By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
तू धार है नदिया की
मैं तेरा किनारा हूँ
तू मेरा सहारा है
मैं तेरा सहारा हूँ
आँखों में समंदर है
आशाओं का पानी है
ज़िंदगी और कुछ भी नहीं
तेरी मेरी कहानी है
एक प्यार का नगमा है
Manoj Kumar fashioned his entry into films before Dhamendra, Feroz Khan, Rajesh Khanna & Prem Chopra, though they all tasted stardom almost about the same time. Dharmendra made it with “Phool Aur Pathar”, Feroz Khan with “Arzoo”(1965) & Manoj came into limelight following the success of his film “Haryali Aur Rasta” (1962), a musical drama opposite Mala Sinha. The film is remembered for its haunting melodies- “Yeh Hariyali Aur Yeh Rasta”, “Allah Jaane Kya Hoga Aage” ,”Bol Meri Taqdeer Mein Kya Hai” & “Kho Gaya Hai Mera Pyar” under the music score Shankar Jaikishan. Vijay Bhatt (of “Baiju Bawra” fame ) produced & directed the film followed by “Grahasti” directed by Kishore Sahu & produced by S.S.Vasan, another musical social drama featuring Ashok Kumar, Nirupa Roy Manoj Kumar. The film turned out to be a box offie bonanze receiving appreciation from different quarters. Two songs from this film “Ja Ja Re Ja Deewane Ja” & “Khile Hai Sakhi Aaj Phoolwa Man ke” were liked by the crowd.
“Shaheed” (1965) featuring Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra ,Anant Marathe ,Kamini Kaushal ,Nirupa Roy & Pran did wonders for the actor & it is considered his best film on patriotic theme as an actor. Pran, in a brief role, did exceptionally well asking every now & then “Eh Bharat Mata Kee Cheeze Hundi Hai”. I watched this film at Almora, a hill station in UP at that time. “Himalay Ki God Mein”, another musical hit & suspense thriller “Gumnaam” were other notable films of the same year 1965.
Raj Khosla’s “Do Badan” also starring Asha Parekh,Simi Garewal & Pran was another worth seeing film with Pran playing a positive role. The film had many hit numbers including “Naseeb Mein Jiske Jo Likha Tha”, “Jab Chali Thandi Hawa” & “Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad Woh Nahi Aaye” to mention only three. “Upkaar” written & directed by Manoj Kumar starring Asha Parekh,Prem Chopra, Madan Puri , Kamini Kaushal, Kanhaiyalal & Laxmi Chhaya proved a blockbuster with many popular songs like- “Deewanon Se Ye Mat Poocho”, “Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa”, “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” & “Gulabi Raat Gulabi”. The film won 2 National Award for its theme, content & production including 7 Filmfare Awards in different categories besides 3 nominations. It also marked the zenith of Bharat Kumar,s ( as he was then commonly called) film career.