Someone posed this question on Twitter recently and naturally I thought the response belonged here on the blog. I'm a sucker for the full-blown romantic ballad in a Hindi movie. The more Yash Chopra-ey the better. I'll take them all, with the prancing around Switzerland and everything.
Despite having about a million "favorite" Bollywood love songs, I can easily narrow down my top 5.
So here are My Top 5 Ultimate Romantic Hindi Songs (counting down): *Click the title to view the song on YouTube*
5. Kabhi Kabhie - Title song
So the movie was indeed supremely messed up and this song is very sad in many ways, but it is still ultimately romantic. Love Rakhee's cheetah print outfit too, and Amitabh's sherbert coloured turtleneck. Excellent times.
4. Pehla Nasha
I remember when I first bought the tape (yes, that's right, audio cassette tape)of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar back when I was 14 or 15 years old. I called up my then boyfriend and breathlessly told him that I was in love. Poor guy was shell shocked until he realized I was talking about a song. God I was mean. But yeah, this song still gives everyone that glazed over look because they're remembering their first love or past life or something super cheesy and super Bolly like that.
3. Chura Liya
This song STILL has such an effect on people. Zeenat Aman was so fabulous in this song (is that a horseshoe charm choker?), Asha Bhosle's cute trills work so well for her.Also the beautiful guitar strums, the sexy saxophone and the sweet innocent looks between Zeenie and the hero (what was his name? Vijay something?) are too perfect. This song is truly evergreen.
2. Yeh Vaada Raha
Admittedly I am a Rishi Kapoor fangirl, but even if I wasn't I think I would love this song. The entire soundtrack of Yeh Vaada Raha was absolutely gorgeous, but this song takes the cake. R.D. Burman + Asha Bhosle + Kishore Kumar pretty much makes me the happiest person ever. It's my favorite combination. The 80s really had some brilliance in the middle of the crazy.
1. Dekha Ek Khwab
I forget about this song every so often, but I always come back to it. It's just magical. The scenery, the chemistry of Amitabh and Rekha, the silken voices of Kishore and Lata, the poetry of the lyrics ... it just can't be beat. So many songs after this have tried to re-create its atmosphere -- Mitwa, Kabhi Mein Kahoon, Tujhe Dekha To Yeh Jaana Sanam, Humko Humise Churalo ... they are all just trying to live up to this song. It is definitely my #1 most romantic Hindi song.
There are of course many, many more ballads/love songs that I adore, but I for once was able to narrow down my list. What would be in your top 5? Would love to hear from you in the comments!
The man that caused girls all over India to swoon just passed away, and everyone is feeling terribly sentimental. I unfortunately didn't grow up in the 60s so I never quite understood the way ladies from this era were so smitten with Rajesh Khanna. I love the stories though, about how girls were marrying his photographs and marking their maang with their own blood instead of sindoor ... so dramatic and ridiculously filmi.
Admittedly he wasn't my favorite actor, but earlier this year I had even thought about doing a blogging project week dedicated to Rajesh Khanna -- I thought perhaps immersing myself in his films from the earlier years would demystify the Rajesh effect. And though I never got around to this project, I did recently watch the 1980 movie Aanchal starring him, Rakhee, Rekha and Amol Palekar, and I did start to see some of the charm and sweetness he possessed.
Not to mention that he had some of the best songs Bollywood has ever produced all picturized on him. Of course everyone will point straight to "Mere Sapnon Ki Rani" from Aradhana but it honestly isn't one of my favorite songs. Aradhana is one of the best soundtracks ever, and some of the other songs from it made it onto my list of favorites. Other super popular tracks like "Yeh Shaam Mastani" and "O Mere Dil Ke Chein" from Kati Patang, while lovely songs, just aren't ones I'd listen to repeatedly.
Anyway, this was supposed to be a Top 10 list, but I could not possibly remove a single song here, so I had to make it a Top 12. Here we go!
Amaluu's Top 12 Favorite Rajesh Khanna Songs (a dedication): counting down to my number one favorite RK song
12. Maine Tere Liye - Anand
Fresh, sweet, innocent ... this song just breathes all those qualities out.
11. Jai Jai Shiv Shankar - Aap Ki Kasam
Fun Fun Fun! And I totally, completely adore Mumtaz. Though everyone's favorite jodi partner for Rajesh Khanna was Sharmila Tagore, I always liked these two together.
10. Zindagi Ek Safar - Andaz
I read somewhere that Rajesh Khanna had been paired with Hema Malini more times than any other heroine, which was interesting. This is probably their best song together. Such a great road trip song!
9. Karwaten Badalte Rahe - Aap Ki Kasam
Soft, sweet and romantic. My best friend from my pre-teen/teen years made me love this song.
8. Kora Kagaz Tha - Aradhana
We used to perform this song with our band Ishara (which is how I know half of these songs) and people used to always slow dance/waltz to it. So pretty!
7. Chala Jaata Hoon - Mere Jeevan Saathi
I love how jaunty this song is!
6. Prem Kahani Mein - Prem Kahani
I adore this song. It may or may not be because of Mumtaz's pretty pink outfit.
5. Humen Tumse Pyar Kitna - Kudrat
This has that"epic omg one true wuv" feel to it. Also Kishore Kumar freaking rules.
4. Humen Aur Jeene Ki - Agar Tum Na Hote
The only song on my list from the later years of Rajesh Khanna's hero days. It used to primarily be an Antakshari song for me (isn't every other song a 'ha' song?), but I heard it on the radio recently and was bowled over by how nostalgic I felt listening to it.
3. Roop Tera Mastana - Aradhana
Smooth, sensual with a tinge of mystery ... who doesn't love this song?
2. Chup Gaye Saare Nazaare - Do Raaste
Originally I was going to say this was my favorite, but then I remembered my #1 favorite RK song. Still, this is definitely one of my all-time favorite Hindi songs. And again, Mumtaz is such a cutie!
1. Chingari Koi Bhadke - Amar Prem
I went through a phase in college where all I listened to was classic Hindi songs, and this became the #1 repeat offender on my list. I don't know what it is about this song but you just FEEL it in your heart. It literally makes my heart hurt, but it a good way. So bittersweet and beautifully sung by Kishore.I can easily say this is my number 1 favorite Rajesh Khanna song.
So RIP Rajesh Khanna ... you had a good run and will always be remembered fondly. Especially by the Aunties who are all probably weeping their hearts out today remembering their first love. You'll live on forever in these timeless songs!
It's been really hard to get around to blogging lately but I wanted to just quickly post a song of the day ... this one has floated around in my head a few times but this is the first time I was able to get on to Blogger to share it ...
I had an audio cassette of Hindi Children's Songs when I was little and I abused the heck out of that thing. Some of my favorites on the tape were "Hans Tu Hardum" from Lootmaar, "Bachchon Tum Ho Khel Khilone" from Tapasya, "Lakdi Ki Kathi" from Masoom and this one ...
So imagine my surprise years and years later, after the advent of YouTube, when I discovered that this song which I had known for so long actually starred my absolute favorite - Rishi Kapoor! And he is in full 1,000 watt smile, Ronald McDonald fro effect. Guess who's smitten. Me.
Careful viewers will note that Mithun Chakraborty is one of Rishi's sideys. I know!!
As much as I love Rishi forever and ever, I admit that this song is owned 100% by Kishore Kumar who sang it with so much jubilation. Oh Kishore, how I miss you!
So here's "Manubhai Motor Chale Pom Pom Pom" from Phool Khile Hai Gulshan Gulshan (1978) which starred Rishi Kapoor and Moushumi Chatterjee (what a random pairing!), music by Laxmikant Pyarelal, sung by the beyond perfect Kishore Kumar.
"Panchhi Banoon" from Chori Chori (1956) is THE happiest song ever. Can you seriously listen to it without smiling or wanting to skip through fields and forests?
Day 27 - A song you play when you're sad:
I love a lot of sad songs, but "Tere Bina Zindagi" from Aandhi (1975) is hauntingly beautiful ...
Day 28 - A song that makes you laugh:
"Ek Chatur Nar" from Padosan (1968) is the ultimate ... Mehmood is the KING but Kishore Kumar and Sunil Dutt are awesome as well. What a team and what a fantastic movie!
Day 29 - A song you can relate to:
"Ae Dil Dil Ki Duniya Mein" from Yaadein (2001) is not necessarily a great song, and the picturization is seriously odd (why are people rocking out to this sad, slow song at the club?), but there was a time when I really could relate to the lyrics - particularly the part about 'bahar koi hasta hai, andar koi rota hai' (on the outside they laugh, but on the inside they are crying).
Day 30 - A favorite song that is picturized on the legend that is Amitabh Bachchan:
I love SOOO many Amitabh songs so it was really, really hard to choose one as a favorite, but "Dekha Na Haye Re" from Bombay to Goa (1972) is definitely one of the top ones on my list. And hey, I can really see where Abhishek Bachchan gets his fashion sense from ...
Thanks for sticking with me through this challenge ... I'm looking forward to trying the same with Tamil songs next!
These guys were putting their song choices into blog posts, which I realized was an excellent way to keep record of them for posterity. So I dug way back into my Facebook timeline to find my earliest choices for this challenge, and here they are!
30 DAY BOLLYWOOD SOUNDTRACK CHALLENGE
Day 1: A song that makes you happy:
"Zindagi Milke Bitayenge" is from my all-time favorite movie Satte Pe Satta (1982), and I cannot listen to it without getting a huge cheesy smile on my face.
Day 2: A song that makes you sad:
"Jidhar Dekhoon" sung by Amitabh Bachchan himself from the movie Mahaan (1983) is beautiful and heartwrenching.
*unfortunately there are no embeddable links to this song on YouTube, but click the song title above to link to the song*
Day 3: A song you like driving to:
"O Mere Dil Ke Chain" from Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972) - it's that R.D. Burman bongo beat + Kishore Kumar's voice that gets me.
Day 4 - A song you like walking to:
"Khatooba" from Ali Baba Aur 40 Chor (1980) ... it's pretty random but I have an awesome remix of it on my iPod that it's especially good for when I need to walk fast.
Day 5 - A song that reminds you of someone:
"Mera Laung Gawacha" from Naagmani (1991) will forever remind me of the Jajoo Sisters - three sisters that lived in the Metro Detroit area that were famous for dancing this song back when we were teens.
So there are my first 5 choices. What would you choose? Please feel free to join in the fun either on Facebook, Twitter or on your own blog!
For the 1-year celebration of my venture into BollyBlogging, I thought it was time to make an attempt to review my absolute, unequivocal, all-time favorite movie (in ANY language) ... Satte Pe Satta (1982). I don't even think I will be able to sum up how much I adore this movie, which is why I'm hesitant to blog about it. There's a lot of nostalgia associated with this movie, which is one I watched over and over with my sisters. But in itself, I find the film to still have a certain quality that sets it apart from your average Bollywood fare. Of course, this was a time when original concepts still existed in Bollywood. Recently they announced the decision to remake this film with Sanjay Dutt in the lead role, and I cannot proclaim enough how HEINOUS this idea is. To remake this film is BLASPHEMY. BLASPHEMY I TELL YOU!
Anyhoo ... about Satte Pe Satta ...
*SPOILERS!!!!*
Loosely based on the Hollywood musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Satte Pe Satta tells the story of Ravi (Amitabh Bachchan) and his six brothers:
Som (Sudhir) - high-blood pressure type, yells a lot
Mangal (Shakti Kapoor) - stutters, seems a bit ... special
Budh (Paintal) - short, goofy, often jokingly called "Buddhu" by Ravi
Guru (Kanwaljit Singh) - giant-sized but boring
Shukhar (Vikram Sahu or Indrajeet - found both names online and don't know which is accurate, but he's a snoozefest anyway so who cares?)
Shani aka Sunny (Sachin Pilgaonkar) - the youngest, cutest, sweetest and most charming/sensitive
The brothers all live on a remote farm and are completely uncivilized -- they detest bathing and eat and behave like the animals they live amongst.
(NOTE: I also don't want to compare it to the Seven Brides for Seven Brothers original, because though it takes the basic premise and many choreographic elements from it, it veers off to become it's own story completely)
(ANOTHER NOTE: If you don't have a strong stomach to handle lots of visuals of paunchy, hairy men in their underwear, you may not want to watch this movie)
Initially the brothers are completely under the dictatorship of their eldest brother Ravi, who calmly sits in a swing and relaxes while his brothers do all of the chores around the house. He also claims the largest portions of their meals and leaves little for his six brothers. All of this changes however, when the brothers, irked by Ravi's preference for their youngest brother Sunny, plan a little prank.
They tell Sunny that Ravi has issued a challenge for all of them, and the winner will be awarded a week's holiday from chores. He'll have nothing to do but lie around and drink milk and eat sweet fruits. He won't have to bathe or change his clothes. This is INCENTIVE, peoples.
All they have to do is tame the unbroken horse that Ravi has corralled on their farm. Sunny is charmed by the idea of a full week of relaxation and all the food he can eat. He falls for their trick and goes off into the corral, only to find that the horse is incredibly wild and strong. The horse attacks and almost stomps the heck out of Sunny, but then Ravi comes running in slow motion, as only Amitabh can do! He leaps over the fence and saves Sunny from the horse!
Afterwards the brothers feel terrible about their prank, especially since Sunny is still apparently unconscious. Ravi lashes out at all of them and threatens to leave the farm with Sunny since they hate their youngest brother so much.
Sunny suddenly pops up and says that he just wanted to see how much Ravi actually cares for them, and claims that beneath his steely exterior, Ravi has a soft heart when it comes to his brothers.
The other brothers also get emotional and claim that Ravi doesn't love them, and Ravi gives them a BIG GROUP HUG because, yes, of course he loves all his brothers. They are one soul in many (unwashed) bodies!
Sometime later, Ravi finds out that his friend Shekhar (Vijayendra Ghatge) is heartbroken over his former girlfriend, Sheila (Sarika). Ravi immediately storms over to the hospital where Sheila works as a nurse. He accosts the first nurse he sees and starts raging at her, saying that Shekhar can't live without her and all he talks about is "Sheila meri zindagi hai, Sheila Sheila Sheila!" (this by the way is ALL I CAN THINK ABOUT whenever anyone talks about "Sheila Ki Jawani" from Tees Maar Khan).
Unfortunately for Ravi, he's not talking to Sheila. The feisty nurse he's chosen to attack is Indu (Hema Malini), who slaps him across the face and walks away. Sheila has overheard the entire episode though, and she tells Ravi that she's changed her mind about Shekhar and asks where to find him.
Ravi's all in a daze though, because Indu's slapped LOOOOWE into his heart. He tries to apologize to her and win her heart by sending her a watermelon, because these guys know squat about wooing. He also tries low-level stalking, but Indu sends her gurkha after him.
He even fakes injuries to get her to come to the farmhouse, which confuses the brothers ... but Ravi tells them that if he gets married that his wife will be like a maid for all of them (EW Ravi. NO). Eventually, Ravi figures out what he has to do ... and WOW, does he clean up well! It only takes one song to sucker her in ...
Sucks to be you Indu. Too bad you thought Ravi only had one younger brother. After their registered marriage (at which the clerk gives Ravi a Nirodh!!! When I was little the elders in my house tried to tell me it was soap. I totally KNEW it wasn't.)
Indu is taken aback, but she's a tough cookie. She takes one look at the state of the farmhouse and gets right to work. Okay, even as a little girl I was always a bit disturbed that the GIRL is immediately put in charge of the kitchen and cooking. But ok, I know, it was different times and Indian culture is still primarily patriarchal. It's not okay in my books though, so I inwardly rage a bit when Indu starts cooking and cleaning on her freaking wedding day.
It doesn't go so well when dinner is served though. The boys attack the food as they normally do and Indu is horrified by their animal-like behavior. She freaks out, and the brothers turn to Ravi and say "I thought you said you were bringing a maid home for us?" ... UH OH. Indu is PISSED.
Ravi tries to calm her down but she goes off on him, saying how she quit her job and left the city for him, and this is how he repays her? Ravi tells her how they've all grown up without their parents, so they have never learned social skills or right from wrong. All the brothers eventually go and apologize, using Sunny's sincere and charming power of speech to win Indu over. She ends up forgiving all of them and even Ravi for lying to her, which sort of sucks. Ugh, why am I finding things I don't like about this movie that I LOVE BEYOND WORDS? I hate when that happens.
Let's talk instead about how Hema Malini delivers her absolute worst performance of all time in this scene. Her sobbing and delivery of the lines "Tumne achcha nahin kiya Ravi! Tumne mujhe dhoka diya. Mera dil thoda!" are sooo bad, it's one of my favorite dialogues to mimic. But my god, does she ever look gorgeous delivering them, so who cares!
Soooo ... after everyone is all nicey-nicey again, Indu becomes the new Commander-in-Chief of the house. She steals all of their clothes to wash them, makes the boys bathe, and they plan a picnic. She even wears a khaki uniform and inspects all of them. Last minute, Ravi fakes the stomachache to end all stomachaches so that he and Indu can FINALLY get some farmhouse to themselves (pow-chicka-pow-pow).
Enjoy this hilarious scene where the brothers wake up to find their clothes missing, and Hema Malini comes and forces them to come out and bathe. Love the music and the various items the guys use to hide their chaddis:
The boys go off to the beach for their picnic, where they encounter ...
GIRLS! Seven girls to be exact. No you read that right. There's an extra girl who happens to be a wealthy heiress. Her name is Seema (RanjeetaKaur), and she's confined to a wheelchair. Her friends are Asha (Asha Sachdev), Aradhana (Aradhana), Prema (Prema Narayan), Madhu (Madhu Malhotra), Shobini (Shobini Singh) and Rajini (Rajini). They are hired by Seema's loving, caring uncle Ranjit Singh (Amjad Khan! WOOT!) to protect her and entertain her. Seema has her own harem! Unfortunately the girls were a bit busy frolicking at the beach to stop Mac Mohan from almost running Seema over with a boulder. Our six brothers save Seema from the attack, and they all become friends.
But sooooomeone is trying to kill Seema! Who could it be? Well there's no mystery there - you learn immediately that it's Seema's Uncle Ranjit Singh that's trying to kill her to get access to her moolah. He indulges in your typical villanous behavior by thrashing Mac Mohan, drinking, smoking and getting massages from Kalpana Iyer.
So anyway, the girls invited the boys to a Red Cross Fundraiser dance when they all met at the beach, and they're all WOO HOO! But Indu isn't having it. She says she can't send them to the Red Cross party with their current behavior the way it is and embarrass herself. So the boys (with all their charm) ask her to teach them how to act with the girls they like, bringing on the faaaaabulous number "Jhukake Sar Ko Pucho" in which Hema ROCKS THE HOUSE:
This is immediately followed by what is in my opinion the COOLEST PARTY EVER. Seriously, I want to be at this party SO BAD. Yes, lots of the choreography bits are copied directly from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, but it's adapted so well into this crazy, campy scene that I don't care. Seema seems to feel the same. She launches into a dream sequence in which she is prancing about all by herself. Seema is weird.
So the boys are all mooning over the girls one night, unable to sleep. They're crazy in luuuuurve. Ravi decides the best thing to do to get them to concentrate again is to kidnap the girls at night and bring them to the farmhouse. Brilliant idea, Ravi. However, it does lead to one of the most brilliant songs in R.D. Burman's repertoire - a cult classic!
So now Seema and all the girls are at the farmhouse - which Indu has re-colonized and she decides to play Dorm Mother to all of them until they can safely return to Seema's house. The girls are rather enjoying being there though ... they get to flirt with their boyfriends!
Seema's Uncle Ranjit is still plotting away though ... and he's enlisting the help of one eeeeevil dude who just out of jail. Eeeeeevil dude's name is Babu (Amitabh Bachchan), and he just so happens to look exactly like Ravi, except for his gray/blue eyes! Babu gets his own theme music which I used to sing to my friend Chirag whenever he wore blue contacts.
Ranjit invites Ravi over to his place one day for drinks in order to find out everything he can about his life, his brothers and the farmhouse. This results in one of my favorite Amitabh scenes EVER - the "Daaru Peene Se Liver Kharab Ho Jaata Hai" scene:
As Ravi leaves, he is assaulted by the evil henchmen. In fact, he's driving home and ends up surrounded by cars and a truck. I get really nervous whenever I'm surrounded by trucks on the road because of this scene. I call it "having a Satte Pe Satta moment" ... the henchman take Ravi to Seema's Uncle's villain's lair (HOLLA!) in a cave and hold him hostage there so Babu can put on brown contacts and take his place at home. Of course this gives us the creepy scene where Amitabh has one brown and one blue contact one, which they totally tried to copy in Baazigar but was nowhere NEAR as awesome!
So Babu takes his place at the farmhouse, where he is nervous and uncomfortable amongst the affectionate members of Ravi's family. Also, this is an eeeeevil villain with morals ... he refuses to touch Ravi's wife Indu, particularly when he finds out that she's got a bun in the oven.
But Babu's got a job to do -- murdering Seema! The day he decides to go for it, Seema screams to see him coming after her with a knife. Indu and the girls hear her screaming and come to her aid, and Seema runs into Indu's arms. Read that again. Seema RUNS INTO INDU'S ARMS. Yes, she was so afraid that she overcame her inability to walk and ran! It was a psychological block! The brothers, who also heard the screaming, come and tell Indu that Ravi must have used the knife to scare Seema into using her legs.
Ravi/Babu is a HERO. They all decide to celebrate in this fashion:
Finally on Karva Chauth, Babu decides he cannot deceive the people that have called him a saint, hero and angel anymore. He tells them all the truth, and resolves to help them reunite with Ravi.
That means it's time for all the guys to head for Seema's Uncle's mountain lair.
There will be lots of dishoom-dishoom, and lots of chants from the brothers and Babu while Ravi goes postal on the bad guys!!!
Things I unconditionally love about this movie:
THE SONGS!!!! OMG, the songs are amazing! The 80s bongos, R.D. Burman's throaty touches in "Pyar Humen Kis Mod Pe" and "Jhukake Sar Ko", Asha Bhosle's dulcet tones, Kishore Kumar's crooning ... Ahhh! So many memories and just CLASSIC tunes.
The way the brothers (and their girlfriends) are color-coded!
Som = Yellow
Mangal = Bronze/Gold
Budh = Green
Guru = Pink or Purple
Shukhar = Blue
Sunny = Red
The small moments of humour and directorial insertions
Som's screaminess
Mangal's stutter
Budh's one-liners, i.e. "Ab ghoomo chaddi mein!"
Budh trying to hit Som w/ the mandolin in Jhukake Sar Ko Poocho
Sunny's expressions and inflections
Sunny causing all that havoc in the bar fight scene to get doodh
EPIC dialogues that will always be firmly placed in my brain
♥♥♥ SUNNY!!!! Sachin Pilgaonkar is adorable and charming and amazing! ♥♥♥
The way poor Som just can't get it right in Jhukake Sar Ko Poocho
The nonsense chant CHAIN KULIKI MEIN KULIKI CHAAAAIIIIN!
Everything Amitabh! His slo-mo rescue of Sunny and holding back the wild horse, his dreamy, debonair look in Dilbar Mere, his expressions in Pariyon Ka Mela Hai, his lanky awkwardness, how much he reminded me of Abhishek!!! Or is the other way around?
Hema Malini's Indu - she's very no-nonsense, take no prisoners, awesome. Except for the cleaning and cooking thing ... but at least she cooks w/ BAMF cookware like this!
Why is it that I can never hate Amjad, even when he's the bad guy? He's my favorite cuddly uncle!
Okay admittedly not funny, but when I was little I thought it was hilarious that Budh was too small to carry his girl when they were kidnapping them, so he had to drag her by the hair.
The way they hint at a Babu-Seema romance! LOL!
The multiple choice of couples for my sister and I to choose from when we "enacted" scenes and songs from this movie, which we were wont to do. I usually was Rajni and paired myself with Sunny. Originally my sister chose Aradhana and paired herself with Som. Then she later switched herself to Prema Narayan.
There's so much more that I cannot capture in words about this film. I will NEVER stop loving this film to bits and pieces. And I feel that I can never do it justice by blogging about it, because I'm completely unable to even convey my love for it properly. I think it's always difficult to sum up your favorite film, but it's even more so when a particular movie has been your favorite since you first saw it at age 5. Just imagine me doing the heart symbol in reference to my feelings for this movie ... it's the best I can do to express how I feel.
Since I was walking around singing "My Name is Sheila" from Tees Maar Khan all week, I started thinking about songs that reference names and all of a sudden a list started developing in my mind (because I am insane and these are the things I think about). And so of course as the list in my head grew and grew, I realized a blog post was a-brewing.
So here's my list of Hindi movie songs that either state "My Name is ..." or "Naam Mera ..." or "Mera Naam ..." or the like:
1. My Name is Sheila - Tees Maar Khan (2010)
My obvious starting off point. This started my entire thought process because I was wondering why this girl can't freaking remember her own name. Katrina Kaif is not my favorite working actress, and this video is an example of why. She just is so ... awkward and lifeless. Not a natural dancer at all, and I can practically see her counting in her head. And her expression always drops in transitions. Still, she obviously worked really hard, so I'll give her credit for that. I hate the English parts of this song, but the rest is so damn catchy.
2. Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo - Howrah Bridge (1958)
One of my favorites! Helen is so fabulous, and the song is so super fun. We have a picture of my mom performing this onstage in 1950s Bombay -- before stage performances of Bollywood dances were a popular thing. Also when my sisters and I had a band in the early 90s, this was always one of our biggest hits on the dance floor! (I love the sudden, magical costume changes in the 2nd verse! And isn't Ashok Kumar so devastatingly handsome and brooding?)
3. Naam hai mera Fonseca - Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
Augghh! I used to HATE this song from JJWS - especially cause I thought Pooja Bedi was so annoying (and tranny looking, honestly)! But then her "Sorry old dear" verse used to get stuck in my head too. Deepak Tijori is awesome though. I'm bummed that I didn't go to a college like Model that had these kinds of competitions. The CLOTHES are reason enough to watch this video (which I couldn't find on YouTube, but here it is in some language I don't recognize!).
4. My Name is Anthony Gonsalves - Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
All I have to say is "The coefficient of the linear ... is juxtapositioned ... by the hemoglobin in the atmospheric pressure of the country!!!!"
5. Naam Kya Hai Pyar Ka Mara - Yeh Dillagi (1994)
I was obsessed with this mid-90s Bollywoodized version of Sabrina starring Kajol and the very mullety pair of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. I could still watch this movie a million times. And it's one of the few movies where I could actually tolerate Akki. But anyway, Kajol's frilly sleeves and poofy skirt are wonderful. This was back when Saif was seriously a TERRIBLE actor too. He has crazy improved!
6. My Name is Lakhan - Ram Lakhan (1989)
What can I say about this song? It's so much more than a song. It's an ANTHEM. Songs like this make me want to be a guy so I can THROW DOWN and do this kind of robust, joyful dancing without trying to be pretty and graceful. Anil Kapoor is ADORABLE as Lakhan, and check out the super young Madhuri too!
7. Mera Naam Hai Jamila - Night in London (1967)
This is one of my more recent discoveries. Helen is fabulous, as always, doing her cabaret thing. Biswajeet and Johnny Walker sure seem to appreciate Jamila! I'm trying to figure out if her shirtless backup dancers are in blackbrownface or not. Anyway, Jamila is everything Sheila WISHES she could be. Helen is so expressive!
8. Naam Mera Premkali - Chaalbaaz (1989)
I always kind of hated this song although I loved the movie. Sridevi is practically dressed as Michael Jackson. I mean really, they went a little crazy on the Soul Glo here. And then she turns into Linda Ronstadt or something. I don't even think they were trying to make the picturization suit the song. Because nothing suits the disco-light-up-dance-floor like a giant tulle ballet skirt! Still with all the craziness, Sri is so uber-cute! And she always works it, no matter what they throw at her!
9. Naam Mera Mango Dolly - Quick Gun Murugan (2009)
I have no idea what is going on here, but clearly I need to see this mess. And Rambha honey? Blonde is not your color.
10. I am Krishnan Iyer MA - Agneepath (1990)
I still can't believe they are going to try and remake this movie. What the heck. Can you remake awesomeness like this??? It's not possible! Mithun is too amazing, and I love Neelam! Also, this is what people used to sing to me when I told them I was South Indian. I also miss SPB's voice.
11. Main Hoon Jhumroo - Jhumroo (1961)
I love this song soooo much. We used to perform it with our band and there was a guy who sang EXACTLY like Kishore Kumar. It was uncanny. And he was a great yodeler too.
12. Main Hoon Khushrang Henna - Henna (1991)
Such a lovely song sung by Lata. I haven't seen this movie since 1991, because it was so sad and traumatic for me at 14 years old, but this song has always stuck in my head, along with many others from this soundtrack. Gorgeous. Whatever happened to Zeba Bhaktiar and Ashwini Bhave anyway?
13. Ya Ali Ya Ali Mera Naam Hai Ali - Ajooba (1991)
Oh, Shashi Kapoor's directorial venture ... poor dear. But I liked the Rishitabh bromance in this movie!
14. Naam Abdul Hai Mera - Shaan (1980)
I love this song. Mazhar Khan is just so joyful rolling around town with his back projection. And the subtitles on our VHS copy of Shaan was awesome: "My name is Abdul What? Oh, my name is Abdul, I keep news on everything!"
15. Mera Naam Hai Chameli - Raja aur Runk (1968)
This adorable number by Kumkum is definitely memorable, but always reminds me of the medley from Mr. India ("Mera Naam Hai Calendar ...")
16. Romeo Naam Mera - Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (1993)
Ah another expensive flop! It had some great moments that are totally not PC in retrospect ("Chini Mini Ching Chong") but that we loved at the time. This song was Anil Kapoor's chance to show off. Sridevi also had a solo item "Mein Hoon Roop Ki Rani" ...
So I'm going to stop here because that's all I could think of off of the top of my head! And these endless song lists have got to be annoying. I just LIVE for making song lists. Seriously. It's a weird obsession to have, I know. But really, my themed mix tapes were famous.
Did I miss any fabulous iconic ones? Or just one of your favorites? Let me know!!!
Today's song of the day is another repeat offender ... one of my favorite songs from the 80s. It's no secret that I had a massive crush on Rishi Kapoor while growing up, and frankly I am completely unashamed about it. He is freakin' adorable, as evidenced by this fabulous song from Yeh Vaada Raha. There is just something about the way he looks at a girl when he's singing to her ... the slight eyebrow lift, the toss of the head and then the 1000 watt smile. What recipient of that smile wouldn't melt away into a puddle of goo?
Yeh Vaada Raha was a strange and somewhat traumatizing film for me ... I saw it when I was quite young and though I was totally entranced by the romance, yes even at age six I was a total romantic ... there were also some frightening scenes that still affect me today.
For example I CANNOT drive behind a truck full of logs, or lumber, or steel poles or whatever. I start freaking out whenever I find myself on a highway behind one of these trucks and have to get away immediately. And it's no wonder. In Yeh Vaada Raha our hero (Rishi Kapoor) and heroine (Poonam Dhillon) are driving behind one of these trucks when there's a horrible accident and all of the logs go crashing straight onto our beautiful heroine's face. She has to undergo extensive plastic surgery to restructure her face, and in the meantime her hero Vijay's evil mother (Rakhee) tells him that she died, since she didn't approve of her anyway. Let me tell you, when you are six years old, this is most disturbing:
Luckily for our heroine Sunita, the kindly doctor (Shammi Kapoor) works hard and constructs a new face for her, as well as supports her as she forges ahead with her new life.
I used to look like this ...
But now I look like Tina Munim!
Now of course our hero never got over his first love Sunita, so you can bet their lives will cross paths at some point and they will feel a strange pull. I always thought Sunita (who strangely changes her name to Kusum) was being stupid for not telling Vikram who she is, but hey, these things are complicated I guess.
Anyway, all of this is secondary to the MOST IMPORTANT THING ... yes even more important than squeeing about how cuuuuuute Rishi is and how much I luuuuurve him. The songs!
This soundtrack by R.D. Burman is AMAZING and I absolutely love every single song. It features my favorite combo of Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar. The most popular and timeless song from the album is of course the title song "Yeh Vaada Raha" which goes on my list of Top Romantic Songs of All-Time. "Mil Gayi Aaj To" and "Jeene Ho To Jeete Hai" are fun and catchy, and "Aisa Kabhi Hua Nahin" is a soft, romantic solo by Kishore (I always want to sing "Su-ni-ta Su-ni-ta Su-ni-ta" when I meet someone with that name). When I was seven years old I played Tina Munim's part in a Bollywood dance performance to "Ishq Mera Bandagi" (I have to find that video somewhere), so of course I love that song too because of all the memories.
But the one that gets stuck in my head most often is the romantic duet "Maine Tujhe Kabhi Kuchh Kaha Tha" which features Rishi with the Poonam Dhillon version of his lady love. It is sweet, lilting and has that addictive almost bongo-esque beat that R.D. Burman is so brilliant at using. This song is so ultimately 80s and yet it still gets to me (so does Rishi's smile and head toss).
So here it is ... enjoy ... oh and remind me to make up some sort of secret handshake with my husband in case my face ever gets totalled and I need him to recognize me.
I've been watching Bollywood movies ever since my consciousness set in, which was roughly around 1981-ish. I have a lot of Bollystalgia and I just wanted to share it. I'm also a Bharata Natyam Dancer, a singer, an avid reader, and a Harry Potter freak. I wish that life had a soundtrack. You can also follow me on Twitter or check out my Tumblr account.
