By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘हम को मिली हैं आज
ये घड़ियाँ नसीब से
जी भर के देख लीजिये
हम को करीब से
फिर आप के नसीब में
ये बात हो न हो
शायद फिर इस जनम
में मुलाक़ात हो न हो
लग जा गले’
Raj Khosla , the master craftsman, also referred to as ‘Neo-noir’ film director, was unarguably gifted with feeling the pulse of the cine-goers. He excelled in song picturization so marvellously to the chagrin and envy of many of his contemporaries, coupled with his ability to create emotional scenes so unbelievably convincingly. We can quote examples from his film ” Do Badan” starring Manoj Kumar, Asha Parekh, Simi Grewal and Pran, who played a positive role in the film to surprise many. Manoj Kumar played his role with intensity and it was the second best after ” Shaheed”. The grand success of the film made many a critic compare his histrionics with that of the legendary Guru Dutt, under whose baton he started as an assistant and later rose to starry heights as an independent director. “Lo Aa Gayee Unki Yaad Woh Nahi Aaye ” , ” Jab Chali Thandi Hawa, Jab Uthi Kali Ghata Mujhko Ai Jaan-e-Vafa Tum Yaad Aaye”, & ” Nasib Main Jiske Jo Likha Tha ” were some of the most popular numbers composed by Ravi.
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Raj Khosla got recognition with his crime thriller “C.I.D.”(1956)starring Dev Anand, playing a police officer investigating a murder mystery, with Shakila, Kumkum, Minoo Mumtaz K. N. Singh & Waheeda Rehman. It was Waheeda’s debut film ,produced by Guru Dutt with music score by O. P. Nayyar . Noted directors Pramod Chakravorty and Bhappi Sonie started as assistant directors with this film .The film had many hit numbers like “Leke Pehla Peh;a Pyaar” ( Shamshad Begum-Asha Bhosle), “Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re” (Shamshad Begum ) & Ankhon Hi Ankhon Mein” (Geeta Dutt-Rafi)to mention some.
“Bombay Ka Babu” (1960) , produced & directed by Raj Khosla , starring Dev Anand & Suchitra Sen, was another film falling into the rarest category as it hinted at incest between the lead pair.Written by Rajendra Singh Bedi,the film had music composed by S.D.Burman. “Chal Ri Sajni Ab Kya Soche” (Mukesh) & “Saathi Na Koi Manzil”( Rafi) were hits.”Ek Musfir Ek Haseena” ( 1962) starring Joy Mukherjee and Sadhna was a romantic musical movie directed by Khosla.”Mujhe Dekhkar Aapka Muskuraana”, “Humko Tumhare Ishq Ne”( Rafi) & “Bahut Shukriya, Badi Meharbaani”,”Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe”( Rafi-Asha)were some of the memorable numbers beautifully tuned by music maestro O.P.Nayyar.
“Woh Kaun Thi” ( 1964), a psycho-thriller drama featuring Manoj Kumar, Sadhna, Prem Chopra & Helen became a trend setter.Madan Mohan composed some of the loveliest songs like ” Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir Ye Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho”, ” Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjhim, Naina Barse”, & “Jo Humne Dastaan Apni Sunaee” ( all by Lata)to name some.It was followed by ” Anita” & ” Mera Saaya”( 1966).The latter featuring Sunil Dutt,Sadhna,Prem Chopra & K.N.Singh with music score by Madan Mohan again.It was one of the most catchy, racy and engrossing mystery ever produced. The patrons were advised to ensure that they were present on their seats minutes before the film was to begin. There was pin drop silence in the cinema hall and no body moved from his or her seat for a second during the showing.
I watched the film at Amritsar in 1966, on its opening day. The film boasts of many a naughty nay titillating numbers like ” Jhumka Gira Re, Bareilly Ke Bazaar Me” ( Asha ), ” Nainon Vaali Ne, Haay Meraa Dil Luta “, ” Too Jahan Jahan Chalega Mera Saya saath Hoga” ( both by Lata), & “Aap Ke Pahloo Mein Aakar Ro Diye” (Mohammed Rafi).
“Mera Gaon Mera Desh” ( 1971) starring Dharmendra, Vinod Khnana, Asha Parekh & Laxmi Chhaya was a dacoit film with many a hit and lively numbers like ” Maar Diya Jaaye Yaa Chod Diya Jaaye”, “Haay Sharmaau Kis Kis Ko Bataau , Aise Kaise Main Sunaau Sabko Apni Prem Kahaniya”,” & “Aaya Aaya Atariya Pe Koi Chor”, all rendered by Lata Mangeshkar. It was followed by ” Kachche Dhaage” (1973) starring Kabir Bedi & Vinod Khanna,another dacoit movie and a hit,too.
” Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki”( 1978) starring Nutan, Vinod Khanna & Asha Parekh was a masterpiece and, naturally therefore, it won Filmfare Awards in three categories-Best Movie ( Raj Khosla),Best Actress( (Nutan) & Best Dialogue Award( Rahi Masoom Raza).And last but not least ” Do Raaste”( 1969) featuring Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz, Balraj Sahni, Prem Chopra & Bindu, a box office bonanza.The film collected 6.5 crore equivalent to 275 crore at present market value. Laxmi-Pyare composed some of the hit numbers like “Bindiya Chamkegi”( Lata),”Chup Gaye Sare Nazare Phir Kya Baat Ho gayee” ( Rafi -Lata),and ” Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfein ,Yeh Sharbati Aankhen” ( Rafi).
During the shooting of one of his earlier films ” Solva Saal” (1958) an unpleasant incident took place. In one of the rainy scenes, Khosla asked Waheeda Rehman to unbutton her blouse to symbolize some flavour of eroticism sort of for a while which the actress refused to do. Khosla was annoyed and said something to Waheeda Rehman which added fuel to the fire. Waheeda’s mother was present on the sets.She immediatley asked her daughter to pack up and never ever work with him in future. Years later when Dev Anand signed Raj Khosla to direct “Guide” ,the issue again flared up. Khosla who was a close friend of Dev Anand sensed the gravity of situation & himself left the project. It was later directed by Vijay Anand and was widely acclaimed the world over.
