jaane se, jaan ja rahi hai

Laxmikant Pyarelal – Disguise and Deception Songs

My Lists

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.