Happy birthday to cute star Mala Sinha.

Happy birthday to cute star Mala Sinha.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to cute star Mala Singh on 11th November, 2010. She had been a legendary actress of bollywood films and contributed in both bollywood films and Bengali films for more than 40 years.

In the 50s, Mala Sinha had acted in classic films like Parvarish, Phir Subah Hogi opposite Raj Kapoor. These films became immortal for their unforgettable songs like “anshu bhari hai”, “woh subah kabhi to ayegi”, etc. Mala Sinha was sublime opposite Dev Anand in the film Love Marriage. The music of the film composed by Shankar Jaikishan was equally grand. The hit songs included “dheere dheere chal”, “kahan ja rahete”, etc.

Mala Sinha contributed well in Guru Dutt’s classic film Pyaasa. The romantic andaz displayed by Mala Sinha was very significant in the film in the songs “hum aapke aankho me”, sung by Rafi and Geeta Dutt. Mala Sinha continued her dream run in the 60s by performing in historical films like Jahanara opposite Bharat Bhushan. The film was a musical block buster. The songs “baad muddar key eh ghari aye”, “kisi ki yaad me”, etc., composed by Madan Mohan created history. The biggest achievement of Mala Sinha lies in sustaining in bollywood industry amidst high competition from other leading actresses like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Vaijayantimala, etc. Mala Sinha was brilliant in the film Gumrah opposite Ashok Kumar and Sunil Dutt. She displayed her personality very well in a triangular love story. The songs of the film composed by Ravi was brilliant including “chalo ek baar phir se” and :in hawawon mai” sung by Mahendra Kapoor.

Mala Sinha also acted with the next generation of actors like Rajender Kumar and Dharmender. Her successful films opposite Rajender Kumar included Dhool Ka Phool, Lalkar and Geet. Her successful films opposite Dharmender included Ankhen, Neela Akash, etc. which did great business. She was sublime in her performance opposite Dharmender in the film Baharen Phir Bhi Ayegi. She did very well in films opposite Biswajeet like Night in London and Shammi Kapoor in Dil Tera Diwana.

Mala Sinha played a very long innings in Bengali films as well. Her successful films opposite Uttam Kumar included Khelaghar, Shaharer Itikatha, Bandhu, Putrabadhu, Saathihara, to name a few. She gave able lips in Geeta Dutt’s songs namely “nishi raat banka chaad”, “baashi bujhi ei sure aar dakbe na”, etc. Her other notable films include Dhuli opposite Prashanto Kumar, Abhaya Srikanto opposite Basanto Choudhury, etc.

She even featured in modern films in the 90s like Khel where she had played character roles opposite Madhuri Dixit. The viewers expect her to continue in character roles in films in future.

The music of Gumraah stormed bollywood in 1963.

The music of Gumraah stormed bollywood in 1963.

Many films in the 60s were known for their everlasting music. The tunes had remained immortal in the minds of the viewers and for those reason the film also did brilliant business. Gumrah was one of those films released in 1963 whose music had remaining evergreen.

It was a film of BR Chopra who had given thoughtful films like Kanoon and Dhool Ka Phool before. His films used to have very strong social messages. In this film Sunil Dutt, Mala Sinha and Ashok Kumar played the lead roles.

Although Sunil Dutt loved Mala Sinha and both met each other in hill station, their relationship did not end up in marriage. Mala Sinha married a famous lawyer played by Ashok Kumar in the film. Sunil Dutt was a painter in the film.

Shashikala approached Mala sinha and said that she was the wife of Sunil Dutt. She wanted to inform Ashok Kumar about the intimacy of Sunil Dutt and Mala Sinha. On that issue she blackmailed Mala Sinha. At the end of the film Mala Sinha came to know that Shashi Kala was Ashok Kumar’s secretary and Ashok Kumar did the act to convince Mala Sinha to restore matrimonial home. He did not like her intimacy with Sunil Dutt.

The music composed by Ravi in the film was of very high class. His soft romantic tunes were given adequate expression by Mahendra Kapoor. The landmark songs included “chalo ekbaar phir se ajnabee ban jaye humdono”, “in hawawo me in fizayon me tujhko mera pyar pukare”, “ yeh hawa yeh hawa ye hawa”, etc.

Probably Mahendra Kapoor sang the best songs of his life in the films of BR Chopra including Gumrah, Humraaz and Waqt. Almost all those songs were composed by Ravi who received a number of filmfare awards for his excellent music during the 60s. The film did excellent business too. The film and the songs should be restored.

Happy birthday to Manoj Kumar.

Happy birthday to Manoj Kumar.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Manoj Kumar on 24th July, 2010. He started his career as a romantic hero, then showed his skills in the field of direction and created a separate identity as a patriotic hero. He later on earned the name of Bharat Kumar.

Harikishan Giri Goswami, better known as Manoj Kumar, was a big admirer of Tragedy King Dilip Kumar. He was obsessed with Dilip Kumar’s performance in the film Shabnam, in 1949, and kept the name of the character of the film, which was Manoj Kumar.

Although he started his career in the film Fashion in 1957, he got recognition with a lead role in the film Kaanch Ki Gudiya in 1960. Vijay Bhatt directed Hariyali Aur Raasta in 1962 changed the destiny of Manoj Kumar as a romantic hero. The songs of the film were composed by genius of genius Shankar Jaikishan, and with Mala Sinha’s assistance Manoj Kumar reached the hearts of millions of music lovers in the country. The songs in the film including “ifteda-e-ishq”, “yeh hariyali aur yeh raasta”, sung by Mukesh and Lata astonished the viewers. The film became super hit.

In the mid-60s, Manoj Kumar landmark roles in suspense thrillers like Woh Kaun Thi, 1964, and Gumnaam, 1965. Woh Kaun Thi was a horror film of Raj Khosla where Manoj Kumar played the role of the doctor who got scared with the ghostly appearance of Sadhna, who played a double role in the film. He solved the mystery in the film got Prem Chopra arrested at the end after realizing that his wife had a twin sister who was used as a ghost. The music of Madan Mohan was brilliant and Lata’s songs “naina barse rimjhim”, “lagja gale”, etc., created sensation.

Gumnaam was a murder thriller which stormed bollywood in the mid-60s. More than seven friends were given offer of going for holidays, but the flight was hijacked and the friends had to land at an island. Each of them was killed one after the other and no one knew who killed them. Manoj Kumar solved the mystery and unearthed the truth that Tarun Bose was the actual murderer. The music composed by Shankar Jaikishan was extraordinary with songs like “jane chaman shola badan” sung by Rafi and Sharda, “gumnaam hai koi” sung by Lata, “is duniya me jeena ho to”, “hum kale hai to kya hua dilwale hai”, etc.

Manoj Kumar started his second innings with patriotic films like Shaheed, Upkaar, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapra Aur Makaan, Kranti, moved the viewers and earned him respect. He directed of those films and got filmfare award for best director for excellent work in films like Upkaar and Roti Kapda and Makaan. His film Upkaar also received the national award for best film in 1967, and he gave life to the slogan of PM Lal Bahadur Shastri titled “jai jawan jai kisan” with Upkaar. In fact Upkaar, was the highest grosser film in 1967, surpassing all the other super hit films like Ram Aur Shyam, Jewel Thief, etc.

His other successful films as hero also include Patthar Ke Sanam, Anita, Aadmi, etc. He acted with childhood idol Dilip Kumar in Aadmi and Kranti. The songs of most of his films were of excellent class. Naushad’s creation in Aadmi, and Rafi’s songs like “na aadmi ka khoi bharosa”, “aaj purani rahon se”, etc., had remained invalueable assets over the period of time.

The viewers expect him to continue the excellent work as a director in the years to come.

Uttam Kumar's Khelaghar has appeal even today.

Uttam Kumar’s Khelaghar has appeal even today.

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar gave a brilliant performance in Ajoy Kar’s film Khelaghar released in early 60s. Ajoy Kar always considered Uttam Kumar as his model in most of the films including the greatest hits of all times, Harano Sur and Saptapadi. Uttam Kumar’s appeal had not died out even today after 29 years of his death. That is the reason Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee renamed Tollygunge Metro Station as Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro Station in the recent past to show homage to the greatest superstar of all times.

In Khelaghar, Uttam Kumar surrendered before Kolkata Police after being involved in anti-national activities. He was a freedom fighter. He ran out of the prison and entered the room of Mala Sinha, tied her up and by wearing the clothes of Mala Sinha’s father Chabi Biswas escaped.

The entire film was related to the efforts made by the Kolkata Police to arrest Uttam Kumar. In the meantime Mala Sinha did not want to marry the person selected by Chabi Biswas. So she left her house and took Uttam Kumar’s help to escape from the hands of local gundas.

The relationship developed into affection. Rafi sung for Asitboron in the film while Hemant Kumar sang songs for Uttam Kumar. At the end of the film, the actual freedom fighter for whom Uttam Kumar surrendered before the police appeared in Court and disclosed the truth. Uttam Kumar was a musician who had love for his country, so guarded the freedom fighter. Uttam Kumar was send to two years imprisonment for false personification under section 419 of the Indian Penal Code.

There were very few performers in the film including Chabi Biswas, Uttam Kumar and Mala Sinha. So these few characters Ajoy Kar, the giant director managed to deliver a hit film for the audience. The story still has relevance and Uttam Kumar’s appeal in the film had not died out. The film should be restored and preserved.

Happy birthday to Mala Sinha.

Happy birthday to Mala Sinha.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Mala Singh on 11th November, 2009. She had been a legendary actress of bollywood films and contributed in both bollywood films and Bengali films for more than 40 years.

In the 50s, Mala Sinha had acted in classic films like Parvarish, Phir Subah Hogi opposite Raj Kapoor. These films became immortal for their unforgettable songs like “anshu bhari hai”, “woh subah kabhi to ayegi”, etc. Mala Sinha was sublime opposite Dev Anand in the film Love Marriage. The music of the film composed by Shankar Jaikishan was equally grand. The hit songs included “dheere dheere chal”, “kahan ja rahete”, etc.

Mala Sinha contributed well in Guru Dutt’s classic film Pyaasa. The romantic andaz displayed by Mala Sinha was very significant in the film in the songs “hum aapke aankho me”, sung by Rafi and Geeta Dutt. Mala Sinha continued her dream run in the 60s by performing in historical films like Jahanara opposite Bharat Bhushan. The film was a musical block buster. The songs “baad muddar key eh ghari aye”, “kisi ki yaad me”, etc., composed by Madan Mohan created history. The biggest achievement of Mala Sinha lies in sustaining in bollywood industry amidst high competition from other leading actresses like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Vaijayantimala, etc.

Mala Sinha also acted with the next generation of actors like Rajender Kumar and Dharmender. Her successful films opposite Rajender Kumar included Dhool Ka Phool, Lalkar and Geet. Her successful films opposite Dharmender included Ankhen, Neela Akash, etc. which did great business. She did very well in films opposite Biswajeet like Night in London and Shammi Kapoor in Dil Tera Diwana.

Mala Sinha played a very long innings in Bengali films as well. Her successful films opposite Uttam Kumar included Khelaghar, Shaharer Itikatha, Bandhu, Putrabadhu, Saathihara, to name a few. Her other notable films include Dhuli, Abhaya Srikanto, etc.

She even featured in modern films in the 90s like Khel where she had played character roles opposite Madhuri Dixit. The viewers expect her to continue in character roles in films in future.

Contribution of Geeta Dutt in Bengali films.

Contribution of Geeta Dutt in Bengali films.

Geeta Dutt was probably the most successful playback singer of bollywood films after Lata Mangeshkar in the 50s and 60s. She had sung for all the leading singers of the period including Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Wahida Rehman and others.

Geeta Dutt was extremely successful in Bengali films as well. Her song “tumi je amar” sung in the film Harano Sur for Suchitra Sen became the greatest hit of the 50s. The song was played in Uttam Kumar’s film Harano Sur a number of times by the director Ajoy Kar and was used to bring back the memory of Uttam Kumar who lost it in an accident.

Geeta Dutt’s songs “ogo shundara”, “jhanak jhanak madhur badhon baaje” and “nir choto khoti nei” composed by Nochiketa Ghosh and picturised on Suchitra Sen in the film Indrani stormed the bollywood viewers in 1958. The film became super hit and songs became timeless hits.

Suchitra Sen and Geeta Dutt combination again struck gold in the film Hospital. The song “ei shundor sharnali shondhay” became super hit in the film. Very Geeta Dutt suited Suchitra Sen as well as Sandhya Mukherjee’s voice. Both Geeta Dutt and Sandhya Mukherjee used to be considered the most popular singers of the golden age, the 50s and 60s.

Geeta Dutt’s other hit songs in Bengali films include “amar duti chokhe” and “ei mayabi tithi” sung in Uttam Kumar’s film Sonar Horin. The songs were picturised on the actress Namita Sinha. Geeta Dutt’s song “kacher chirir chotay” composed by Sudhin Dasgupta and picturised on Sabitri Chatterji became super hit in 1958. It was song in Agragami’s epic film Dakharkara where Kali Banerjee played the role of his life.

Geeta Dutt sang many memorable hit songs for Mala Sinha in Bengali films. One of such songs included “nishi raat banka chaand akashe” in Uttam Kumar’s film Prithibi Amare Chay. The other song include “banshi bujhi shei sure aar baajbe na” sung in the film Sathi Hara with Mala Sinha and Uttam Kumar.

The other films where Geeta Dutt made significant contribution included Lukochuri, Modhyorater Tara, etc. Geeta Dutt’s songs should be preserved and restored.

Mala Sinha – the charming actress of bollywood.

Mala Sinha – the charming actress of bollywood.

Mala Sinha had a different identity in bollywood films, and she is probably the only actress from the north-eastern India who had been successful both in bollywood films and Bengali cinema. She acted in successful films opposite Raj Kapoor in Phir subah hogi, Parvarish, etc.

In Phir Subah Hogi, she had given elegant lips in the songs sung by Asha which were composed by Khaiyyam including songs like “woh subah kabhi to ayegi”, “phir na kije meri gustaq nigahon ka gila”, etc. The duet songs became hit due to passionate singing by Mukesh for Raj Kapoor.


Mala Sinha also acted in successful films opposite Biswajeet including Do Kaliyan, Night in London, etc. Night in London was shot in London and Mala Sinha contributed with her Nepalese style of performance in the crime thriller. There were hit songs like “nazar na lag jaye” composed by LP and sung by Rafi.

Mal Sinha had provided hits opposite Shammi Kapoor in the film Dil Tera Diwana, and Dev Anand in Love Marriage, Maya. She gave lips in hit duet songs sung by Lata and Rafi in these films including “tasveer teri dil me”, “dil tera diwana ho sanam”, “dheere dheere chal”. Shankar Jaikishan and Salil Chowdhury composed the songs for these films and they had become landmark hits.


Mala Sinha also acted in hit films opposite Dharmender including Ankhen, Bharen Phir Ayegi, Neela Akash, etc. In Baharen Phir bhi Ayegi, she was the elder sister of Tanuja and both the sisters fell in love with Dharmender, an employer in her firm. It was a venture of Guru Dutt, which he could not complete and died. She had played the historical character Jahan-ara, in the film Jahan –ara, opposite Bharat Bhushan. The excellent poetry and ghazals composed in the film by Madan Mohan, and sung by Rafi, Lata and Suman Kalyanpur, were given adequate expression by Mala Sinha and Bharat Bhushan including “baad muddat ke yeh ghari ayi”, “kisiki yaad me apnako hai bhulaye hue”. With a number of hit films under her belt Mala Sinha acted in hit Bengali films of Uttam Kumar, including Bandhu, Khelaghar, Putrabadhu, Saharer Itikatha, etc. She even provided dynamic performance in Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s epic literature Abhaya Srikanto, where she played the role of Abhaya. She was indispensable in the 50s and 60s both in bollywood films and Bengali cinema and even today when films like Himalay ki god me, or Haryali aur rasta are shown in TV channels she is appreciated along with other stars like Manoj Kumar.

By: Rumi Chatterji.