By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
इस दिल के तारों में मधुर झंकार तुम्ही से है
और यह हसीन जलवा यह मस्त बहार तुमहीं से है
दिल तो मेरा सनम, तेरा तलबगार था
आज भी है और और कल भी रेहेगा
सौ साल पहले मुझे तुमसे
Born to to Pranlal Parekh & Sudha Parekh in Bangalore, Asha Parekh did some films as a child artist in 1940s. She also appeared in a small role in Madhubala-Sunil Dutt starrer “Jwala”, started in 1959 and released many year later in 1971 following Madhubala’s death & completed with a Madhubala lookalike Sona. The actress, however, hit the limelight with director Nasir Hussain’s “Dil Deke Dekho” which turned out to be a musical hit with many foot tapping numbers like- ‘Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale'( Rafi-Asha), ‘Hum Aur Tum Aur Yeh Sama’ & ‘Bolo Bolo Kuch To Bolo'( Rafi). Nasir Hussain who was reportedly in love with her, provided her the desired shot in the arm casting her in his films one after another like- “Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai” (1961), “Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon” (1963), “Teesri Manzil” (1966), “Baharon Ke Sapne” (1967), “Pyar Ka Mausam” (1969), and “Caravan” with a scintillatingly teasing number “Piya Tu Ab To Aa Jaa” (1971). The film collected more than 36 crore on box office, a too whopping sum that time.
Asha Parekh was an excellent dancer, often played tom boy and her too tight fitting nay teasingly alluring dresses served as sight for sore eyes. Noted director Raj Khosla changed her image from a lively-glamorous actress to a serious one with “Do Badan” ( 1966) opposite Manoj Kumar & Pran, the latter turning a good samaritan in the film with many touching songs ” Jab Chali Thandi Hawaa, Jab Uthi Kaali Ghata” being my pick of the lot. I watched this movie in Delhi after doing High School during summer vacations. “Chirag” (1969) and “Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki” (1978) followed suit. Director Shakti Samanta exploited her talent more dramatically in “Pagla Kahin Ka” (1970) and “Kati Patang” (1971 )opposite Rajesh Khanna for which she won Filmfare Award For Best Actress. It turned out to be a super-hit movie.
Manoj Kumar’s ” Upkar” became a mile stone in more than one way. It received nominations in 9 categories & won 6 with 2 National Film Awards.’Deewanon Se Ye Mat Poocho'( Mukesh), ‘Kasme Wade Pyar Wafa’ ‘(Manna Day)’Mere Desh Ki Dharti’ (Mahendra Kapoor) were some of the hits of the film.”Ziddi”(1964),”Love in Tokyo”( 1966),”Baharon Ke Sapne” ( 1967) & “Shikar”(1968)were some other memorable films of the actress. “Sayonara Sayonara”,”O Mere Shahe-Khuban”( Love in Tokyo),”Jaiye Aap Kahaan Jaayenge”, “Yeh Hai Reshmi Zulfon Ka Andhera”( “Mere Sanam”-Asha Bhosle), “Raat Kaa Samaa Jhume Chandramaa”( Lata film “Ziddi”), “O Haseena Zulfonwali Jaane Jahan”, “O Mere Sona Re Sona Re Sona Re” ( Rafi-Asha),”Yeh Kali Jab Talak”, “Aye Kaash Kisi Deewane Ko”( Aaye Din Bahar Ke), Ansoo Samajh Ke Kyon Mujhe”(film “Asha”), “Aankhon Se Jo Utri Hai Dil Mein”( Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon),”Aaya Aaya Atariya Pe Koi Chor”, & “Maar Diya Jaye”(Mera Gaon Mera Desh) are some of the most popular numbers from her films.
