No, I don’t have much problem to what the world is coming to. I am absolutely fine with Mallika Sherawat venturing out to buy condoms in the middle of the night(it was not her fault you see, Himanshu Malik should have been a man enough to arrange for them beforehand), or with Sameera Reddy seducing Anil Kapoor out of his wits, or with Rani pouting her lips for a French delicacy in every movie to finally underline the fact that we are indeed on the other side of 20th century once and for all. I absolutely adore these babes and would have married anyone one of them had these damsels been wise enough to pursue their case(Ouch!).
But you know what, if I eventually do want to feel sorry for some ladies for not being persuasive enough, I would rather get another list ready. Why? Because though I am happy about the age of liberation on the Indian silver-screen, I feel the very purpose of this exercise is being defeated.
If they are trying to make me starry eyed and wanting me to be itching to be in a hot passionate love affair then they got to take out a leaf out of the incredibly glorious and sensuous Bollywood of yesteryears. I still marvel at what had been achieved in 60s to early 80s without a zillion dollars worth of fancy apparatus and the “ready to drop all clothes at the wink of any eye” kind of girls in those days, in terms of portrayal of sensuous romance. Here is an inventory of gems from those golden years which will make you yearn for the touch of a lover, make you breathe heavy and will haze out the boundaries between heart wrenching love and steaming passion. These numbers are chosen not for overtly sensuous visuals but for the sheer steam in expression and class in portraying woman’s sexuality.
1) Karvatein Badalte Rahe Sari Raat Ham(Aap Ki Kasam, 1974, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishore Kumar, RD Burman)
One can easily put them down in the annals as one of the best looking couple – Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz sizzle in this passionate number.
Yaad Tum Aate Rahe, Ik Hook Si Uthti Rahi
Neend Mujhse Neend Se Main Bhagti Rahi Chupti Rahi
Raat Bhar Bairan Nigodi Chandni Chubti Rahi
Aag Si Jalti Rahi, Girti Rahi Shabnam
Aap Ki Kasam Aap Ki Kasam
“That night after the first time you let go a wee bit and touched his hand, all sweaty palmed and heart tearing out of your chest. Something has bitten you, you can’t think of anything else. Your body aches for his embrace.”
2) Jalta Hai Badan(Razia Sultan, 1983, Lata Mangeshkar, Khaiyyam)
Hema though was on her way down by this time, was still the dream girl. I guess every woman would have longed for Dharam Pa Ji in the times when he had this perfect Colgate smile and curly shiny locks to adore his 10/10 face.
Dekh Jal Jayenge Ham, Is Tabassum Ki Kasam
Ab Nikal Jayega Dam, Teri Bahon Mein Sanam
Dil Pe Rakh Haath, Ki Tham Jaye Ye Dil Ki Dhadkan
Pyas Bhadki Hai Sare Sham Se Jalta Hai Badan
“This is the moment you longed for and yet shivered about at the very thought of it. Your heartbeat is running wild; you are going to melt in his arms”.
3) Khwab Bankar Koi Aayega(Razia Sultan, 1983, Lata Mangeshkar, Khaiyyam)
Could it get any better? Another sizzler from Razia Sultan. Touches your soul like moonlight on a starry night – truly divine. Lata treads on Asha’s territory and renders this in such a silken touch.
Baat Jo Sirf Nigahon Se Kahi Jati Hai
Koi Hothon Se Sunayega To Neend Aayegi….
Narm Zulfon Ki Mehak, Garm Badan Ki Khushboo
Chupke Chupke Wo Churayega To Neend Aayegi
Khwab Ban Kar Koi Aayega To Neend Aayegi
“You watch moonlight touch your shoulders, you blush; you can’t believe your own beauty. Only if he was here to run his fingers through your hair while you just lay there drowned in his deep eyes.”
4) Sili Hawa Choo Gayi (Libas, Never got released, Music released in 1988, Lata, RD, Gulzar)
Unfortunately we did not get to see Shabana in yet another classic performance. She had a enigmatic simplicity that would make anyone want to know what lies behind those beautiful eyes.
Tumse Mili Jo zindagi, Hamne Abhi Boyi Naheen
Tere Siwa Koi Na Tha, Tere Siwa koi nahin.
Well this song is not sensuous per se but the sheer love in those lines draws a picture of a relationship awfully intense like a newly wed couple.
5) Man Kyun Behka Ri Behka Aadhi Raat Ko(Utsav, 1985, Lata, Asha, Laxmi-Pyare, Vasant Dev)
This is not the kind of movie you would normally watch with your parents and kids. A little explicit in content. Nevertheless this song sizzles with Rekha and Anuradha Patel deciding to go for a moonlight bath. One of those rare Lata and Asha duets.
6) Tumhe Yaad Karte Karte(Amrapali, 1966, Lata Mangeshkar, Shankar Jaikishan)
Set in the backdrop of a war, the ambience of this song is particularly spell binding. Vaijyanti draped in satin sheets, restlessly sings for her love.
Tumhe Yaad Karte Karte, Jayegi Rain Sari
Tum Le Gaye Ho Sang Apne, Neend Bhi Hamari
“Someone just came into my life and everything has changed. I just can’t stop thinking about him”
7) Bheegey Honth Tere, Pyasa Dil Mera(Murder, 2004, Kunal Ganjawala, Anu Malik, Sayeed Quadri)
Sansein Aanch Teri, Tan Aag Tera
Cheene Neend Meri, Loote chain mera
Certainly not the one from yesteryears but this one had to be in this list. The first time I heard this song I had to hear it another 15 times. The fiery passion in the lyrics is so well complemented with the satin voice of Kunal and of course steaming Mallika and Irfan on screen. Listen this alone and it would make you yearn for someone’s touch. Truly a modern classic.