A Musical Association: RD Burman and The Kapoors

Guest article by Dr Rajesh Deshpande

(During our discussions about possible themes in RD Burman series, Dr Rajesh Deshpande made an obvious (!) mention of RDB-RK. I was taken aback that no one would associate Raj Kapoor with RD Burman. Dr Deshpande clarified he had in mind Rajesh Khanna! But our cross-understanding led to discussing the Kapoors further and he had a quick thinking that RD Burman had worked with several from the House of Kapoors. This post is the result of our comical misunderstanding. Now the other RK whom Dr Deshpande had in mind would come later.

The SOY regulars are aware how the series on RD Burman came about. Knowing my limitations I said I would need help from others. Dr Deshpande agreed to contribute some articles. This is his second article in the series.

By profession, Dr Deshpande is a pathologist with blood transfusion as his speciality. He is currently in-charge of Medical Affairs for Asia Pacific and International Region in Fresenius Kabi, a healthcare MNC. Dr Deshpande is based out of Mumbai. He is deeply into film music. He is a regular contributor to HFGK and works closely with Har Mandir Singh ‘Hamraj’. Thanks to him, I am also now aware that many on this forum are big fans of RD Burman. Dr Deshpande has done an excellent survey article on this theme. Thank you Dr Deshpande for your second nice article. – AK)

When we think of the actors on whom some of the famous songs of RD Burman have been picturised, Rajesh Khanna’s name comes foremost to the mind, followed by Dev Anand, Sanjeev Kumar, Mehmood, Randhir Kapoor, Sanjay, Rishi Kapoor, Tariq etc. And of course, Shammi Kapoor, the hero of the first successful RDB film, Teesri Manzil.

I realised that two generations of Kapoors (from Prithviraj Kapoor family) have lip-synched to many RDB composed numbers. There are many known and popular films and numerous memorable RDB songs featuring the Kapoors: Raj-Shammi-Shashi as well as Randhir-Rishi-Rajiv.

I felt that this could be a theme for a post as part of the Pancham tribute series and I am glad that AKji graciously agreed to the suggestion and allowed me to go ahead with it.

So, here’s sharing my thoughts on this musical association, with some of their popular favourite numbers:

Shammi Kapoor: Today it is impossible to imagine Teesri Manzil (1966) without Shammi Kapoor but it is said that he was brought in only after the original hero Dev Anand opted out. We have all read the story of how RDB had to audition before Shammi Kapoor to avoid being replaced by Shammi’s preferred composers. The actor validated his tunes and the rest is history. The music played a significant role in the super success of the film. All the six songs are priceless gems. My favourites being the two Rafi solos and the Rafi-Asha duet O hasina zulfon wali. The two Rafi solos have been recently posted in the RDB-Rafi write-up so here’s my top favourite dance composition, which, according to me, is a perfect blend of fusion music, variety of instruments brilliantly put together, excellent choreography and amazing chemistry between Shammi and Helen, complemented by Asha Parekh’s expressions, making it an eternal classic

1. O hasina zulfon wali – Mohammad Rafi, Asha Bhosle. Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIUTxNMHnSA&list=RDeIUTxNMHnSA&start_radio=1

Despite the resounding success of Teesri Manzil, RDB did not get further opportunity to compose for any other film starring Shammi Kapoor as the leading hero.  However, in the 1970s, he composed music for both the films directed by the hero – Manoranjan (1974) and Bundalbaaz (1976).

The funky, energetic musical score of Manoranjan was perfectly in sync with the unconventional storyline, while Bundalbaaz had a couple of nice duets.

Posting the enjoyable Goyake Chunanche here, in which Shammi joins the lead actors in the song.

2. Goya ke Chunanche – Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey. Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIUTxNMHnSA&list=RDeIUTxNMHnSA&start_radio=1

The later 70s and 80s saw Shammi Kapoor playing character actor roles in many films with RDB’s music – Shalimar, Betaab, Romance, Ye Wada Raha, Ijaazat etc. The song Jaag devta naag devta in Shalimar (1978) must be the last Rafi- Shammi song while he lip-synched to RDB himself for a song in Ek Se Bhale Do (1985).

Anirudha Bhattacharjee’s book on RD Burman has Introduction written by Shammi Kapoor.

Shashi Kapoor:  The first film that had Shashi Kapoor lip-synching to RDB songs was the Nasir Hussain film with his patented storyline – Pyar Ka Mausam (1969). Commercially, the film fell short of the success of his earlier films with the same tested formula, but the music clicked. Though more known for the twin male song – Tum bin jaoon kahan, other songs too became popular.

Ni sultana re is an enjoyable duet but I am more fond of Che khush nazare.

3. Che khush nazare – Mohammed Rafi, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUpmnOXrMLo&list=RDsUpmnOXrMLo&start_radio=1

Between 1973-1980, Shashi was the hero in about 6 films with RDB’s music, beginning with Aa Gale Lag Ja (1973).

A successful soapy drama, it had a nice musical score including the popular duet Wada karo nahin chhodoge. I like both the versions of Tera mujhse hai pehle ka naata koi. Posting the duet version here.

4. Tera mujhse hai pehle ka naata koi – Kishore Kumar, Sushma Shreshtha, Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89lgb7dmXps&list=RD89lgb7dmXps&start_radio=1

Deewar (1975) did not need songs but could not avoid commercial compulsions. The Shashi-Neetu Singh duet Kah doon tumhein continues to be popular even today.

Among the songs from the other films, Suhani chandni raatein from Mukti (1977) stands out.

5. Suhani chandni raatein humein sone nahin detin – Mukesh, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSegp0POC_8&list=RDSSegp0POC_8&start_radio=1

Basera (1981) did not have Shashi singing any song despite being the hero and the later films like Alag Alag, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu, Ijaazat had him playing character roles.

Raj Kapoor: RD Burman entered the RK banner with Dharam Karam (1975) which was directed by Randhir Kapoor. The film had Raj Kapoor in the central role and RDB composed one of his major hits Ek din bik jayega which plays in the film in different versions. The Mukesh solo version picturised on RK is the most memorable one.

6. Ek din bik jayega maati ke mol – Mukesh, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGzEIJRAYYg&list=RDqGzEIJRAYYg&start_radio=1

Raj Kapoor worked in two Sanjay Khan films: Chandi Sona (1977) as a guest artiste and Abdullah (1980) where he played the title role. Both the films had RDB’s music and RK had one song picturised on him in each.

Naukri (1978), a much delayed Hrishikesh Mukherjee film had the two RK’s together – Raj Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna.  The film did not have a proper release and disappeared without any impact.

Raj Kapoor had one Mukesh song picturised on him and a bevy of dancers.

7. Upar jaake yaad aayi neeche ki baatein – Mukesh, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQfyymG3bTI&list=RDZQfyymG3bTI&start_radio=1

Randhir Kapoor: Before they worked together in Dharam Karam, RDB got an opportunity to create a youthful score for Randhir Kapoor in Jawani Diwani (1972). The vibrant energetic score and the peppy songs clicked with the younger generation adding to the popularity of the composer as well as the lead pair Randhir Kapoor-Jaya Bhaduri. All songs of the film (Saamne ye kaun aaya, Ye jawani hai diwani, Nahin nahin abhi nahin, Agar saaz chheda) are popular even today, while the most well-known song is Jaane jaan dhoondta phir raha, an excellent example of RDB innovation.

8. Jaane jaan dhoondta phir raha – Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle Lyrics: Anand Bakshi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3tB5Wu2ifg&list=RDV3tB5Wu2ifg&start_radio=1

The same year, another Randhir Kapoor film Rampur Ka Laxman, had some nice songs by RDB. Of these, Ghum hai kisi ke pyar mein is heard even today.

9. Ghum hai kisi ke pyar mein – Lata Mageshkar, Kishore Kumar, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPiOMuvzSI8&list=RDsPiOMuvzSI8&start_radio=1

Randhir Kapoor and RD Burman worked together in about 15 films and majority of them had good music and memorable songs. Randhir Kapoor had a guest role in Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981). However, barring Kasme Vade (1978) most of the later films flopped and their music did not achieve the success it deserved.

Biwi-O-Biwi (1981) was the second RK banner film that had some nice compositions from RDB. Another unsuccessful film whose music left an impact and is heard even today is Harjayi (1981). Standing out among the nice Kishore Kumar solos and the energetic Asha-Kishore duets is the Rafi- Chandrashekhar Gadgil soulful song Har jalwa tera jalwa

10. Tera noor sitaron mein….Har jalwa tera jalwa – Mohammad Rafi, Chandrashkehar Gadgil Lyrics: Nida Fazli

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06FDkhDum20&list=RD06FDkhDum20&start_radio=1

Rishi Kapoor: Among all the Kapoors, Rishi Kapoor had most films with RDB’s music – around 17 or so, excluding some guest appearances.

Zahreela Insan (1974) was the first one, whose Kishore Kumar solo O Hansini is still remembered. Their first musical hit was Khel Khel Mein (1975). The youthful romantic songs of the film boosted the careers of Rishi Kapoor-Neetu Singh. Every song of the film is popular even today. Though Sapna mera toot gaya featured Rakesh Roshan, all the rest had Rishi Kapoor all the way. Here’s the peppy and enjoyable Shailendra Singh solo

11. Humne tumko dekha – Shailendra Singh, Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXt0VagrdJg&list=RDKXt0VagrdJg&start_radio=1

Hum Kisi Se Kum Naheen (1977) is the most popular film of this association with one hit after the other, from Kya hua tera wada to Hai agar dushman to Bachna aye haseeno and the Chaand mera dil medley.

Zamaane Ko Dikhana hai (1981), Ye Wada Raha (1982), Saagar and Sitamgar (1985) are other films whose music has left an everlasting impact and still popular, far beyond these films’ short box office run.

The title song of Ye Wada Raha remains one of RDB’s best compositions of the 80s and is a big favourite amongst the young generation. An innovative song, with perfect use of clapping.

12. Tu tu hai wahi dil ne jise – Kishore Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Lyrics: Gulshan Bawra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wc19NBL-Xis&list=RDwc19NBL-Xis&start_radio=1

All the songs of Saagar are my favourites, though Chehra hai ya chand khila is a special one. I consider it an excellent composition with a beautiful guitar prelude.

13. Chehra hai ya chand khila hai – Kishore Kumar Lyrics: Javed Akhtar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8drSZlOo3Uo&list=RD8drSZlOo3Uo&start_radio=1

After Saagar. Rishi Kapoor and RD Burman came together in 1993 with Guru Dev. RDB’s music for this film gave a hope to his near-finished career with songs such as Jaipur se nikli gaadi and Aana re aana re.

Rajiv Kapoor: Rajiv Kapoor entered the film industry when RDB’s career had started on a downward trend. Lava (1985) was the first film of Rajiv Kapoor with RD Burman. Thereafter came Zabardast (1985). The music of this Nasir Hussain film was good but nowhere close to the earlier films of the Nasir Hussain-RDB combo. And the film too failed. Still, one song remains known and popular even today – Jab chaha yaara tumne.

14. Jab chaha yaara tumne ankhon se maara – Kishore Kumar, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj5OLjty0l4&list=RDuj5OLjty0l4&start_radio=1

The third and last film of this association is Zalzala, a typical action multi-starrer released in 1988. Neither the film nor the music generated any interest. Both failed.

And finally, the third generation Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor: In the film Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008), Ranbir Kapoor is seen dancing during the film’s credits to the title track Bachna ae haseeno which is a reimagined version of the RDB composition from Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin, originally picturized on his father Rishi Kapoor.

15. Bachna ae haseeno – Kishore Kumar, Sumeet Kumar

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4PMUZ055vc&list=RDk4PMUZ055vc&start_radio=1

Before concluding, I would mention one more Kapoor, distantly related to the above Kapoor family, who played the hero in the film with RD Burman’s last landmark musical compositions – Anil Kapoor and the film 1942: A Love Story (1994). Anil Kapoor was also associated with other notable RDB musical scores of that period – Parinda (1989) and Gurudev (1993).