Jagmohan Singh Barhok
In a career spanning 40 years, Shyama,born Khurshid Akhtar in Lahore, enjoys the distinction of being a well mannered, soft spoken and vivacious actress who started her film career with Guru Dutt’s “Aar Paar” ( 1954),with a scintillating number “Babuji Dheere Chalna, Pyaar Main Zara Sambhalna” under the baton O.P.Nayyar. The story revolves round a taxi driver Guru Dutt who spends some time in a Jail for his negligent driving. On his release,one of his jail- mates asks him to get in touch with a person called Captain .Once out of jail, Kalu finds people look at him with suspicion.He eventually gets a job at a garage owned by Lalaji ( Jagdish Sethi) and falls in love with her daughter Nikki( Shyama).When Lalaji comes to know about their affair, he sacks him.Kalu asks Nikki to run away with him,no matter what happens -“Aar Ya Paar”.
Kalu meets Captain, who actually is a gangster. Captain involves Kalu ( Guru Dutt) in a bank dacoity and in the process he falls in love with the gangsters moll, a dancer played by Shakila who sings the famous club number ” Babuji Dheere Chalna”.The dialogues written by Abrar Alvi were pick of the lot & held the key ,many believed.Guru Dutt’s direction also justifies his vision as a future director of yore.Nabendu Ghosh’s screenplay was excellent & so was music with many hits like “Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Laga Tire Najar” (Shamshad Begum) ,”Ye Lo Main Haari Piyaa, Hui Teri Jit Re,” & Sun Sun Sun Sun Jalima”. Majrooh Sultanpuri penned all songs. The film stars Shyama, Shakila, Johny Walker, Jagdish Sethi & Kumkum .It was a was a box office hit of the year and elevated Guru Dutt as a star-director in the years that followed with masterpieces like “Pyaasa” ( 1957 ) , “Chaudhvin Ka Chand ” (1960), and “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1962). Noted music directors Sebastian D’Souza , G.S.Kohli and director Raj Khosla worked as assistants.
Shyama worked in more than 160 films, ruling the roost in mid fifties and sixties. Her best performances were perhaps in “Barsaat ki Raat” ( 1960), “Tarana”( 1951 ) & L.V.Prasad directed “Sharada” for which she was bestowed with Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. The film’s cast included Raj Kapoor, Meena Kumari, Raj Mehra & Anita Guha. A soulfully lovely song “O Chand Jahan Woh Jaaye” was picturised on her . A. V. Meiyappan’s “Bhabhi” ( 1957) starring Balraj Sahni, Nanda & Pandari Bai whom Balraj Sahni marries. Jawaher Kaul ( of song “ye raat ye fizayen phir aaye ya na aayen” fame) marries Shyama. It was a musical super hit family drama with many memorable songs like” Chal Ud ja Re panchi”,”Chali,Chali Re Patang Meri Chali Re”, & “Ja Re Jaadugar, Dekhi Teri Jaadugari” to boast. “Chhoti Behan” ( 1959) was a gem of a film highlighting brother -sister love. Shyama plays a haughty daughter of a wealthy person whose obsession is horse -racing.
It would indeed be a news to many that some of the loveliest songs were picturized on her the likes of “Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De”, Ja Re Ka Re Badra”, “Dekho ,Wo Chand Chhup Ke Karata hai Kya Ishare”, “Ae Lo Main Hari Piya”,”O Chand Jahan Wo Jaye” & “Sun Sun Zalima” to mention few. Famous Qawwali “Nigah-E-Naaz Ke” (Barsaat Ki Raat) was also picturised on her. She also worked in “Zabak” ( 1961), “Janwar” (1965 ) “, “Dil Diya Dard Liya” ( 1967), “Milan” ( 1967 ) “Sawan Bhadon” (1970),Rekha’s debut film as heroine & “Khel Khel Min” ( 1975). The lovely actress was born this day in 1935.
