Interim Association of Mohammed Rafi with Prakash Mehra
This article is written by Mr. Biman Baruah, Assam
Mohd Rafi and Prakash Mehra
(A Personal Tribute to: Producer, Director and Lyricist: Prakash Mehra)
Zendegi To Bewafa Hai , Ek Din Thukrayegi
Maut Mehbooba Hai Apne Saath Lekar Jayegi
Mar Ke Jeene Ki Ada Jo Duniya Ko Dikhlayega
Woh Maqaddar Ka Sikandar Jaaneman Kehlayega
The above few lines of the title song of the film sung by our beloved Rafi Saheb with full of enthusiasm which depicts ultimate reality of human life. The song was played in background when Amitabh dies at the end of the film after fighting with Amjad Khan and picturised on Vinod Khanna on screen. It was the sad version of the well-known Kishore Kumar song, “Rote Huye Aate Hain Saab, Hansta Huya Jo Jayega” from the film, Maqaddar Ka Sikandar. The Producer- Director of the film, Prakash Mehra departed on 17 May, 2009 in Mumbai at the age of 69 after long-standing illness.
Prakash Mehra had a very interim association with the golden voice of Mohammed Rafi in his films like: Hasina Maan Jaayegi (1968), Mela (1971), Zanjeer (1973), Haath Ki Safai (1974), and Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978) mainly under composition of Kalyanji-Anandji. Prakash Mehra was also well-known as a lyricist of his films for at least one song.
Producer, Director and Lyricist, Prakash Mehra was born on 13 July, 1939 at Bijnaur, Uttar Pradesh who started his film career as a production controller in late 1950s with films like Ujala (1959), Professor (1962) starring Shammi Kapoor. In 1964, he became assistant director of Majboor starring Biswajeet & Waheeda Rahman.
In 1968, finally he revolved as a director with Hasina Maan Jaayegi, where Shashi Kapoor played his first double role opposite Babita Shivadasani and the film was a musical hit with some popular Mohammed Rafi songs under musical score by Kalyanji-Anandji. The title song of the film, “O Dilbar Janiye, Tere Hai Hum Tere, Supalenge In Aakhoon Mein Sanam Hum Gaam Tere” was picturised on Shashi Kapoor & Babita in Motor Cars and the lyric of the song was written by director Prakash Mehra.
The other songs of the film : “Chale The Saath Milkar, Chalenge Saath Milakar, Tumhe Rukna Parega Meri Aawaz Soon Kar” a solo by Rafi Saheb and the duets by Rafi-Lata, “Bekhudi Mein Sanam Uth Gayee Jo Kadam, Aa Gayee Pass Hum” & “Dilbar Dilbar Kahte Kahte Huwa Deewana“. HASEENA MAAN JAYEGI (1968) was the notable musical hit of hero Shashi Kapoor after JAB JAB PHOOL KHILE (1965) with golden voice of Mohammed Rafi.
Mohd Rafi and Prakash Mehra
In 1971, Mehra directed A.G. Film’s MELA starring real life brothers, Feroz Khan & Sanjay Khan with Mumtaz which also a big hit. The Rafi solo from the film, “Ek Baar Rakh De Kadam Jara Jhoom Ke, Ek Baar Chal De Tu Dharti Ko Chum Ke” picturised on Sanjay Khan in a Tractor. The other popular songs from the film, “Rut Hai Milan Ki, Saathi Mere Aa Re” & “Gori Ke Haath Mein, Jaise Yeh Challa” by Rafi-Lata were picturised on Sanjay Khan & Mumtaz. The music of the film was composed by R. D. Burman in the lyrics of Majrooh Sultanpuri.
In between 1970 to 1973, Mehra directed few other films: Aakhri Daku, Samadhi, Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara which were unsuccessful. In 1973, Prakash Mehra became Producer-Director with ZANJEER which was a blockbuster hit and the film made the unknown Amitabh the Amitabh Bachchan with the title of “Angry Young Man”. The memorable romantic duet from the film by Rafi-Lata, “Dewane Hai Dewane Ko Na Ghar Sahiye, Mohabbat Bhari Ek Nazar Sahiye” was picturised least known artist.
The film Zanjeer commenced the professionally profitable relationship between Mehra and Bachchan as a top Director-Actor due which followed by seven more films. ( Khoon Pasina, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris, Namak Halal, Sharaabi and Jaadugar), out of which first six were best-sellers.
In 1974, Mehra directed HAATH KI SAFAI, a lost and found story with Randhir Kapoor & Vinod Khanna which was also a big hit. The popular Rafi-Lata romantic duet, “Wada Karle Saajna, Tere Bin Main Na Rahoon, Mere Bin Tu Na Rahe, Hoke Juda Yeh Wada Raha” from the film was picturised on Vinod Khanna & Simi Grewal in a Motor Boat. The film was a remake of old film, DO USTAD (1959) starring Raj Kapoor & Jayant, where Rafi Saheb was the voice of showmen Raj Kapoor under composition of O.P.Nayyar.
From 1975 to 1984, Prakash Mehra directed Amitabh Bachchan in six films: Khoon Pasina, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris, Namak Halal, Sharaabi which were all blockbusters. In 1989, Mehra directed Amitabh ultimately in JAADUGAR, the movie was a total flop and which ends up the perpetual professional relationship of 16 years between the top Director-Actor due.
In 1991, Mehra produced and directed ZINDEGI EK JUA with Anil Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit and Anupam Kher which was commercially failed in the box office. In 1993, he produced the film DALAAL with Mithun Chakraborty & Ayesha Jhulka which was a box office hit. In 1996, he introduced veteran actor Raaj Kumar’s son Puru Raajkumar in BAL BRAHMACHARI opposite Karishma Kapoor which was unsuccessful and it was the last film directed by Mehra.
Prakash Mehra was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the India Motion Picture Directors Association (IMPDA) in 2006 and Lifetime Achievement as Producer from India Motion Picture Producers Association (IMPPA) in 2008.
Prakash Mehra will always be remembered as great entertainer of Hindi Film Industry who gives us some musical blockbusters. His input to Industry is very enormous; he is the fundamental creator of “Angry Young Man” and superstar of the Millennium.
respected all rafi lovers
thanks to all for your words, comments & appreciations.
ref post no. 12 , many thanks to lalit ji for big correction. by the way where u r staying in atlanta ? my younger brother ( bharat baruah ) is also there in kennesaw state university as a assistent professer in the dept of biochemistry.
regards
biman baruah
sivasagar, assam
In 1974, Mehra directed HAATH KI SAFAI, a lost and found story with Randhir Kapoor & Vinod Khanna which was also a big hit. The popular Rafi-Lata romantic duet, “Wada Karle Saajna, Tere Bin Main Na Rahoon, Mere Bin Tu Na Rahe, Hoke Juda Yeh Wada Raha†from the film was picturised on Vinod Khanna & Simi Grewal in a Motor Boat. The film was a remake of old film, DO USTAD (1959) starring Raj Kapoor & Jayant , where Rafi Saheb was the voice of showmen Raj Kapoor under composition of O.P.Nayyar.
In above mentioned para , In film DO USTAAD ( 1959 ) , Raj Kapoor was with Sheikh Mukhtiyar , not ” Jayant ” . Please do the correction in this .
I am a great fan of Rafi Sahab . So I regularly read these articles which is related to Rafi Sahab .
Thanks to You .
from
Lalit Bhambhani ( Atlanta , Georgia (U.S.A.))
Hello Biman Baruah ji,
Very well written piece of work on the the Rafi – Prakash Mehra association.
Good Work, Keep it up.
Good Article…………….
Rafi Sb song in Zanjeer for Prakash Mehra is superb.
Regards,
-Imran-
The two lines sung by Rafi sahab of Muqaddar ka Sikander were not played on background. They were indeed picturised on Vinod Khanna.
Very well written article,
There is one song of Rafi saheb in Ek Kawari ek kawara
Chal diyay tum kahan,Rukyey mehraban,
O meray yara ho dildara ,hai tumhara hi sahara
zamaney k baad milay ho
which was picturised on Rakesh Roshan
Rafi Lovers :
It’s said that Only Mohd Rafi could have done justice to the song : of Mukadar ka sikander. the other singer completely failed and rafi was summoned. he finished the part in an hour’s time and left.
Re: the song of zanzeer, mohd rafi was recording during the ramzan month. no water or food is allowed and rafi with his diabetes was really in a bad shape. he wanted to hurry up and leave after the recording. but when there was a necessity of a re-recording, mohd rafi never looked back or thought – twice.
mohd rafi was there to take the song take. a true genious and professional will only act this way.
recently pyarelal bhai said : mohd rafi will never cancel a recording. this cannot be said of other singers.
binu nair
Dear Biman Baruah ji,
Vey informative and well-researched article about Prakash Mehra. He was really a great Director of Indian Fim Industry. Many many congratulations for writing this beautiful piece of work.
Ref. post Nos. 2 and 5,
The view of Siva ji in post 5 is looking true to me as we can not imagine about Rafi Sahab for storming out of studio due to his unhappiness for something. I request any knowledgable person to comment on this, may be Mr. Sandeep Nadkarni, Mr. Raju Korti, Mr. Binu Nair or some one else can provide some true story for that incidence.
Anyway, it is good to know that song is picturised on Gulshan Bawra, the lyricist, himself. Many thanks to both Mr. Abhishek Taparia and Mr. Siva for providing this information.
Thanks and best regards.
Anwar-ul-Haque
anwarhq25@yahoo.com
refer post #2–the incident which I had heard in a program in Vibidh Bharati was that Rafi sahab was having fever and not well and hence he was about to leave from the recording of “Deewane hai diwano ko”. When Mr Gulshan Bawara told Rafi sahab that the song was going to be picturised on him, his reaction was “yeah pehle kyon nahin bataya aapne” and immediately went for the recording and gave such a scintillating song. Knowing Rafi sahab we do not think he would have “stormed out ” on some issue. Knowedgeable persons who might be aware of this incident may throw some light. I have just quoted what I heard in radio.
Talking about this song–it is really amazing that he sang this so well in spite of being not well!!-that shows what a great artist he was. That special touch–“nigahon ” in “nigahon mein aise ishare hue” is typical golden touch of our farishta….
great mohd rafi proved his supremacy over kk in sad version song of ..zindagi toh bewafa in muqadar ka sikander….that quawali ..salaame ishque….could have better rendered by rafi saab….kk showed his uneasiness in singing whereas lata was fluent…rafi asha could have done right justice .how n why ka thought we dont know reasons..rafisaab was super with everybody he was associated …that is we call him …genius,angel n only greatest singer….mohdrafisaab….
Biman Baruah ji: pls accept my greetings and sincere happiness for doing a great work/research on the great association of mohd rafi saaheb with the film badshah prakash mehra…….
in the industry, many many personalities worked with mohd rafi saaheb and indeed ( they ) worked up the ladder. the list is endless…..
i will tell you something herein that, i have visited mohd rafis music room many times ( in recent times ) at bandra and i have seen many trophies given to mohd rafi saaheb therein, well preserved.
the trophies mentioned that the films and their records sold more than “500 000” copies some thirty years back. mohd rafi got the trophy but others associated got the monetary benefits which is called the royalties, only for the reason that mohd rafi never believed in taking the royalties.
coming back to prakash mehra saaheb let me inform you that only mohd rafi could have sung the lines sung by mohd rafi saaheb in mukadar ka sikandar. a lovely discovery indeeed for the benefit of mohd rafi lovers.
my respects to the soul of prakash mehra for creating great cinema and associating with rafi saaheb in many many films.
binu nair, rafi foundation…. mumbai……
dear biman baruah saab,
the song “deewane hain deewano ko na ghar chahiye” was picturized on the lyricist gulshan bawra. there is a story associated with this song wch goes like this: during the recording of this song rafisaab was unhappy abt somethng and he stormed out of the recording studio tht is whn gulshan bawra stopped him n told him tht this song is gonna be picturized on him thts how rafisaab got pacified n completed this song.
prakash mehra cud not use much of rafi bcoz of his collaboration with amitabh whose voice was kk
dear sh biman barua
it is good and pleasant experience to read your article always very knowledgeable and informative , you reconcile all the memory of prakesh mehara as well as abut md rafi
best of luck for furture article
reragrds
anil nakra