By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
चलिये मुबारक ये जश्न दोस्ती का
दामन तो थामा आप ने किसी का
हमें तो खुशी यही है
तुम्हें भी किसी को अपना कहने की रात आई
दिल जो ना कह सका
There has never been a paucity of actors in Hindi cinema. We have seen debonair, showman, aristocrat, snob , some simple and cool minded & #royal like Pradeep Kumar, the subject of this write up. The actor is known to have portrayed many historical characters in films.
Kumar took to acting with ‘Anand Math’ written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. I read this novel in 1965 at Almora when I was a student. The film starred Prithviraj Kapoor, Ajit , Bharat Bhushan, Geeta Bali & Pradeep Kumar. One of the songs ‘Vande Matram’ rendered by Hemant Kumar made history & became a “National Song” after independence in 1947.
Interestingly, it was also Hemant Kumar’s debut film as music director who later rendered many hits with Geeta Dutt & Lata Mangeshkar. It was also the debut film for Pradeep Kumar, who was later cast in a memorable film “Anarkali” (1953) also starring Bina Rai in the lead. The film was a musical extravaganza with many hits like- “Mohabbat Mein Aise Kadam Ladkhdaye”,”Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai”,”Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag, Dil Ko Bekarar Kar Chhedke Aansuon Ka Raag” & “Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Char Ghadi Hoti Hai”rendered by Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar under the music score C. Ramchandra. Naturally therefore, it became the top grossing film collecting 23.5 million at that time, a whopping amount so to say. “Parineeta”, “Do Bigha Zameen”, “Footpth’, “Patita & “Ladki” were some other successful films of the year.
The dame luck again smiled at the newcomer when he was cast in “Nagin”, another blockbuster starring Pradeep Kumar & Vyjayanthimala with music score by Hemant Kumar. The film, too, did wonders on the music front with foot tapping numbers- “Mera Dil Ye Pukare Aaja”, “Jadugar Saiyan”, “Ari Chhod De Patang”, “Man Dole Mera Tan Dole” & “Tere Dwar Khada Ek Jogi” to mention some again rendered by Hemant Kumar & Lata Mangeshkar. The film helped many to taste stardom including Kalyanji & composer Ravi. While the former did wonders with his “Been” on clavioline, Ravi Sharma ( (Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Ghunghat (1960), “Yeh Rastey Hain Pyar Ke” (1963), “Waqt” (1965) & “Phool Aur Patthar” fame) surprised all with his expertise at harmonium .
Like his previous film ,it also became the highest grossing film followed by ‘Taxi Driver’ & Mirza Ghalib’. There was no looking back for the actor as his career soared high with many other musical-social hits like -Sanjog-1961, Aarti-1962, Ustadon Ke Ustad , Taj Mahal- 1963, Bheegi Raat-1965 & Bahu Begum-1967 to name some.
“Lage Na Mora Jiya” & “Mori Chham Chham Baje Payalia”(Ghunghat-1960) “Kabhi To Milegi, Kahin To Milegi”, “Ab Kya Misaal Doon Main Tumhare Shabaab Ki”, “Aapne Yaad Dilaaya To Mujhe Yaad Aaya” (Aarti), “Jana Tha Humse Door”, “Unko Yeh Shikayat Hai” & “Yun Hasraton Ke Daag” (Adalat-1958), “Paaon Chhoo Lene Do”, “Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai”, “Jo Wada Kiya Wo Nibhana Padega” (Taj Mahal-1963) “Dil Jo Na Keh Saka”, & “Aise To Na Dekho Ke Bahek Jaaye Kahin Hum” ( Bheegi Raat) were some of the hit & memorable numbers form his films. The film was shot at Naintal. I was there & became part of the select crowd. Interestingly, most songs of his films were rendered by Mohammad Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar.
Kidar Sharma’s “Chitralekha” (1964) was another mentionable film starring Ashok Kumar & Meena Kumari. It failed to do well unlike “Chitralekha” (1941) by the same director. Gateway of India , Yahudi Ki Ladki (1957), Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Razia Sultan, Kranti, Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi (1991) were his other films to mention.
