Vidya Sinha, Ladki Cyclewali!

Ladki Cyclewali- Vidya Sinha represented girl next door 

What a coincidence!

She was born on 15th of November and passed away on 15th August. She was born in year when Bharat got independence. She passed away in year and month when Bharat got real independence when article 370 and 35-A was removed by strong Narendra Modi government and Jammu-Kashmir and Laddakh got integrated in real sense!

I am talking about Vidya Sinha! Perhaps new generation people knows only one Vidya- i.e. Vidya Balan. But Vidya Sinha was center of attraction in her time. Yes, she was not so big star such as Hema Malini, Rekha, Reena Roy and others. But her roles and specially songs that picturised on her, are memorable. I talk most of time about songs and music when I write tribute, because I think whenever we will listen hindi songs, hero and heroine face come in our mind.

Vidyajee was daughter of producer Pratap S. Rana. His real name is Rana Pratap Singh. He was son in law of produce-director Mohan Sinha. So question arises in our mind that why not Vidya Rana and why Vidya Sinha? Story behind name is like this: Vidya's father Pratap S. Rana had produced two films namely Vidya and Jeet. Dev Anand and Suraiya was common factor in both films. Her nana Mohan Sinha had produced 32 films and had introduced actors who later became famous villain of Hindi Film industry like Madan Puri and Jeevan. He also gave Madhubala her screen name in Mere Bhagwan. Vidya was only child and her mother died when she was child. Then after her father married again. So her nana brought Vidya up. Her name was given in memory of mother-same name.

Vidya's father and Nana, both didn't want her to enter in Hindi film industry. Perhaps because they knew reality of industry as both were from the industry. But her luck and our luck to watch her on big screen was calling her. So destiny called her. She became Miss Bombay (at that time Bombay was not renamed as Mumbai). Actually behind her winning this beauty constest was her aunt who forced her to participate. Modelling followed then. She appeared in Colgate, Liption Tea, Khatau Fabrics ads. Vidya was married to Tamilian Brahman Venkateshwaran Iyer in 1968. Both were neighbours and fell in love. I guess her maternal grand father Mohan Sinha might have sigh of relief because he didn't want Vidyajee to enter in film industry and Hindi film industry had unwritten rule that actor or actress are not accepted by audience if they come to know that actor or actress is married. If you remember, Aamir Khan kept it secret for some time that he was married. At her marriage time, Vidya was only 21!

But destiny wanted her to enter in film industry so that she can entertain us. So she made Basu Chatterjee nimitt (loosely translated as cause or medium) to bring Vidya in film industry. Basu Chatterjee saw her ads and made her actress of 'Rajanigandha' (1974). But 'Rajanigandha' was not first film she signed. It was 'Raja Kaka' which released after 'Rajanigandha' and went unnoticed. However, 'Rajanigandha' was noticed.

Vidya Sinha and Amol Palekar in Chhoti Si Baat

In this film, Amol Palekar was hero. Film had simple story and centered on only three charactors played by Dinesh Thakur other than Amol and Vidya. It won Filmfare awards. This film typecasted Vidya as middle class heroine which has no glamourous look but yet she is attractive. As middle class heroine, she wore simple yet good looking saree-blouse or dresses, acting as shy, good sense of humour, romantic and above all girl next door type of characters.

At that time, 'Rajanigandha' fared well at box office. It was low budget film. So low that it was made in just Rs. 2 Lakh. She was paid Rs. 10,000 for this film, as she told in her interiew to rediff.com. They had no make up rooms and vanity vans in those days.

Vidya Sinha didn't get big budget films

Coming from such film industry background, Vidyajee might have big budget films from top grade producer and directors in her basket, but some how it didn't happen so. May be due to her simple and not-so-glamrous look. After 'Rajanigandha' she had worked in comedy film 'Chhoti Si Baat', social drama 'Tumhare Liye', 'Pati Patni Aur Woh'. In 'Chhoti Si Baat', she played a working unmarried young girl who was center of attraction for two colleagues and both were trying to win her. In Gulzar's 'Kitab' she played Master Rajoo's sister. She played wife of Shashi Kapoor and Sanjeev Kumar in 'Mukti' film. Young generation may know 'Tu Mungada' because of Sonakshi Sinha featured in its remix version in 'Total Dhamaal'. But original song was of film 'Inkaar' (1977). In this supense thriller film, Vidya Sinha's role was good as Inspector Vinod Khanna's lover.  In social comedy 'Pati Patni Aur Woh' she played wife of Sanjeevkumar with whom she has love marriage but then Sanjeev Kumar flirts with her office colleague.  In South Bharatiya inspired Hindi film 'Swayamvar' she played daughter who is ill treated by her step mother. So in this film also, she was in de-glam look. I think as main heroine 'Swayamvar' is last film. Then after her film such as Kumar Gaurav's 'Love Story' in which she played character artist role mother of heroine Vijayata Pandit. So after appearing in first film in 1974 (Rajanigandha), she accpeted mother's role in film 'Love Story' (1981). It is said any hero or heroine rules over box office for 10 years.

It is upon fans to decide whether it was correct or not correct to reject offer of Raj Kapoor for 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram'! Yes, it is true. Vidya's maternal grandfather and Raj Kapoor's father Prithviraj Kapoor worked in 'Shri Krishnarjun Yuddh' which is said to be first multi star film. So both families had good relations, but Vidya didn't feel comfortable to play role of Roopa who is good singer but has ugly face. Reason of rejection for Vidya was that she thought she couldn't wear clothes like those Zeenat Aman wore afterwards in film. However, not that all in her films she played sidhi sadi ladki and similar songs. In 'Josh', Vidya looked not only glamrous, but seductress too.

Then afterwards Vidya also walked on her father's path and produced serials such as 'Simhasan Battisi' and 'Darar'. She also produced two region language films 'Bijli' (Marathi) and 'Jivi Rabaran' (Gujarati). Banner was 'Vidya Films' and in Gujarati film she acted too in lead role.

After Iyer's death in 1996, she shifted to Sydney and had quit acting for some time and entered into a wedlock with Bhimrao Salunkhe, a doctor, in a temple ceremony in year 2001. So after marrying in 1966, she remarried after 33 years!

They lived in a flat in Andheri west, but soon afterwards the marriage soured with her husband allegedly torturing her and demanding money, resulting in a police case which she subsequently won. They got divorced in 2009.

Vidya made a comeback in television serials like 'Kavyanjali', 'Bahu Rani', 'Zaara', 'Bhabhi' and her most recent show 'Kulfi Kumar Bajewala'. She was also seen in the 2011 Salman Khan's 'Bodyguard' in which she played character of Bua (aunty).

Earlier in the week, Vidya was put on ventilator support in the hospital in Mumbai. She was diagnosed with lung disorder a while ago and her condition had become worse since three months. The disorder had originated a few years ago and Vidya was brought in while she was in a serious condition. She died in Criticare Hospital, Juhu at 12 noon on 15th August. She is survived by a daughter Jhanvi.

She was 71 years old. She was as old as our Bharat nation after independence from British rule. Her soul may have got independence from her body, but we will not get independence from her sweet memories as middle class heroine and her songs. May Prabhu bless her soul sadgati!

Sing her songs:
1. Rajanigandha phool tumhare (Rajanigandha)
2. Kai baar yun bhi dekha hai (Rajanigandha)
3. Janeman janeman tere do nayan (Chhoti Si Baat)
4. Naa jane kyun hota hai ye zindagi ke sath (Chhoti Si Baat)
5. Maine dekha tujhe tune dekha mujhe (Karm) (Even those who present R D Burman songs day and night on fm radio stations, don't play this song as they know only some famous songs, but according to me this is unknown jewel)
6. Samay tu dheere dheere chal (Karm)
7. Lalla lalla lori dudh ki katori (Mukti)
8. Suhani Chandani Rate (Mukti)
9. Thande thande pani se (Pati Patni Aur Woh)
10. Ladki cycle wali (Pati Patni Aur Woh)
11. Tumhen dekhti hoon (Tumhare Liye) (This one of the best song of Vidya and also of music director Jaydev. Also it is one of the best Lata Mangeshkar solo songs)

J. Omprakash left vast treasury of golden music

Those were days when producers and directors gave special attention on music and story more than anything. J Omprakash was one of them. He is no more. He passed away today. He was 93 years old. For new generation, he was grandfather or Nana (some channel misinterpreted and translated it as Hrithik’s dada without general knowledge that his dada was great music director Roshan) of Hrithik Roshan. His daughter Pinky married to actor-director Rakesh Roshan. Famous model and actor Deepak Parashar is his Bhanja or nephew.

He was producer and director too. As producer he produced films like ‘Aas Ka Panchhi’, ‘Aayee Milan Ki Bela’, ‘Aaye Din Bahar Ke’, ‘Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke’, ‘Ankhon Ankhon Mein’, ‘Aap Ki Kasam’, ‘Aandhi’, ‘Apnapan’, ‘Aasha’, ‘Arpan’, ‘Akhir Kyon?’, ‘Aap Ke Saath’ to name a few, whereas he directed ‘Aap Ki Kasam’, ‘Aakraman’, ‘Aapnapan’, ‘Aashiq Hun Baharon Ka’, ‘Aasha’, ‘Apna Bana Lo’, ‘Aas Paas’, ‘Aasra Pyar Da’, ‘Arpan’, ‘Aakhir Kyon?’, ‘Aap Ke Saath’, ‘Bhagwan Dada’, ‘Agnee’, ‘Aadmi Aur Apsara’, ‘Aadmi Khilona Hai’ to name few. 

From these names, you can easily draw an observation that he was predecessor of Rakesh Roshan and Ekta Kapoor whose films or serials always used to start with ‘K’ letter. J Omprakash was born in Siyalkot of Punjab state (which is now in Pakistan) on 24 January 1927. His banner name was Filmyug. His most of films barring ‘Aakraman’ and few, were family centric. His first film was Rajendra Kumar and Vaijayantimala starrer ‘Aas Ka Panchi’ (1961). From his very first film, he showed his sense for music. As, Shankar Jaikishan were music directors, there is no doubt that music ought to be good, but in few films, it was not so. And after this film, he worked with Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, R. D. Burman, Rajesh Roshan (his son in law Rakesh Roshan’s brother) and then Nadeem-Shravan. Barring Nadeem Shravan in ‘Aadmi Khilona Hai’ and his few last films, his films used to be musically hit. In ‘Aas Ka Panchhi’, ‘Tum Ruthi Raho’ is popular today even now. Film was successful on box office. 

Then came ‘Aayee Milan Ki Bela’. It was also hit. Rajendra Kumar, Sairabano and Dharmendra starred in it. Dharmendra played villain. This film had also melodious songs including ‘Tum Kamseen Ho’, ‘O Sanam Tere Ho Gaye Hum’, ‘Aa Ha Aayee Milan Ki Bela’, ‘Bura Maan Gaye’, ‘Tum Ko Hamaree Umar Lag Jaaye’. This film onwards, his tuning with Dharmendra set. He made ‘Aaye Din Bahar Ke’, ‘Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke’ with him. In both these films, Aasha Parekh was also a common factor. In ‘Aaye Din Bahar Ke’, new music director Lakshmikant-Pyarelal composed melodious music. ‘Suno Sajna Papihe Ne Kaha Sabase Pukar Ke’ was classic song sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Other songs were ‘Yeh Kali Phool Bankar Khile’, ‘Khat Likh De Saawariya Ke Naam Babu’, ‘Aye Kash Kisi Diwane Ko Hum Se Bhi Muhabbat Ho Jaaye’ and ‘Mere Dushman Tu Meri Dosti Ko Tarse’.

In ‘Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke’, L.P. gave another super hit album. (J Omprakash and L.P. worked till ‘Aaap Ke Saath’. After than he worked with Rajesh Roshan in ‘Aakhir Kyon?’ and Nadeem Shravan in ‘Aadmi Khilona Hai’.) Songs were ‘Saathiya Naheen Jana’, Monsoon favourite ‘Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke’, ‘Ye Shama Jo Jali’, ‘O Majhi Chal O Majhi Chal’. 

J Omprakash with Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaaz on sets of 'Aap Ki Kasam' 

Source: Internet

For his production’s ‘Aankhon Aankhon Mein’ which had his son in law, Rakesh Roshan as hero with new comer Rakhee as heroine, he turned back to Shankar Jaikishan. It had so-so music. Title song is popular. With ‘Aap Ki kasam’ he turned to director. This film had hit pair of Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaaz. Now he chose R. D. Burman. And what a classic album! Romantic song ‘Karvatein Badalate Rahein’! Masti song ‘Jay Jay Shiv Shankar’! ‘Suno Kaho, Kaha Suna’ (I use to say this is toilet song in lighter way), ‘Aaj Muhabbat Bandh Hai’! Classical song ‘Chori Chori Chupke Chupke’! And above all, sad song which had running train rhytham – ‘Zindagi Ke Safar Mein Guzar Jaaten Hai Jo Mukam’. 

At time where Indira Gandhi and Congress’s sun was at its peak, he dared to make film reportedly based on Indirajee’s life – ‘Aandhi’ directed by Gulzar. Its music was also composed by R D Burman. And yet another classic album! ‘Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi’, ‘Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya Hai’, ‘Is Mod Se Jaate hain’, ‘Salaam Kijiye’. It got won best actor Filmfare award for Sanjeev Kumar and Filmfare best director for Gulzar. It was banned by Indira Gandhi government. 

After ‘Aandhi’, it was ‘Aakraman’, in which he was director. Its patriotic ‘Qawwali Gayenge’ song was frequent on Chitrahaar/Chhaaya Geet in Doordarshan old golden days. Music was by L.P.

 Then came ‘Apnapan’. With this film, J.O. turned to Jitendra, Rakesh Roshan’s friend. J.O., Jitendra and Reena Roy gave three hit films ‘Apnapan’, ‘Aasha’ and ‘Arpan’. It has memorable song ‘Aadmi Musafir Hai’ which I learnt to play on Harmonium by myself when I was in 12^th Std. So close to my heart with its Harmonium based tune by L.P. (my eldest sister Smt. Sonal Gohil used to tease me by pronouncing Gujarati short form of Lakshmikant Pyarelal as La.Pya. which means if read together a boring person), Mohammad Rafi-Lata’s mesmerising voice and philosophical lyrics by great Aanand Bakshi. ‘Somvar Ko Hum Mile’ was OK. ‘Is Duniya Mein Jeena Hai’ was good. 

‘Aashiq Hun Baharon Ka’ was his other directional film. It had Rajesh Khanna-Zeenat Aman pair. ‘I am in love’ was good, not other songs.

But ‘Aasha’ proved to be more hit album in my view than ‘Apnapan’. ‘Shisha Ho Ya Dil Ho’ is favourite song of people with broken heart and included in almost all albums of sad songs. ‘Dhak Dhak Se Dhadkana Bhula De’, ‘Tum Ko Salaam Hai’ and ‘Jaane Hum Sadak Ke Logon Se’ were good. My favourite song from this movie is ‘Aashao Ke Angan Mein’ after ‘Shisha…’ song. 

His film as director ‘Aas Paas’ too had melodious songs. It has again J.O.’s favourite star Dharmendra and with him, adorable Hema Malini. ‘Tum Jo Chale Gaye To Hogi Badi Kharabi’ is my favourite song from this album. Hema Malini looks more beautiful in pink shirt-pant in this song and Dharmendra also charming. ‘Shahar Mein Charcha Hai’ and ‘Humko Bhi Ghum Ne Mara’ were typical L.P. type songs. Sad song ‘Tu Kahin Aas Paas Hai Dost’ proved to be last song of legend playback singer Mohammad Rafi.

‘Apna Bana Lo’ was directed by him. L.P. were music directors. It had ‘Apne Apne Miya Pe Sab Ko Bada Naaz Hai’ song sung by Asha Bhosle. It seems that it was made for Rekha jee only. She performed it very well. Ashajee mimicked Shamshad Begum with Kahi Pe Nigahe lines in this song. This song can be said female version of ‘Mere Angane Mein Tumhara Kya Kaam Hai’ which was picturised on Rekha’s said to be lover at that time Amitabh Bachchan. ‘Dekho Koi Pyar Na Karna’ and ‘Mujhko Apna Bana Lo’ were Ok.

‘Arpan’ was also hit album from J.O. and L.P. trio. It has my favourite ‘Likhnaewale Ne Likh Dale’. When I was to shift to Amdavad for Divya Bhaskar job, I wrote my final piece in my column ‘Cine Vision’ published in Sunday supplement in Bhavnagar’s daily ‘Saurastra Samachar’. I included lines of this songs in that column piece. Milna Bichhadana Reet Yahi Hai, Har Yahi Hai, Jeet Yahi Hai, Mera Aakharee Geet Yahi Hai... And in final lines where there comes sobbing sound from Lata Mangeshkar, we also get carried away. ‘Pardes Ja Ke Pardesiya’ and ‘Tauba Kaise Hai Nadan’ was also hit song. Anwar’s song ‘Muhabbat Ab Tijarat Ban Gayee Hai’ was also good sad song. Interestingly, ‘Shisha Ho Ya Dil Ho’ and ‘Likhanewale…’ had dancing rhythm but Reena Roy and Parveen Babi performed it standing in respective songs with only facial and hand gestures. This was like ‘Jane Kyon Log Muhabbat Kiya Karte Hain’. 

His next ‘Aakhir Kyon’ was another musically hit film. This time, it had Rajesh Roshan as music director. Famous song is ‘Dushman Na Kare Dost Ne Wo Kaam Kiya Hai’. With Smita Patil singing main part of it, Rajesh Khanna as cameraman played well in this song. ‘Ek Andhera Laakh Sitare’ is also beautiful Ghazal sung by Mohammad Aziz. ‘Shaam Hui Chad Aayee Re Badariya’ is classical song. ‘Saat Rang Mein Khel Rahi Hai’ is evergreen Holi festival song. 

With ‘Aap Ke Saath’, he turned again back to L.P. ‘Jind Le Gaya’ is my one of the favourite song sung by Lata Mangeshkar/Anuradha Paudwal (I doubt who is original singer as songs in both voice can be found on youtube). This had similar aalaap in beginning of song as in ‘Zihal-E-Miskin’ (Ghulami). Salma Agha had become popular due to her ‘Nikaah’ songs. But those were soft songs. In ‘Aap Ke Sath’ L.P. made her sing ‘Mera Naam Salma’ featuring Rati Agnihotri. We used to sing this song with nasal voice. Typical Shabbir Kumar style song ‘Aane wale saal ko salaam’ was regular on Doordarshan around 31^st December.  In this song, veteran Sundar (wrongly spelled as Sunder) says, ‘Huzoor, aap Anand Bakshi Ki Tota Meina Ki kahani suna rahe the’.

His directed movie ‘Bhagwan Dada’ featured not only son in law Rakesh Roshan but also nati (नाती) Hrithik Roshan as child artist. Rajesh Roshan composed tunes for this film. ‘Tujse Pahle’ was typical R.R. song. But it was not J.O. type film and also Rajesh Roshan was not in full form for this film. Rakesh Roshan used to have Kishore Kumar as play back singer most of times, but in this film it was Mohammad Aziz who sang for him and didn’t match at all! Star cast was best- Rajinikanth, Sridevi and Rakesh Roshan, but film was totally failed. It is said that J.O. was sick and hence Rakesh Roshan himself directed some portion of the film. Hence this result! 

His Midas touch was gone by then. His produced and directed ‘Agnee’ was also flop. It has L.P. music but they didn’t also give their good (if not best). ‘Sajni O Sajni’ was regular song on DD but it is OK song. ‘Mil Gaye Dil’ is also OK Song. Mukhada of ‘Kaha Laaya Mera Yaar’ seems to be ‘inspired’ by ‘Tu kaha gayi thi’ from ‘Dharam Karam’. Then came ‘Ajeeb Dastan Hai Ye’ in 1992 but very few (perhaps only those who keep record of each and every Hindi film) may be knowing when it was released and when it was taken off from screen. ‘Aadmi Khilona Hai’ had J.O.’s favourite Jitendra and Reena Roy. But it didn’t attract people as it had neither good story nor music. ‘Afsana Dilwalon Ka’ was his last film which perhaps didn’t last for weeks. Few may be remembering its cast and other things.

Anyways, this happens with many directors and producers. Be it Manoj Kumar or Subhash Ghai. We have lots of good memories in way of J.O.’s films and treasury of melodious songs. May Prabhu bless his soul peace!

             

Girish Karnad: Good film personality, not so good activist

Source: Internet

Jaywant Pandya
What one man can do in his entire life!

Some do nothing notable!

Some do so many things.

Some do many things memorable.

Girish Karnad comes in last category.

But now he is no more. When people woke up today, they shocked to hear this news.

Girish Karnad was progressive writer, director and actor. May be his family background made him so. His mother Krushnabai Mankikar was a young widow with a son, and while training to be a nurse, met Dr. Raghunath Karnad who was a doctor in the Bombay Medical Service. They could not marry for five years because at that time, society did not permit widow marriage. However, progressive Arya Samaj made them married.

Girish Karnad is another gift from Maharashtra to south Bharat and Hindi film industry. He was born in Matheran. His initial schooling was in Marathi. His family moved to Dharwad in Karnataka. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and statistics from Karnatak Arts College, Dharwad (Karnataka University), in 1958. For further studies, he went England and studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics in Oxford.

Karnad proved his mettle as he was elected President of the Oxford Union in 1963.

He worked with Oxford University Press, Chennai for seven years. But his passion was for writing. So, he resigned. Then he started working with local theatre group, The Madras Players in Chennai, then known as Madras. Then he moved to Kannada dramas.

At that time, Kannada literature was highly influenced by Western literature. But Girishjee inspired from C. Rajgopalachari’s version of Mahabharat. No wonder, his ‘Yayati’ and ‘The Fire And The Rain’ was inspired by Mahabharat. His ‘Hayavadan’ play was also based on Hindu literature ‘Yakshagan’ and ‘Kathasaritsagar’. In this play, he narrated story of a woman who feels incompleteness of his husband and exchanges his husband’s friend’s head with his husband’s head.  Reason was her husband’s body was quite thin and weak, while his friend’s body was attractive and healthy. Then with blessing of Maa Durga, she gives them life. Like original story from ‘Kathasaritsagar’, woman namely Padmini accepts his husband’s head on husband’s friend’s body as her husband. Here, original story ends, but Girishjee’s story goes further. Padmini stays with her husband’s head and his friend’s body, but body is getting unhealthy and thin day by day. She goes to the man who had her husband’s body and husband’s friend’s head. Now his body was good. Her husband follows her and sees her with his friend. Fight happens and both gets killed. Padmini also becomes Sati after her husband.

In Yayati, he tried to show sad side of woman in society. When Yayati gets curse, his wife Chitralekha commits suicide because she realized that there is no hope that she will get her married life again. In Naga-Mandala, Appanna marries to Rani but he left and locked her and went to some other woman. When he knows about her wife’s pregnancy he claims her and to tells her that to prove her chastity [14]. This is the attitude of man in many parts of country.

Thus, apparently from his mother’s pain, Girishjee tried to show women’s pain in society.

Girishjee was not those who praised rulers for personal benefit. Through his drama ‘Tughalaq’ he showed Jawaharlal Nehru’s failure of ruling.  

He started acting in 1970 with ‘Samskara’. We often pronounce wrongly some Samskrut and Hindi words. Samsakara is also one of them. But south Bharat has preserved true Hindu dharma and language. That’s why its spelling is ‘Samskara’ and not ‘Sanskara’. Anyways, he ventured in Hindi cinema with ‘Nishant’ film. This film was by Shyam Benegal, great director of parallel or say art cinema. In Nishant, Girishjee played role of school master whose beautiful wife was kidnapped by Zamindar’s sons. When no one dares to raise voice, school master gives fight and awakes villagers against misdeeds of Zamindar.

Girish Karnad had indirect Gujarat connection. He acted in Shyam Benegal’s ‘Manthan’ which was based on Gujarat’s milk co-operative movement. Girishjee played role of Verghese Kurien.

He acted in ‘Swami’ whose songs ‘Ka karu sajani’ and ‘Pal bhar mein ye kya ho gaya’ composed by Rajesh Roshan are very popular even today. He played role of husband of Shabana Azmi who is married to him without her desire. 

Girish Karnad with Master Manjunath in Malgudi days serial, source; Internet

From name ‘Swami’, we get remembrance a little Swami of ‘Malgudi Days’ serial. It was based on R. K. Narayan’s books. I am sure you must have recalled and started singing ‘Tanana Tanana na’ song of this Doordarshan golden age serial. Girishjee played strict father’s role. He acted in popular family drama ‘Khandaan’. This serial had great tv and film actors like Neena Gupta, Mohan Bhandari, Jayant Kriplani and Shekhar Kapoor, Om Puri and Tanuja. He also hosted science based show ‘Turning point’ on Doordarshan. Thus in every way he tried to put society forward.

He made his directorial debut with Vamsha Vriksha (1971), based on a Kannada novel by S. L. Bhyrappa. It won him National Film Award for Best Direction along with B. V. Karanth, who co-directed the film.

He also directed Hindi films like Godhuli and Utsav. Godhuli was based on Kannada novel Tabali neenade Magane, written by S.L. Byrappa. Here, I should mention that reader of this blog post must read S. L. Byrappa’s Aavaran. It exposes manipulation to Bharat’s history by leftist historians. Later in 2013, Girishjee said that "It was my mistake to make two films — Tabbaliyu Neenade Magane and Vamshavruksha — authored by Bhyrappa”.

Since 2015, there is much debate on cow products based science and cow protection. ‘Godhuli’ showed cow importance much earlier. ‘Utasav’ film was produced by Shashi Kapoor. Shashijee was successful hero of commercial cinema but his love was for parallel cinema and play. He established and looked after Prithvi Theatre. He produced films like ‘Junoon’, ‘Kalyug’, ’36 Chowringhee Lane’, ‘Vijeta’ and ‘Utsav’. His ‘Ajooba’ was commercial film. ‘Utsav’ and its songs are now considered as classic. It was age ahead from its time. Few filmmakers have produced or directed film based on Samskrut literature. Shashijee was one of them. ‘Utsav’ was based on ‘Mruchhakatikam’ Samskut drama by Sudraka. Actress Rekha was in full form in this film and acted beautifully as well as erotically. Laxmikant Pyarelal had composed songs based on Hindu rag-ragini. ‘Man kyun behka’, ‘Sanj dhale’, ‘Mere mann baja mrudang’, and ‘Neelam pe nabh chhaye’ were truly melodious songs. Girishjee directed it very aesthetically.

His very little appearance in ‘Meri Jung’ film directed by Subash Ghai and acted by Anil Kapoor, Meenakshi Sheshadri was also memorable. He also acted in notable films like ‘Iqbal’, ‘Door’, ‘8 X 10 Tasveer’, ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ and ‘Tiger Abhi Zinda Hai’. But I remember his role in ‘Sur Sangam’ which was remake of ‘Sankarabharanam’. Film was directed by K. Viswanath who used to make clean film with message. His Hindi films such as ‘Sargam’, ‘Kaamchor’, ‘Shubh Kamna’ ‘Jaag Utha Insaan’, ‘Sanjog’, ‘Eeshwar’, ‘Sangeet’ and ‘Dhanwaan’ were also memorable with great acting by Rishi Kapoor, Jaya Prada, Rakesh Roshan, Rati Agnihotri, Mithun Chakraborty, Sridevi, Anil Kapoor and Vijayashanti.

‘Sur Sangam’ was story of classical music maestro who is trying to find a successor for his rare craft. If I am not wrong, classical music singers Rajan and Sajan Mishra both sang simultaneously for Girish Karnad. This was I think this was unique experiment done by Laxmikant Pyarelal. ‘Aaye soor ke panchhee aaye’, ‘jaaun tore charan kamal par vari’ and ‘dhanya bhag seva ka avasar paya’ are memorable.

Girish Karnad in protest against mob lynching, source: Internet

However, in his later life, Girish Karnad was in news for his political views. He opposed Narendra Modi’s candidature for Prime Ministership in 2014 general elections. Girish Karnad was always opponent to BJP for her ideology. But it should be noted that he got Gnanpeeth award in 1999 when BJP’s alliance was in power. He was admirer of Tipu Sultan of Mysore Kingdom. But actual history says Tipu Sultan was cruel forcing non muslim to embrace Islam.

Mysore Gazetteer says he (Tipu Sultan) was signalized by the forcible circumcision of many thousands of Indian Christians and their deportation to Seringapatam. In January 1788 Tipu descended to Malabar, and remained there several months arranging for its effective administration and the reformation of its people, calling upon them either to give up their sinful practices or be honoured with Islam.

He with other eminent writers, and film makers opposed sentence of death penalty in Bharat.  He suggested Bengaluru air port to be renamed after Tipu Sultan. He also joined in bandwagon of 'Intolerance of Modi government' gang. He saw mob lynching only from psudo secular view. He supported ‘Tukde Gand’ leader Kanhaiya Kumar. He protested against beef (cow meat) ban in Maharashtra.

I think political activism caused loss to creative actor and writer Girish Karnad. He is survived by his wife Saraswathi, son Raghu and daughter Shalmali Radha Karnad. May Ishwar bless his soul peace!

Three reasons behind Shahrukh Khan's intolerance gimmick

On his 50th birthday, Shahrukh Khan, so called superstar (because as per earning of the films, real superstar is Salman Khan) gave a series of interviews to 'secular' journalists Rajdeep Sardesai and Barkha Dutt. He told that yes, intolerance is increasing in country. And people started reacting against and favour of him.

So, why Shahrukh suddenly jumped in bandwagon of intolerant movement?

There are three reasons. Lets take one by one.

1. Publicity stunt for his upcoming film 'Dilwale':

Shahrukh Khan is said to be very insecure person. Nowadays Salman Khan,  Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgan have gone far ahead in terms of earning and giving hit films. So at this point Shahrukh's reputation is at stake. He is in pressure to give hit film to continue in race of superstar.

His immediately next film will be Dilwale. It will be released on 18th December 2015. It will have to face tough competition with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. Shahrukh and Sanjay's -not so good relations- are well known in film industry. At time of Shahrukh's  Om Shanti Om release, Bhansali's Saavaria also released. Bhansali's film didn't perform well on box office. But since then, Bhansali has got stronger. His film has new and -lucky for success-pair of stars i.e. Ranvir Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra. In this case, Shahrukh had to do a publicity stunt because his film has he himeself and Kajol in lead role which would be not liked so much in comparison to new age hRanvir and Deepika.

Shahrukh Khan's showing insecure was evident in past many times. When Akshay Kumar was giving successive hit films with director Priyadarshan, Shahrukh Khan snatched him on his side and produced a film called Billu Barber. But Saloon and beauty parlour associations protested against title and 'Barber' word had to be removed from title.

After then Shahrukh Khan didn't like hit pair of actor Ajay Devgan and director Rohit Shetty. So he brought Shetty on his side and produced film 'Chennai Express'. Upcoming film Dilwale is also directed by Shetty. Shahrukh's film Jab Tak Hai Jaan directed by late Yash Chopda was to be released on Diwali 2012 with Ajay Devgan home production's Son Of Sardaar. At that time Ajay Devgan complained to Competition Appellat Tribunal for not getting enough single screen theatres. Shahrukh Khan apparently always tries to make Ajay jealous by showing physical proximity with his actor wife Kajol.

2. KKR case with Ed
It is well known fact that Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again summoned on 28th October 2015 actor Shah Rukh Khan, the owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise, in connection with the ongoing investigations into irregularities in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Khan had been summoned in last May too, but he had sought time to appear before the investigating agency. Neither Khan nor any KKR official could be reached for comment. The actor was at that time out of town shooting for Rohit Shetty’s movie, Dilwale.

The ED is investigating two separate sales of shares by the KKR in 2009 and 2010 to Sea Island Investment Ltd, a Mauritius-based company.

The agency has alleged that the shares were undervalued. The allegations are based on a report submitted by chartered accountancy firm, Chokshi & Chokshi LLP.

As per Indian Express report, according sources, Chokshi & Chokshi was appointed to audit the value of the equity shares of certain IPL franchises to arrive at the correct valuation of the sales of shares.

A major contention of some of the IPL franchises is that sale of shares in the early days of the IPL was at a time when there was little in terms of valuations, with controversy surrounding the league.

So obviously Shahrukh had not liked this legal procedure which was not in place in UPA government to which Shahrukh Khan believed to have warm relations.

3. Closeness to Sonia G, Rahul G:
It is well known fact that Shahrukh Khan is very close to Sonia Gandhi family. It was publicly evident from the visuals/images/pictures of Shahrukh Khan-Gauri enjoying IPL cricket match with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra. So Shahrukh Khan has jumped in present ongoing movement of trying to create image of Bharat (India) as intolerant under Narendra Modi's government, on apparently behest of Congress and Sonia Gandhi. 

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo Music: Full Of Surprises

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo film by Sooraj Badjatya will be releasing on this Diwali. I could not resist my self from writing on its music album which is melodious and it is full of surprises.
First of all, in present age when most of films have only three or four songs, it has, like all previous films of Sooraj, 10 sons!
Second surprise is that it has not Raam-Laxman as music director who has given three musical hit films with Sooraj. Sooraj had tried Anu Malik in Main Prem Ki Deewani Hun but film music was not up to mark. It was more like Anu Malik type of music then Sooraj type of music.
Then Sooraj returned to Ravindra Jain who had long association with Rajashree banner. Sooraj and Jain gave good musical album of Vivah. Now Sooraj has brought in Himesh Reshmiya which seems because of Salman Khan. Salman Khan is god father of Reshmiya as well as Sajid-Wajid.
Another surprise is Palak Muchhal.
 Palak Muchal voice in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is so similar to Shreya Ghoshal.
 Vineet Singh who participated in Saregamapa is so sweet giving rememberance of Mohd Rafi (ofcourse he can not match his level) or Sonu Nigam.
 Very surprising fact is Himesh Reshmmiya who doesnt sing in his high pitch and nosal voice for this film. His song's lyrics will be remembered for ever because it is about childhood. Song is well written.
Shaan song aaj unse milna hai will give first remembarance of Kishore Kumar's song Aaj unse mulakat hogi but it is quite.
 Jab tum chaho song is wife or girlfriend special. All wives would like it.
Overall, this music album is full of surprises.

Great Loss To Music! Music Director And Lyricist Ravindra Jain no more!

Raj Kapoor with Ravindra Jain

Sad news! Ravindra Jain passed away! He was not just music director but lyricist also. He was blind from vision, but had great inner sight.

Gave so many melodious films.Starting from 1973 to 2006, for almost 33 years he contributed to hindi film music. He worked mainly for low budge films but gave highly melodious songs. He mainly worked with not so famous singers at that time such as Yesudas, Hemlata, Jaspal Singh, Shailendra Singh etc.

Great actor, director and specially known for melodious music, Raj Kapoor tried Ravindra Jain after Shankar Jaikishan and Laxmikant Pyarelal. Pair worked fine and gave best music in Ram Teri Ganga Maili and Henna. Director Sooraj Badjatya also turned to Ravindra Jain after working with Ram-Laxman for three films. Actually Jain had worked for Rajshree production which belongs to Sooraj Badjatya. Sooraj and Jain worked for two films 'Vivah' and 'Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi'. However, 'Ek Vivah..' was not directed by Sooraj. Vivah music was very melodious.

His some of the best songs as per my choice are:
Sajna hai mujhe (Saudagar),

Le jayenge dilwale duhaniya le jayenge (Chor Machaye Shor)

Ghunghroo kee tarah,(Chor Machaye Shor),

Gori tera gaon bada pyara, (Chitchor)

Aaj se pahle, (Chitchor)

Jab deep jale aana, (Chitchor)

Tu jo mere sur mein (Chitchor),

Ankhiyon ke jharokho se (Ankhiyon ke jharokho se)

Kai din se mujhe, (Ankhiyon ke jharokho se)

Bade badai na kare (Ankhiyon ke jharokho se)

Le to aaye ho humka (Dulhan wohi jo piya man bhaye),

O Goriya re (Naiyya)

Thande thande paani se (Pati Patni Aur Woh),

In ankho ko tum dekho (Sunayna),

Geet Gaata chal (Geet Gaata Chal),

Shyam teri bansi (Geet Gaata Chal),

Mangal bhawan amangal hari (Geet Gaata Chal),

Kon disa mein leke chala hai (Nadiya Ke Paar),

Ram Teri Ganga Mailee (All songs),

Chhale pade baalo mein (Ye Aag Kab Bujhegi),

Henna (All songs),

and

Vivah (Do anjane ajnabi).

He also gave music in television serials such as 'Dada dadi ki kahaniyan',  'Ramayan', 'Alif Laila', 'Shree Krishna'.

Salman Sir's maths

Image below is self exploratory.

Holi Aayee and Jambhul Pikalya Zadakhali- Two Great Songs

Some songs are really great. One such song is Holi Aayee Holi Aayee Dekho Holi Aayee re. We remember and hum this song on every Holi festival. As many know, this song is from Mashaal movie starring Dilip Kumar, Waheeda Rahman, Anil Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri and Amrish Puri. This film worked for Anil Kapoor as it came in his very early period of career and he faced Dilip Kumar with great efforts and succeeded. This was Yash Chopra movie as well. Music was composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar, brother of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle. He has worked very little for Hindi films but given gem songs. Before I take you to another song enjoy this song. lyrics are given below.

Lyrics of the song:

O holi aayee, holi aayee dekho holi aayee re - (2)
 Khelo khelo rang hai, koi apne sang hai bhiga bhiga ang hai
 O holi aayee, holi aayee dekho holi aayee re - (2)
 Behaki behaki chal hai, chehra neela lal hai, divane kya hal hai
 Ho masto par hai mastee chhayee dekho holi aayee re
 O holi aayee, holi aayee dekho holi aayee re
 
 Jo laye rang jivan me, use holi me paya hai - (2)
 Batau kya tumhe yaaro kise maine bulaya hai
 Ya mat bula ya bata dil kee baate
 Naa chhupa duneeya se choree hai kya
 Yeh ladakee hai ya kalee, mayee dekho holi aayee re
 O holi aayee, holi aayee dekho holi aayee re
 
 Yehi din tha yehi mausam, juban jab hamane kholi thee - (2)
 Kahan abb kho gaye woh din kee jab apani bhee holi thee
 Tum ho toh har rat diwali, har din meree holi hai - (3)
 Are yeh kya chakkar hai bhai dekho holi aayee re
 O holi aayee, holi aayee dekho holi aayee re
 
 Hamara kaun duneeya me, yahan jo hai paraya hai - (2)
 Magar apna laga koi yeh aisa kaun aaya hai
 Itana kya majbur hai, dil kyon gum se chur hai, too hee sabase dur hai
 Dilon ko pas bahut le aayee dekho holi aayee re
 (O holi aayee holi aayee dekho holi aayee re)
 Aa han han holi aayee re, dekho jee holi aayee re, aayee jee holi aayee re
 O holi aayee, holi aayee dekho holi aayee re - (2)

Now listen this song. 

जांभुळ पिकल्या झाडाखाली, ढोल कुणाचा वाजं जी
ढोल वाजं जी, वाजं जी ढोल वाजं जी, ढोल कुणाचा वाजं जी

येंधळ येडं पाय कुनाचं, झिम्मा फुगडी झालं जी
झिम्मा झालं जी, फुगडी फुगडी झालं जी,  झिम्मा फुगडी झालं जी

समिंदराचं भरलं गाणं, उधानवारं आलं जी
येड्यापिश्या भगतासाठी पुरतं लागिरं झालं जी
लागिरं झालं जी, लागिरं लागिरं झालं जी, पुरतं लागिरं झालं जी

मोडून गेल्या जुनाट वाटा, हा बोभाटा झाला जी
चोचीमंदी चोच टाकुनी, दाणं उष्ट झालं जी
उष्ट झालं जी, उष्ट उष्ट झालं जी, दाणं उष्ट झालं जी

जांभळीच्या झाडाखाली, कोयडं बोल बोलं जी
जांभळीचं बन थोडं, पिकूनं पिवळं झालं जी
ढोल वाजं जी, वाजं जी ढोल वाजं जी, ढोल कुणाचा वाजं जी

Found both songs having similar tunes? Are you thinking Hindi song copied? You are half right. Both songs having similar tunes. While Hridaynath made elder sister Lata Mangeshkar singing first song (i.e. Holi Aayee) with Kishore Kumar and Mahendra Kapoor, he made Ashatai singing later song. Later song is from Marathi film Jait Re Jait, which means win-win. Mohan Agashe and Smita Patil acted in it. It was produced by one of the great Mangeshkar sisters-Usha tai. It was directed by Dr. Jabbar Patel. It won President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film in Marathi at National Film Awards. 

Jait Re Jait was released in 1977 while Mashaal in 1984. So it is obvious that later film song was totally converted to Hindi song. Both have its own flavour or mood. 

Hum Bhukhe Nango Ka Raj Zaroor Ayega!

What a dialogue! On Tuesday night (in fact Wednesday morning) I rewatched Mera Naam Joker and Shree 420 back to back on Zee Classic. Yesterday was Raj Kapoor's death anniversary. In the initial scenes of Shree 420 when Raj wants to sleep on footpath, his friend staying on footpath says satirically: मैं न कहता था, हम भूखे नंगो का राज एक दिन जरूर आयेगा। 

When you rewatch a film every time, you find a new thing which you may not have marked earlier. When in club Maya (Nadira) asks Raj to pretend as Rajkumar. ‪#‎Raj_Kapoor‬ scrolls his hand on face. Upper face shows cute, innocent, honest and joker Raj but after hand is passed his face changes to very smart and cunning Raj. (In background tune of Kisi Ki Muskurahato pe ho nissar plays. The song was taken in Anadi, four years after Shree 420 released . This was another speciality of Raj Kapoor. He used to use tune as background music which was later used in his films).

 Hats off to Raj Kapoor! 

Kyunki Saas's Baa is no more!

Late Om Shivpuri

Sudha Shivpuri as Baa in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi

Ritu Shivpuri

Sudha Shivpuri passed away. She was wife of famous character actor late Om Shivpuri. She was famous for playing long running serial 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi' and her character of Baa was also stayed for long in the serial. Serial story went through leap of generation, but Baa's character was kept alive in serial for which there were made lot of jokes. She lived character.

She was mother of small time actress Ritu Shivpuri who acted in film like 'Aankhen' (Govinda fame).

Sudhajee had acted in films such as Swamy, Burning Train, Insaaf Ka Taraazu, Hamari Bahu Alka, Saawan Ko Aane Do, Vidhaata, Maya Memsaab etc. Heartily sharddhanjali to her.

Sab Se Bada Rupaiya: One Song,Three Versions

New generation knew it by movie Bluffmaster song. Yes, I am talking about 'Sab Se Bada Rupaiya' remix version.

It was originally sung by Mehmood. Film name was 'Sab Se Bada Rupaiya'. The film was produced by Mehmood himself. Music was given by Basu Deo Chakravarty and Manohari Singh with name Basu-Manohari. Both were assistant to Rahul Dev (R D) Burman. Lyrics were by Mazrooh Sultanpuri. This song is loosely based/inspired from 42nd street (Year 1933).

But story doesn't end here. Original Song stretches to music director C. Ramchandran who was known for lighter songs. Movie name is Sargam. Song is picturized on Raj Kapoor. Enjoy the song.

Now tell me which song is best according to you.

Bengali-Telugu version of Kannadi Koodum Kootti!

This Bengali song 'Akashe Batashe' from 'Moner Majhe Tumi' was composed on tune copied from Kannadi Koodum Kootti song. This Bengali song is also very melodious. It has altogether different type of lyrics. I couldn't understand much Bengali (and I didn't find English translation of Bengali song), but I understood that song says, lets fly in sky. Malayalam song is of boy and girl's love while Bengali song is of childhood. But both songs' audios and videos are very much enjoyable. Bengali song is from movie Moner Majhe tumi. This movie was joint venture of Bangladesh and Bharat! Song is sung by Kavita Krishnamurthy and Sadhana Sargam. (After revisitng this blog post, I found embedded youtube video not working because it has been taken down. So putting link. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3da1k9 )

Moreover, this Bengali movie is remake of Telugu movie Manasantha Nuvve. So whole video and tune was totally copied from Telugu movie. But I didn't find Telugu song much enjoyable in comparison to Malayalam and Bengali version. To add more surprise, Hindi movie Jeena Sirf Mere Liye was remake of Manasantha Nuvve. But old generation people who have seen Jeena Sirf Mere Liye or Mansantha Nuvve would say it's original film is 'Anmol Ghadi' which featured Surendra, Suraiya, and Noorjehan.

Here is video of telugu song, Tuneega Tuneega from movie Manasantha Nuvve. (After revisitng this post, embedded youtube video of telugu song doesnt show, so putting link. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eFlgLc2wDWI )

Enjoy!

Kannaadi koodum kootti, What a Song!

By chance I found this song Kannaadi koodum kootti and what a song! Singers are two of my favourite #Yesudas and #Chithra. Movie is #Pranayavarangal. I tried to sing with song by searching lyrics, though tongue twisted but I enjoyed so much that I am continuing listening this song. Long live Yesudas and Chithra.

Nanda : Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Tha!

So, one more star has fallen!
60s decade is known as golden era in Hindi film industry! And those who have worked in that era were really having good luck and they gave us very clean and real entertainment. Nanda was among such artists.
Nanda represents two extreme ends: You remember very peaceful and religious song Allah Tero Naam and face of Nanda comes in mind. If you remember very sensuous song, Nanda in white gown emerges in your memory. So Nanda could represent both faces very well.
Many few artists are there in Hindi film industry who have succeeded after they started career as child artists. Jugal Hansraj, Hansika Motwani, Raju Srestha, Junior Mehmood, Sachin (Pilgaonkar) are such names who didn't succeed much. But Nanda's case was different. She started her career as Baby Nanda. Actually her family was totally film industry related. How?
Her father was well known actor and director - Master Vinayak. Full name Vinayak Damodar Karnataki. He was maternal cousin of well known actor and director V. Shantaram. Master Vinayak is also known for giving break or chance to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar in his film Pahilee Mangalagaur. Nanda's brother Jayprakash Karnataki is also actor-director. His wife Jayshree T. is famous face of Hindi/Gujarati film industry. So, naturally film was in air of this family.

Nanda with brother Jayprakash Karnataki

Nanda started her career as child artist and her first film was Mandir. Break was given by her father Master Vinayak. Then her uncle and legendary actor-dirctor V. Shantaram casted her in Toofan Aur Deeya.  Interestingly, Nanda's last film according imdb.com, is 'Diya Aur Toofan'! Nanda witnessed Toofan (storm) in her life and acted as 'Diya' (lamp) for her family.
Her father died when she was eight years old, so Nanda came in film industry and with her earnings she helped her family. She remained unmarried till 1992 but when she found love - legendary producer-director Manmohan Desai, and engaged with him, in just two years Manjee died! She again remained single!
In childhood her father used to relate stories of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Capt. Lakshami, Mahatma Gandhi etc. Her parents were instrumental in imparting high moral and cultural values in all of children. This was the time when the young girl dreamt of becoming another Capt. Lakshami, but her father's death brought her in film industry! (Actually her father has made her acted in his film 'Mandir' and in this film Nanda played role of a boy! But acting was not her first choice, as she said in one of her interviews. While this film was being made, her father died and film was completed by Dinkar Patil. So Nanda decided to continue her film career as child artist.)
First film she did Jaggu(1952) as a child artiste in which Shyama was playing the heroine. In 1954 she did Shankaracharya and Jagad Guru. In the same year she did Angaray directed by K.B. Lal that starred Nargis and Nasir Khan and had a good supporting cast that included Vanmala, Jagirdar, Jeevan among others. Then she did Dinkar Patil's Kuldaivat followed by Shevgacha Shenga produced by Sadashiv Row Kavi and directed by Shantaram Athavle. But her big break was definitely Toofan Aur Deeya.

But Nanda didn't get role in Toofan Aur Deeya just because she was niece of Shantaram. There is interesting story behind this. Actually there was some marriage function at Shantaram's place. Shataram called up Nanda's elder sister Meena and requested her to also get Nanda for the marriage but with a saree on. Nanda did the same and in the middle of the party, Shantaram came up to them and promptly told Meena, "She is the heroine of my next film." But when Meena said that Nanda looked too young to be a heroine of a film, Shantaram shot back saying, "The story of my film involving a brother and a sister demands a young girl and I am sure Nanda will fit the role perfectly." Now the girl Baby Nanda became Nanda.
One interesting incidence of Baby Nanda should be presented here. Raj Kapoor knew Master Vinayak very well through his previous association. Rajji was making Boot Polish. It so happened that he was auditioning a lot of child artistes for the film, among whom besides Baby Naaz and Baby Tabbasum (Phool Khile Hai Gulshan Gulshan show fame),  Nanda was also there. After the screen test, he called Nanda over, spoke high about her father Master Vinayak and then lamented, "Sorry, I can't take you in the film because in no way do you look like a beggar."
She was brave enough to refuse give in to the temptation of a regular income which would come with being shackled by a long-term contract to a big studio. Instead, she played sister to stars like Raaj Kumar (Dulhan) or Dev Anand (Kaala Bazaar) and doing small roles in big films like Dhool Ka Phool. She got Bhabhi and Dulhan (1957), Agra Road, Pehli Raat and Chhoti Bahen(1959) and Kala Bazar (1960).

Nanda in Chhoti Bahen

The title role of L V Prasad's Chhoti Bahen and its superhit rakhsha bandhan song Bhaiya Mere Rakhee Ke Bandhan Ko Nibhana made Nanda a true star. The audiences wept copiously along with Nanda, as they followed the tear-soaked arc of her many travails (rejection from a beloved brother, tounting sister-in-law, blindness), in the film.
After Chhoti Bahen was super hit, Nanda started getting good offers. Now Nanda became heroine in true sense. Nanda played sister of Dev Anand in Kala Bazar and then acted as his heroine in Hum Dono! She played the second lead in B R Chopra's production Dhool Ka Phool (1959), but now she was the heroine of his next release, Kanoon (1960)!
She acted in Char Diwari (with Shashi Kapoor in 1961), Aaj aur Kal and Usne Kaha Tha (both with Sunil Dutt in 1963). Soon big banners started approaching her with good offers. "I excelled in doing emotional roles. It was said in filmy circles that it was first Meena Kumari and then me who excelled in doing emotional type of roles," Nanda said in one interview. It should be noted that both Meena Kumari and Nanda acted together in Abhilasha.

Nanda in Jab Jab Phool Khile

Nanda also acted against Shashi Kapoor's elder brother Raj Kapoor in Aashiq and she had no problem in acting against relatively new comers like Dharmendra (Mera Kasoor Kya Hai) and Manoj Kumar (Bedaag). Although, Nanda's film with Shashi Kapoor Char Diwari didn't do well, this pair gave super hit film Jab Jab Phool Khile. Jab Jab Phool Khile brought Nanda's glamorous image before audience. Obviously reason was song Ye Sama! (Remake of Jab Jab Phool Khile- Raja Hindustani also proved turning point in Shashi Kapoor's grand niece Karishma Kapoor's film career. Before this film, Karishma Kapoor never looked so beautiful and graceful.)

Nanda in Ittefaq

Nanda was ever ready to experiment. That's why she accepted role of criminal in Yash Chopra's film Ittefaq. This film was based on Gujarati play Dhummas in which Arvind Joshi, father of actor Sharman Joshi (Three Idiots fame) played lead role. Later on Nanda made a pair with Rajesh Khanna and both acted in The Train, Joroo Ka Ghulam. She acted with Manoj Kumar as heroine in Gumnaam, a suspense thriller film and Shor. Shor was last film of Nanda as heroine. She was not able to adjust working atmosphere of 70s. So she gradually retired.
But she returned back to work as mother roles. Thus she did Prem Rog, Ahista Ahista and Mazdoor. In all three films, she acted as mother of Marathi actress Padmini Kolhapure. It is interesting incident how Nanda got Prem Rog film of Raj Kapoor.

Nanda In Prem Rog

Rajji met Nanda at Yash Johar's (father of producer, director Karan Johar) party at her best friend Waheeda Rehman's house. Naturally Rajji talked to Nanda and asked why she was not doing films. Nanda gave an excuse, but Rajji immediately offered her a film. Nanda didn't accept film but said she would think after reading script. Two or three days after this party, Rajji called Nanda and said she would be fit the role of chhoti bahu. Next day Jainendra Jain, writer, came at Nanda's house with script. After going through script, Nanda accepted Prem Rog.
For Nanda, as I said above, life was full mix of emotions. Tragedy was big part of it. She didn't get love when she really needed most. When she got, it lasted very short. She engaged with produce-director Manmohan Desai. Interesting thing is that both never worked together!
Her affair with Manmohan Desai was shortlived as within two years after their engagement on June 18, 1992, Desai expired. But though she found this phase sweetest phase of her life. In this period she came to know what love is and she got the reason to live. They had plan to get married. That was the time when Nanda's mother contracted Cancer and she being deeply attached to her mother was constantly besides her.
Manji said he would not marry her now as if he did, Nanda's love would get divided between her mother and Manji. Nanda got two bad and shocking news in very short period. First her mother mother expired in 1993 while in the following year she lost Manji.

Rare picture of yesteryear's beautiful actresses together
(From left) Nanda, Waheeda, Helan and Sadhana.

But then after also she learnt to balance her life and her costars and actresses of 60s Asha Parekh, Waheeda Rehman, Shammi, Helen remained in touch. Their friendship was like a club. But she rarely came in public in her late life.
We will miss you when ever we see Bhaiya Mere Rakhi Ke Bandhan Ko Nibhana or Ye Sama Sama Hai Ye Pyar Ka or Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai!

Known songs: Unknown actors

Some times it happens in Hindi cinema that very very melodious song is either badly picturised or on relatively unknown actors.

When tv was not so much available (and still so many songs are not shown on tv) we used to listen songs on radio and tried to visualize on whom and in what situation it might have been picturised. This is such song. Jane kaisa hai mera deewana. Film Aansoo ban gaye phool. Sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. Music composed by Laxmikant Pyaeelal. But on whom it is picturised?

Alka Bir Sakuja, Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool actress

Well, you can identify hero Deb Mukherjee, brother of romantic hero Joy Mukherjee. But heroine is very unknown. Her name for screen is Alka Bir Sakuja but real name is Firdaus. She was appreciated for her beauty but not for acting talent. She had also acted in Khilona against Sanjeev Kumar. She has played sister of Shatrughan Sinha in Kalicharan film.

Another such song is Ek tera saath humko do jahan se pyara hai. Film Wapas. Sung by Mohammad Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar.  Music director again L-P. Alka Bir Sakuja also acted in it but this song was picturised on lead pair Shekhar Purohit and Azra. Both were not known so much.
Now let's take one more song. Film Buddha mil gaya. Hero was Naveen Nischal. But heroine? Many might have forgotten her name. She was Archana. It was her only movie. But songs picturised on her were still popular, be it Raat kali ek khwab mein aayi or bhali bhali si ek surat.

If you take video films (i.e. films were available only on vhs or in today's terminology you may call them music videos) made by Gulshan Kumar of Super Cassette and T Series, most of all sings were quite melodious, but actors were and still quite unknown (even after film release). E.g. Lal Dupatta Malmal ka. All songs composed by Anand-Milind starting from Kya karte the sajna to Suni suni ankhiyon mein were hit and melodioua too. But who were the lead pair? Well hero was Saahil Chaddha and heroine name is Viverly. Saahil Chaddha is comparatively known as he acted as one of the sons of Amitabh Bachchan in Baghban. But Viverly is seen only in its sequel (yes sequel was rare, but this movie's sequel waa made.).

Gulshan Kumar made another such film - Aayee milan ki raat. Heroine was Shaheen. She made sensation at that time because she is niece of famous actress Saira Banu. Later she married to B grade hero Sumeet Saigal. In Aayee milan ki raat hero was Avinash Wadhawan. Comparatively known face as he is still acting on small screen. This film had also melodious songs-kitne dinon ke baad hai aayee sajna raat milan ki, kasam se kasam se, maine kisi ko dil de diya, mat to mere dil etc..

Jeena teri gali mein produced by Gulshan Kumar too had melodious songs like tere hum ai sanam (sung by Kumar Shanu who was new comer at that time), teri baahon mein hai jannat meri sung by S. P. Balasubramaniam, Jaate ho pardes piya sung by Nitin Mukesh (for new generation, father of Neil Nitin Mukesh). By default all songs were sung by Anuradha Paudwal who was regular in T series. Now who were lead pair in this film? Hero was Suraj. His other film was Pyar hua chori chori in which Mithun Chakraborty was lead actor. Lead actress of Jeena teri gali mein was Kavita Kapoor. Yes, same Kavita Kapoor whom you appreciated in tv soap Saas and one of the most successful and longest running comedy serial Yes Boss! She was very slim in this film. 

We are talking about known songs picturised on unknown actors but at this point you may feel that I am continuosly talking about Gulshan Kumar's films, but I have to because he made such films. Now take this Bahar aane tak. Its song were such melodious that on Vividh Bharti (Mumbai) , famous radio announcer Ameen Sayani said in this film advertisement: Aisa lagta hai jaise film ke gaane Rajesh Roshan ne naheen, unke pitajee swargiya Roshan sahab ne compose kiyen hain. Remember its songs? Mohabbat inayat sung by Pankaj Udhas, Kali teri choti hai paranda tera lal ni (sung by Mangal Singh who also could not succeed much), Ek pal hasna jo chaha, etc.

Gulshan Kumar produced another films Aashiqui, Dil hai ki manta nahin, Meera ka mohan, Kasam teri kasam, Bewafa sanam and Papa the great. But they are not included as the had either known faces (before or after the release of the film) or not so much good songs.
If we talk about bad picturisation, there may be long list of the songs. To name few-

(1) Ye jo mohabbat hai (atleat Ihad not imagined that this song is sung by drunken kaka)

(2) Patta patta buta buta- well, this gem song is picturised on Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan) but Amitabh was still passing through bad initial phase.

(3) Dum dum diga diga- Beautiful song was wasted by showing Raj Kapoor running after wine bottle!

(4) Milo na tum to hum ghabraye- what a song! But picturised on Priya Rajwansh whose only talent or luck was 
that she was favourite of Chetan Anand. In this song, Raaj Kumar doesn't look good dancing like bouncing or jumping whatever you call it.

(5) Chap tilak sab chhen li- originally penned by Aamir Khushroo, this song is sung by so many singers from Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, Richa Sharma (on tv music singing show Dhoom macha de). But in Main tulsi tere angan ki, L-P had composed and orchestred in way that there was good scope of dance and expression but somehow director Vijay Anand failed.