By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
आइये मेहरबाँ, बैठिये जाने-जाँ
शौक़ से लीजिये जी, इश्क की इम्तहाँ
कैसे हो तुम नौजवाँ, इतने हसीं महमाँ
कैसे करूँ मैं बयाँ, दिल की नहीं है ज़ुबाँ
आइये मेहरबाँ…
Ashok Kumar, has unarguably been, one of the most sought after actor of Hindi cinema. I rank him along with the ‘Big Three’ (Dilip, Raj & Dev Anand). He was a hero before anyone from the ‘Big three’ appeared on the cine horizon and acted opposite many a leading actress like Usha Kiran, Rani,Mumtaz Shanti, Meena Kumari, Nalini Jayawant, Mala Sinha, Madhubala, Nutan, Vyjanyanthimala, Sadhna, Hema Malini to mention some.
Ashok Kumar started his career with “Jeevan Naiya “(1936) followed by “Achhut Kanya” (1936), Kangan, Bandhan, Jhoola (1939-1941) , blockbuster “Kismet” (1943) , “Mahal”, “Afsana”, “Deedar”, (1949), “Howrah Bridge”, ‘Dhool Ka Phool”, “Jewel Thief”, “Bhigi Raat”, “Gumraah”, “Meharbaan”, “Bahu Begam” ,”Mere Mehboob” ,”Kanoon”, “Khandaan” , “Ek Hi Rasta”, “Mamta”, “Satyakam”, & “Shauqeen”.
Ashok Kumar & his younger brother Kishore Kumar featured in the 1946 film “Shikari”(1946) also starring Paro Devi & Leela Mishra.They later featured in “Bhai Bhai” (1956) a musical hit with songs like-“Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De”(Geeta Dutt)& “Kadar Jane Na” (Lata Mangeshkar). Nirupa Roy, Nimmi & Om Prakash were the other prominent names.Legendary singer-actor Kishore Kumar & Anup Kumar were also part of “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” (1958), a musical hit also starring Madhubala. “Tamasha”(1952) directed by Phani Majumdar was one of his earlier hits. It also starred Kishore Kumar.
Ashok Kumar reigned supreme as a hero, character artiste and as a villain. His villainy was different from the ‘run of the mill’ stuff as is evident in films like “Jewel thief”. His arrival exuded suspense, too. in many films. His younger sister Sati Devi was married to Sashadhar Mukherjee, Studio owner & producer & head of Mukherjee family. He also played ‘woh’ between the hero & heroine in many hits.
‘Love in Bombay’ (2013) starring Joy Mukherjee Waheeda Rehman, Ashok Kumar & Kishore Kumar was his last film released in 2013. It was made in 1971.
