Actress Asha Parekh celebrates her 80th birthday on October 2. As per a recent announcement, she was also conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke award for this year.
To mark the double feat, we choose 10 hits filmed on her. Asha appeared in so many great songs and one had to skip many. The order is chronological.
1 Yeh Aankhen Uff Yun Maa – Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1961)
Asha was cast opposite Dev Anand in this film. This song, composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, was sung by Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar, with Hasrat Jaipuri beginning, “Yeh aankhen uff yun maa, yeh adaayen uff yun maa, pyaar kyon na hoga”. The film also had hits like the title track, ‘Sau Saal Pehle’ and ‘Teri Zulfon Se’.
2 Itna Na Mujhse – Chaaya (1961)
The song is often talked about because music director Salil Chowdhury was inspired by Mozart’s 40th Symphony to create the main tune. Lata was joined by Talat Mahmood on this number filmed on Asha and Sunil Dutt. Lyrics were by Rajendra Krishan. There was also a sad version sung by Talat.
3 Raat Ka Samaa – Ziddi (1964)
Asha excelled as a dancer in this brilliantly choreographed group number. The hit was sung by Lata and composed by S.D. Burman. Hasrat wrote, “Raat ka samaa, jhoome chandrama, tan mora naache re jaise bijuriya”. Joy Mukherjee was in the audience.
4 Jaaiye Aap Kahaan – Mere Sanam (1965)
Asha Bhosle sang this exquisite number for Asha Bhosle. It was one of the singer’s biggest hits with composer O.P. Nayyar. Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote, “Jaaiye aap kahaan jaayenge, yeh nazar laut ke phir aayegi; Door tak aap ke peeche peeche, meri awaaz chali jaayegi”. Biswajeet was the male lead in the song.
5 O Mere Sona Re – Teesri Manzil (1966)
Once again Majrooh wrote a masterpiece, which went, “O mere sona re sona re sona re, de doongi jaan judaa mat hona re, Maine tujhe zara der mein jaana, hua kusur khafa mat hona re”. Music was by R.D. Burman, and the singers were Asha Bhosle and Rafi. Shammi Kapoor was the co-star.
6 Sayonara Sayonara – Love In Tokyo (1966)
Asha was cast opposite Joy Mukherjee in this film. This song showed her in a mischievous sequence, dressed in Japanese style. Lata sang the song composed by Shankar-Jaikishan, who used an Oriental flavour. Hasrat wrote, “Sayonara sayonara, waada nibhaoongi sayonara, ithhalaati aur balakhaati, kal phir aaungi sayonara”.
7 Jab Chali Thandi Hawa – Do Badan (1966)
An outdoor group song, this had singer Asha Bhosle in her element. Asha Parekh starred opposite Manoj Kumar. The music was composed by Ravi, and Shakeel Badayuni wrote, “Jab chali thandi hawa, jab utthi kaali ghata, mujhko ae jaan-e-wafa, tum yaad aaye”. The film also had Lata’s melancholic ‘Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad’.
8 Suno Sajna – Aaye Din Bahaar Ke (1966)
Asha was paired opposite Dharmendra in this Lata song composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The warm melody was enhanced by santoor, bansuri and strings. Anand Bakshi wrote, “Suno sajna papihe ne kaha sabse pukaar ke, sambhal jaao chaman waalon ke aaye din bahaar ke”.
9 Teri Aankhon Ke Siva – Chirag (1969)
Asha played a woman who lost her eyesight after marrying the character played by Sunil Dutt. This song was in two versions sung by Rafi and Lata. Madan Mohan composed the music and Majrooh wrote, “Teri aankhon ke siva duniya mein rakha kya hai, yeh utthe subah chaley, yeh jhuke shaam dhale, mera jeena, mera marna, inhin palkon ke taley”.
10 Achha To Hum Chalte Hain – Aan Milo Sajna (1970)
Asha starred with superstar Rajesh Khanna in the films Baharon Ke Sapne, Aan Milo Sajna and Kati Patang. This one from Aan Milo Sajna was written like a dialogue by Bakshi, with the lead pair asking each other questions and replying. Sung by Kishore and Lata, it had music by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
Though Lata sang Asha Parekh’s biggest hits, Asha Bhosle had some fabulous tunes too. The voices of both sisters suited her.
