By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
प्यार करने वाले अरे प्यार ही करेंगे
जलने वाले चाहे जल जल मरेंगे
दिल से जो धड़के हैं वो दिल हरदम ये कहेंगे
कहीं बीतें न ये रातें, कहीं बीतें न ये दिन
Remembered On His Birth Anniversary
Vijay Anand, commonly known as Goldie Anand in the film circles was the youngest of three Anand brothers ( the other two being Chetan Anand & Dev Anand). Anand is considered one of the finest directors who excelled in making emotional & thought provoking films like “Guide” and also many entertaining masala musical hits like “Johny Mera Naam” & “Teesri Manzil”.
Going against the social norms and taboos, Anand married his niece Sushma, daughter of his eldest sister, causing a furor in the family as well in the film circles as a marriage between close relatives was & is still considered a taboo.
I met the director with his family while on my way to Goa in 1988.We remained together for half an hour as the flight to Goa was delayed. We discussed various aspects of his film making concentrating on his acting and his leaving the films prematurely. We also got enough time at the Goa aerodrome over a cup of tea as his host arrived late to receive him. After he left with his family we went to our destination, Colonia Santa Maria Resort at Baga Beach, Goa.
Vijay Anand’s debut film was Navketan’s “Nau Do Gyarah”( 1957)with Dev Anand playing the lead opposite Kalapana Kartik whom he later married.The film had many nhits like “Aankhon Mein Kya Ji, Rupehla Baadal” “O Aaja, Panchhi Akela Hai” rendered by Asha Bhosle-Rafi & “Hum Hain Raahi Pyar Ke” by Kishore Kumar.It was followed by “Kala Bazar” starring Dev-Waheeda another musical film with songs like-“Khoya Khoya Chand, Khula Aasmaan”, “Rimjhim Ke Tarane Leke Aayi Barsaat” rendered by Geeta Dutt-Rafi duo & “Sach Hue Sapne Tere, Jhoom Le O Man Mere” by Asha Bhosle. In 1965 came “Guide” starring Dev Anand with Waheeda Rehman, the film which turned the tide, portraying Dev Anand’s brilliance as an actor of the highest calibre. Naturally, therefore, it was highly acclaimed the world over winning Filmfare Awards in many categories including Best Director Vijay Anand ( 1965) ,Best Actor Dev Anand ( 1967), Best Actress Waheeda ( 1967) & Best Dialogues (Vijay Anand 1965) respectively.
Nasir Hussain’s “Teesri Manzil” directed by Vijay Anand starring Shammi Kapoor and Asha parekh was a musical suspense thriller with Asha parekh & Shammi Kapoor merrily singing ” O Mere Sona Re Sona Re Sona” & “O Haseena Julfo Wali” to the audience delight and merriment. “Johny Mera Naam” added another feather in his cap. The film featured Dev Anand & Hema Malini well supported by Pran, I. S. Johar & Premnath with a titillaingly nay erotic song “Husn Ke Lakhon Rang” to the audiences delight.”Vaada Toh Nibhaaya” & “Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi ” were the other hit numbers.Vijay Anand won the Filmfare Best Screenplay Award while actor I.S. Johar received his first Best Performance Award playinga comic triple role as a steward in an aeroplane. Interestingly, Vijay also enjoyed a unique sense of song picturization as is evident from many songs like “Kaaton Se Kheech ke yeh aanchal” (Guide ) and “Honthon Mein Aisi Baat” (Jewel Thief) to mention a few.
