An otherwise busy cootchie cooing Japanese couple seated next to me, while returning home from a dull business trip, would sit upright for the songs in ‘Hera Pheri’ the movie shown in the in-flight entertainment. The amorous Japs didn’t understand Hindi, yet, anytime a song cropped up, these two would be entranced, swaying to the music and enjoying every bit. The moment each song ended they would get back to other pressing engagements. During meals, they admitted to their love of Indian movies solely for the songs (and we here don’t stop ridiculing them). While he was a big fan of Rajnikant’s, she was goo-ga over Shahrukh Khan(Absolutely no comments)
Mostly songs have served as a welcome break for smokers and also for the urgent, long withheld emptying of bloated bladders. Off late the attention and expenditure lavished on their picturisation has been making them the sole upside of many movies (Khushi)
Laugh at them, groan when they stop the story, yet some of the best so far are
Spectacular Spectacular Melodrama Melodrama
Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya – Mughal-e-Azam
The grandmother of all mujra songs just had to be here. Courtesan, Anarkali, the stunningly beautiful Madhubala(the species ended with her), proudly proclaiming her forbidden love for a sullen, brooding Prince Salim, in the presence of court in full session and a boiling, infuriated Emperor Akbar, looking like he consumed a bowlful of particularly sour curds.
Besides the delicate Kathak moves, the song abounds in melodramatic hi-jinx like when she snatches Prince Salim’s dagger (of the iron variety, lest you get ideas) and places it at the Emperor’s feet. RD Mathur’s brilliant camera work during the lines ’Chupp na sakega ishq humara, charon taraf hai unka nazara’ brings the image of a pirouetting Madhubala in all the mirrors of the ostentatious Sheesh Mahal, crafted by art director Agha Shirazi.
Choreography- Lacchu Maharaj
Contrasting Simplicity
Title Song - Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
Simplicity makes for stunning visuals too. Two good looking faces of Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan appearing one by one against a black background, coyly admitting to first love. The song takes place when the credits unfold in a stark yet cute manner.
Concept: Sooraj Barjataya
Home Alone! Say Whatever You Want. Only Say?
Raat Akeli Hai- Jewel Thief
An unlikely choice, but see the anticipation all over Tanuja as she foresees an evening spent home alone with the dapper Dev Anand. Watch her wiggle, jiggle, run atop sofas, rush behind curtains, pour drinks while she barely contains her joy for the times ahead encouraging him to ‘Jo bhi chahe kahiye’. The titillating teaser, Tanuja is full of élan all out to ensnare Dev Anand.
Choreography: Sohanlal
Her Bulky Thighness
Oh Babua, Yeh Mahua- Sadma
What happens when Silk Smitha decides to wears little else than gold ornaments to cover her incredulously unending bulk, goes atop a desolate hill at dusk and strikes all possible kitschy Kama Sutra poses with a similarly attired Kamal Hassan?
Actually, a lot. But primarily men-folk get reduced to a lump of wobbly knees.
Taken as is from the Tamil original Moonram Pirai for its Hindi version, it is a hot shocker in this otherwise sad story of a retarded girl and her caretaker. Silkji, an orgasmically compromised lady brazenly lusts for an embarrassed beetroot red by her attentions school teacher, Kamal Hassan. This song is her flight of fantasy. Asha Bhosale croons sensuo-erotic lines like ‘Badan pe saanp chaltay hain’ to heighten the effect
Choreography: Kamal Hassan
Goofy Spoofy
Woh Ladki Hai Kahan – Dil Chahta Hai
A cute couple at a movie show see themselves on screen in various filmi avtaars. Saif Ali Khan and Sonali Kulkarni do hilarious take offs on Guru Dutt – Mala Sinha, Rajesh Khanna - Sharmila Tagore(or was she doing Asha Parekh?), Rishi Kapoor –Sridevi in typical Bollywood song situations. With perfect parodying of costumes, settings and even gestures typical to each era and style. Guffaw at Saif smelling his popcorns, at Sonali acting coquettish, and at the goofier than goofy hands flying movement.
Choreography: Farah Khan
Miss the Awful Movie, but Don’t Miss the Song
Humko Aajkal Hai Intezaar - Sailaab
She kills with her nakhraas, Madhuri as Koli woman caught in a fish-net sensuously undulating her body as she awaits someone to bring her love. Dr. Nene is one hell of a lucky man.
Choreography: Saroj Khan
On the Rocks
Dekho Dekho Yeh Hai Jalwa- Jalwa
A song defying all conventions of music, singing, and choreography. Pankaj Kapoor narrates to his buddy Nasiruddin Shah how he saw the woman of his dreams, when the scene shifts to Goa. Club dancer Jojo(Archana Puran Singh) is practising her number atop of a cliff by the sea and this Remo Fernandes number fills up the air. Mad lyrics(in fact none, its just Remo’s arbitrary gibberish) frantically paced music, with the camera going crazy following Archana’s wham bam gyrations on the rocks.
Concept: Pankaj Parashar
Burst of First Love
Pehla Nasha, Pehla Khumaar - Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander
An upstart second assistant told Mansoor Khan exactly what was wrong with the songs in his movie. Humoring her, he asked her to do ‘Pehla Nasha’ in her own way. Farah Khan went ahead and did a marvelous job with her first independently choreographed song. The entire song is in slow motion, with everyone conveying individual feelings of first love. Aamir Khan leaping with unbridled joy, a cute Ayesha Julka pottering about the housework and a red hot Pooja Bedi doing a Marylin Monroe.
Choreography: Farah Khan
Cat on the Prowl
Yeh Mera Dil- Don
Can Helen be avoided in such a list? This lady was electricity. Her dances, costumes were all provocative, yet classy and aesthetic, never vulgar. I picked this from her endless list of great songs solely for the way she approaches a sulky Amitabh Bachchan with mind-blowing movements through a doorway.
Choreography: PL Raj
Chennai Rubberband+ Maharashtrian Thumka Queen= WOW
Que Sera Sera- Pukar
The mere thought of matching steps with Prabhu Deva had reigning dancing queen Madhuri Dixit reduced to a bundle of frazzled nerves. She developed cold feet and high temperature the day of the shoot and producer Boney Kapoor had to postpone it till such time Ms. Dixit was mentally and physically charged to move toes in tandem with the formidable rubberband man of Chennai. She reportedly said, “I was nervous because Prabhu Deva is such a good dancer. The steps he choreographs are very difficult to execute too.”
But the result is eye-poppingly wow. Watch Indian filmdom’s two best dancers outdo each other step for difficult step.
Choreography: Prabhu Deva
An extra:-
Striptease & Mad Bull
Husn Ke Lakhon Rang - Johny Mera Naam
uhh uhh uhh ah aaaahhhh……
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