By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary”
‘आज पुरानी राहों से
कोई मुझे आवाज़ ना दे
दर्द में डूबे गीत न दे
गम का सिसकता साज़ न दे
हो हो हो हो ओ.. हो हो हो’
“Akbar: Hamara Hindustan koi tumhara dil nahi ki, laundi jiski malika bane”.
“Salim: Mera dil bhi apka koi Hindustan nahin jispar aap huqumat karen.” From 1960 epic ‘Mughal-E-Azam’.
Directed by #K. Asif, the film was a marvel of technical excellence with dazzling sets and costumes. It cost #exorbitantly to the exchequer, and was financed by #Shapoorji Pallonji Mistry. The film consisted of 12 songs mostly sung by Lata “Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya” was filmed at Mohan Studios on a set built as a replica of the Sheesh Mahal in the Lahore. “Teri Mehfil Mein Kismat Aazmakar Hum Bhe Dekhenge” ( Lata-Shamshad) was another hit.
The authority and grandeur of K. Asif can be gauged by the fact that he agreed to pay an unbelievably high price of Rs. 25000/- per song to #Bade Ghulam Ali Khan for two songs “Prem Jogan Ban Ke” and “Shubh Din Aayo” at a time when Rafi and Lata charged merely Rs.400/- per number. It turned out to be the highest grossing film ever on the box office front. I saw this film in 1960 at Golcha cinema, Daryaganj, Delhi, then aged 9.
Odds have had a perpetual association or bonding with this film. firstly ,it was to be produced with a different star cast. The cast was later changed . Dilip Kumar & Madhubala were not on talking terms during the entire shooting of the film. Yet, K. Asif completed the film, and so successfully, too. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan was not interested to lend his voice in a film. K. Asif was adamant to make him sing. Khan demanded a too unbelievably exorbitant amount, thinking it would stop Asif from approaching him. K. Asif gladly agreed to part with Rs.25000/- per song to Khan,s surprise. Shapoorji Mistry was a business magnate and had no interest in films, yet he financed “Mughal- E- Azam” because he liked Akbar.
“Devdas” directed by Bimal Roy ( of ‘Do Bigha Zameen & ‘Madhumati’ fame ) was another #Gem of a film starring Suchitra Sen & Vyjayanthimala in parallel roles. It is rated as a #Classic. “
Bimal Roy approached Nargis, Meena Kumari, Suraiyya & Madhubala to play Chandramukhi. Each one of them had an excuse ready for they all wanted to play Paro instead of Chandramukhi. Resultantly he approached Vyjayanthimala, who gladly acquiesced . Suchitra Sen, the dusky beauty from Bengal played Paro in the film under reference.
The film received many nominations winning the Best Actor Filmfare Award for Dilip Kumar, the Best Supporting Actor for Moti Lal & Best Actress in Supporting Role for Vyjayanthimala which she refused to accept as she felt Paro’s character was no less shiningly meritorious & deserved equal recognition.
Dilip Kumar worked in over 60 films but I would mention select few like- “Mela”, “Aan”, “Paigham”, Madhumati”, “Kohinoor” , “Azaad”, “Ram Aur Shyam” & “Andaz” – his only film with Raj Kapoor.
Talat Mahmood sang some of his best songs for the actor-“Seene Mein Sulagte Hain Armaan”- Tarana (1951), “Aye Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal”- Daag (1952) & “Sham-E-Gham Ki Kasam”- Footpath (1953). “Kitna Haseen Hai Mausum”- Azaad (1955) rendered by music composer Chitalkar Ramchandra, “Yeh Mera Deewanapan”- Yahudi (1958) by Mukesh & “Madhuban Mein Radhika Nacha Re”- Kohinoor (1960) by Mohammad Rafi are some of the other popular numbers picturized on him. Worked with brother Nasir Khan in “Ganga Jumna”.
