Because of his Jumping Jack image, one has always picturised Jeetendra singing songs prancing around trees or dancing in open spaces with the heroine. All his songs weren’t like that, as he did a mix of upbeat dance tunes, simple love songs and melancholic numbers writes Narendra Kusnur.
Because of his Jumping Jack image, one has always picturised Jeetendra singing songs prancing around trees or dancing in open spaces with the heroine. Actually, all his songs weren’t like that, as he did a mix of upbeat dance tunes, simple love songs and melancholic numbers.
With his 79th birthday coming up on April 7, we choose 10 hit Jeetendra songs, using a mix of styles. Five of these songs are sung by Rafi and four by Kishore, and the voices of both singers match his personality equally. The list is chronological
1 Mast Baharon Mein – Farz (1967)
A very uptempo song where Laxmikant-Pyarelal made marvellous use of percussion. Sung by Mohammed Rafi, it was written by Anand Bakshi, with the line “Saara jahaan hai mere liye” becoming a singalong favourite. Jeetendra lived up to the Jumping Jack image, with Aruna Irani joining him. The film’s heroine was Babita.
2 Gham Uthane Ke Liye – Mere Huzoor (1968)
The ultimate sad song picturised on Jeetendra, with Rafi singing Hasrat Jaipuri’s lines, “Gham uthane ke liye main toh jeeye jaaoonga, saans ki laya pe tera naam liye jaaoonga”. Music was by Shankar-Jaikishen, with Mala Sinha and Raaj Kumar also appearing on screen. The number made it to many sad song compilations.
3 Aane Se Uske/ Jeene Ki Raah (1969)
The combination of Jeetendra, Rafi, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Bakshi worked again on this song, shot in open spaces. The words were, “Aane se uske aaye bahaar, jaane se uske jaaye bahaar, badi mastani hai, meri mehbooba, meri zindagani hai, meri mehbooba”. It’s been a radio favourite for years.
4 Dhal Gaya Din – Humjoli (1970)
This song also became famous because it showed Jeetendra, and Leena Chandavarkar play badminton in a comic manner. Laxmikant-Pyarelal teamed up with Bakshi again, with Rafi and Asha Bhosle singing this duet. The lines were, “Dhal gaya din, ho gayee sham, jaane do jaana hai, abhi abhi toh aayee ho, abhi abhi jaana hai”. The film also had the popular Rafi-Lata song ‘Haye Re Haye, Neend Nahin Aaye”.
5 Kitna Pyaara Vaada Hai – Caravan (1971)
Another of those memorable outdoor songs, this was filmed on Jeetendra and Asha Parekh, who looked gorgeous in a folk attire. Sung by Rafi and Lata, it had music by R.D. Burman who was in great form at the time. Majrooh Sultanpuri wrote the lines, “Kitna pyaara vaada hai, in matwali ankhon ka, is masti mein soojhe na, kya kar daloon haal mohe sambhal”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq0LSN0wY_A
6 Musafir Hoon Yaaron – Parichay (1972)
A gem from R.D. Burman with Kishore Kumar singing Gulzar’s lines, “Musafir hoon yaaron, na ghar hai na thikana, mujhe chalte jaana hai, bas chalte jaana”. The song showed Jeetendra travelling in the back seat of a tonga, and the rhythm matched the picturisation. Mouth organ and flute were used marvellously.
7 O Maajhi Re – Khushboo (1975)
A bespectacled Jeetendra was seen on a boat in this song, once again featuring the fantastic combination of R.D. Burman, Kishore Kumar and Gulzar. The melody and rhythm were inspired by the eastern Bhatiali folk style. The words went, “O maajhi re, apna kinara, nadiya ki dhara hai”. Hema Malini also appeared on some scenes.
8 Tere Sang Pyar Main Nahin Todna/ Nagin (1976)
There were three versions of this song – two Lata solo (romantic and sad) and her duet with Mahendra Kapoor. The last one was picturised on Jeetendra and Reena Roy, who made quite a successful pair. Music was by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, and Verma Malik wrote the lyrics. The song was a big radio hit when released.
9 Jaane Kya Sochkar – Kinara (1977)
A beautifully melancholic song where Kishore sang Gulzar’s lines “Jaane kya sochkar nahin guzra, ek pal raat bhar nahin guzra”. Once again, R.D. Burman composed the music, using raag Kalyan. The song remained underrated though diehard fans of Burman loved playing it on loop. Jeetendra and Hema Malini appeared on screen.
10 Nainon Mein Sapna/ Himmatwala (1983)
Jeetendra and Sridevi made for a hit pair, and this song composed by Bappi Lahiri was hugely popular. A highlight was its choreography on the beach. In the midst of painted pottery. Sung by Lata and Kishore, it was written by Indeevar. The lines were “Nainon mein sapna, sapnon mein sajna, sajna pe dil aa gaya”.
This, of course, was only a sample, as Jeetendra had many hit songs over the years. And his dancing was obviously an asset, if the song demanded it.
