Chemistry.The only thing this word conjures up in my mind is the college lab with it’s characteristic concoction of pungent odours(a true blue chemical term), the peculiar satisfaction at achieving a flawless brown ring(science students will remember, for the others well it’s not one you adorn your finger with) and the mysterious world of hydrocarbons.
Hence I am always very intrigued why such a scientific word is associated with romance, love, hatred and all sorts of feelings which science knows very little about rather cares very little about.I think if one has to attach a scientific word to emotions more than anything else it should be biology(you know, X chromosomes, Y chromosomes, genes and all that stuff).Anyways English as we all know is a very avaigyanik(as one Mr Bahan Chalak had explained) language and I can make my peace with that.
Coming to the subject without further ado I will go straight to my choices as I feel I don’t have to give an introduction for how important onscreen chemistry is.So here it goes, Raj Kapur-Nargis, Chori Chori- For those who haven’t seen this movie, this is the inspiration for Dil hai ki Manta Nahi with almost identical story lines.Anyways coming to the song Jahan bhi jaati hon wahin chale aate ho, it really is a delightful watch.The lead pair’s puppet dance just takes the cake.I am sure there were no choreographers then yet both of them have performed this song with such great finesse.
Raj-Nargis again, Pyaar hua Ikrar hua hai-Both of them walking under a single umbrella in a rainy lonely night.This is just as romantic as it gets in people’s dreams.More than anything else I love to watch this just to see Nargis display the various emotions of a smitten girl with such remarkable ease.
Dilip Kumar-Vyjayantimala, Ude jab jab Zulfein teri-This song from NayaDaur remains one of my favorites not just because of the super cute mischievious lyrics but also beacuse of the genuinely innocent smile of Dillip Saab and the simple yet beautiful steps of the lovely Vyjayantimala.I feel Dillip kumar had the best onscreen chemistry with her in this movie and Ganga Jamuna.Can watch this song hundreds of times.
Rajesh Khanna-Sharmila Tagore, Roop tera mastana-The fact that one doesn’t have to be vulgar or obscene to be sensuous is amply exhibited in this song from the superhit movie Aradhana.Sharmila clad in a towel hesitantly trying to maintain distance from our super romantic Kaka by the fireside.Enough to heat up the igoloos at north pole.
Kishore Kumar-Madhubala.Ek ladki bheegi bhagi si-There is something with the rain, isn’t it?It seems to bring out the romantic best of our actors in Bollywood.This one from Chalti ka naam Gaadi is another memorable song.Shot in a garage where madhubala comes in with her broken down car, Kishore Kumar just excels in his naughtiness.
Rajesh Khanna-Mumtaz, Jai Jai Shiv Shankar-If you want to see Kaka dance his heart out, you got to see this one from the movie Roti.Well can’t blame him, Bhang is well known to have such effects on super sane people.
Dev Anand- Hema Malini, Pal bhar ke liye-The first time I saw this song from the movie Johny mera naam, I was just blown away by the almost ethereal beauty of Hemaji.She along with Madhuri and Madhubala have got to be the most beautiful and gorgeous looking women ever to have adorned the silverscreens of Bollywood.Dev sahab is at his mischievious best in this song where he keeps peeking from scores of windows into Hema’s room.
Dev Anand-Waheeda Rahman, Gata rahe mera dil-Dev sahab with the tirchhi topi in place and Waheedaji looking ravishing in white embroidered saris have made this song from the movie Guide , an unforgettable experience.It’s just picture-perfect, what more can I say.
Amitabh-Rekha, Yeh kahan aa gaye hum-This list would be a joke if it didn’t have this pair in it.Whatever their real life relationship was, onscreen they were an instant hit in so many movies.In this song from Silsila Rekha’s eyes tell the whole story of her admiration and love for the Big B.
ShahRukh-Kajol, Suraj hua maddham-Shot in the picturesque locales of Egypt with the pyramids in the background, Shahrukh and Kajol have performed this one superbly in K3G(Karan Johar’s grandiloquent blunder).
Aamir-Pooja Bhat, Adayein bhi hai-Despite the limited acting skills of Pooja Bhat this song from the movie dil Hai ki Manta nahi deserves a place in my list for the wonderful video.Aamir with a bandmaster cap and red pants is a riot. Let me know your choices.