By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
चलिये मुबारक, ये जश्न दोस्ती का
दामन तो थामा आप ने किसी 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
Pradeep Kumar, the well known actor of his time, was also a producer, known for his performances in historical and family dramas. His “Anand Math” (1952), starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Geeta Bali, Bharat Bhushan, Murad & he himself was a historical drama with patriotic flavour, directed by Hemen Gupta, based on Bankim Chandra Bengali novel. It was followed by hits like “Anarkali” ( 1953), “Nagin” (1954)”Shirin Farhad” with Madhubala (1956) “Ghunghat” (1960),”Rakhi” & “Aarti”( 1962),Taj Mahal (1963) to name some.
His film “Anarkali”, directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal with music composed by C. Ramchandra was a musical extravaganza with hits like- “Dua Kar Gham-E-Dil” , “Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag”, “Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Char Ghadi”,”Yeh Zindagi Usiki Hai” & “Mohabbat Mein Aise Kadam Dagamagae, ZamanaYeh Samjha Ke Hum Pee Ke Aaye” to mention some. Kuldip Kaur and Sulochna were in supporting roles while Pradeep & Beena Rai were in the lead.
“Nagin”, again was directed by Nandlal Jaswantlal with music score by Hemant Kumar. It was also a musical hit with many memorable and foot tapping songs like ” Man dole mera tan dole”, “Mera dil ye pukare aa ja”, “Oonchi oonchi duniya ke deewarein saiyyan tod ke ” & ” Jadugar Saiyyan chodo meri Baiyyan”. Ramanand Sagar’s “Ghunghat” was another social drama with music holding the key with songs like- “Lage Naa Mora Jiya” & “Mori Chham Chham Baaje Payaliya” both rendered by Lata Mangeshkar. The film featured Bharat Bhushan, Bina Rai, Pradeep Kumar & Asha Parekh.
Phani Majumdar’s “Aarti” starring Askok Kumar,Meena Kumari and Pradeep Kumar was another masterpiece social film with many hit songs-“Kabhi To Milegi, Kahin To Milegi”,”Ab Kya Misaal Doon Main Tumhare Shabaab Ki”, “Aapne Yaad Dilaaya To Mujhe Yaad Aaya” to mention some.These films also represented the exisitng social pattern of middle class Indians after the partition.Tararchand Barjatya was the producer with music composed by Roshan who later composed songs of film “Taj Mahal” ( 1963):the film featuring Pradeep Kumar,Bina Rai,Veena & Jabeen Jalil was produced by AK Nadiadwala ,ably directed by M. Sadiq.”Chandi Ka Badan sone ki” was rated as one of the best & most popular quwaali rendered by Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle & Meena Kapoor with many hit songs to boast like-“Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai”, “Paaon Chhoo Lene Do” & “Jo Wada Kiya Wo”.
“Bheegi Raat” produced & directed by Kalidass was a remake of 1957 American movie “An Affair to Remember”.I was at Nainital on vacations when the film was shot there.Ashok Kumar,Meena Kumari & Rehman were part of this movie. ‘Aise To Na Dekho Ki’ sung by Suman Kalyanpur and Mohammed Rafi & ” Dil Jo Na keh Saka” were the two hit numbers with music score again by Roshan.
“Bahu Megam”, “Sambandh”, “Raat Aur Din” , “Chitralekha”, “Raziya Sultan” & “Adaalat” (1958 ) “Yun Hasraton Ke Daag” & “Jaana Tha Humse Door” were his other best films. The star of many hits was last seen in “Ye Aag Kab Bujhegi ” & “Sherdil”. Died 27 October 2001 in Kolkata. His Daughter Beena Banerjee worked in films & many TV serials. His son Siddharth Banerjee worked as assistant director in films.
