By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
‘जुल्फ़ें हैं जैसे कांधों पे बादल झुके हुए
जुल्फ़ें हैं जैसे कांधों पे बादल झुके हुए
आँखें हैं जैसे मय के प्याले भरे हुए
मस्ती हैं जिसमे प्यार की तुम वो शराब हो
चौदहवीं का चाँद हो या अफताब हो
जो भी हो तुम खुद की कसम लाजवाब हो
चौदहवीं का चाँद हो’
Guru Dutt, the veteran actor-director who is known worldwide for making classic movies with a strong social message , nevertheless made many a commercial movie like “Aar Paar”, “C.I.D.” & “Chaudvin Ka Chand”. Needless to mention here that his biggest box office disappointment “Kaagaz ke Phool” is now treated as a classic film. The noted director is placed along side such stalwarts like Raj Kapoor, Mehboob Khan & Bimal Roy for all of them made commercial movies with artistic flavour & a social awakening.
Guru Dutt developed an everlasting bonding with Dev Anand, his friend and colleague of early days. Both were strugglers & vowed to help each other. Dev Anand acted in films he directed and Guru Dutt directed films which Dev Anand produced under his banner Navketan. I discussed his relations with actor-director & producer Dev Anand when I met the latter in 1995 at Filmalaya Studio, Andheri.
Guru Dutt’s debut film was ” Baazi” ( 1951) featuring Dev Anand, Geeta Bali & Kalpana Kartik under the banner Navketan Films with music score by S. D. Burman. Two songs rendered by Geeta Dutt – “Yeh Kaun Aaya Ki Meri Dil Ki Duniya Mein Bahar Aayi” & “Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer Bana Le Apne Pe Bharosa Hai To Ye Danv Laga Le, Laga Le Danv Laga Lai” continue to hold the charisma.
Guru Dutt’s next film was “Jaal” starring Dev Anand, Geeta Bali & Johny Walker who later became permanent part of his team along with Raj Khosla & Abrar Alvi. Hemant Kumar & lata rendered a soulful song under the baton S.D.Burman-“Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kahan, Sun Ja Dil Ki Dastan” . the film was declared super-hit earning more than net 10 million rupee. The Blockbuster of the year was “Baiju Bawara”. “Aan” was another super-hit film of the year. It was followed by “Baaz” ( 1953), & “Aar Paar” ( 1954) with a hilariously sensuous club number “Babuji Dheere Chalna” picturized on Shakila under the baton O. P. Nayyar. It was fourth highest grossing movie of the year .It was followed by “Mr. & Mrs. ’55” , another commercial hit & the fifth highest-grossing picture of 1955.
Filmfare May 1955 issue, in its review, quoted it as a thoroughly delightful social comedy with gripping interest for cinegoers of all categories. The film featured Madhubala, Guru Dutt, Johny walker & late Chandrashekhar. “Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji” & “Preetam Aan Milo” were hit numbers .
Raj Khosla’s “C.I.D.” ( 1956) starring Dev Anand, Shakila & Waheeda Rehman was a musical hit crime thriller with many hit numbers to boast like-“Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar”,”Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re”, “Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein” & “Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana”. It was produced by Guru Dutt with music score by O. P. Nayyar. It was was the highest grossing film of the year & Guru Dutt had reportedly gifted away an imported car to Raj Khosla in lieu of his best direction. Interestingly, it was Waheeda’s debut film. She was later chosen to play a significant role in Guru Dutt’s classic film “Pyaasa” (1957) starring Mala Sinha and Guru Dutt who also produced and directed the movie” Ham Aapki Aankhon Me”,”Jaane Kya Tune Kahi”,”Sar Jo Tera Chakraye”,”Jaane Woh Kaise Log” & “Ye Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye To Kya hai” were some of the memorable songs. S.D. Burman, Sahir Ludhianvi, Geeta Dutt and Mohammed Rafi got worldwide recognition for their finest work.
Guru Dutt’s dream project “Kaagaz Ke Phool” ( 1959) turned out to be the biggest disappointment & almost brought the exchequer to bankruptcy. It was said to be the costliest movie. Thanks to Waheeda Rehman-Guru Dutt starrer ” Chaudhvin Ka Chand”( 1960) which not only recovered the earlier loss but also helped Dutt regain his lost reputation. It was produced by Guru Dutt and directed by M. Sadiq with music score by Ravi with some of the magically romantic hits like- “Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho”, “Sharmake Yeh Kyun Sab Pardanasheen”, “Mili Khaak Mein Mohabbat”, “Bedardi Mere Saiyan, Shabnam Hai Kabhi Shole”, & “Mera Yaar Bana Hai Dulha” to mention some. The film won Filmfare Awards in three categories-Best Playback Singer ( Mohd Rafi), Best Lyricist Shakeel Badayuni & Best Art Direction- Biren Nag (1961).
