Rishi Kapoor and Rafi.
Rishi Kapoor had created a great combination with Rafi in the mid-70s, when most of the other actors for whom Rafi had given playback had shifted to character acting. In Laila Majnu, all the songs of Rafi like “likhe tera naam”, “tere dar pe aya hoon”, “barbad mohabbat”, composed by Madanmohan and Jaidev, became hits. Rishi always had given excellent lips in the songs that were picturised on him.
In Amar Akbar Anthony, all the songs of Rafi were hits, including “parda hai parda”, “shirdiwali saibaba”, “humto tumse ho gaya hai pyar”, etc. All the compositions of Laxmikant Pyarelal in the film were big hits. Besides Rishi’s character in the film was that of a qawalli singer. He was at his best and did justice to Rafi’s songs.
Rafi’s songs in the film Sargam, composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal, were also equally successful. The leading songs include “koel boli”, “dafliwale dafli baja”, “ramjiki nikli sawari” were big hits, where most of them were duet songs with Lata. Rishi played the dafli in style and complimented Jaya Prada’s outstanding choreography in the film.
Even in Karz, Rafi’s song was extremely successful with Rishi giving splendid lips in the song “dard-e-dil”, which was composed by LP. Rishi again played the role of a popular singer in the film which was directed by Subhash Ghai in style.
Rafi also did sing successful songs for Rishi, in films where RD Burman had given landmark tunes. For example, in Zamane ko Dikhana, Hai, Rafi’s song “sochenge pyar kya hua” with Asha was extremely melodious.
Also in Hum kisi Se Kam Nahi, the title song sung by Rafi, “hya agar dushman zamana” was one of the leading qawallies of that time. Due to Rishi’s extraordinary capability to give lips and Rafi’s sweet voice the directors could afford to give qawallies in the films of late 70s.
Had Rafi survived for more number of years, the combination could have given even more hits. The songs should be restored for their epic value.
By: CR Chatterji.
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