Even in his first directorial venture, Yash Chopra conceptualised a mature love song that is still some what of a benchmark in the genre. Sung superbly by Manna Dey and done full justice by an eternal favourite Balraj Sahni. Indian society always wanted some things to be left unsaid and such things were not explicitly exhibited. Yet mature couples too need to show their love, isn't it? This song walked the tightrope effortlessly and how! The movie was based on the massive Quetta earthquake of 1935 and therefore the Pathan-Afghan-Baloch feel to the music by Ravi and lyrics by Sahir that add to the charm. And Manna Dey somehow specialised in all Pathan songs right from this one to 'Ae mere pyaare Watan' from Kabuliwallah to 'Yaari hai Imaan Mera' from Zanjeer.
Yash Chopra was launched by his elder brother B. R. Chopra who too was a prolific filmmaker and made some hard-hitting movies for decades. He was known for his socially relevant, bold themes. I am sure being brothers they shared a common world view-though the Ambanis explode that myth fantastically! But when it came to producing a movie starring two actors in their late 50s and an ensemble cast of some very uncouth a.and irritating sons and daughters-in-law, and an adorable adopted son played very well by Salman, B. R. took the risk and came out winner. The film inspired from Kannada film School Master (1958) and indirectly from the Hollywood film Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) shook many exuberant Yuppy Indians out of the sheer complacence and cruelty meted out to their own parents in the name of being high flying, busy careerists. Amitabh and Hema sizzled on screen and broke many preconceived notions about criteria for hit films. This song to date is the best sung by Amitabh (with Alka Yagnik) expressing how love in the golden sunset is all about being there for each other in person as much as in thought. And if one can even manage some crackling chemistry, nothing like it!
The same hit pairing was repeated by Yash in Veer Zaara in a more rustic avataar. Long term, mature relationships esp married ones are also as much about fighting and nitpicking as about loving. Most couples will vouch for the fact that often what attracted you in a person irritates you the most a few years down the line! It's a slow process of breaking all marital vows in order of priority and urgency and reminding ....each other of it with a sadistic pleasure! Receiving a gift on a special occasion gives as much delight as ribbing your spouse about forgetting to get one. Ultimately long term relationships are as much about loving each other's strengths as about letting go of weaknesses. This Lata-Gurdas Mann duet with the special flavour of Punjabi Lohri is all about that and kudos to Lata-this is one of the last movies she sang for- to manage the spice in her tone at the ripe old age of 74!
While on Veer Zaara and mature love songs, can't resist this though I have put it earlier. But I love the span of time traversed in this song depicting love that stands the test of time. We eastern cultures have not been big on 'I love yous' and big ticket gifts and snazzy Valentines days, but often spend a life dwelling on one small pleasant memory, one kind gesture. Love the payal scene, one of the most romantic ever on Indian screen. Ask any couple in a long term relationship, it will always be some small silly gesture that clinched it for them. I remember I was on my first date with my hubby. He had borrowed his Dad's then car, a 'Milky White Maruti 800' to impress me and we were off to Priya in Delhi and we turned and the sharp late afternoon sun stared right into my eyes and I squinted. He reached out and put the sun sheild on my side down for me immediately. Haha That did it for me. So even though I kept him hanging for another month, I had decided I could marry this guy!:-)) Love this song and the movie for it's last scene that brings out the triumph of true love that lasts beyond boundaries of time age space!!!
Now before my single friends think, there she goes on her 'smug married' trip again lemme re-emphasise it is not roses all the way. There are challenges and I am not even saying marriage is for everybody. Sometimes finding romance within a long term relationship/marriage can seem almost as difficult -if not more!!-as dressing up to the hilt, going to an overcrowded pub and thinking of smart pick up lines!! It calls for a lot of hard work and effort. But if you do a reality check of your expectations at every stage and let myriad experiences flow into your life without too many preconceived notions, it's a great institution. This song shows a long term relationship go full circle in captivating snapshots. Every couple has a bonding secret uniquely their own. Taking now some of my favourite numbers from films produced by Yash-Raj films coz they have honed and cultivated new directors to make new, modern films with interesting concepts, this being one.
Even if a Yash Raj film turned out a dud, it was sure to have some enchanting moments and songs. And it was not Switzerland all the way, in recent years they have showcased Indian mofussil towns and suburbia in kitschy, kaleidoscopic colours with their quieter rhythms and routines. Films, as life and relationships, have their ups and downs, plus and minus moments but what matters ultimately is that the flashback, as this song, should be pleasant and wholesome.:-))
YashRaj films in recent times have essayed middle class aspirations and dreams in a wholesome entertaining format. Celebrating the cultural chaos, the paradoxes and the complexities in stories that border on bizarre, yet peppered with real life incidents experienced by you and me making their way on to scripts and screens. The craft of storytelling is all that matters ultimately. The extra advantage Yash Raj manages to imbue is great emphasis on aesthetics and saleability.
SAR SE SARKI SARKI CHUNARIYA Yash Chopra movies were an amalgamation of traditions and new ideas. Have a look at this very Indian song written by the inimitable Javed Akhtar and with music by the maestros Shiv-Hari. While these movies showcased Indian ethos, yet there were bold themes explored. Many single/unwed mothers or women having kids out of wedlock. From Rakhee in Daag to Waheeda in Kabhie Kabhie, Jaya in Silsila, Parveen Babi in Deewar and Preity Zinta in Salaam Namaste (produced by Yash Raj films) this was a recurring theme, but one done with such refinement and dignity that one couldn't help admiring these heroines even when such concepts were taboo in India. Yash Chopra films sure were heavy on the celestial wedding concept, romance being their forte. But then our myth is replete with such instances. Kunti was the original unwed mother. But ofcourse back in those times, these things happened with long distance transmogrification. Imagine worshipping the Sun and ending up with a son.;-)))
Then back in the 70s they portrayed Waheeda in a super dignified role where she happens to have two daughters, one in a conventional marriage and the other out of wedlock from her past affair. The trouble starts when both the kids come face to face and fall for the same guy. The jealousy, the insecurity, the trauma of the mother to side with one while she loves the other equally dearly was masala for a complex story filled with melodrama and mystery. But kudos to Yash Chopra to get away with a rather bold theme with such pizzazz and raise the pertinent issue of the rights of children born out of wedlock back then. Their conflict with their sense of belonging, the re-affirmations they seek all their life in the form of looking for their other parent, their roots was deftly handled and presented and depicted to the T by Neetu Singh. Not only is this song a beautiful tribute to the girl child, but also a study in the complexity of human relationships, conventions and the realities beyond.
They've touched upon topics as complex as live-in relationships and having children out of wedlock. What they manage to do is always display great balance and sense of respect for Indian values. For all our modernity and forwardness, it is obvious that single motherhood is not a cake walk. Parenting is hard work with challenges at each step. Sometimes even with all the support systems you have of India's extended families, one feels inadequate to be a perfect parent today. I am sure the task is multiplied manifold if anyone takes the plunge to take this responsibility alone. The beauty of bringing up a child together, sharing all your joys and sorrows, celebrating each milestone and being there for each other on all important occasions can not be matched by impulsive pursuits of 'freedom' and doing your own thing. I personally feel live-in relationships though considered a sign of liberation and thus emancipation of women end up being quite anti-women where the woman often ends up getting burdened with taking care of a child all alone if in case the relationship goes sour. Thankfully legislations now make it mandatory for the guy to support a live in partner if they part ways and if they have any common liabilities but still it is a grey area. But it was Yash Chopra's vision and life long respect and commitment to women that he chose such issues and always gave them a pro-woman point of view and feel.
I'll leave you with this beautiful tribute released by Yash Raj Films yesterday on his relationship and visualisation of women on screen. One can only say that we are richer in experience, content, empathy and subtlety vis a vis depiction of female characters today thanks to Yash Chopra.
