On His Birth Anniversary
By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
‘न जाने कहाँ तुम थे
न जाने कहाँ हम थे
जादू ये देखो हम तुम मिले है
अब तो मिलान के सपने खिले है
न जाने कहाँ तुम थे
न जाने कहाँ हम थे’
Rajendra Kumar, unarguably one of the most successful actors of Hindi films, began his film career with Kidar Sharma’s “Jogan”( 1950). Although he played the lead opposite Geeta Bali in Devendra Goel’s “Vachan” ,his presence was actually felt in Mehboob Khan’s blockbuster “Mother India”. His first film which I saw at Ferozepore was “Toofan Aur Deeya” ( 1956 ). The success of Vijay Bhatt’s (of “Baiju Bawra ” fame) “Goonj Uthi Shehnai”( 1959), in the lead opposite Amita , proved like a shot in the arm. The film was a mix of both romance and tragedy for the hero with many a hit number like-” “Dil Ka Khilona Hai Toot Gaya” ,”Jivan Men Piya Tera Sath Rahe”,”Maine Peena Seekh Liya” & “Kah Do Koi Na Kare Yahan Pyaar” to mention few.Ustad Bismillah Khan’s ‘Shehnai’ added grandeur & credibility justifying the title under the music score by Vasant Desai. It was followed by Devendra Goel’s “Chirag Kahan Aur Roshni Kahan” starring opposite a seasoned Meena Kumari who was Nominated for Filmfare Best Actress Award. B R Chopra’s ,Yash Chopra directed ,” Dhool Ka Phool”, touching a taboo subject illegimity, was the third successful movie of the actor in 1959, which eventually catapulted him to starry heights. The following five-years saw him emerge as a force to reckon with, earning the title “Jubilee Kumar” for many of his films did wonders on the box office front.
The actor had a number of successful releases in 1961 like “Aas Ka Panchhi”, ” Dharmputra”, “Gharana”,” Pyaar Ka Saagar” & “Sasural”. “Jabse Tumhe Dekha Hai, Ankhon Mein Tum Hi Tum Ho”, & “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin”( Gharana); “Mujhe Pyar Ki Zindagi Denewale”, “Pyar Ka Sagar Dekha Hai Kisike Chanchal Nainon Mein”, “Raat Raat Bhar Jaag Jaagkar, Intezaar Karte Hain”,”Wafa Jinse Ki, Bewafa Ho Gaye” (Pyaar Ka Sagar); “Teri Pyari Pyari Soorat Ko” & “Ek Sawal Main Karoon”( Sasural)& ” Tum Roothi Raho Main Manata Rahoon Ki Maza Milne Ka ..” ( Aas ka Panchi) were some of the memorable songs from these films.
Sridhar’s 1963 action-packed drama “Dil Ek Mandir” added another feather into his cap. He was made to act opposite veterans like Raj Kumar & Meena Kumari. The film ends with a sad note and is considered a classic example of high quality performances from the star cast. O.P.Ralhan’s “Gehra Daag” starring Mala Sinha was another musical-hit of the year with “Tumhe Pake Humne Jahan Pa Liya Hai”, “Aaj Udta Hua Ek Panchhi Zindagi Ki Bahaar Mein” & “Bhagwan, Ek Kasoor Ki Itni Badi Sazaa” to boast. H.S.Rawail’s “Mere Mehboob” featuring Ashok Kumar ,Sadhana,& Nimmi was yet another memorable film released in 1963. The film which had music by Naushad was studded with lovely songs like – ” Mere Mehboob Tujhe,Mere Mehboob Tujhe, Meri Mohabbat Ki Kasam “, “Tere Pyar Mein Dildar”, “Yaad Mein Teri Jaag Jaag Ke Hum” & “Tumse Izhar – E -Haal Kar Baithe” to mention some.”Yeh Hawa, Yeh Nadi Ka Kinara” was another popular number from his 1958 film “Ghar Sansar”starring Kumar & Kumkum.
Raj Kapoor’s “Sangam”( 1964), Ramanand Sagar’s “Arzoo” (1965), & T. Prakash Rao’s “Suraj”( 1966) were other prominent musical blockbusters with songs like “Bol Radha Bol Sangam Hoga Ke Nahin”,”Dost Dost Na Raha”, “Bedardi Baalma Tujhko, Mera Man Yaad karta Hai”, “Chhalke Teri Ankhon Se”, “Aji Rooth Kar Ab Kahan Jaaiyega”, “Itna Hai Tumse Pyar Mujhe”, “Chehre Pe Girin Zulfen” & “Kaise Samjhaoon Badi Nasamajh Ho” to revisit.
Rajendra Kumar’s sea-facing bungalow became a boon for him. In 1969 it was sold to the emerging star Rajesh Khanna whose career progressed rapidly while the former,s started declining. It would indeed be injustice with if I did not mention some other films like – “Mera Naam Joker”, “Talaash”, “Jhuk Gaya Aasman”, “Kanoon”, “Ayee Milan Ki Bela ” & “Aap Aaye Bahar Aayi”.
Kumar met Nobel Laureate Bertrand Russel during the making of “Aman” an Anti-war film in the backdrop of Hiroshima Bomb attack in Japan. The latter also did a cameo. Chetan Anand also played a role.
