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Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Magic of Movies - 1956

The five highest-grossing films at the Indian Box Office in 1956:

1. C.I.D.

C.I.D. is a 1956 Indian Hindi film directed by Raj Khosla and Produced by Guru Dutt. It stars Dev Anand, Shakila, Johnny Walker, K. N. Singh and Waheeda Rehman. The film is a crime thriller and has Dev Anand playing the role of a police inspector investigating a murder case. The music is by O. P. Nayyar and the lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri and Jan Nisar Akhtar. It was Waheeda Rehman's screen debut, and future directors Pramod Chakravorty and Bhappi Sonie worked as assistant directors.
Plot
A newspaper editor, Shrivastav, is killed when he was about to expose the underworld links of a very rich and influential person. He calls over his friend, Inspector Shekhar, to talk to him about the threat he receives from the underworld. Srivastav dies by the time Shekhar arrives. He remembers that he saw a suspicious person by the elevator and borrows a lady's car to chase him. The lady (Shakila) throws a fit (and even throws the car keys in the mud when it is raining outside) and they lose the chase. In the morning, the two return home when they find the keys. Meanwhile, on the crime scene, petty pickpocket Master (Johnny Walker) is found at scene and confesses to seeing the whole murder. Shekhar uncovers some of the gang, and Master identifies the killer (Mehmood), who is put in jail.

Meanwhile, the lady Rekha turns out to be the daughter of the Chief of Police (K N Singh), and trust is formed. Shekhar is taken to the criminal's house in an attempt to bribe him to release the prisoner, but the attempt fails. The person who offers the bribe is Kamini (Waheeda Rehman). She spikes the drink offered to Shekhar, intoxicates him, and the gang leaves him on the street. He is found by Rekha, who brings him home. At Rekha's birthday party, Shekhar sees Kamini and follows her. Kamini turns out to be a childhood friend of Rekha. The mastermind, Dharamdas, now wants to incriminate Shekhar so that he can be clear of any fear. They take Master to a house and try to persuade him, but fail. The gang kills the original killer by sending their people to jail and frame Shekhar for it. This puts the blame on Shekhar for the two murders. He goes to trial and waits for the verdict the next day. By this point, romantic feelings have grown between Rekha and Shekhar. They talk, and Shekhar does not know what to do. He is persuaded by Master to run away, knowing that he will have to prove who the real killer is by getting a chance to investigate.

He runs away. Dharamdas knows that when Shekhar comes out of hiding, he will have the evidence to expose the mastermind. So, he sends his men to kill Shekhar. They shoot him, and Shekhar manages to reach the killer's house unseen. He is confronted by Kamini, but he convinces her she can only plan a crime, not commit one. She feels for him, realizes that Dharamdas is evil and that she should no longer be a criminal, and nurtures Shekhar nearly to health.

Dharamdas returns and barely sees Shekhar escape into a hidden dungeon. Kamini follows, and it is Kamini and Shekhar vs. Dharamdas in a cat-and-mouse chase in a maze of hidden corridors and rooms. Kamini and Shekhar escape, and Shekhar calls the police station, saying that he is surrendering himself. Just before he reaches the gate of the police station, Kamini is shot by Dharamdas' men, and then Rekha's father, aka the Chief, tries to get a full idea of the picture. Shekhar explains that Dharmdas is the mastermind, yet the Chief does not believe him. Shehar explains the whole thing and that if Kamini regains consciousness, she will testify. Yet he still has to prove that Dharamdas is the criminal, so the Chief can see for himself, and so they have confirmation that he is the criminal in case Kamini does not survive.

They plant an article in the newspaper saying that Kamini will testify, knowing Dharamdas will try to kill her in the hospital. They switch Kamini into Room 15, and tell the desk clerk to tell Dharamadas that Kamini is in Room 13, where they will be waiting for him. Dharamdas comes just before Shekhar and the Chief give up, and they wait. They realize that they left the door to Room 15 open, and Dharamdas realizes the actual room as well. The Chief and Shekhar come just in time before Dharamdas attempts to kill Kamini. Dharamdas is convicted and Shekhar has to face trial for running away. The Chief promises to recommend bail or drop the charges, and Rekha and Shekhar continue their romantic feelings.

Music
The music is composed by O. P. Nayyar. The movie has only six songs, but all became super hits.
"Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re" is sung by Shamshad Begum.
"Ai Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahaan" is sung by Mohd Rafi and Geeta Dutt and picturised on Johnny Walker.
"Leke Pahela Pahela Pyar" is song by Shamshad Begum, Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle
"Ankhon Hi Ankhon Mein Ishara Ho Gaya" is sung by Mohd Rafi and Geeta Dutt and picturised on the lead pair of Dev Anand and Shakila.
"Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana" is sung by Shamshad Begum and picturised on Bir Sakuja and Waheeda Rehman.
"Jata Kanhan Hai Diwane" is sung by Geeta Dutt. However, this song was cut out from the film exhibited in the theaters apparently on objections by the Censors.
Production and Review
Dev Anand and Guru Dutt were friends when they struggled to get a break in films and had promised each other that Dev would give Guru Dutt a film to direct (which he did with Baazi) and Guru Dutt would cast Dev as a hero and direct him. As Guru Dutt did not direct C.I.D. he could fulfill only half his promise. The scriptwriter was Inder Raj Anand, father of actor-filmmaker Tinnu Anand.

Guru Dutt had spotted Waheeda Rehman in a Telugu movie and cast her in Pyaasa, but gave her a key supporting role in C.I.D. to prepare her for Pyaasa. The choreography of this film was done by Zohra Sehgal. The costumes were credited to a debutant, Bhanumati, who is better known as Bhanu Athaiya. Johnny Walker and Kum Kum as his girlfriend offer a comedy track and social commentary on the honest criminals trying to get by. They interact with Bombay in a way that is more direct and hands-on than the others, and they know the ins and outs of the cops and robbers' games. Mehmood was most effective when he had no lines. He looked the part, but sounds a little too hammy. Anyway, the boss takes no chances and has Sher Singh bumped off, and frames Shekhar for both murders. Produced by Guru Dutt and directed by Raj Khosla, C.I.D is an entertaining and engaging thriller. Pitting a suave Dev Anand against a shadowy criminal mastermind, the story is told with tempo and light and shade. Add in the lush O.P Nayyar songs, a young and minxy Waheeda Rehman dancing to choreography by Zohra Sehgal, Johnny Walker actually being funny, and there is so much to love. There are a few points of judicial process that seem unlikely, but not enough to detract from the overall enjoyment of an accomplished yarn.

Assisting Raj Khosla on C.I.D. were Pramod Charavorty and Bhappi Sonie who went on to become successful directors in their own right.One of the lyricists was Jan Nisar Akhtar, who wrote "Aankhon hi Aankhon Mein." The song "Aye Dil Hain Mushkil" (also known as "Bombay Meri Jaan"), performed by Mohammed Rafi and Geeta Dutt, is excellent for all time in the film.

2. Ek Hi Raasta

Ek Hi Raasta  is a 1956 family-drama Indian Hindi film directed and produced by B. R. Chopra. It starred Sunil Dutt, Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar, Daisy Irani, Jeevan and Shrinath in main roles. The music for the film was scored by Hemanta Mukherjee. Having directed a few films earlier, Chopra formed his own production house B. R. Films in 1955 and Ek Hi Raasta was the first film produced under this banner. The film was remade in Telugu as Kumkuma Rekha (1960).

Plot
The film starts with the portrayal of happily married couple, Amar (Sunil Dutt) and Malti (Meena Kumari) who have a son named Raja (Daisy Irani). Amar and Malti are both orphans and hence are sympathetic towards orphans generally. Prakash (Ashok Kumar) is a rich bachelor businessman for whom Amar works. While working in Prakash's factory, Amar catches another worker Munshi (Jeevan) stealing money from the factory locker. To take revenge for his humiliation at the hands of Amar, Munshi murders him. To escape his depression over the loss, Prakash begins helping Malti and her child. Munshi tries to humiliate the family by spreading rumours of an affair between Prakash and Malti in public. To save the honour of Malti, Prakash marries her. Raja meanwhile refuses to accept Prakash as his father. Munshi provokes Raja against Prakash and claims that Prakesh was the real murderer of Amar. Out of anger, Raja tries to shoot Prakash but fails. Raja is jailed for the attempt to kill Prakash. After a few years, Raja is released from jail only to find that his mother is hospitalised from the mental shock she received following Raja's imprisonment. Fearing Malti has died, Raja does not return home. After a few years, Raja understands and returns home, then accepts Prakash as his father.
Soundtrack
The music for the songs was composed by Hemanta Mukherjee. He also sang few of the songs himself, of which "Chali Gori Pi Se Milan Ko Chali" was based on Bhairavi raga.
"Bade Bhaiyya Laaye Hain Landon" Asha Bhosle
"Bhola Bachhpan Dukhi Jawani" Hemanta Mukherjee and Lata Mangeshkar
"Bhola Bachhpan Dukhi Jawani (2)" Lata Mangeshkar
"Chali Gori Pi Se Milan Ko Chali" Hemanta Mukherjee
 "Chamaka Ban Kar Aman Ka Taara[1]" Hemanta Mukherjee and Lata Mangeshkar .
 "Kaisi Lagi Kaisi Lagi Jaaye" Asha Bhosle and Usha Mangeshkar
"Saawale Salone Aaye Dil Bahaar" Hemanta Mukherjee and Lata Mangeshkar
"Udale Hain Mere Gum Ki Hansi" Lata Mangeshkar 

3.Chori Chori

Chori Chori  is a 1956 Indian Hindi-language romantic comedy film directed by Anant Thakur, with music by Shankar Jaikishan and lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. The film is an unofficial remake of the American film It Happened One Night. Bhagwan Dada, Pran, David, and Johnny Walker have character parts. This was the last film of Nargis-Raj Kapoor, with Nargis doing one cameo appearance in the Raj Kapoor starrer Jagte Raho. The music of Chori Chori had popular tracks including "Aaja Sanam", "Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi" in the voices of Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey; "Jahan Mein Jati Hun" by Lata and Manna and "Sawa Lakh Ki Lottery," by Mohammad Rafi. The movie would later inspire the unofficial 1991 Hindi re-make Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, directed by Mahesh Bhatt and starring Aamir Khan and Pooja Bhatt. Like Chori Chori it too became a hit.
Plot
Kammo (Nargis) lives a very wealthy lifestyle with her widowed multi-millionaire dad, Girhdarilal (Gope), who would like her to get married to someone who is not after their wealth. To his dismay, she chooses to marry a pilot named Sumankumar (Pran), who is known for womanizing and for his greed. When he disapproves, she runs away. He advertises for her safe return and offers to pay Rs1.25 lakh to the finder. Four days later, Kammo returns and she is not the same anymore; she is more humble, sober, and respectful. Fully appreciative of this, Girdharilal agrees to her marriage to Sumankumar. Just before the marriage, a man named Sagar (Raj Kapoor) approaches them — this visit will change their lives forever.
Awards
Filmfare Award for Best Music Director - Shankar Jaikishan
Soundtrack
The track "Aaja Sanam" is based on the Italian folk tune Tarantella Napoletana.
Aaja Sanam Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey Hasrat Jaipuri
All Line Clear Mohammed Rafi Hasrat Jaipuri
Jahan Mein Jati Hun Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey Shailendra
Is Paar Sajan Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri
Man Bhawan Ke Ghar Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle Shailendra
Panchi Banoon Urti Phiroon Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri
Rasik Balma Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri
Sawa Lakh Ki Lottery Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi Shailendra
Yeh Raat Bheegi Bheegi Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey Shailendra

4.Basant Bahar

Basant Bahar, directed by Raja Nawathe, is a 1956 Indian classic film. This musical had nine outstanding songs, with lyrics written by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri; and music composition by Shankar-Jaikishan. The story is based on the Kannada novel "Hamsageethe" by legendary novelist Tarasu. "Hamasa" means swan and "Geethe" means song. It is believed that before a swan dies,it will sing without opening its mouth. That mutter of melody is believed to be unmatched since any scene of lyricism falls short of its reach.
Plot
The film begins with Gopal Joshi (Bharat Bhushan) singing a raga. His father, Narsin Joshi (Om Prakash), the royal astrologer, comes and scolds him for singing and says he should become an astrologer. On the other hand, in his neighbourhood, his neighbour Malaya, the son of the royal musician is scolded by his father for being lesser than Gopal in singing. He is preparing him for a music competition, the winner of which will become the royal musician. At the same time, Gopal enters and says that he will not participate, to which Malaya's father refuses.
Cast
Bharat Bhushan ... Gopal
Nimmi ... Gopi
Kumkum ... Radhika (as Kum Kum)
Awards
National Film Awards
1956 - Certificate of Merit for Best Feature Film in Hindi
Soundtrack
Badi Der Bhai Mohd. Rafi
Bhay Bhajana Vandana Sun Manna Dey
Duniya Na Bhaye Mohd. Rafi
Ja Ja Re Ja Balama Lata Mangeshkar
Kar Gaya Re Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle
Ketaki Gulab Juhi Manna Dey, Bhimsen Joshi
Main Piya Teri Lata Mangeshkar
Nain Mile Chain Kahan Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey
Sur Na Saje Manna Dey

5.New Delhi

New Delhi  is a 1956 Hindi Black-and-white romantic comedy film written by Radhakishen with Inder Raj Anand and directed by Mohan Segal. The film starred Vyjayanthimala and Kishore Kumar in the lead, with Jabeen Jalil, Nana Palsikar, Nazir Hussain, Prabhu Dayal, Dhumal, Brahm Bhardwaj, Radhakrishan, Mumtaz Begum, Mirza Musharraf and Shivraj as the ensemble cast. The film was produced by Mohan Segal himself. The film's score was composed by Shankar Jaikishan duo with lyrics provided by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra, edited by Pratap Dave and was filmed by K. H. Kapadia. The story is about the Punjabi boy Anand and the Tamil girl Janaki who fall in love with each other, but unfortunately were separated by their families.
Plot
Anand (Kishore Kumar), a Punjabi boy comes from Jalandhar to Delhi, but is unable to find a place to stay, as everywhere he goes people want to give room only to a person of their caste. Desperate, Anand masquerades as a Tamilian, Anand Kumaraswamy, and finds a place to stay with a Tamilian family. There, he meets the daughter of the South Indian Cultural Association Head, Janki (Vyjayantimala). Romance develops, but Anand is unable to reveal his true identity to her. Daulatram Khanna Nazir Hussain, Anand's father and Janki's father, Subramanyam's (Nana Palsikar) superior, get transferred to Delhi. Anand's sister Nikki (Jabeen) comes close to Anand's friend, Ashok Banerjee, a Bengali painter who teaches her art. When Daulatram finds out, he kicks Ashok out. Anand makes his Tamilian servant Kumaraswamy (Dhoomal) masquerade as his father and they even meet Janki's father to discuss the marriage. But soon they are found out and Daulatram opposes the marriage. Subramanyam too turns against his daughter, who tries to kill herself. She is saved by a kindly shop owner (Radhakishen) and passed off as his Punjabi niece, Mohini. Both Subramanyam and Anand are kept in the dark and are convinced Janki is no more. Subramanyam realizes his mistake, but sadly he thinks it is too late. Thinking Mohini to be a good Punjabi girl, Anand's family readily agrees to his marriage with her and also fix Nikki's marriage within their community. But the marriage is almost called off when the boy's father demands a huge dowry. It is Ashok who offers his family jewels to Daulatram so that Nikki's marriage can take place. Daulatram's eyes open and he calls off the wedding and marries Nikki to Ashok. The truth about Janki/ Mohini also comes out and now that both groups have shed their prejudices Anand marries Janki.
Cast
Vyjayanthimala as Janaki Subramaniam and Mohini. Upperstall.com review: "Vyjayanthimala proves to be the perfect foil for Kishore Kumar[...]has always had the mandatory dance sequence in practically every film of hers evoking 'classical art' associations. She excels in the two main dances in New Delhi - the solo Bharatnatayam Aliruppu number and the Bhangra folk dance in her Punjabi avtaar and she is absolutely brilliant in the Bhangra folk dance[...]in her second avtar even Vyjayanthimala played a Punjabi girl and most successfully too".
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack was composed by Shankar Jaikishan duo while the lyrics were provided by Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra. All the songs in this film became very successful.
"Nakhrewali" Kishore Kumar Shailendra
"Koi Mere Sapnon Mein Aaya" Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri
"Tum Sang Preet Lagai Rasiya" Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra
"Milte Hi Nazar" Kishore Kumar Shailendra
"Zindagi Bahar Hai" Lata Mangeshkar Shailendra
"Are Bhai Nikal Ke Aa Ghar Se" Kishore Kumar Shailendra
"Bari Barse Khatan Gayan" Lata Mangehskar Shailendra
"Murli Bairan Bhai" Lata Mangeshkar Hasrat Jaipuri

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