Filmmaker Yash Chopra’s films have produced some great cinema over the years. Narendra Kusnur picks 10 songs from the films he directed on his 88th birth anniversary
Filmmaker Yash Chopra’s films had intense subjects, and very often, he shot the songs on lavish locales. He would talk of different facets of love, and thus one heard many wonderful romantic numbers.
On Chopra’s 88th birth anniversary, we select 10 songs from films he directed. Interestingly, the first five were written by Sahir Ludhianvi, whose work he was extremely fond of. Later, he worked extensively with Shiv-Hari, and three songs here have been composed by them.
This list does not include films he produced but didn’t direct, and hence, it doesn’t contain fantastic love-based films like Noorie, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge and Mohabbatein. The order is chronological.
1. Tere Pyaar Ka Aasra – Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
For his directorial debut, Chopra got in music director N. Dutta. This song, sung by Mahendra Kapoor and Lata Mangeshkar, was a huge hit, with Sahir Ludhianvi writing, “Tere pyaar ka aasra chahta hoon, wafa kar raha hoon, wafa chahta hoon”. Rajendra Kumar and Mala Sinha appeared on screen.
2. Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen – Waqt (1965)
Singer Manna Dey excelled in this song picturised on Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev. It was based on an Afghan tune by Abdul Ghafoor Breshna, with arrangements by Ravi. Lyrics were by Ludhianvi again, whose words “Tujhpe qurbaan meri jaan, meri jaan” became iconic.
3. Mere Dil Mein Aaj Kya Hai – Daag (1973)
Ludhianvi wove his magic with lines like “Tere gesuon mein chhupkar, main jahaan ke gham bhula doon”. Sung by Kishore Kumar and composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal, it was filmed on Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore. It’s popular at stage shows even today.
4. Keh Doon Tumhe – Deewaar (1975)
The brilliant Deewaar isn’t much remembered for its music but this love song picturised on Shashi Kapoor and Neetu Singh was much hummed. Sung by Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle, it was composed by R.D. Burman, with Ludhianvi writing “Keh doon tumhe ya chup rahoon, dil mein mere aaj kya hai”.
5. Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein – Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
An adaptation of a Ludhianvi poem, this was sung by Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar to Khayyam’s music. The song, picturised on Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee and Shashi Kapoor, was written in a nazm format, and is remembered for its sheer poetic expression.
6. Yeh Kahaan Aa Gaye Hum – Silsila (1981)
Amitabh Bachchan recited poetry and Lata Mangeshkar sang beautifully in this song composed by Shiv-Hari and written by Javed Akhtar. The lines “Main aur meri tanhai aksar yeh baatein kiya karte hain” strike a chord. Rekha appeared on screen in this song that revolved around an extra-marital relationship.
7. Chandni O Meri Chandni – Chandni (1989)
Singer Jolly Mukherjee lent his voice for Rishi Kapoor, and Sridevi joined in. Composed by Shiv-Hari, the lyrics were written by Anand Bakshi. The words “Maine is dil pe likh diya tera naam” summed up the song’s emotion.
8. Jadoo Teri Nazar – Darr (1993)
A song about obsessive one-sided love where Shah Rukh Khan (face not on screen) expressed his emotions. The song was sung by Udit Narayan, composed by Shiv-Hari and written by Bakshi. It was picturised on Juhi Chawla who was seen in flower-filled gardens. A highlight of the tune was the use of guitar.
9. Dil To Pagal Hai – Dil To Pagal Hai (1997)
Uttam Singh, one of the best arrangers, composed the music for this film. The title song, filmed on Akshay Kumar, Madhuri Dixit, Shah Rukh Khan and Karisma Kapoor, was sung by Udit Narayan and Lata Mangeshkar. Bakshi wrote “Dil to pagal hai, dil deewana hai”.
10. Tere Liye/ Veer-Zaara (2004)
The late Madan Mohan’s compositions were recreated by his son Sanjeev Kohli in this film starring Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Roop Kumar Rathod, it was written by Javed Akhtar. The opening lines were ‘Tere liye hum hai jiye, honton ko siye”.
