Jagmohan Singh Barhok

On His Birth Anniversary

Youngest of the Anand Brothers,Vijay Anand indeed was one of the best film directors who always kept in mind the audiences interst. Goldie Anand ,as he was lovingly called , if directed films like ‘Nau Do Gyarah’, ‘Kala Bazar’, ‘Tere Ghar Ke Samne’, ‘Guide’ and ‘Jewel thief’ under his own banner, he also directed hits like “Teesri Manzil” (1966), & “Johny Mera Naam” (1970) for Nasir Hussain & Gulshan Rai, and so successfully, too. The last four films proved box office bonanza.

“Blackmail” (1973) starring Dharmendra , Raakhee & Shatrughan Sinha, a crime thriller, is remembered for one of its songs “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas Tum Rehti Ho” rendered by Kishore Kumar & is considered one of his all-time best songs. Its popularity can well be gauged by the fact that it was later recreated in film “Wajah Tum Ho” (2016). He acted in Anil Ganguly’s masterpiece “Kora Kagaz”(1974) opposite Jaya Bhaduri with a lovely number ‘Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz’ under the music score Kalyanji Anandji. “Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki” (1978) was another of his lovely films as an actor of class. It won Filmfare Award in three categories- Best Film ( Raj Khosla), Best Actress ( Nutan) & Best Dialogue (Rahi Masoom Raza).

I met the acclaimed director, producer, screenwriter, editor and actor twice. I also discussed about his leaving the industry too early with his brother Dev Anand during the making of “Return of Jewel Thief” in 1995.

Bestowed with Filmfare Best Director Award for “Guide” (1965), Best Dialogue Award for “Guide” (1965) & Best Screenplay Award for “Johnny Mera Naam” in 1971 featuring Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Pran, I. S. Johar, Padma Khanna & Prem Nath. The film is best remembered for its highly unpredictable dance number “Husn Ke..Lakhon Rang” picturized on Padma Khanna & Prem Nath. It attracted the cinegoers to the cinemas like bees.

Born this Day at Gurdaspur, Punjab in 1934.