By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary.
‘ज़िन्दगी की दास्तां, चाहे कितनी हो हसीं
बिन तुम्हारे कुछ नहीं
क्या मज़ा आता सनम, आज भूले से कहीं
तुम भी आ जाते यहीं
ये बहारें ये फिज़ा, देखकर ओ दिलरुबा
जाने क्या दिल को हुआ, तुम याद आये
जब चली ठण्डी हवा,जब उठी काली घटा
मुझको ऐ जान-ए-वफ़ा तुम याद आए’
Like many other actresses of her time Asha Parekh, too, started her career as a child artist in early 1950s later graduating to a front Line actress of her time. I saw her first time in film film “Aasha” (1957) starring Kishore Kumar & Vyjayanthimala at Defence Cinema, Ambala in 1962 ( I was then 11-years-old ). One of the film’s song “Eena Meena Deeka ” was the star attraction of the film. Hers was a cameo.
She debuted with 1959 movie “Dil Deke Dekho” as heroine opposite Shammi Kapoor also starring Surendra & Indira Billi with “Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale, Yahi Neeli Si Aankhonwale”, “Bolo Bolo, Kuch To Bolo” & “Dil Deke Dekho” some of the hits. She later did another hit “Teesri Manzil” (1966) with Shammi Kapoor. During my sitting with the romantic hero I asked him about his three films- ‘Dil Deke Dekho’, Raj Kumar’ & ‘Teesri Manzil’. He was all praise for Asha Parekh.
“Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai” (1960) was another of her musical hits with many foot-tapping hits like- “Jiya O Jiya”, “Yeh Aankhen Uff Yun Maa”, “Sau Saal Pehle” & “Teri Zulfon Se Judai To Nahi Mangi Thi”. The film directed by Nasir Hussain starred Dev Anand in the lead. Hasrat Jaipuri & Shankar Jaikishan did wonders on the musical front. The film grossed about 2 crore Indian rupee. Asha Parekh was still a teenager as an actress in the lead.
“Ghunghat” (1960 film) “Gharana” & “Chhaya”(1961) were her other notable films. In the last film Sunil Dutt was the hero. “Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha” & “Aansoo Samajhke” rendered by Talat were the most popular & touching numbers. The film was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
Gharana (1961 film) starring Raj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar & Asha Parekh was another social-music film with lovely songs- “Husnwale Tera Jawab Nahin”, “Jabse Tumhe Dekha Hai, Aankhon Mein Tum Hi Tum Ho” & “Yeh Duniya Usi Ki” to mention some.
“Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon” & “Bharosa” (1963), “Ziddi” (1964), “Mere Sanam” (1965), “Teesri Manzil”, “Love in Tokyo”, “Do Badan” & “Aaye Din Bahar Ke” (1966) were some of her other musical hits. I was sixteen-year-old when I watched her above mentioned last film “Aaye Din Bahar Ke” at Liberty cinema in New Delhi. I have been lucky enough to see most of her films.
