Shikari, 1963 Director: Mohammad Hussain Music: G.S. Kohli Lyrics: Farooq Kaiser, Qamar Jalalabadi Playback: Lata, Asha, Usha, Rafi Choreography: P.L. Raj, Hiralal Cast: Ajit, Ragini, Helen, K.N. Singh, Madan Puri, Randhir, Bir Sakhuja The 1963 film Shikari is an Indian version of King Kong, with elements of Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness (after which the 1979 film Apocalypse Now is also modeled) thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, special effects took a giant step backwards after the 1933 version of King Kong, with our giant gorilla being a man in a monkey suit destroying miniature villages, rather than having the outstanding stop-motion giant gorilla effects of the earlier film. No matter, as the story is a good one, and there's still time for some good dancing, what with Ragini, Helen, and Madhumati being in the film.
Shikari, 1963 Director: Mohammad Hussain Music: G.S. Kohli Lyrics: Farooq Kaiser, Qamar Jalalabadi Playback: Lata, Asha, Usha, Rafi Choreography: P.L. Raj, Hiralal Cast: Ajit, Ragini, Helen, K.N. Singh, Madan Puri, Randhir, Bir Sakhuja The 1963 film Shikari is an Indian version of King Kong, with elements of Joseph Conrad's Heart Of Darkness (after which the 1979 film Apocalypse Now is also modeled) thrown in for good measure. Unfortunately, special effects took a giant step backwards after the 1933 version of King Kong, with our giant gorilla being a man in a monkey suit destroying miniature villages, rather than having the outstanding stop-motion giant gorilla effects of the earlier film. No matter, as the story is a good one, and there's still time for some good dancing, what with Ragini, Helen, and Madhumati being in the film.
Wahan Ke Log, 1967 Director: N.A. Ansari Music: C. Ramchandra Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni Playback: Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor, Asha Bhosle Choreography: Surya Kumar Cast: Pradeep Kumar, Tanuja, Neelofar, N.A. Ansari, Johnny Walker, with Bela Bose and Laxmi Chhaya
Albela, 1951 Director: Bhagwan Writer: Bhagwan Music: C. Ramchandra Lyrics: Rajendar Krishan Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, C.Ramchandra Starring: Geeta Bali, Bhagwan, Badri Prasad, Sunder, Pratima Devi, Dulari, Bimla Kumari
Albela, 1951 Director: Bhagwan Writer: Bhagwan Music: C. Ramchandra Lyrics: Rajendar Krishan Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, C.Ramchandra Starring: Geeta Bali, Bhagwan, Badri Prasad, Sunder, Pratima Devi, Dulari, Bimla Kumari
Kashmir Ki Kali, 1964 Director: Shakti Samanta Music: O.P. Nayyar Lyrics: S.H. Behari Playback: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle Cast: Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Pran, Nasir Hussain, Dumal,Anoop kumar, Madan Puri
Kashmir Ki Kali, 1964 Director: Shakti Samanta Music: O.P. Nayyar Lyrics: S.H. Behari Playback: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle Cast: Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Pran, Nasir Hussain, Dumal, Anoop kumar, Madan Puri
Janwar, 1965... Director: Bhappi Sonie... Music: Shankar-Jaikishan... Lyrics: Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri... Playback: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpur, Lata Mangeshkar... Starring: Shammi Kapoor, Rajshree, Rehman, Shyama, Rajendra Nath, Madhavi, Achala Sachdev... Mr. Srivastava lives a very wealthy lifestyle with his wife, and two sons, Mahendra and Sunder. He plans to get both his sons married to women from equally wealthy backgrounds. This does not happen, as Mahendra falls in love with Seema, who is poor and lives with her stepmother. This creates considerable acrimony in the family, and Seema is not accepted as a daughter-in-law. Unable to find a solution, Mahendra takes to alcohol and falls in the bewitching clutches of a beautiful courtesan by the name of Bahaar. While vacationing in Srinagar, Sunder meets with Sapna, who also comes from a poor family, falls in love with her and wants to marry her. She, too, falls in love with him. After the vacation, the two then part company. The next time Sapna sees Sunder in the company of a pregnant woman, and overhears that Sunder is soon to be a father. Did Sunder decide to obey his father's instructions after all? If so, what is to become of Sapna?
Janwar, 1965... Director: Bhappi Sonie... Music: Shankar-Jaikishan... Lyrics: Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri... Playback: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Suman Kalyanpur, Lata Mangeshkar... Starring: Shammi Kapoor, Rajshree, Rehman, Shyama, Rajendra Nath, Madhavi, Achala Sachdev... Mr. Srivastava lives a very wealthy lifestyle with his wife, and two sons, Mahendra and Sunder. He plans to get both his sons married to women from equally wealthy backgrounds. This does not happen, as Mahendra falls in love with Seema, who is poor and lives with her stepmother. This creates considerable acrimony in the family, and Seema is not accepted as a daughter-in-law. Unable to find a solution, Mahendra takes to alcohol and falls in the bewitching clutches of a beautiful courtesan by the name of Bahaar. While vacationing in Srinagar, Sunder meets with Sapna, who also comes from a poor family, falls in love with her and wants to marry her. She, too, falls in love with him. After the vacation, the two then part company. The next time Sapna sees Sunder in the company of a pregnant woman, and overhears that Sunder is soon to be a father. Did Sunder decide to obey his father's instructions after all? If so, what is to become of Sapna?
Dil Deke Dekho, 1957 Director: Nasir Hussain Music: Usha Khanna Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri Playback: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Usha Khanna Starring: Shammi Kapoor, Asha Parekh, Sulochana, Raj Mehra, Randhir, Malka, Rajendra Nath Neeta is a heiress, the only daughter of U.K. based Industrialist, Jagat Narayan. She is of marriageable age, and is presently wooed by Kailash, Chandra, and Raja. She prefers Chandra over Kailash and Raja, but subsequently changes her mind and falls in love with Raja. Things take a dramatic turn when Jagat and Neeta find out that Raja is not who is claims he is. When Raja defends himself, and calls himself Roop, his very own mother denies this claim, and instead states that Chandra is Roop, her only son. Raja alias Roop must now make attempts to prove himself, and realizes that this is indeed an uphill task.
Dil Deke Dekho, 1957 Director: Nasir Hussain Music: Usha Khanna Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri Playback: Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Usha Khanna Starring: Shammi Kapoor, Asha Parekh, Sulochana, Raj Mehra, Randhir, Malka, Rajendra Nath Neeta is a heiress, the only daughter of U.K. based Industrialist, Jagat Narayan. She is of marriageable age, and is presently wooed by Kailash, Chandra, and Raja. She prefers Chandra over Kailash and Raja, but subsequently changes her mind and falls in love with Raja. Things take a dramatic turn when Jagat and Neeta find out that Raja is not who is claims he is. When Raja defends himself, and calls himself Roop, his very own mother denies this claim, and instead states that Chandra is Roop, her only son. Raja alias Roop must now make attempts to prove himself, and realizes that this is indeed an uphill task.
Main Wohi Hoon, 1966.. Director: A. Shamsheer.. Music: Usha Khanna.. Lyrics: Asad Bhopali.. Playback: Krishna Kalle, Mahendra Kapoor, Usha Khanna, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi.. Cast: Feroz Khan, Kumkum, I.S. Johar, Bela Bose, Lata Sinha, Madan Puri, Murad, Johnny Whiskey.. Young and beautiful Asha Rai lives a wealthy life-style with her dad, Dhyanchand, in a palatial house. She has three suitors who are anxious to get a place in her heart and marry her. One is Jagdish, a wealthy businessman; the second is Rajan, another wealthy man, heir to a vast estate; and the third is Vijay, who has just found employment as an Engineer. When Asha selects Vijay to be her life-partner, her father opposes this, as he would like his daughter to be financially happy, especially with a young man like Jagdish, who he approves of. When Asha maintains that she only loves Vijay, he invites him to his house, and thereafter Dhyanchand's dead body is found. The prime suspects are Asha's three suitors, with Vijay leading this list as he has the motive as well as he was last seen with the deceased. Watch how events unfold when the police are involved and how they conclude their investigation.
An Evening In Paris, 1967 Director: Shakti Samanta Music: Shankar, Jaikishan Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri Playback: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi, Sharda Cast: Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Pran, Sarita, Rajendra Nath, K.N. Singh Deepa (Sharmila Tagore), having failed in love repeatedly as her lovers were after her wealth, leaves for Paris with a broken heart. Shortly after her arrival, she meets Sam (Shammi Kapoor), a French man (or so she thinks). After a few meetings, they fall in love. When she learns that Sam is actually Shyam from India, she feels betrayed and runs away. Shyam, unaware that his actions were going to hurt her so badly, rushes to apologize to Deepa only to find her doing unusual things? Cigarettes and liquor bottles are found strewn around her. This is not the Deepa Sam knows.
An Evening In Paris, 1967 Director: Shakti Samanta Music: Shankar, Jaikishan Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri Playback: Asha Bhosle, Mohammad Rafi, Sharda Cast: Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Pran, Sarita, Rajendra Nath, K.N. Singh Deepa (Sharmila Tagore), having failed in love repeatedly as her lovers were after her wealth, leaves for Paris with a broken heart. Shortly after her arrival, she meets Sam (Shammi Kapoor), a French man (or so she thinks). After a few meetings, they fall in love. When she learns that Sam is actually Shyam from India, she feels betrayed and runs away. Shyam, unaware that his actions were going to hurt her so badly, rushes to apologize to Deepa only to find her doing unusual things? Cigarettes and liquor bottles are found strewn around her. This is not the Deepa Sam knows.
Intequam (Intaquam), 1969 Director: R.K. Nayyar Music: Laxmikant, Pyarelal Lyrics: Rajendar Krishan Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi Cast: Ashok Kumar, Sadhana, Sanjay Khan, Rehman, Helen, Rajendra Nath Humiliated and falsely imprisoned, Reeta Mehra (Sadhana) swears to take revenge against Sohanlal (Rehman). Upon her release she finds out that her ailing mother (Leela Chitnis) has passed away, and this adds fuel to her vengeance. She then meets with Heeralal (Ashok Kumar), who was a former business partner of Heeralal, who went to jail to save him, and as a result had to serve a lengthy jail sentence. Upon his release, he finds out that Heeralal had not kept his promise to look after his wife and child. Heeralal coaches Reeta on how to go about their vengeance - their target is the only son of Sohanlal - Rajpal (Sanjay Khan); make him fall in love with Reeta; get them married and then extract vengeance from Sohanlal. But fate has something else planned for this group of people.
Nagin, 1954 Director: Nandlal Jaswantlal Music: Hemant Kumar (aka Hemanta Mukherjee) Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar Cast: Vyjayanthimala, Pradeep Kumar, Jeevan, Mubarak, S.L. Puri, Ram Avtar, Krishna Kumari, Sulochana, I.S. Johar Two tribes are in conflict for some local economic rights. The daughter of the Nagi tribe's chief, Mala (Vyjayanthimala) vows to kill the son of the Ragi tribe's chief, Sanatan (Pradeep Kumar) as revenge. Trespassing the enemy territory, she is mesmerized by music of a flute. Coming closer, she finds out that the singer is Sanatan. They fall in love, but they find it difficult to appease the enemity between the two tribes and to resist to the attempts of the villain Prabir (Jeevan) to marry the heroine. A classic film known today for its songs (the MD won a Filmfare Award for the music), and for making Vyjayanthimala a star.
Nagin, 1954 Director: Nandlal Jaswantlal Music: Hemant Kumar (aka Hemanta Mukherjee) Lyrics: Rajendra Krishan Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, Hemant Kumar Cast: Vyjayanthimala, Pradeep Kumar, Jeevan, Mubarak, S.L. Puri, Ram Avtar, Krishna Kumari, Sulochana, I.S. Johar Two tribes are in conflict for some local economic rights. The daughter of the Nagi tribe's chief, Mala (Vyjayanthimala) vows to kill the son of the Ragi tribe's chief, Sanatan (Pradeep Kumar) as revenge. Trespassing the enemy territory, she is mesmerized by music of a flute. Coming closer, she finds out that the singer is Sanatan. They fall in love, but they find it difficult to appease the enemity between the two tribes and to resist to the attempts of the villain Prabir (Jeevan) to marry the heroine. A classic film known today for its songs (the MD won a Filmfare Award for the music), and for making Vyjayanthimala a star.
Mahal, 1949 Director: Kamal Amrohi Music: Khemchand Prakash Lyrics: Nakshab Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, Rajkumari, Zohrabai Ambala Cast: Ashok Kumar, Madhubala, Vijayalaxmi, Kanu Roy, M. Kumar Hari Shankar (Ashok Kumar) comes to claim his inheritance - a palatial building known as Shabnam Mahal. He does not see anything out of the normal, until he sees his portrait on the wall. The housekeeper tells him the background of the portrait and the tragic ending of two lovers. Later, Hari Shankar sees a woman singing and swinging in the garden swing, when he approaches, she disappears. Both the housekeeper and his lawyer friend, Shrinath, warn Hari Shankar, and ask him to stay away from this house, he does so, only to be drawn back. No one can help Hari Shankar now as he continues to be drawn deeper and deeper into the dark world of the ghostly apparition.
Raat Aur Din, 1967.. Director: Satyen Bose.. Music: Shankar, Jaikishen.. Lyrics: Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri.. Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey, Mukesh.. Cast: Nargis, Pradeep Kumar, Feroz Khan, Anwar Hussain, Anoop Kumar, K.N. Singh, Laxmi Chhaya, Leela Mishra.. Pratap, while stranded during a stormy night, meets with Varuna, and is instantly attracted to her. He proposes marriage through his family, and soon both get married. He soon notices that Varuna has some strange habits, which are compounded when he finds out that she leaves the house alone at night to go to night-clubs, and sings, dances, and drinks alcohol. When he questions Varuna, she denies ever doing any such thing. His mother thinks that Varuna is possessed, and arranges for an exorcism, which is in vain, as even Pratap is opposed to this. Then Pratap meets with Dilip, who claims to be Varuna's lover, and knows Varuna as "Peggy".
Anuradha, 1960.. Director: Hrishikesh Mukherjee.. Music: Ravi Shankar.. Lyrics: Shailendra.. Playback: Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor.. Cast: Balraj Sahni, Leela Naidu, Abhi Battacharya, Nasir Hussain, Hari Shivdasani, Asit Sen..
Bari Bahen (aka Badi Bahen), 1950.. Director: Ram Daryani.. Music: Husnlal Bhagatram.. Lyrics: Rajendar Krishan, Qamar Jalalabadi.. Starring: Suraiya, Geeta Bali, Rehman, Pran, Ulhas, Roop Kamal.. Playback: Suraiya, Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammad Rafi.. From a really bad source.
Dastan, 1950.. Director: Abdul Rashid Kardar.. Music: Naushad.. Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni.. Starring: Suraiya, Raj Kapoor, Veena, Suresh, Al Nasir, Pratima Devi, Murad, Shakila.. Playback: Suraiya, Mohammad Rafi..
Mirza Ghalib, 1954 Director: Sohrab Modi Music: Ghulam Mohammed Lyrics: Mirza Ghalib, Shakeel Badayuni Starring: Suraiya, Bharat Bhushan, Nigar Sultana, Durga Khote, Murad, Mukri, Ulhas, Kumkum Playback: Suraiya, Talat Mahmood, Mohammad Rafi, Sudha Malhotra, Shamshad Begum This movie depicts the life of once wealthy poet and nobleman Mirza Ghalib. This story portrays his trials, tribulations, triumphs, and ultimate descent to poverty, and then to prison; and his tragic and ill-fated love with a beautiful courtesan named Chaudvin.
Dillagi, 1949 Director: AR Kardar Music: Naushad Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni Starring: Suraiya, Shyam, Sharda, Shyam Kumar, Amar, Shyama Suraiya at her absolute peak of popularity.
