20 Music Directors 20 Heroines and 20 Heroes gave us these romantic duets from 20 different films.
Why this insistence upon 20 separate.
a) Left to myself, I would choose my 3-4 favorite heroes and select their songs; hence trying to be impartial b) Romantic solo songs are good, but duets bring that something extra.
c) This also shows the amazing talent present in Bollywood over the years.
Before I start sounding too much like an equal opportunity politician, here is the list in ascending order.
20) Jaidev, Zareena Wahab, Amol Palekar, Gharonda
*Do Deewane Sheher Mein, Raat Mein Aur Dopahar Mein,
Abodaana Dhoondte Hai Ek Aashiana Dhoondte Hai
*All us plain looking Ghaati males have hope, if Amol can patao with this song; on second thoughts we still need a lot more. Jaidev has another great duet in Hum Dono with Dev Anand & Sadhana; but Dev is reserved for SD.
19) Anu Malik, Rani Mukherjee, Salman Khan, CCCC
*Dekhne Walo Ne Kya Kya Nahi Dekha Hoga, Mera Dawa Hai Ke Tujhsa Nahin Dekha Hoga
*Is this really Salman’s or Anu Malik’s best? Probably not, rules are rules; but Rani and the alpine scenery looked great.
18) Shiv-Hari, Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan, Silsila
*Dekha Ek Khwab To Yeh Silsile Hue, Door Tak Nigah Mein Hai Gul Khile Hue
Yeh Gila Hai Aapki Nigaah Mein, Phool Bhi Ho Garmiyaan To Fasle Hue
*Holland, Tulips, Rekha and Shiv-Hari’s music; wouldn’t you stray like Amitabh? Not me, I prefer France, Wine; I stop before my wife boots me from our home.
17) Vasant Desai, Ameeta, Rajendra Kumar, Goonj Uthi Shehnai
*Jeevan Mein Piya Tera Saath Rahe, Haathon Mein Tere Mera Haath Rahe
*Isn’t it amazing as to how great music and songs can make anyone a hero; OK OK my apologies to any remaining Rajendra fans.
16) Ravi, Sadhana, Sanjay Khan, Ek Phool Do Maali
*Yeh Parda Hatado, Jara Mukhda Dikhado, Hum Pyaar Karnewale Hai koi Gair Nahin
Are Hum Tumpe Marnewale Hai Koi Gair Nahi
*Selected primarily for Sadhana, the music and song is great as well.
15) Laxmikant Pyarelal, Zeenat Aman, Manoj Kumar, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan
*Main Na Bhoolunga, Main Na Bhoolungi, In Rasmo Ko In Qasmo Ko In Rishte Naato Ko
*Selecting a good song from LP is a small challenge, but Zeenat made it easy.
14) Jatin Lalit, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, KKKG
*Dekha Tumko Jabse Bas Dekha Tumko Yaara, Tumse Koi Achha Hai Na Tumse Koi Yara
- Kehdo Na Kehdo Na You are my Sonia
*A nice catchy song you can dance to, Hrithik looks awesome; Kareena - not bad.
13) Roshan, Bina Rai, Pradeep Kumar, Taj Mahal
*Paon Choo Lene Do Phoolon Ko Inayat Hogi, Varana Hamko Nahi Inko Bhi Shikayat Hogi
*This song is another great example of the no-discrimination rule; left to myself there is no way I would have selected Roshan-Pradeep.
12) Usha Khanna, Tine Munim, Rajesh Khanna, Souten
*Shaayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal Dil Mein Aaya Hai
Isiliye Mammi Ne Mere Tumhe Chai Pe Bulaya Hain
*Rajesh’s best songs are with the Burman’s and Sharmila Tagore. They are all reserved for others, but Tina Munim is decent and the Mauritius scenery is breathtaking. It is hilarious to watch a middle aged balding paunchy Rajesh romance a young nubile Tina, all the more devilish reason for selecting this song. Also, Usha Khanna is the only female music director in this list.
11) Kalyanji Anandji, Nutan, Manish, Saraswatichandra
*Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai Khat Mein, Phool Nahin Mera Dil Hai
Priyatam Mere Mujhko Likhna Kya Yeh Tumhare Kabil Hai
*Yes this is by KA and yes this is a duet and yes Manish is the hero. Nutan, and the song, are pure magic.
10) Naushad, Meena Kumari, Dilip Kumar, Kohinoor
*Do Sitaron Ka Zameen Par Hai Milan Aaj Ki Raat
Muskurata Hai Ummeedo Ka Chaman Aaj Ki Raat
*Classic in every respect, everyone in this is a charismatic superstar; a great lilting melody. Naushad & Yusuf successfully complimented each other; Meena Kumari as always was exquisite.
9) Shantanu Moitra, Vidya Balan, Saif Ali Khan
*Piyu Bole Piya Bole Kya Yeh Bole Jaanu Na, Jiya Dole Holey Holey Kyon Yeh Dole Jaanu Na
*Saif & Vidya match well, and are the icing on the cake that is this song.
8) RD Burman, Tanuja, Dharmendra, Do Chor
*Kali Palak Teri Gori, Khulne Lagi Hai Thodi Thodi
Ek Chorni Ek Chor Ke Ghar Karne Chali Hai Chori
*Listen to this song carefully, and watch its picturisation. Hopefully you shall
see why I paired Dharam with Tanuja instead of Hema, and Dharam with RD instead of Rajesh with RD.
7) OP Nayyar, Sharmila Tagore, Shammi Kapoor, Kashmir Ki Kali
*Saawan Ki Ghata Chayi, Yeh Dekhke Dil Jhooma, Li Pyar Ne Angdayi, Deewana Hua Baadal
*OP, Shammi, Sharmila, & Kashmir; what could be better.
Perhaps another Shakti Samanta/Shammi/Sharmila film "An Evening in Paris".
A review on romantic songs, and not one song set in Paris; but wait; that had Shankar Jaikishen - damn these rules(SJ obviously has to be paired with elder brother Raj).
6) AR Rehman, Gracy Singh, Amir Khan, Lagaan
*Madhuban Mein Jo Kanhaiya Kisi Gopi Se Mile - Radha Kaise Na Jale, Radha Kaise Na Jale
Madhuban Mein Bhale Kaanha Kisi Gopi Se Mile - Kis Liye Radha Jale, Kis Liye Radha Jale*
Genius, Genius, Genius; AR Rehman, Amir Khan & Lagaan.
5) Shankar Jaikishen, Nargis, Raj Kapoor, Shree 420
*Pyar Hua Ikraar Hua, Pyar Se Phi Kyon Darta Hai Dil
Kehta Hai Dil Rasta Mushkil Maloom Nahi Hain Kahan Manzil*
An all-time great pairing(SJ-Raj-Nargis) and their best song together.
The only deviation is that Manna Dey sang for Raj instead of his usual Mukesh.
4) Salil Chaudhury, Asha Parekh, Sunil Dutt, Chaya
*Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha, Ke Main Ek Badal Awaara
Kaise Kisika Sahara Banoo, Ke Main Khud Beghar Bechaara
*Salil is forgiven for lifting this tune from Mozart, wish he would lift Bach and
Beethoven(maybe he did).
3) Madan Mohan, Preity Zinta, Shahrukh Khan, Veer Zaara
*Tere Liye, Hum Hain Jiye, Hothon Ko Siye, Tere liye, Hum Hain Jiye, Har Aansoo Piye
Dil Mein Magar Jalte Rahe, Chaahat Ke Diye, Tere liye, Tere Liye
*An excellent combination of old(Madan Mohan) & new(King Khan).
2) SD Burman, Waheeda Rehman, Dev Anand, Guide
*Gaata Rahe Mera Dil, Tuhi Meri Manzil, Kahin Beete Na Yeh Rate Kahin Beete Na Yeh Din
*Finally, my favorite music director hero & film; Waheeda stole the show.
1) C. Ramchandra, Geeta Bali, Bhagwan, Albela
Bholi Soorat Dil Ke Khote, Naam Bade Aur Darshan Chote, Darshan Chote
Purists may complain that this quintessential Bombay song is not strictly romantic and also has a chorus; let them write their own review. The dancing steps performed by Bhagwan served as the inspiration for countless Amitabh songs. Bhagwan and Geeta Bali made a lovely pair, and C. Ramchandra excelled himself.