By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
भूल सकती नहीं आँखे वो सुहाना मंज़र
जब तेरा हुस्न मेरे इश्क़ से टकराया था
और फिर राह में बिखरे थे हज़ारो नग्मे
मै वो नगमे तेरी आवाज़ को दे आया था
साज़-इ-दिल को उन्हीं गीतों का सहारा दे दे
मेरा खोया हुआ रंगीन नज़ारा दे दे
मेरे महबूब तुझे मेरी मोहब्बत की कसम
Born at Lyallpur on 21 August 1921, ( now in Pakistan) Harnam Singh Rawail began his film career in 1940s. His initial notable films include the likes of “Pocket Mar” (1956), “Shararat” (1959) &”Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja” ( 1961) starring Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman. Rawail’s “Mere Mehboob”(1963) starring Rajendra Kumar, Nimmi, Sadhana & Ashok Kumar” was a Muslim masterpiece with hits like-“Yaad Mein Teri Jaag Jaag Ke Hum”, “Mere Mehboob Tujhe, Meri Mohabbat Ki Kasam”, “Allah Bachaye Naujawanon Se” & “Tere Pyar Mein Dildar” to mention few. The film won National film Award for its cultural inputs & presentation.
Rawails’ earlier release “Shararat” (1959) featuring Raj Kumr, Meena Kumari & Kishore Kumar, too was a beauty to watch with many foot tapping numbers like-“Tera Teer O Bepeer Dil Ke Aar Paar Ha”, “Dekha Baabu Chhed Ka Maza Mitha Mitha Dard De Diya” & “Ham Matavale Naujavan, Manzilon Ke Ujale”. It was a successful film, too. His another hit was “Laila Majnu” (1976) based on the Persian love legend of Laila & Majnu. The story fascinated so many and resultantly many films were produced and attempted at to depict the love legend of the duo.The film featured Rishi Kapoor, Ranjeeta Kaur & Danny Denzongpa with “Tere Dar Pe Aaya Hoon” & “Husn Hazir Hai” to lovely songs to boast.
H. S. Rawail’s another noteworthy star studded film was “Sunghursh” (1968) featuring Dilip Kumar ,Vyjayanthimala, Balraj Sahni, Sanjeev Kumar, Jayant & Durga Khote with many in the supporting cast. The film was based on feud between to families. One of the film’s song “Mere Pairon Mein Ghunghroo” became super hit. “Dorangia Daku” (1940) was his debut film & “Deedar-E-Yaar” (1982) his last as director. He also produced “Mere Mehboob” & “Mehboob Ki Mehndi”. He also wrote screenplay of ” Sunghursh”, “Mehboob Ki Mehndi” & “Laila Majnu”.
