Filmmaker Nasir Hussain was known for making entertaining movies with great music. To mark his 21st death anniversary on March 13, we choose 10 songs from films he directed.
The list thus does not include his productions Teesri Manzil, directed by Vijay Anand, or Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, directed by his son Mansoor Khan. The order is chronological.
1 Tumsa Nahin Dekha – Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957)
Sahir Ludhianvi came up with the unforgettable lines, “Yoon toh hamne laakh haseen dekhe hain, tumsa nahin dekha”. Mohammed Rafi sang the tune, in which music director O.P. Nayyar used his trademark clip-clop rhythm. Shammi Kapoor and newcomer Ameeta were cast in a tonga sequence.
2 Dil Deke Dekho – Dil Deke Dekho (1959)
Shammi Kapoor was seen in a tuxedo and playing drums in this well-choreographed song which featured a cameo by Asha Parekh. Rafi sang Majrooh Sultanpuri’s lines, “Dil deke dekho, dil deke dekho, dil deke dekho ji, dil lene waalon, dil dena seekho ji”. The peppy tune was composed by Usha Khanna.
3 Teri Zulfon Se – Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1961)
Dev Anand and Asha Parekh appeared in this classic sung by Rafi. Shankar-Jaikishan composed the tune, with Hasrat Jaipuri writing, “Teri zulfon se judaai toh nahin maangi thi, qaid maangi thi rihayee toh nahin maangi thi”. The film had other hits in the title track, ‘Sau Saal Pehle’ and ‘Uff Umma’.
4 Laakhon Hain Nigaahon Mein – Phir Wohi Dil Laaya Hoon (1965)
Nasir Hussain once again worked with music director O.P. Nayyar, with Rafi singing this uptempo number picturised on Joy Mukherjee and Asha Parekh. Majrooh wrote, “Laakhon hain nigaahon mein, zindagi ki raah mein, sanam haseen jawaan; honton mein gulaab hai, aankhon mein sharaab hai, lekin woh baat kahaan?”
5 Kya Jaanoon Sajan – Baharon Ke Sapne (1967)
After the 1966 film Teesri Manzil, which Nasir Hussain produced and Vijay Anand directed, R.D. Burman became a regular in the team. The film Baharon Ke Sapne was an example. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar, ‘Kya Jaanoon Sajan’ featured Asha Parekh and Rajesh Khanna. Majrooh wrote, “Kya jaanoon sajan, hoti hai kya gham ki shaam, jal uthey sau diye, jab liya tera naam”.
6 Tum Bin Jaaon Kahaan – Pyar Ka Mausam (1969)
This song was in two versions, by Rafi and Kishore Kumar. The former was filmed on Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. R.D. Burman composed the tune. Majrooh’s words were, “Tum bin jaaoon kahaan, ke duniya mein aake, kuchh na phir chaah kabhi, tumko chaah ke”.
7 Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja – Caravan (1971)
Asha Bhosle won the Filmfare award for singing for Helen, who did a cabaret dance. The song was also known for its “Monica O My Darling” line sung by R.D. Burman, who composed the music too. Majrooh wrote the lyrics. The cast of Caravan was led by Jeetendra and Asha Parekh, who appeared on the Rafi-Lata hit ‘Kitna Pyaara Vaada’.
8 Chura Liya Hai Tumne – Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)
With so many hit songs, choosing only one from Yaadon Ki Baaraat was tough. While there were many uptempo numbers, we picked the slower love song ‘Chura Liya’, sung by Asha and Rafi for Zeenat Aman and Vijay Arora. R.D. Burman and Majrooh teamed up again. The tune was inspired by the song from the English film If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium.
9 Kya Hua Tera Vaada – Hum Kisise Kam Nahin (1977)
Rafi sang this for Tariq, with Kaajal Kiran and Rishi Kapoor watching from a restaurant table. There was a short flashback part sung by Sushma Shrestha. R.D. Burman composed the song, and Majrooh wrote, “Kya hua tera vaada, woh kasam, woh iraada, bhoolega dil jis din tumhe, woh din zindagi ka aakhri din hoga”.
10 Hoga Tumse Pyaara Kaun – Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981)
Three singers – Rafi, R.D. Burman and Shailendra Singh – sang for Rishi Kapoor in this film. We picked up the Shailendra song, a peppy train number with a nice lilt. R.D. Burman composed the tune, with Majrooh writing, “Arrey hoga tumse pyaara kaun, humko toh tumse hai, hey Kanchan, arrey hey Kanchan, pyaar”. Padmini Kolhapure was the co-star.
From this list, it’s obvious that Nasir Hussain had a few favourites. Rafi appeared in seven of these songs, and Majrooh wrote eight. R.D. Burman composed six of these songs. Actress Asha Parekh appeared in six of the films mentioned above, and was featured in five songs. Obviously everyone enjoyed working with the great filmmaker.
