By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
ना कोई दिल में समाया
ना कोई पहलू में आया
जा के भी पास रहीं तुम ही
और जान-ए-जाँ जान-ए-मन
जानती हो
Manmohan Desai was one of the well known film directors who made his debut with 1960 film “Chhaliya” starring Raj Kapoor, Nutan Rehman and Shobhna Samarth in the backdrop of partition.The film had many a hit number like- “Teri Rahon Mein Khade Hai Dil Thaam Ke”,”Dum Dum Diga Diga”, “Meri Jaan Kuchh Bhi Kijiye” & theme song “Chhalia Mera Naam”.The film was liked for its songs & music score by Kalyanji Anandji.
Bluff Master(1963), Budtameez(1966) & Kismat starring Babita & Biswajeet were his next films of which the last had music score by O. P. Nayyar with some of the scintillating numbers like- “Aao Huzoor Tum Ko”(Asha Bhosle), “Kajra Mohabbat Wala” (Asha Bhosle- Shamshad Begum) both picturized on Babita & Biswajeet & “Aankhon Mein Qayamat Ke Kajal” rendered by Mahendra Kapoor & penned by S. H. Bihari.
Desai’s father was a producer who also owned Filmalaya studio. His elder brother gave Manmohan a break with “Chhaliya” as a director. He directed Bluff Master, Dharam Veer & Desh Premee under the stewardship of his brother. His wife Jeevanprabha Desai, who wrote stories of his films including “Aa Gale Lag Jaa, another musical hit with songs “Vaada Karo Nahi Chhodogi Tum Mera Saath”, “Na Koi Dil Mein Samaya” & “Tera Mujhse Hain Pehle Ka Nata Koi” rendered by Kishore Kumar with female singers Lata Mangeshkar & Purnima, passed away in 1979. Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer & Parvarish, directed by Manmohan Desai, were the Highest grossing films of the year 1977.
Known for making family dramas with music being the key in he beginning, he later switched to action-oriented multi-starrers producing & directing films like Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) Suhaag (1979) Naseeb (981) & Coolie (1983) to name some.
I met Manmohan Desai in 1988 presumably at his Lamington Road office. His then General Manager (former PRO) Prakash Pange introduced me to him. The latter also took me to his Goregaon flat & gave me B & W photographs of films directed by Manji as the veteran director was commonly called.
