The hundred years of Indian cinema is an occasion to try and remember the top ten movies I have seen over the years and live the experience and good time they have given me over these years. The ranking is purely my own and readers can have different opinion. The purpose is to recall these great movies and mention their salient features which made them all time favourites with movie fans both in India and abroad.
Ten : Do Aankhen Barah Haath
At number ten is the V Shantaram produced and directed film Do Aankhen Bara Haath in which he also starred. The 1957 movie is now seen as a classic Indian movie. It is based on a true story - an experiment conducted on 'open prisons' in the princely state of Aundh now in Sangli district of Maharashtra State. Shantaram was already a force to reckon with in Hindi and Marathi films for making socially relevant films when this movie was released. It told the story of a jailer who tries to reform six convicted for murder prisoners by keeping them in an open jail. He works by their side on a dilapidated rural farm to produce a great harvest. The process of rehabilitation of these criminals by the young warden named Adinath is the core of the movie.
The end is tragic as Adinath is killed by corrupt persons who do not want competition in their markets from the open jail prisoners.The irony of prisoners getting reformed and free persons plotting the murder of the reformist jail warden is not lost on the viewer.
The movie had excellent music by Vasant Desai and one of its songs 'Aaye Maallik Tere Bandhe Hum' has gained an almost iconic status. Another popular song sung in the movie by its heroine and Shantaram favourite Sandhya is "Sainyyan Jhootoon Ka Bada Sartaj Nikla'. Both songs are sung by Lata Mangeshkar and lyrics are by Bharat Vyas.
Besudes V Shantaram in the main lead it also starred Sandhy and Ulhas.The story and screen play were by G.D. Madgulkar.The length of the movie is 143 minutes. In a shooting sequence for a bull fight Shantaram got injured in one of his eyes but did not lose his eyesight.
It went on to win acclaim in both Indian and foreign countries. In 1957, it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film and Best Feature Film in Hindi. In 1958, it went on to win the Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury and the OCIC award at the 8th Berlin International Film Festival. It was nominated for the Golden Globe Award at the same Festival and in 1959 for the Golden Globe Award at the Samuel Goldwyn Awards.
A moralistic movie worth watching even more than fifty years of its release.
Nine : Do Bhiga Zamin
This Bimal Roy directed film is rightly hailed as a trend setter for neo realistic movies in India.It was a story ahead of its time.Today we are seeing in many parts of India the story of the film repeated again and again. Land from farmers is taken away for industrialization. The owner of land is turned into a beggar who has to struggle for a living all his life. The pathetic story is of a farmer who owns two bhigas of land which the rich landlord wants along with other adjoining lands for setting up a profitable industry. The farmer has often borrowed money from the landlord who now tells him to return all the borrowed money along with interest within three months otherwise his land would be auctioned off. The poor farmer goes to Kolkatta to earn the sum so that he can save his land which is his only source of livelihood. The travails he faces while pulling rickshaw in the big city is shown in detail. he collects the required sum only to be told by the landlord that he is late and his land has been sold off. He is not allowed even to take a handful of mud from his land and the movie ends by showing the farmer and his family walking away from what used to be his land once.
Balraj Sahni the ace actor portrayed the role of Shambu the farmer with great finesse. He actually learnt how to pull rickshaw in Kolkatta from actual pullers many of him told him they were indeed victims like Shambu in the movie. Nirupa Roy was in the female lead. Salil Choudhury was the story writer as well as the music director.
Some of its songs are popular today also like Mausam Bheeta Jaye, Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke and Aaja Ri Aa Nindiya Tu Aa.
The movie went on to win the first Filmfare Award for Best Picture and for Bimal Roy the Best Director Award in 1954. It won the Prix International Prize at the 7th Cannes Film Festival and the Prize for Social Progress at the Karlov Vary International Festival.
Do Bhiga Zamin has become a cult movie and is recommended by Indiatimes Movies amongst the Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films.
Eight : Jagriti
Independent India's first movie to have classic patriotic songs written by the eminent poet Kavi Pradeep, one of India's greatest poets and lyricists. The 1954 film is produced and directed by Satyen Bose. The story revolves around a teacher who tries to install values in his students by unorthodox ways. He tells them about Indian culture and wants them to be patriots. Into his boarding school comes a student who is stubborn and the teacher does not seem to be succeeding in mending him. The student befriends a handicapped student who also tries to reform him but without success. One day the student decides to runaway from he hostel and the handicapped friend chases him to stop him. However in the process he meets with an accident and dies. The stubborn student realizes the sacrifice of his friend and mends his ways under the guidance of his teacher to excel in his studies and sports.
The movie went on to win the Best Feature Film in Hindi from the National Award and the Best Film Award from Filmfare in 1956 and for Abhi Bhattacharya who plays the role of the teacher the Filmfare Best Supporting Award.
The movies patriotic songs are evergreen and music was by Hemant Kumar. The immortal songs are Aao Bachon Tumhe Dikhaye Jhanki Hindustan Ki, De Di HAme Azadi, Hum LAye Hain Toofan Se Kishti Nikaal Ke and the mournful Chale Chale Ma sung by Kavi Pradeep and Asha Bhosle.
Seven: Junglee
This 1961 film was a trend setter in many ways. It lifted the Hindi movies to new heights of pure entertainment. It was produced and directed by Subodh Mukherjee and had Shammi Kapoor in the male lead. It was the movie which introduced Saia Banu into Bollywood. Backed by fantastic music by the evergreen music duo of Shankar-Jaikishen it had hit songs which are popular today also. Its Yahoo song became the symbol of the young generation and its cry for freedom.
It also started the trend of Bollywood films shooting in Kashmir. It was the first film to bring the natural beauty of Kashmir on the silver screen. Film after film followed with shooting in Kashmir. Tourism to Kashmir received a big boost because of Junglee.
The story of the movie is about a strict mother played by Lalitha Pawar who considers love and laughter to be the vices of poor families and not virtues of aristocratic families. Shammi Kapoor goes to Kashmir with his sister, who dares to laugh and fall in love, to try to keep her away from both. But he himself falls in love with Saira Banu in the role of a Kashmiri girl. How both the couples manage to convince Lalitha Pawar that love and laughter are basic and natural to human nature is the plot of the story.
The evergreen songs some of them sung in scenic Kashmir locales are Kashmir Ki Kali Hoon Main, Nain Tumhare Mazedar, Din Sara Guzara Tore Angna, Yahoo Chahe Koyi Mujhe Junglee Kahe, Ja Ja Ja Mere Bachpan, Aaiyya Aaiyya Sukoo Sukko and Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par.
The 150mminute movie is a treat to watch today also.
Six : Ardh Satya
Ardh Satya directed by Govind Nihalani and screenplay by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar was a defining film in many ways.The 1983 film rightly identified the growing unholy nexus between the mafia, police and the corrupt politicians and the marginilization of the honest cop. The powerful portrayals by its cast raised the movie to heights of realism. It hit the audiences hard and brought out how society would be harmed by such unholy alliances between corrupt persons. The 130 minute length filmwas released in 1983.
The story revolves around a honest cop played by Om Puri who finds himself gradually becoming impotent due to the nexus between local goons, corrupt politicians and the police. The idealism with which he joined the police force evaporates wen he sees the real world of deals within deals. His zeal to book the wrong doers brings him into direct clash with the powerful local mafia boss, played to perfection by another fine actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar. He rejects the advances of the mafia boss but soon is in trouble again. He arrests three persons who are the local MLA's supporters. The MLA wants him to be suspended as he refuses to release the arrested persons. He does not find support in his police force. He gets frustrated and takes to heavy drinking. One day he beats up a prisoner mercilessly and causes his death.
The ideal policeman is now in real trouble of being arrested and losing his job. He is advised to go to the local mafia boss who can help him. Reluctantly he goes to him. The boss is waiting for this day. He puts dirty conditions for helping him. This infuriates the police man and he just gets up and kills the gangster and surrenders himself to the police.
The movie was ahead of its time and rightly predicted what we see very commonly these days. Om Puri in the role of a copwas superb and his career took off with it. The movie had actors like Amrish Puri, Smita Patil, Amrapurkar,Shafi Inamdar, Satish Shah and Naseeruddin Shah. With such galaxy of trained actors the movie was bound to make a deep impact on the audiences. The growing anger of the helpless honest Indian was brought out very effectively bu Nihalani.
Ardh Satya went on to win seven National. Filmfare and International Awards. It won the Filmfare Awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor(Amrapurkar), Best Screenplay and Best Story. Om Puri went on to win the National Award and the Karlov Vary International Film Festival Best Actor Awards, in 1983/ 84.
Itis truly one of Indian cinema's landmark films and still one of the best movies on Indian police.
Five : Guide
Guide was released in 1965 and went on to become not only a commrercially hit movie but got acclaimed as a classic masterpiece in Indian cinema. It is based on the novel of same name by the famous author R. K. Narayan. Time magazine has placed it at number five in its list of Best Bollywood Classics. The unusually long 183 minute film went on to win a number of Filmfare and other Awards
It is directed by Vijay Anand, brother of Dev Anand the lead actor and Waheeda Rehaman plays the lead female role. The music was by S. D. Burman and songs were written by Shailendra. The movie was shot by the ace cinematographer Fali Mistry. It was produced by Nav Ketan International the home production company of Dev Anand.
Raju guide played by Dev is a happy go lucky person in the historic city of Udaipur. In comes Rosie played by Waheeda Rehman along with her archeologist husband Monto played by Kishore Sahu. The husband dumps her in a hotel and immerses himself in a cave which he wants to discover and write upon. He neglects Rosie who turns to Raju gude for comfort. They fall in love. She is an accomplished dancer. She dumps Marcos and with help of Raju builds up a successful dancing career. Her success makes Raju insecure and he cheats her accounts .He is caught and jailed. Upon release he does not want to go to his family or Rosie. He sets of for nowhere. He reaches a village and takes night shelter in its temple. The village is suffering from draught and everyone is praying for rains. In the morning the villagers see him and take him to be a godman. They request him to bring rains. He pleads with them that he is not what they think he is. But the simple villagers are not convinced. He undertakes a fast for rains. Everyday he is in stress but soon becomes spritual and transforms into a superior being.
His publicity reaches far and wide. His mother and Rosie both see his photo in the papers and go to see him along with thousands of persons for whom he has now acquired a saintly status. When they reach him he is about to die. As he lay dying it starts raining bringing joy to the village people but sorrow to mother and Rosie. The movie tries to convey that soul never dies it is the body that does as per the message of Gita.
The powerful performances by both Dev and Waheeda fetches them the Filmfare Best Actor Awards.The film goes on to win the Best Film Award from Filmfare. Vijay Anand gets the Filmfare Best Director and Best Dialogue Awards. S D Burman gets the Filmfare Best Music Director Award. Lata Mangeshkar gets thr Filmfare Best Play back Singer Award for the now iconic son Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamana Hai. R K Narayan gets the Best Story Award and Fali Mistry The Best Cinematographer Award.
It was the first Indian movie to show a married woman walking away from her marriage and falling in love with another person. Waheeda was advised against taking up the role of Rosie for the theme was supposed to be very bold for its times. However the movie was not only well recieved but went on to be a box office success and a trend setter.The picturisation of the song Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamana Hai aptly conveys the breaking away of Rosie from a disinterested husband and a failed maririge.
The movie is a fulsome entertainer which uplifts the viewer and the experience lives with you for very long.
Four: Haqeeqat
The India- China war of 1962 had left the nation demoralized. Valiant soldiers had fought the hordes of Chinese intruders and laid down their lives but not before inflicting heavy losses on them. The defeat was a stunning blow to national prestige.It was betrayal by a nation considered a friend by Indians.
It was left to Chetan Anand to bring out the true story of the debacle and Haqeeqat managed to do it realistically in a truthful manner. It starred a galaxy of fine actors like Balraj Sahni, Dharmendra, Priya Rajvanshi, Sanjay Khan, Jayant and Vijay Anand. Shot on actual locales it tells the story of Indian troops placed in small numbers on the Indo-China border with very limited ammunition and rations and inadequate winter clothing. Communications are alsoapoor as tre the border roads.
In October 1962 the Chinese cross the border in wave after wave which the Indian soldiers with limited fire power are unable to stop. The only thing they do is fight valiantly and lay down their lives for the motherland. The helplessness of the front line soldiers to receive command or amminition is aptly brought out in the movie. The 184 minute length movie was released in 1964 and was well accepted by the audiences.
The realistic and touching songs written by Kaifi Azmi are supported by excellent and soulful music by Madan Mohan. The Mohammed Rafi sung song Kar C hale Hum Fida, Jaano Tan Sathiyon, Ab tumahare Hawale Watan Sathiyon has become a cult patriotic song in the country. Other touching songs are Hoke Majboor Mujhe Usne Bholaya Hoga and Main Ye Sonchkar Uske Ghar Se Utha Tha.
It was the first war film which brought out the harsh reality of neglect of our troops resulting inoue defeat and humilition.
Three : Pyasa
This 1957 film by Guru Dutt has becomea cult film the world over esp. in Germany and France. The story is of a failed poet who is shunned by relatives and friends but finds solace in the arms of a prostitute played by Waheeda Rehaman. His poems ae rejected by publishers and this disheartens him. However the prostitute appreciates them. One day he meets his college girl friend who is now married to a publisher only for leading a comfortable life. He feels she can help him get his poems published. Her husband employs him only to keep an eye on him and find out the truth between teir relationship with his wife played by Mala Sinha. However one day he gives his coat with his address to a beggar who is run over by a train. The publisher then declares that the poet is dead and agrees to now publish his poems and make profit. The poet fails to convince everyone that he is very uch alive. He is put in a mental assylum.
Meantime his poems have become a hit and the publisher is holding a felicitation function in a hall. The poet escapes from the assylum and reaches the hall. People recognize him but the publisher buys out his brothers to disown him. With a broken heart he leaves the hall with the prostitute disowning his own poems to lead a new life somewhere else.
The film had mesmerising and stirring songs written by Sahir Ludhianvi and music by S. D. Burman and sung by Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt. These songs are popular today also. The film is overall pessimistic in nature but captures the evil side of humans and relationships beautifully. Guru Dutt excelled in the role of the poet Vijay and so did Waheeda in the role of Gulabo.
The movie has now attained the position of a classic in world cinema and is frequently screened and discussed in seminars and festivals abroad. It is a movie which should be seen for its picturisation, songs, music and acting. Its famous song Jinhe naaz Hai Hind Per Woh kahan hai is apt today also. Another popular song is Sar Jo Tera Chakraye filmed on Jhonny Walker. Hemant Kumar has sung the song Jane Woh kaise Log The and the songs of Geeta Dutt are all a treat to listen
Pyasa is a movie to be surely seen at least once.
Two : Mughal-e-Azam
Mughal-e-Azam was a magnum opus directed by K Asif and released in 1960 to great acclaim and commercial success. It brought out the splendour of the greatest Mughal Akbar and his Court in all its splendour. No cost was spared or cut to make all sets of the movie grand in scale. It was a visual delight to watch the movie. Starring powerful actors like Dilip Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala ,Durga Khote and Ajit, its dialogues and their deliveries by all the actors wrere of a very high order.
If Prithviraj Kapoor looked every bit the king Akbar so did Dilip look a perfect Salim. Madhubala as Anarkali was simply too beautiful on the screen. Supported by classical music by the master Naushad and excellent songs written by Shakeel Bhadayuni its songs are a rage today also. Especially the song Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya sung by Lata and filmed on Madhubala in the exotic Sheesh Mahal set, it has become a cult song of love and defiance for generations thereafter.
A story of Prince Salim falling in love with a courtesan Anarkali and the refusal of Akbar to reconise it is the simple story. She is then walled up on orders of Akbar but releasd and banished from his kingdom so that Salim believes she is dead and concentrates on matters of State and upholds the kahndani ijjat of the eat Mughals. Thec story is not true but is by now a legend of romance.
The movie was made on a budget of Rs 1.5 crores and went on to gross Rs 5.5 crores a record very difficult to beat. The 191 minute film was recently re-released as a 177 minute movie and the original black and white was converted into coloour digitally. The coloured version brings out the sets superbly and is a treat to watch. The movie ran 90% houseful in all the theatrers. It was re-released in 2003.
The movie brought acting laurels to bothh Dilip Kumar and Madhubala. It was hailed as India's answer to grand Hollywood mega movies. Its dialogues were a rage upon its release.
Mughal-e-Azam is one of India's top movies from all view points of movie making and this has made it into a legendary film. Imagine a lakh people were outside Maratha Mandir theatre wanting to buy its ticket upon release in Mumbai.
ONE : Mother India
Mother India is one of India's most revered films. Producer director Mehboob Khan's opus magnum is one of India's highest grossing films ever. It was released in 1957 and was in continuous distribution till mid nineties when satellite and channels altered the movie goers taste. Even today it is one of the handful of movies which are repeatedly watched all over the country. it has got identified with Indian culture in the minds of the masses.
It was produced as an answer to a book written before Indian independence by Katherine Mayo for American audiences. In her book also entitled Mother India she ridiculed Indians liberally and wrote all sort of trash. The film thus acquired a nationalist touch. It was in fact a remake of Khan's earlier movie named Aurat andcmade in 1940.
Mother India tells the story of rural India where for sake of dowry a mother borrows a sum of Rs 500 from the local money lender. The married couple then try to work on their fields to pay off the loan. Dissaters strike and they are not able to pay off the loan. The money lender true to their reputation make life difficult for the couple. One day the husband feeling inadequate goes away leaving the wife with two children to fend for themselves. The moneylender proposes marraige to the mother which she refuses. She struggles to bring up her family and life is obviously tough. One of the children is normal and well behaved. But the other one is full of revenge for the moneylender and also ikeeps troubling the village girls. The mother's efforts to straighten him fail. He also threatens the moneylender whom he has seen insulting his motherand taking away her ornaments. On the day of his daughter's marraige he stikes at the moneylender and takes away his daughter. The mother tries to stop him but in vain. She then shoots him dead to rescue the girl.
In the role of the mother Nargis played her best role winning accolades all round. Sunil Dutt as the bad son was only a film old but got recgnised as an actor of potential. Rajendra Kumar was the good son whose career also took off positively. Raaj Kumar as the weak husband also came into recognition. The moneylenders role was played to perfection by the ace character artiste Kanhayalal and his utterance of the name Radharani (Nargis's name) is simply superb.
Mother India was the costliest movie till Mughal-e-Azam overtook it in 1960. The movie also made record collections all over India and abroad except in USA and England. It won a host of Filmfare Awards for Best Film ,Best Director, Best Actress, Best Cinematographer and Best Soun. Nargis also won the Best actress award at the Karlov Vary Internatinal Film Festival in 1958.
The music of Mother India is by Naushad and lyrics are by Shakeel Bhadayuni. It has 12 songs sung by Rafi, Shamshad Begum, Lata and Manna Dey and each song is popular today also. Its holi song Holi Aaye Re Kanhai by Shamshad Begum is immensely popular and very pleasing to hear. So is Duniya Main hum Aaye Hain to Jeena Hi Padega by the sisters Lata, Meena and Usha Mangeshkars.
Mother India became a base for movies that followed. THe battle between good and bad. The sacrificing mother fighting the evil forces to save her family. Sunil Dutt's character gave rise to the angry young man's image.
The 172 minute film is an eternal Hindi movie watched for its strong portrayals and wonderful classical music.
In this Part two we shall pay tribute to a few more character actors till the seventies and beyond in the centenary year of Hindi films.
The Bollybood's most famous police officer was the character actor Iftekhar. Born in 1920 in Sialkot, he had the distinction of acting in over 400 films, in a career spanning over four decades. He acted in his first film Qazzak ki Ladki, in 1937. In the 40's and 50's he came as a lead actor in a number of films. He was not only handsome but was suave and dignified in the portrayals of various characters on the screen.
He however made a mark for himself as a righteous police inspector in a large number of films. He rose to further heights of acting in the Yash Chopra film Deewar as the one who initiates and mentors Amitabh Bachchan into the world of crime. With Amitabh he played powerful police inspector roles in Zanjeer and Don bith hit films of their times.
He was also a Dev Anand favourite acting with him in hit films like Johnny Mera Naam, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and The Gambler. He also played the inspector's role in the iconic Sholay. Some of his popular films are Mirza Ghalib, Devdas, Shree 420, Jagte Raho, Dilli ka Thug, Professor, Bandini, Meri SooratTeri Aankhen, Sangam,Shaheed, Khamoshi, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Intiquam, Safar,The Train, Sharmeelee, Joshila, Dharmatma, Vishwanath, Karz, Dostana, Mashaal, City of Joy, Meri Jung etc.
He was liked for his sophisticated looks and soft dialogue deliveries. He passed away in 1995.
Another actor who became famous for playing the character roles of father, uncle, police inspector and even villainous roles was Satyen Kappu. born in 1931, he started his filmy journey from the famous film Kabuliwala in 1961. He went on to act in nearly 270 films in a four decade career. He came to films from the theatre and brought a sense of pathos in his acting. He became famous for playing the role of Ramlal in the now iconic Sholay. He got an opportunity to act in many Amitabh films. Some of the films he acted in are Deewar, Kati Patang, Mausam, Mr Natwarlal, Zanjeer, Don, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Dharam Kanta, Bidaai, Red Rose, The Burning Train, Kudrat, Naseeb, Sharabi etc. He passed away in 2007 in Mumbai.
A freedom fighter coming to the silver screen at a late age and going on to win the hearts of the audiences is a very rare phenomenon. That was the brief story of Avtar Kishen Hangal, born in 1917 in Sialkot. He was a freedom fighter from 1929 till 1947. He loved acting and was a stage actor from 1936 till 1965. At the age of 49 in 1966 he became a character actor in Hindi films and continued till 2005. Of kashmiri origin he saw in his life many periods of poverty. A tailor by profession he had to be financially supported by outsiders during his later age as he suffered from medical problems. He was a convincing character actor and brought a rare finesse into his roles. He is remembered for the role of Imam in the iconic movie Sholay and his one dialogue in the film "Itna sannataa kyu hai bhai-- " has also become equally iconic. Even though he came very late into films he got to act in around 225 films. Some of his notable flms are Aaina, Namak Haram, Manzil, Prem Bhandan, Guddi, Bawarchi, Mere Apne, Abhiman, Chichor, Des Pardes, Judaai, Thodisi Bewafaii, Kalyug, Kudrat, Khalnayak and Lagaan. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 95 in Mumbai.
The civil engineer turned character actor was born in 1935 in Balochistan now in Pakistan. The Pathan moved with his family to Mumbai when he was only a year old.He was named Kader Khan. He went on to graduate as a civil engineer and for five years was employed as a professor in a college in Mumbai. It was Dilip Kumar who saw him act in a college play and offered him roles in his two films Sagina Mahato and Bairaag .He never looked back and went on to act in a phenomenal 450 plus films. Besides acting he was equally a famous film dialogue writer and has written dialogues for nearly 250 films. He is known as a legend in Hindi films. His acting was simple but it was the punch dialogues which he deliverd with a fantastic sense of timing. He got to act with all the leading stars of his time including Amitabh, Jeetendra,Govinda and Firoze Khan. He was especially a favourite of the director David Dhawan. Besides plaaying character roles he was also an accomplished commedian. Some of his dialogues have become very famous. Some of his notable films are Sharabi, Coolie, Lawaaris, Muqqaddar Ka Sikandar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Karma, Sarfarrosh, Himmatwala, Coolie No 1,Khoon Bari Maang,Satte Pe Satta, Mujse Shaadi Karogi, Raja Babu,Dhanwaan, Badi Behen, Khoon Pasina,Jhoru ka Ghulam etc. He is presently staying in Mumbai and occassionally acts in films /TV serials. He has contributred a great to Hindi cinema.
Remaining character actors of note will be covered in Part three.
The Hindi movies have given comedians of immense talent, who have regaled millions of viewers time and again. Some of the comedians created a name for themselves and were given full credit by the producers. Roles were specially written to accommodate these comedians to ensure wider audiences. Many of them have now become legends and are fondly remembered today when there is hardly any comedy in today's movies.
One of the first actors to make a name for himself as a comedian was Gope. Born as Gope Kamlani in 1914 in Karachi, he acted in his first movie Insaan Ya Shaitan in 1933. He soon established himself as a comedian who shared credits with the films lead actors. With a serious look on his face his comedy style was subtle. He also acted in some negative roles and brought a comic touch to them. He also produced a few films. Some his notable films are Hindustan Hamara, Patanga, Mirza Sahiban, Chori Chori,Tarana, Pocket Maar,Kismet, Fifty Fifty,Sharada.
Alongwith Bhagwan Dada he is acknowledged as one of the the pioneer comedians of the Hindi movies. He was married to actress Latika. He passed away at the relatively young age of 43 in 1957.
Bhagwan Dada is another comedian of a bygone era who is remembered today also for his unique style of comedy. Born in 1913 in Mumbai, he was obsessed with films. His family was very poor but his dreams were big. He learnt film making and started making low budget films. He had got some acting breaks in silent movies. From 1938 to 1949 he directed many low budget films and in many of them acted as a simpleton with comic touches. These roles endeared him to the masses who loved him in such comic situations. He went on to make a social film Albela with Geeta Bali and that movie has gone to become one of Bollywood's legendary movies. With musical score by Ramchandra its songs have become legendary. Albela was a superhit. His style of slow foot dancing was to become a hit and was copied by Amitabh Bachchan also later on. However Bhagwan lost everything and returned back to live in a chawl and passed away in 2002 at the age of 89 years.
One of the first real comedians of the Hindi screen, Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, popularly known as Johnny Walker was born in 1926 in Indore into a poor textile worker's family who moved to Mumbai when he lost his job. To support his family Badruddin started working at many jobs, including as a conductor in BEST buses. He used to regale commuters with his antics and caught the attention of Balraj Sahni who introduced him to Guru Dutt. His screen test was of a drunkard and he did it so convincingly that Dutt christened him Johnny Walker after the famous whisky brand.They became good friends and Dutt used to create roles for him in his movies.
Johnny Walker went on to act in dozens of films as a comedian and made a name for himself. He shared equal credits with the lead actors and during the fifties and early sixties in almost all films roles were written specially for him. His name became synonymic with comedy. Some of the songs picturized on him became very famous.Some of his more famous movies are Baazi,Aar Paar,Taxi driver, Mr& Mrs 55, CID, Chori Chori, Pyassa, Naya Daur, Jhonny Walker, Madhumati, Mughal-e-Azam, Bees Saal Baad, Mere Mehboob, Ananad, Chachi 420. He passed away in 2003 in Mumbai. He will be remembered for his unique style of comedy.
Such was Mehmood's acting prowess that lead actors were refusing to act in movies with him because they knew it would be him who would walk away with honours. Born in 1932 in Mumbai, he acted in more than 300 films in a career span of nearly four decades. He was an actor, director and producer. His father was a very famous film actor and dancer of the 40's and 50's namely Mumtaz Ali.
Mehmood got his first break in the film CID. He was a hillarious comedy actor who pioneered many comedy styles including the use of Hyderabadi style of speaking.He directed his first movie Bhoot Bangla in 1965 and was its lead actor. He grew as a comedian from strength to strength and the 60's and 70's saw him dominate the comedy scene in Hindi films. He started coming as a lead actor and these movies ran successfully at the box office. His most famous movie remains Padosan in which he acted as a south Indian dance teacher wooing Saira Banu who is also being wooed by Sunil Dutt with the help of Kishore Kumar. It has become an iconic movie and its song 'ek chatur Naar-- ' is one of the most popular songs of Bollywood.
Some of his famous movies are Pyasa, Howrah Bridge, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Choti Bahen, Kanoon.Manzil, Godaan, Bharosa, Bin Badal Barsaat, Johar-Mehmood in Goa, Pyaar Kiye Jaa, Love in Tokyo, Daadi Maa, Dil Ek Mandir, Ziddi, Sanjh Aur Savera, Pathar ke Sanam, Padosan,Neel Kamal, Sadhu Aur Shaitan, Ankhen, Mere Apne, Main Suder Hoon etc. Mehmood is now a legendary actor of Hindi screen.He passed away in Pennsylvania,USA in 2004.
More about other comedians in Part II.
They are not dashing as Shah Rukh Khan nor charming as Salman Khan or athletic as Akshay Khanna, but no film story is complete without them. It is they who lent spice to the movie. Their acting flavour was relished again and again by the viewers. In the hundred years of Indian cinema there have been dozens of character artists who have earned a niche place in the hearts of movie goers. Many a viewer would decide to see a movie not because of the lead pair but who was the character artist in it. All of them had created a unique mannerism and an individualistic style of dialogue delivery that had fans asking for more.
There was a period till the seventies when character artists had a space for themselves in Bollywood movies. However later on the heroes started becoming stars and doing combined roles of the lover, comedian, villain etc, thus reducing need for separate character artists. We shall try to recall some notable character artists of the period before nine seventies.
Who can forget Om Prakash's more than 300 films from 1942 till his death in 1998. He brought a trademark style in his acting. His dialogue delivery was also typical of his personality. From comic roles to serious roles he enacted them with a finesse that made him a selling point of his movies. His appearance on the screen was comforting that a powerful performance was forthcoming. Some of his memorable movies are Pyaar Kiye Jaa, Chupke Chupke, Padosan, Namak Halaal, Sharabi, Naukar Biwi Ka, Prem Rog, Gol Maal, Aandhi, Roti, Purab Aur Paschim, and Dil Tera diwana,
The Jewish actor David Abraham was another adorable character actor who acted in more than 110 films till his passing away in 1981. He started his career in Naya Sansar in 1941. He was everyone's favourite Chacha. His role of John Chacha in the 1954 film Boot Polish brought him into the national limelight. He looked very convincing in the soft characters he usually portrayed on the screen. Some of his famous films are Khubsoorat, Baton Baton Mein, Khatta Meetha, Chupke Chupke, Gol Maal, Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Upkaar, Anupama, Mamata, Haathi Mere Saathi etc.
Viewers may also like to recall another artist who acted in more than 200 films and whose appearance on screen was greeted with laughter. Her screen name was Tun Tun otherwise known as Uma Devi Khatri. She was also a well known play back singer.The overweight actress carried her roles with great aplomb. Some of her films are Aar Paar,Mr & Mrs 55, Pyasa, Namak Halaal. She passed away in 2003.
Another character actress of great charm was Farida Jalal. She acted with such sensitivity that audiences felt comfortable in watching her playing various roles ranging from the small role in Aradhana opposite Rajesh Khanna to Simran's mother in Dilwae Dulhaniya le Jayenge. Her roles in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai , Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham and Dil to Pagal Hain are noteworthy. She is active on TV also.
Nazir Hussain, now almost forgotten, acted in nearly 400 films and also directed some famous Bhojpuri films the most famous of which was 'Ganga Maiyaa Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo'. He was either the eternal father or the poor farmer/worker. He would be eternally emotional on the screen and most of the time would quit the world due to a predictable heart attack. His acting years spanned from 1950 to 2010. Some of his famous movies are Amar Akbar Anthony, Jewel Thief, Devdas, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Khamoshi, Gunga Jamuna, Kashmir ki Kali, Leader, Ram aur Shyam, Naya Daur and Do Bhiga Zameen.
Jeevan was another character artist who excelled in the role of Narad Muni in numerous films and was popularly known by it. He acted in films from 1935 till 1986 and passed away in 1987. His patented dialogue delivery was his recognition and fans would love him for it. He acted in a wide range of roles, most of them being as a villain out to molest the leading lady or deprive someone of his wealth. He acted in many Dev Anand movies. His son Kiran Kumar also became an actor. Some of his films are Nagin, Do Phool, Phool Aur Patthar, Hamraaz, Johny Mera Naam, Roti, Gambler, Lawaaris, Naseeb etc.
Nirupa Roy excelled herself in the role of the ideal Indian mother and wife ready to sacrifice herself for her children and husband. Such was her identification with these roles that she acted in nearly 475 films.Tears would flow from her eyes for most of the time she was on the screen. She was known as the queen of misery. Born in 1931 she started her acting career in a Gujarati film in 1946 and followed it by acting in her first Hindi film Amar Raj, in the same year. She acted in a large number of films in mythological roles and was seen as a goddess by her fans. It was in the sixties that she started playing mother roles and in seventies her roles of a suffering mother especially in Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor movies made her very famous. Some of her famous films are Mard,Betab, Suhaag, Amar Akbar Anthony, Deewar, Shaheed, Dharamputra, Baazigar, Jai Mahakaali, Ha Har Mahadev rtc. She passed away in 2004 aged 72. Today also she is remembered as the greatest Mother of all times in Bollywood.
Someone forgotten but recognized as Amjad khan's father was a powerful character actor known as Jayant. Possessing a powerful body and an equally booming voice he brought a commanding aura to his roles. Born in a Pathan family in1915 he passed away in 1975. He acted in a large number of films,some of which are Love and God, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Reshma aur Shera, Heer Ranjah, Do Raaste, Sungursh, Himalay Ki Godh Mein, Leader, Son of India, Madumati etc.
Another effective character actor who mostly played the villainous moneylender was Kanhaiyalal. He rose to fame for his moneylender role as Sukhi Lala, in the iconic movie, Mother India. Hailing from Benares he acted in 105 films. He was a natural actor with a patented rural touch dialogue delivery. Starting his career in 1940 some of his famous movies are Mother India, Ganga Jamuna, Upkaar,Apna Desh, Dushman.
The gentleman villain K N Singh was another convincing character artist who went on to act in more than 200 films. He only had to raise his eyes and say a caustic dialogue and the audiences would get the message of his villainy. For sixty years the Dehra Doon born acted in movies and passed away in 2000 at the age of 91 years.
Ever since W.M. Khan sang Indian cinema's first playback song in 1931 for the first Indian talkie 'Alam Ara', songs have played an important part in films. There was a magical and mesmerizing quality in the voices of the playback singers of Hindi films during the period from nineteen thirties to nineteen seventies. Accompanied by original music directors of equally high caliber and lyricists who could pen simple but literary songs, these would be on every ones lips as soon as the composed songs were released. The singers of this era went on to earn high fame and riches. They also have become almost immortal and generations to come will be listening to their sung songs with relish. Their melodious voices are both captivating and soothing to the nerves and one feels relaxed listening to their songs. It was truly the golden era of the Hindi film music and the playback singers of that era have become legendary.
The first playback singer to capture the imagination of the masses was undoubtedly the singing star Kundan Lal Saigal, whose portrayal of the drunken 'Devdas' and the songs he sang made him an actor of great potential overnight. Many of his songs are popular today also. He started his legendary journey in films in the 1932 film 'Zinda Lash'.
The next singer to attain immense popularity was Mohammed Rafi. A trained singer he could sing in an astonishingly wide range and modulated his voice exactly as the actor for whom he was singing. It was easy to identify the actor if one heard Rafi singing. He could sing songs in classical. light comedy, qawwali and any other type demanded by the music directors. His songs are heard with relish today also by persons of all ages. Many of his songs will be heard even decades from now. He sang his first song under Shyam Sunder in Lahore in 1941, in the Punjabi film Gul Baloch and in 1945 in the Mumbai film Gaon ki Gori. Rafi's long association with his mentor music director Naushad was in the hindi film 'Pehle Aap' in 1944.
It was Lata Mangeshkar who can be truly said to have brought respectability to the playback singers. Always dressed in white this Nightingale of India has sung thousands of songs which are so melodious to hear, that one likes to hear them again and again. She possessed a highly versatile voice and the range of songs sung by her is simply astonishing. She made her debut in 1943 by singing a Hindi song in a Marathi film 'Gajabhau'.
Mukesh was another singer who captivated audiences,though he had a limited range and also did not sing a large number of songs. He was known as the voice of Raj Kapoor. Melancholy songs sung by him are popular today also. He began his career by singing the iconic song 'Dil Jalta Hai toh jalne De' under Anil Biswas in the film 'Pehli Nazar'.
Lata's sister Asha Bhonsle is another singer of great fame. She brought a voice which was used by music directors to create foot tapping numbers of Western style Her amazing voice continues to mesmerize the country today also. To her goes the credit for creating space for herself even when her elder sister was dominating the playback scene. She started her amazing singing career in the film Chunaria in 1948.
It was Kishore Kumar who brought a new whiff to the playback scene. He sang his first song in 1948 in the film 'Ziddi' for Dev Anand.' It was he who introduced yoddeling into Hindi film songs for the first time. Besides singing he was an actor, composer, lyricist, director, producer, screenwriter etc .His songs are like wine, mellowing with time. His songs sung under the music director father S. D. burman and the son R. D. Burman continue to be in demand today also.
Talat Mehmood brought ghazal singing into playback singing. No one has been able to match him in this till date.The King of Ghazals had a soft and mellow voice and has sung a number of songs which have a niche audience.
Hemant Kumar possessed a haunting voice which lent a mesmerizing quality to his songs. He was also a music composer of repute. He was to become an engineer but left half way and to the good luck of film music became a singer. His first song was in the 1944 film 'Iraada' unde rmusic director Amarnaath.
Manna Dey is another singer who especially sung classical base songs many of which which have gained an iconic status. His voice had a magical quality which left the audience thirsting for more .His first song was in 'Ram Rajya' in 1943.
Geeta Dutt was another singer whose voice had a nostalgic tinge and continues to be heard with great pleasure today also. She started her singing journey by singing two lines in 1946 for the film Bhakt Prahlad. However in her next film Do Bhai she sung the ever famous song Mera sundar sapna beet gaya under S. D. Burman's baton that catapulted her to fame.
Another singer of repute in this era was Mahendra Kapoor who started his journey by singing in the 1951 film Madmast under composer Balsara.
It is sad that the most productive period of Hindi film music started declining from late seventies. The thousands of songs of that era are remembered today also but today's songs are not possible to recall as early as even tomorrow.It is often observed that in today's FM radio stations it is the songs of that era which are frequently played. What could be a greater tribute to that period from the youth of today. Indeed we are blessed that we have such rich collection of eminently melodious songs suiting all moods available for all times to come.
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