By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Pran ( Raj Kapoor) and Gopal ( Prem Nath) two friends get stuck in a country side while on a vacational tour. There they happen to meet two village belle Reshma ( Nargis) and Neela ( Nimmi). Pran, who is a rich man, falls for Reshma, while the other guy -sort of ‘casanova’, get smitten by the raw, nubile, and untouched beauty Neela, a village shepherdess. A hedonist by nature Gopal lures Neela doing away with her chastity. Both return home promising the girls to return by monsoon. Pran forgets the things and gets engaged in his business, while Gopal finds new girls and remain engaged in the pursuit of pleasure. After so many incidents, mishappenings and twists eventually better sense prevails and Gopal realizes what true love is all about. He returns to the village to find his love gone for ever. The film ends with Gopal lighting the funeral pyre as rain starts pouring, thereby justifying the film’s title “Barsaat”. Pran and Reshma get united in the end.
Interestingly,it was Raj Kapoor’s successful film as director.Music duo Shanker Jaikishan also made their successful debut alongside debutant Nimmi.Noted lyricist Shailendra and singer Mukesh also joined the RK banner with this film.”Barsat” opened floodgates of offers for Nimmi, who though was in the second lead,yet caught the fancy of the cine goers and the critics alike. The film’s music, especially songs further enhanced the prospects ,thereby making it an all time smashing hit after ,” Kismet”(1944). ‘Jiya Bekraar hai’, ‘Hawa Main Udta jaye mera Lal Dupatta Mal Mal Ka Ho Jee,’ Chod gaye Balam, ‘ Bichde Hue Pardesi’, ‘Mujhe Kisi Se Pyaar Ho gaya’did wonders on the box officeand continue to rule the roost in the mussical arena even after 70-year. ‘Jiya Beqarar hai Chhai Bahaar hai ‘ and ‘Barsaat main Humse Mile Tum Sajan ‘ were picturised on Nimmi who played a village belle.
“Daag”( 1952), directed by Amiya chakravarty ( known for directing soulful films like Seems,Patita,Jawar Bhata & Kathputli) starring Nimmi in the lead won Dilip Kumar his first ever filmfare Award in 1954.’Ae Mere Dil Kahin Aur Chal’ & ‘Hum Dard Ke Marhon Ka Itna Hi Fasana Hai’ rendered by Talat Mahmood were the hits composed under tha baton Shanker JaiKishan.
It was followed by Dilip,Nimmi,Prem Nath & Nadira starrer Mehboob Khan’s “Aan”( 1952) with memorable numbers like ‘Dil Mein Chhupake Pyar Ka Toofan Le Chale’ & ‘ Tumhe Kho Diya Hamne Paane ke Baad’ composed by Naushad. The film cost the exchequer 35 lakh and collected more than 4 crore. It also paved way for Nadira to rise to stardom as an actress in negative roles. Made on lavish scale when the rushes of ” Aan” were reportedly shown to the distributors & exhibitors they outrightly objected to the actress dying too early in the movie. Resultantly, a dream sequence was added to give prominence to the actress under reference. “Aan” was one of the first Indian movies to have a worldwide release. The film had an extremely lavish London premiere which Nimmi attended. The English version was titled “The Savage Princess”.
Nimmi’s other noteworthy films include the likes of ” Sazaa’& ” Bedardi” (1951), “Uran Khatola”( 1955), “Bhai Bhai” (1956)” Mere Mehboob” ( 1963),” Pooja Ke Phool” ( 1964) and ” Love & God” 1986.It would be injustice with the actress if we did not mention her Bharat Bhushan starrer love story ” Sohni -Mahiwal” ( 1958)directed by Raja Nawathe and music by Naushad with many a hit song rendered by Rafi, Lata & Mahendra Kapoor-like ‘Chand Chhupa Aur Tare Doobe’,’Tumhare Sang Main Bhi Chaloongi’, ‘Aanewale Ko Aana Hoga’ & ‘Teri Mehfil Tera Jalva’ to mention some.
