100 Years

Discussed

Meena Shorey in Pakistani Film Gulfarosh (1961) – Hai Jawani Meharban

Meena Shorey can be considered as the Liz Taylor of Bollywood or Lollywood as far as marriages are concerned. Her long list of Indian and Pakistani husbands include Raza Mir, Al-Nasir, Roop K Shorey, Zahoor Raja and Asad Bokhari. However, when she died in 1989 none of them was present …

Bollywood . Himaliyawala . Lollywood . Meena Shorey . Zahoor Raja . Zubaida Khanum Discussed

Inter-changing playback singers on same person in the same song

Using multiple playback singers for same person in the same film was a common practice in Hindi films. For example, in Tamasha (1952) Meena Kumari got playback from Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle and Lata Mangeshkar. I can understand the reasons behind that practice.  Perhaps producers wanted to include as many …

Bimla Kumari . Bollywood . Cuckoo . Helen . Madhubala . Nargis . Raj Kumar Discussed

Indian Playback singer Mubarak Begum singing for 2 Pakistani films – Bada Aadmi (1957) and Raaz (1959)

Note – Irfan dates this picture to 1946-1947. I don’t think that is correct because Mubarak first film song was for Yakub’s Aiye released in 1949. I think this photo is possibly from late 50s when she visited Lahore. ____________________ Indian playback singer Mubarak Begum (Kabhi tanhaiyoun mein fame) sang …

Ahmed Rushdi . Bollywood . Lollywood . Mubarak Begum . Mussarat Nazir . Shamim Ara Discussed

Mohammad Rafi’s first Screen appearance

Laila Majnu (1945) was Indian playback legend Mohammad Rafi’s first screen appearance. The lead pair of this film was  Swaranlata-Nazir who fell in love during the shooting of this film and later migrated to Pakistan and produced Pakistan’s first superhit  film [Punjabi] Pheray (1949). Therefore, securing the future of films …

Bollywood . Mohammad Rafi Discussed

Jaane waale se mulaqat – Amar (1954) – Song which moved Madhubala to tears

Naushad recalls that Jaane waale se mulaqat na hone paayi from Amar (1954) had a special place in Madhubala’s heart. In fact, when it was first played on the sets, Madhubala burst into tears, which moved everyone else present.

Bollywood . Madhubala . Naushad Discussed

Meena Shorey in Sarfarosh (1956)

Bollywood’s ‘lara-lappa’ girl Meena Shorey migrated to Pakistan in 1955. Teri ulfat mein sanam is perhaps the most famous song picturized on her in Pakistani films. Here she is seen in Anwar Kamal Pasha’s Sarfarosh (1956), music by Rashid Attre and playback singer is Zubaida Khanum.

Lollywood . Meena Shorey . Rashid Attre Discussed

Jamila Razzaq and Aslam Pervaiz in Ishq Per Zor Nahin (1963)

Jamila Razzaq was the niece of Zubaida [leading lady of India's first talkie film Alam Ara (1931)]. According to encyclopedia of Indian Cinema, Jamila’s mother Sultana was an extraordinarily beautiful woman and a popular silent star. All three sisters – Zubaida, Sultana and Shehzadi were real Muslim princesses and daughters …

Ahmed Rushdi . Aslam Pervaiz . Jamila Razzaq . Lollywood . Zubaida Khanum Discussed

Sabitha Perera in Bobby (1984)

Sabitha Perera was the only actress from Sri Lanka who gained popularity in Pakistani films made in 1980s. Bobby [Sri Lanka - Pakistan co-production] made in 1984 was one of her super hit films opposite Javed Sheikh. Two songs sung by Salma Agha as a playback singer became very popular. …

Javed Sheikh . Lollywood . Sabitha Perera . Salma Agha Discussed

Shammi, Geeta Bali and Tun Tun in Rangeen Raatein (1956)

Music director Roshan used Shamshad Begum’s voice sparingly. He composed 10 songs for her (6 solos and 4 duets) and Mein Ek Shola was one of the last songs (actually second last) Shamshad sang for Roshan. This is perhaps the only song where Geeta Bali lent her voice and the …

Bollywood . Geeta Bali . Roshan . Shamshad Begum . Uma Devi Discussed