When it comes to songs filmed on Bharat Bhushan, the 1952 movie Baiju Bawra immediately comes to mind. Though he had made his debut 11 years earlier, this film pushed him into the limelight, with ‘Man Tadapat’ played all over.
Bharat Bhushan later appeared in many popular songs. To mark his 21st death anniversary on January 27, we choose 10 such gems. Basant Bahar and Barsaat Ki Raat were also hugely popular soundtracks, besides Baiju Bawra. The list is chronological.
1 O Duniya Ke Rakhwale – Baiju Bawra (1952)
The film Baiju Bawra had so many great songs, and the first inclination was to choose the Malkauns composition ‘Man Tadapat’ for this list. However, the pathos-filled Mohammed Rafi song ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale’ in raag Darbari had many admirers too. It was a typical Naushad creation with Shakeel Badayuni writing, ‘O kismat phooti aas na tooti, paaon mein pad gaye chaale”. Bharat Bhushan’s expressions matched the words.
2 Aaye Na Baalam Waada Karke – Shabaab (1954)
The combination of Bharat Bhushan, Rafi, Naushad and Badayuni was in full form again. The words were “Aaye na baalam waada karke, thak gaye naina dheeraj dharke”. The verses had sad lines like, “Chhup gaya chanda, lut gayee jyoti, taare ban gaye jhoothe moti, pad gaye pheekay rang nazar ke”. The film also starred Nutan.
3 Dil-e-Nadaan Tujhe Hua Kya Hai – Mirza Ghalib (1954)
Bharat Bhushan played Mirza Ghalib and Suraiya was Chaudhvin, his courtesan lover. This melodious duet, sung by Talat Mahmood and Suraiya, was set to tune by Ghulam Mohammed. Ghalib’s lines were, “Dil-e-nadaan tujhe hua kya hai, aakhir is dard ki dava kya hai”. All the songs in the film used Ghalib’s poetry.
4 Sur Na Saje – Basant Bahar (1956)
The legendary Manna Dey sang two outstanding songs in Basant Bahar – ‘Bhaya Bhanjana’ and ‘Sur Na Saje’, both filmed on Bharat Bhushan. On the latter, Shailendra wrote, “Sur na saje, kya gaaoon mein, sur ke bina jeevan soona, sur na saje”. Shankar-Jaikishan composed it in raag Pilu.
5 Ek Pardesi Mera Dil Le Gaya – Phagun (1958)
Music director O.P. Nayyar used the snake-charmer’s tune in this catchy number sung by Rafi and Asha Bhosle. Qamar Jalalabadi wrote the words, “Ek pardesi mera dil le gaya, jaate jaate meetha meetha gham de gaya”. The gorgeous Madhubala was cast opposite Bharat Bhushan.
6 Aa Laut Ke Aaja Mere Meet – Rani Rupmati (1957)
Mukesh dazzled on this song filmed on Bharat Bhushan and Nirupa Roy. S.N. Tripathi composed the melancholic tune in raag Madhumad Sarang, with Bharat Vyas writing, “Aa laut ke aaja mere meet, tujhe mere geet bulaate hain: mera soona pada re sangeet, tujhe mere geet bulaate hain”. The female version was sung by Lata Mangeshkar.
7 Chaahe Paas Ho – Samrat Chandragupt (1958)
This number was composed by Kalyanji Virji Shah before he officially teamed up with brother Anandji. Bharat Bhushan and Nirupa Roy were the lead pair again, with Rafi and Lata singing. Bharat Vyas began with the lines, “Chaahe paas ho, chaahe door ho, meri duniya ki tum tasveer ho”.
8 Bheega Bheega Pyaar Ka Sama – Sawan (1959)
Hansraj Behl composed this breezy song sung by Rafi and Shamshad Begum. Bharat Bhushan and Amita were shown in a tonga scene. Prem Dhawan penned the words beginning, “Bheega bheega pyaar ka samaa bataade tujhe jaana hai kahaan, baliye, bataade tujhe jaana hai kahaan”.
9 Zindagi Bhar Nahin Bhoolegi – Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)
This was a beautifully picturised love song with Bharat Bhushan recording it in one place and Madhubala listening to it on the radio. Rafi sang his Roshan classic composed in raag Yaman. Sahir Ludhianvi wrote, “Zindagi bhar nahin bhoolegi woh barsaat ki raat, ek anjaan hasina se mulaqat ki raat”.
10 Phir Wohi Shaam – Jahan Ara (1964)
Madan Mohan composed this beauty sung by Talat Mahmood and filmed on Bharat Bhushan and Mala Sinha. Rajendra Krishan’s lyrics were filled with pathos and loneliness, as he began, “Phir wohi shaam, wohi gham, wohi tanhai hai, dil ko samjhaane teri yaad chali aayee hai, phir wohi shaam”.
It is interesting to note that Bharat Bhushan has been represented in this list by four voices – Rafi, Talat Mahmood, Manna Dey and Mukesh. And though Rafi has the bulk with five songs, the other singers matched the actor’s personality well.
