Mohammad Rafi & Johnny Walker in Symbiosis

31 July 2024

Guest article by DP Rangan as a joint tribute to Rafi on his 44th Remembrance Day and Johnny Walker on his 21st Remembrance Day.

(The title of this post says it all. When you think of Johnny Walker you think of Rafi. JW established a presence for himself and soon the producers and music directors realised that giving a song or two to him increased the commercial prospects of a film. For a comedian to achieve that status was remarkable. Thus, many songs picturised on him achieved iconic status, and are often remembered till today towering over other songs in the film. The credit was also due to Rafi who could modulate his voice to sound like JW.

The indefatigable guest author DP Rangan describes this relationship in detail as only he could. The statistics relate to only those songs that Rafi sang for Johnny Walker. JW lip-synched several songs on the screen, sung by other singers. Further, JW acted in many films in which he had no songs or no songs by Rafi. That is why you would see difference in the number of films in two tables – one only for movies, and the other movies and songs.

The symbiotic relationship between JW and Rafi extended to another unique aspect. Their death anniversaries are separated by two days. Today is Rafi’s 44^th Remembrance Day. We had JW’s 21^st Remembrance Day two days ago. This is a befitting tribute to two great artists in symbiosis. Thank you Mr Rangan for another superb article. – AK)

The first post in the blog SOY for 2024 was posted on 1^st January by AKji, on the late Mohammad Rafi (hereinafter referred to as Rafi for brevity), a superlative playback singer who straddled the film world as a giant for over 35 years from 1944 till his early demise in July 1980. A series of articles will probably appear during this centenary year of his birth. This is my humble endeavour to contribute at least one article on the symbiotic relations he had with the noted comedian Johnny Walker (JW). I am stretching the meaning of “symbiosis” a little by taking refuge under the assumption that one is a playback singer and the other is an actor, though both are homo sapiens. AKji has written everything of note about Rafi and I have nothing further to contribute.

Rafi is once in a generation singer to emerge at the dawn of Hindi film music’s golden age in late 40s and reigned supreme in all genres of film music with superlative performance. He was far ahead of the competition among male film song crooners. He had sung for all leading actors in the Hindi film world as expected. But almost all such actors had others like Manna Dey, Mukesh etc. to sing for them in the movies, e.g., Talat Mohammad and Mukesh had sung for Dilip Kumar. Johnny Walker was a noted exemption in this respect. All songs (about 155) pictured on him, mono or duet, had Mohammad Rafi doing the male complement. I came across only one instance of Manna Dey as a singer in the film Baazi (1968) – Ek anar do beemar, Shakeel Badauni/Kalyanji-Anandji. In the duets, the most prominent female singers were Asha Bhonsle (30) and Geeta Dutt (22). Other female singers in duets were Shamshad Begum, Lata Mangeshkar, Sumant Kalyanpur et al. I have not attempted an analysis of Mohammad Rafi singing songs, solo or duet, for other major actors, but I can vouchsafe that the 155 (solo 75 and duet or threesome 80) songs picturised on Johnny Walker in 85 films he acted and had songs to his credit should be the maximum songs by Mohammad Rafi for any actor. This is a unique record which will probably stand the test of time. In an interview JW had stated that he acted in around 300 films. Despite my intense search, I could not compile his complete filmography. I had details of 85 films he acted from 1951 to 1997. I regret my inability to comment on how engaged was he throughout his career. It appears he was busy from 1951 to 1970 and, thereafter, the number of films he acted show a declining trend. He had stated that he voluntarily gave up taking up assignments in later years, because the role of comedy actors underwent a change in ways he did not like. He commented as follows:

In those days we used to do clean comedy. We were aware that the person who had come to the cinema had come with his wife and children … the story was the most important thing. Only after selecting a story would Abrar Alvi and Guru Dutt find suitable actors! Now it’s all upside down … they line up a big hero and find a story to fit in. The comedian has ceased to be a character, he’s become something to fit in between scenes. … I opted out because comedy had become hostage to vulgarity. I acted in 300 films and the Censor Board never cut even one line.

I would now briefly sketch his biography. I got the relevant data from many you tube videos uploaded by dedicated volunteers and profusely thank them.

He was born on 11^th April 1924 (from an interview given by JW wherein he stated he was 18 years in 1942) in Indore as the second child of Jamaluddin Kazi who was employed in a local textile mill. He christened the child Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi. Badruddin was studying in school and completed 6^th grade when tragedy befell the big family as a result of loss of employment of his father due to closure of the cotton mill. To survive, the family shifted to Nasik in 1938. In order to support his father to maintain the family, Badruddin had to lend a helping hand as his elder brother was loath to do so. Studies discontinued, he rode on his bicycle and worked as a wandering salesman, selling ice cream in the beginning and also dabbling in other sought after commodities as vegetables, fruits etc. He developed great skill in bicycle riding and was a master of performing many stunts. He moved with all sorts of people. Jovial by temperament he struck a harmonic chord with all he came into contact with. As a keen observer he learnt about the type of life led by them and their mannerisms, such as way of talking etc. These were to be valuable lessons to be put to use later as an actor. In his tete-a-tete with customers, he had an endearing way of speaking with them, which made him very popular. He took in stride all the obstacles he faced as a travelling salesman and brushed them aside as inconsequential.

Fate smiled kindly on him when in 1942 the family shifted to Mahim suburb in Bandra, Bombay, the Mayanagari, i.e., the city of illusions. He had cherished a desire to act in films and pursued it all the time. In local fairs at Mahim, he mingled freely and was very lively and an object of attraction. His father requested his neighbour, a police inspector to fix Badruddin in a regular job. The latter got him selected as a bus conductor in BEST. He was told he had to undergo a medical test which included eye testing. He had eye problem due to wrong medication by a compounder in Indore when he was small. Undaunted, the next day he visited the medical centre in the morning and learnt from a watchman there that he had to read words from an eye chart. He sneaked in and memorised all the letters and when his turn came, sailed home with ease. In an interview he gave for Tom Alter he narrated this incident and repeated the alphabets correctly after nearly sixty years. He was employed in the Mahim-Dadar circuit as a bus conductor at a salary of Rs.26 per month.

It was the dawn of a new chapter in his life. Ab initio he revelled in the job while covering the Mahim-Dadar circuit of BEST and entertained the bus commuters with his pranks and utterings. He was loved by one and all. He visited several studios and participated as a bit and piece actor in crowd scenes and got a modest amount of five rupees per assignment. Fortune smiled on him when he got an acting assignment in his individual capacity in the film Aakhri Paigham (1949) and was paid Rs. 80/-, a princely sum compared to his modest salary as a BEST bus conductor. He never gave up on his dream of becoming an actor of repute. The adage – God helps those who help themselves – came to his rescue when in one of his circuits the noted film actor Balraj Sahni was a commuter who was much impressed by Badru’s skill in portraying as a joker while on the job and told him he has a better future. Badru realised this was a golden opportunity not to be lost and every time he met him in later days reminded him of his promise of help. Balraj Sahni reassured he will assist him whenever an opportunity arose.

In 1951 Balraj Sahni was engaged in writing the dialogue for the film Baazi, a Navketan production and added a comic actor role to fit Badru. He informed him of this and told him to meet Guru Dutt, director of the film and impress him with his talents as a comic actor. Taking his cue, JW visited the office of Navketan and started acting as a drunkard and behaved like a bull in china shop creating disturbance thereon among the employees. Chetan Anand, Dev Anand, Guru Dutt were unsettled by the commotion outside. JW entered their chamber and played as a bumbling drink-soaked individual and for sometime entertained them. Soon Chetan Anand got exasperated and ordered JW to be ousted. Balraj Sahni told Badru to be himself and he immediately acted sober. Balraj Sahni informed Guru Dutt of the ploy he had employed to exhibit Badru’s talents as a comedian. The trio were fully satisfied and introduced him in the film as a tipsy drunkard. Guru Dutt dissatisfied with his birth name conferred on him the sobriquet – Johnny Walker, a popular brand of whiskey of which he was a fond drinker. JW’s career took off and he was now part and parcel of future Guru Dutt films except Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. A special role to fit him as a comic actor was provided with a song, mono or duet, and Mohammad Rafi was the male playback singer. Over the next few years he and Guru Dutt nurtured a close friendship.

From the beginning, JW was given independence to design his role and mode of acting including dialogues by Guru Dutt. JW himself had commented on his role in Guru Dutt films as under:

He used to tell me – Here is your scene, your dialogue. If you can do better, go ahead. In every rehearsal I would come up with something new. Guru Dutt used to love that. He used to look at everyone on the sets and see if the light boys, the cameraman, the assistants were laughing at my dialogues. Guru Dutt then had an assistant to write down whatever I said in the rehearsals. That is how we worked.

JW’s roles in the earlier films captured the attention of the public and he was well received. Perceiving this trend, other film producers started associating him in their ventures and wherever possible a song was also allotted for him. Film financiers also insisted on a role for JW. He started acting in more and more films and his career was at a peak from 1955 to 1970. JW’s claim of having acted in over 300 films should be taken with a pinch of salt. Wikipedia lists about 185 films with a rider it is not exhaustive. Perhaps a figure of around 200 would be more realistic. In a few films he was also the hero and a film in his name – Johnny Walker was released. He was a humble straightforward man, and stuck to a definite routine in his life away from films. He was the first actor to employ a full-fledged manager or secretary to manage his shooting schedules to prevent overlapping errors. He never acted on Sundays and took good care of the family.

His first song in a film was recorded in 1954, three years after his debut, for Guru Dutt venture Aar Paar. It was a duet with Rafi and Geeta Dutt. His co actor was Noor, sister of actress Shakeela. A romance flowered between them and they got married in a mosque despite parental objections. She quit films to be a home maker. They had six children, three boys and three girls. He had a lasting regret about not being properly educated and sent his three sons to USA for higher studies. He named his residence as “Noorvilla” in honour of his wife. JW had his first solo in the film Shahzada (1955).

Johnny Walker was a far better actor than what people thought of him. While a hero’s role may be stereotyped, his was not. In each of his films he had to act in a distinct manner adopting mannerisms as needed of his role and now and then indulged in blather and logorrhea. In film Anand (1970) as mad cap Isa Bhai Suratwala he played his usual comic stunts. He was also adept at switchover as a serious and sensitive friend distressed at the physical sufferings of cancer afflicted hero Rajesh Khanna. His stunt as a tipsy character was amazing considering he was a teetotaller. He never indulged in double talk and his humorous stunts and dialogues did not hurt others’ sentiments. His last film was in Kamal Hassan film Chachi 420 in 1997. He acted as Joseph, the makeup artist with proclivity for drinks and helped in disguising Kamal Hassan as a matron. He was nominated for Filmfare awards 5 times (3 best supporting actor and 2 best comic actor) and won it two times, one in Madhumati (1958) for best supporting actor and another Shikar (1969) as a best comic actor.

As an ancillary actor, one can expect a song or two in the 85 films he acted and sang. I was surprised to find that he had 4 songs to his credit in five films and 3 songs eleven times. In one film, Naya Paisa (1958), he is credited with 6 songs out of a total 8 – 2 solo and 4 duets. This may be considered as a proof of his popularity with the cine audience. JW’s first song was a duet with Geeta Dutt in Aar Paar (1954). The last sung by Mohammad Rafi was a solo in the film Zurm Aur Saza (1974).

I listened to a snippet of 155 songs (mono and duet) and have full details film-wise. I could easily portray plenty of songs, but have to omit well-known songs due to restraints of space. With this reservation, I will now present a few songs of his, solo or duet, in support of his kaleidoscopic acting abilities. Mohammad Rafi as is his wont, modifies his voice for JW to fit in all the situations depicted in the films. JW himself attributes the popularity of the songs to the singing ability of the master crooner Mohammad Rafi (JW talking about this in this YouTube video.)

Johnny Walker’s number of movies

Year	Movies	Year	Movies
1951	1	1970-71	6
1952	3	1972	4
1953	4	1973	1
1954	6	1974	7
1955	18	1975	7
1956	15	1976	3
1957	6	1977	3
1958	16	1978	2
1959	9	1980	2
1960	7	1981	1
1961	6	1983	2
1962	5	1984	2
1963	8	1985	1
1964	2	1987	1
1965	2	1988	2
1966	7	1991	1
1967	12	1997	1
1968	7	Total number of films	185
1969	5	Total number of films	185

Johnny Walker’s number of Films and Songs

Serial No.	Year	Films	Number of songs		Total
Serial No.	Year	Films	Solos	Duets	Total
1	1954	Aar Paar	–	1 Geeta	1
2	1955	Shahzada	1	1 Asha	2
3		Milap	–	1 Geeta	1
4		Musafirkhana	–	1 Shamshad, 1 Durrani	2
5		Mr & Mrs 55	–	1 Geeta	1
6		Society		1 Geeta, 1 Balbir& Geeta	2
7	1956	Anjaan	1	–	1
8		CID	–	1 Geeta	1
9		Inquilab	–	1 Balbir	1
10		Choomantar	1	1 Asha, 2 Geeta	4
11		Ghulam Begum Badshah	1	–	1
12		Shrimati 420	–	1 Asha, 1 Geeta	2
13		Insaaf	1	–	1
14		Chori Chori	1	–	1
15		Naya Andaaz	–	1 Kishore, 1 Asha, 1 Kishore& Shamshad	3
16	1957	Do Roti	–	1 Geeta	1
17		Changez Khan	1	1 Shamshad	2
18		Duniya Rang Rangeeli	–	2 Asha	2
19		Ek Saal	1	–	1
20		Gateway of India	1	1 Lata	2
21		Johnny Walker	1	1 Asha. 1 Geeta, 1 Manna Dey	4
22		Mai Baap	1	2 Geeta	3
23		Mr X	2	–	2
24		Pyasa	1	–	1
25		Naya Daur	1	–	1
26	1958	Ghar Sansar	–	2 Asha	2
27		Light House	–	1 Asha, 1 Geeta, 1 Suman	3
28		Detective	–	2 Geeta	2
29		Aji Bas Shukriya	1	1 Asha & others	2
30		Aakhri Dao	1	–	1
31		Amar Deep	1	1 Asha & Manna Dey	2
32		Chandan	1	–	1
33		Devar Bhabhi	1	–	1
34		Khota Paisa	1+1	1 Asha. 1 Shamshad	4
35		Madhumati	1	–	1
36		Mr Qartoon MA	1	2 Asha, 1 Shamshad & Asha	4
37		Muzrim	1	–	1
38		Naya Paisa	2	1 Asha, 3 Geeta	6
39		Sitaron Se Aage	2	–	2
40		12 O’ Clock	–	1 Geeta	1
41	1959	Bhai Bahan	1	1 Geeta, 1 Suman	3
42		Jawani Ki Hawa	1	–	1
43		Kagaz Ke Phool	1	–	1
44		Mr John	2	1 Lata, 1 Geeta	4
45		Pahli Raat	1	2 Asha, 1 Sudha & Balbir	4
46		Paigham	2	1 Asha	3
47		Satta Bazaar	1	1 Suman, 1 Asha	3
48		Zara Bachke	2	1 Shamshad	3
49		Black Cat	1	2 Suman	3
50	1960	Chaudahvin Ka Chand	2	–	2
51		Ek Phool Char Kaante	1	–	1
52		Ghar Ki Laaj	2	2 Asha	4
53		Kala Aadmi	1	1 Lata	2
54		Rickshawala	1	1 Asha, 1 Geeta	3
55		Basant	2	1 Asha	3
56	1961	Chhote Nawab	–	1 Lata	1
57		Suhag Sindoor	2	–	2
58		Wanted	1	1 Asha	1
59	1962	Girls’ Hostel	2	–	2
60		Baat Ek Raat Ki	–	1 Asha	1
61		Neeli Aankhein	1	–	1
62		Sachcha Moti	1	–	1
63		Modern Girl	1	–	`
64	1963	Ghar Basa Ke Dekho	1	–	1
65		Pyar Ka Bandhan	–	1 Balbir	1
66		Ustadon Ke Ustad	–	2 Asha	2
67		Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye	1	–	1
68		Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya	1	–	1
69		Mulzim	2	–	2
70		Phool Bane Angaare	–	1 Kamal Barot	1
71	1964	Door Ki Aawaz	1	1 Manna Dey	2
72		Shehnai	2	–	2
73	1965	Bombay Race Course	1	–	1
74	1966	Baharein Phir Bhi Aayeingi	–	1 Asha	1
75		Preet Na Jane Reet	–	1 Kamal Barot	1
76		Dillagi	1	–	1
77		Dulha Ek Raat Ki	1	–	1
78	1967	Night In London	1	1 Lata	2
79		Jaal	–	1 Asha	1
80	1968	Mere Huzoor	–	1 Asha	1
81		Duniya	1	–	1
82	1969	Aadmi Aur Insaan	1	–	1
83		Pyar Ka Sapna	1	–	1
84	1972	Sanjog	1	–	1
85	1974	Zurm Aur Saza	1		1

Total number of Rafi songs for Johnny Walker: 155

I will now proceed to present songs keeping this in mind as a general observation for Mohammad Rafi. Viewers can easily sense Mohammad Rafi at his best singing for JW.

1. Are na na na na na na tauba tauba by Geeta Dutt and Mohammad Rafi from Aar Paar (1954), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music O P Nayyar

JW’s first singing assignment in a film as part of a duet with Noor came into fruition three years after he debuted as a comedian in Baazi (1951). As Rustom he is flirting around with Noor as his partner. He married her in real life. A fast-paced song in the typical style of OPN.

2. Mera naam phataphat, mera kaam jhataphat by Mohammad Rafi from Shahzada (1955), lyrics Tanvir Naqvi, music S Mohinder

This is the first solo of JW though you can hear other voices in the background. Lyrics of the song are a pointer to the comic nature of the song. No live video is available.

3. Jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji by Mohammad Rafi and Geeta Dutt from Mr. & Mrs. 55 (1955), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music O P Nayyar

Johnny and Julie (Yasmin) are colleagues in the office; they enact their love-affair through this fast-paced breezy duet. Yasmin was her cinema name. Her real name was Vinita Butt. This was her sole appearance on silver screen.

https://youtu.be/u7Jl-WDeUo4?t=2

4. All line clear by Mohammad Rafi from Chori Chori (1956), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri, music Shankar-Jaikishan

The plot of Chori Chori is based on the English movie It happened one night. Shayar (JW) is leading his brood of children with a frowning spouse in the rearmost like a drill master. Mohammad Rafi is at his best in polishing this song with his unique voice. This song itself is based on a slow tempo English song from the film Showboat (1936) sung by Paul Robeson. SJ had composed the song in a fast tempo to make it pleasant for the ear.

5. Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yahan by Mohammad Rafi and Geeta Dutt from CID (1956), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music O P Nayyar

JW, nick-named Master, plays the role of a pickpocket and petty thief admitting to use of scissors in his calling. He walks the tightrope between petty thievery and helping CID (Dev Anand). He also finds time to woo his firebrand girlfriend Kumkum. This song is based on the English song – Oh my darling, oh my darling, oh my darling Clementine – an American folk song of 1894 vintage.

https://youtu.be/HlAOZrst6fQ?t=111

6. Gareeb jaan ke by Mohammad Rafi and Geeta Dutt from Choo Mantar (1956), lyrics Jaan Nisar Akhtar, music O P Nayyar

Baiju (JW) woos princess Ratnavali (Anita Guha) and pleads with her to accept his love. Practically a solo, Geeta Dutt lip synchs just one stanza. A sedate song gliding along like a smooth flowing river, OPN demonstrates he is also capable of composing this genre of songs.

7. Dekhta chala gaya main zindagi ki raah mein by Mohammad Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Johnny Walker from Gateway of India (1957), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Madan Mohan

Jonny Walker is a spiritualist. He acts as a tipsy character, of course all sham as he is a teetotaller in real life, troubling Anju (Madhubala) and both sing merrily with Bhagwan pounding along in a piano. Fast-paced song so well composed by Madan Mohan. Mohammad Rafi displays his skills throughout the song. Dialogue is introduced in between lines, a trend started by JW. (Well portrayed in the song, Chaahe koyi kush ho chaahe gaaliyan hazar de, from Taxi Driver by Kishore Kumar Johnny Walker and others.

8. Munh se mat laga cheez hai buri by Manna Dey and Mohammad Rafi from Johnny Walker (1957), lyrics Hasrat Jaipuri , music O P Nayyar

Tony Walker brother of JW acted in the movie. The song is boisterous and Murli Manohar (JW) is in his elements. Despite being drunk, he refutes it but unconvincingly. Manna Dey is equally good.

9. Main hoon mister Johnny by Mohammad Rafi from Mai Baap (1957), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music O P Nayyar

JW, in the role of a villain, acts along with his patron Balraj Sahni, a blind man in this movie. He is trying to dazzle Minoo Mumtaz with this song of gaiety. Who else but Mohammad Rafi can sing at such speed and yet retain an atmosphere of romance throughout!

10. Tu dil mera lauta de by Mohammad Rafi and Geeta Dutt from Mai Baap (1957), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music O P Nayyar

JW and Minoo Mumtaz enact their love ballad in a club/hotel dining hall, a familiar addition in movies of those days. A hilarious but thoroughly enjoyable duet and both singers add lustre.

11. Laal laal gaal jaan ke hai lagu by Mohammad Rafi from Mr. X (1957), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music N Dutta

A rocking rock-n-roll song supposed to be sung by JW in the film (no video of the song available) and a superb creation of N Datta. It was very popular in 1957 when the film was released. No words can adequately describe the genius of Mohammad Rafi and how it coalesced with JW acting. This clip with commentary from the late Ameen Sayani is posted here. This song seems to be inspired from Jailhouse rock by Elvis Presley.

12. Sar jo tera chakraye by Mohammad Rafi from Pyasa (1957), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi, music S D Burman

Bosom pals Guru Dutt and JW were once strolling in a street in Calcutta. Guru Dutt noticed a masseur plying his trade. He told JW to observe his actions as he proposed to introduce such a character in his film and the result was this light-hearted song in a serious film. JW, going by the moniker Abdul Sattar, in the movie had pulled off his act as a masseur to perfection. He starts announcing his trade in his squeaky voice and Mohammad Rafi then elaborates it.

https://youtu.be/PCaT6-W_C_o?t=32

13. Main Bambai ka babu by Mohammad Rafi from Naya Daur (1957), lyrics Sahir Ludhiyanvi, music O P Nayyar

I the climax of the film Dilip Kumar as representative of tongawalas challenges the local bus owner to a race to the temple and, as expected, the hero wins. Anjana (JW) as a journalist from Bombay lands there to report on it and announces himself in this flamboyant style.

https://youtu.be/BSDGnUfmsPE?t=34

14. Bada hi CID hai wo neeli chhatri wala by Mohammad Rafi from Chandan (1958), lyrics Rajendra Krishna, music Madan Mohan

A song rich in meaning, i.e., cautioning human beings not to indulge in undesirable activities as God in heaven is acting as a super CID and noting all their deeds and would award appropriate punishment. Madan Mohan’s music is a resounding triumph.

Here is another version of the song as a live video but not JW. Just posted for vicarious pleasure.

https://youtu.be/ffdU4gMdEBM?t=83

15. Jangal mein mor naacha by Mohammad Rafi from Madhumati (1958), lyrics Shailendra, music Salil Chowdhury

Charandas (JW) is lolling around in the jungle and is often in inebriated condition but is basically good-natured. He visits the bootleggers’ den for a dose of the drink. He soon gets tipsy and wanders in the jungle. The song is really a masterpiece from the music director. In Vividh Bharti’s heydays this song was rarely broadcast. Instead, it was the other sad one sung by Dilip Kumar – Toote hue khwabon ne. Thanks to the YouTube uploaders, this is freely available nowadays. Let us enjoy it.

https://youtu.be/z_GqeqSeUAw?t=35

16. Humko duayein do tumhein qatil bana diya by Mohammad Rafi, Balbir and Sudha Malhotra from Pehli Raat (1959), lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Ravi

I came across a few qwaalis involving JW; I am posting this one.

17. Pata note karo hamara by Mohammad Rafi from Zara Bach Ke (1959), lyrics Raja Mehdi Ali Khan, music Sahukat Ali Dehlavi alias Nashad

Bhola (JW) is indulging in blather inviting all the girls to meet him later on. It is a typical song in club surroundings and Rafi brings a zest to the song.

18. Ek musafir ko duniya mein kya chaahiye by Mohammad Rafi from Door Ki Awaaz (1964), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Ravi

JW finds himself stranded among fellow passengers with an unsympathetic attitude in an overcrowded train bogie and he is being pushed around when he requests for a seat politely. Undaunted he is expounding a philosophy of life.

https://youtu.be/tNBUBNHqy1k

19. Hum bhi agar bachche hote by Mohammad Rafi, Manna Dey and Aaha Bhosle from Door ki Awaaz (1964), lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music Ravi

JW is taking part in a birthday party and is singing with gay abandon. Mohammad Rafi does full justice in maintaining the happy mood.

https://youtu.be/EIpAUx73rME?t=27

20. Suno suno Miss Chatterjee by Mohammad Rafi and Asha Bhonsle from Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966), lyrics Aziz Kashmiri, music O P Nayyar

Chunnilal (JW) exhibiting his cycling skills, pursues his love in the streets of Calcutta, pleading his case of love for her. She in a huff tries to ignore him. JW is not to be put off and confronts her in the park and she probably relents in the end.

https://youtu.be/lauAr3hjKpY?t=98

21. O mere yaar Tommy by Mohammad Rafi from Night in London (1967), lyrics Anand Bakshi, music Laxmikant-Pyarelal

JW is paying court to Helen, but her dog Tommy plays spoilsport and chases him up a tree. JW is pleading with Tommy through this song not to stand in the way of his wooing. Both the lyrics and song composition describe the situation succinctly.

https://youtu.be/98kAGsxPS_4?t=75

From 1971 onwards he was winding down with fewer assignments in the industry. He refused many offers as he did not agree with the interpretation of comedy actor’s role. In an interview he was queried whether he felt bad at being ignored by the producers in later part of his career. He replied that he was fully satisfied with his withdrawal and was happy at being part of a big family of children and grandchildren. He gave as an example – Tenzing Norgay (Nepalese mountaineer) climbed Mt. Everest but had to come down and lead his life. He never displayed an attitude of rodomontade in his day to day life. Abrar Alvi was a close friend of JW and lived not far from Noorvilla. He used to visit JW daily for a cup of tea. During the powwow they used to quarrel like children. Abrar swore he will not have anything to do with JW and JW also used to reciprocate. Yet next day Abrar would visit JW at his residence and the game would resume. Dilip Kumar was a close friend for 50 years. All these interesting trivia can be heard from 41.00 minute of his biography on You Tube – https://youtu.be/7-BOWWh4G_8?t=2496.

JW was afflicted with diabetes and as a result his kidney malfunctioned. His family took him to a hospital but he refused admission saying he did not want to prolong his life with a machine and returned home. He lived happily in his residence and was always his jovial self despite intense suffering. He departed this world on 29^th July 2003. This was the end of a saga and he left fond memories of great acting and wonderful comic songs by his playback singer Mohammad Rafi. Both were an inseparable part of the scene in around 85 movies.

I now leave it to the blog followers to upload songs I could not add in the post and also judge whether I have done adequate justice in compiling his biography.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer
The song links have been embedded from the YouTube only for the listening pleasure of the readers. This blog claims no copyright over these songs which vests with the respective right holders.

{ 92 comments… read them below or add one }

1 KB July 31, 2024 at 1:48 pm: A highly informative article including the total songs sung by Rafi for Johnny Walker. In fact, Rafi made his voice in a way to suit Johnny’s unique style of talking. As said in the article irrespective of who the music director is , Johnny had at least one song by Rafi during the fifties and sixties! Majority of these songs became more popular than the songs rendered by Rafi for the hero and that was the caliber of these songs !
2 Rahul Muli July 31, 2024 at 5:15 pm: Rangan ji
What a fabulous tribute to the “symbiosis”. It is astonishing that JW lip-synced the maximum number of Rafi songs considering that Rafi was the voice of many stars like Shammi, Rajendra Kumar, Joy Mukherjee.
I add here a unique Rafi- JW song, unique in the sense that JW adorns the role of a photographer and you bet that there are not many songs filmed on photographer during the golden era.
Dilbar pe jo na kabu- pahali Raat- Majrooh- Ravi
https://youtu.be/ti1Oe7F8kiM?si=RNMTUcDMLAUHXbS4
3 Ashok M Vaishnav July 31, 2024 at 5:32 pm: DP Ranganji has done a wonderful job of capturing a wide gamut of JW’s film persona. The selection of Mohammad Rafi songs for him amplifies JW’s screen image so well.

For the records, I will add one more Manna Dey song for JW:

Kisne Chilman Se Maara – Baat Ek Raat Ki (1962) – Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri – Music: Manna Dey

https://youtu.be/ptWCRDKXag4?si=skD_9Hgfkk6xmn3S

Incidentally SDB, had one more duet on JW in the film – Aaj Ka Din Hai Phika Phika – which had Mohammad Rafi as JW’s playback.

https://youtu.be/oVJOUjs5tfA?si=PB8AcwYliygIZcy9

Whist on the subject, I would add

Kaise Diwali Manaye Hum Lala – Paigam (1959) – Lyrics: Pradeepji – Music: C Ramchandra

JW laughs of the sorrow of losing his Diwali bonus to Lala’s hafta.

https://youtu.be/sC15ShdxBVg?si=GoEMcuYEs-2coX66
4 Dr Pradeep K Shetty July 31, 2024 at 6:10 pm: Rangan ji,

You have given an exhaustive list. So, my job is to enjoy the well written post and to explore the songs not highlighted by you.

A good tribute to Rafi Saab.
5 D P Rangan August 1, 2024 at 7:57 am: KB
Thanks for your appreciation and general tone of agreement with views expressed by me. This is highly motivating for any writer of posts.
6 D P Rangan August 1, 2024 at 8:02 am: Rahulji
Fully appreciate the way you have viewed the post. JW is lucky that he was considered enough of a comic actor to deserve songs in very many films he acted and Rafi was his soulmate no doubt.
The song you posted is a typical JW scene. He is able to buttonhole reluctant couples and make them post for photos. The equipment he uses with a black hood smacks of nineteenth century photo instruments. Photography was invented by french man Daguerre and earlier photos taken in glass plates was called daguerre.
7 D P Rangan August 1, 2024 at 8:12 am: Ashokji
Am indebted to you for your supportive view of the post. It was a surprise for me to find out from your comment that one more song for JW by Manna Dey exists. May be more such could surface. I think music director was S D Burman and not Manna Dey. I have seen the movie where Dev Anand acts as a lawyer and saves heroine accused of murder in a dramatic court scene almost at the end of the movie. JW’s gimmicks at the top of the ladder is the core of the song.
JW cleverly disposes of the two pathan money lenders and humous runs through the song enriched the acting of JW on the streets.
8 D P Rangan August 1, 2024 at 8:13 am: Dr. Shetty
Thanks for your response. You cannot abdicate your responsibility, i.e. adding a string of songs relevant for the post. I expect a deluge.
9 D P Rangan August 1, 2024 at 8:20 am: Sorry for mistakes while responding to comments.
@6 – post should be replaced by pose to make it meaningful.

@7 – Please read humour for humous and assume “by” as addition before the words ‘the acting’ in the last line of my reply.
10 Rajiv Gupta August 1, 2024 at 11:07 am: A well researched and presented article with a rich collection of songs to enjoy the magic of Rafi saheb and the ever entertaining JW. The songs added by various commentators are enjoyable too.
11 AK August 1, 2024 at 4:12 pm: Rajiv Gupta,
Welcome to Songs Of Yore and thanks a lot for your appreciation.
12 D P Rangan August 1, 2024 at 5:20 pm: Rajivji

Grateful to you for views expressed in support of the post. Most of songs based on JW are light and his acting is in tandem with the scene and Rafi
has innate ability to adjust his singing so that it is fully integrated.
13 S Joseph August 1, 2024 at 6:00 pm: What a great study and so well written . Add to that the statistics , tables and nice and large song selection. Initially I could not believe that this could be the work of one individual . All my songs are covered here . But since you wanted the readers to put in efforts and post some songs , I searched and got this song . Listen to the year…1955 duet from ‘Musafirkhana’ to make out how Rafi is different here …

https://youtu.be/QvH5ns1XHpE?si=HUq7Dn5Wcc0ENK-z
14 Sivanandam August 1, 2024 at 9:25 pm: Rangan Ji
Absolutely stunning research and article! I never knew Rafi had sung 155 songs for Johnny Walker! I am hearing for the first time some of the songs you have posted –even some of the songs mentioned by others in their comments. real treat for Rafians like me to sit back , listen and enjoy! Thanks a lot for this.
15 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 1, 2024 at 9:47 pm: D P Rangan ji,

Mahendra Kapoor and Kishore Kumar have sung for JW in DIL AUR MOHABBAT, 1968 and SANJOG, 1972, respectively, under OPN and
RDB , respectively .

In JOHNNY WALKER, 1957, Manna Dey ( in a rare outing with OPN ) has a duet with Rafi. Of course, Rafi is JW’s voice.
16 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 1, 2024 at 10:03 pm: And
Danny Danzongpa was the voice of JW in the YEH GULISTAN HAMARA, 1973, song
Mera naam Aao, mere paas aao.. for SDB.

Interestingly, it was initially planned to be picturised on Danny Danzongpa himself, who lost the role to JW.

The song had created a controversy because it offended the Naga people.
17 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 1, 2024 at 10:43 pm: SANJOG was special because Rafi also sang a qawali for JW.
I don’t know if there is any other movie where 2 singers have sung for JW.
18 D P Rangan August 2, 2024 at 1:29 pm: Josephji
Thanks for such over generous praise of the post. It should be laid at the doors of AKji, who is the one inspiring me to attempt such posts. I took almost three months to compile the basic statistics and the writeup when I was in Canada at the beginning of the year as a result of having to pander to the wishes of the grand children. Writer of the post cannot post numerous songs and has to limit it to reasonable numbers. Commentators have no such inhibitions and can add any number of songs.
I have heard the song you mentioned in your comment. I think perhaps this could be the one instance of Rafi just singing without any lyrics. One is reminded of the yeodlings of Kishore Kumar. Rafi is his sedate self and it is very soothing to hear his part too.
19 D P Rangan August 2, 2024 at 1:35 pm: Sivanandamji
Very much pleased the way you have lauded my efforts. It is heartening to note that a Rafi specialist like you came to know of so many songs sung by him for JW. You can land other songs of JW from the details given in the post and everyone of them are master class. Lyricists have composed hilarious lines and coupled with JW acting and Rafi in the background you are sure to be mesmerized.
20 D P Rangan August 2, 2024 at 1:39 pm: Dr. Shetty @ 15 to 17
As expected you have come out with details of more songs of JW by singers other than Rafi. I thought they would be very limited, but it appears more are in hiding and ultimately the number of songs lip synchronised by JW may swell to much more 155 when one is not bound by restriction singerwise. I will try to upload youtube links for the songs mentioned by you.
21 D P Rangan August 2, 2024 at 2:23 pm: Dr. Shetty
Details of you tube links for songs mentioned by you are listed below.

Aankhon ki Talashi by Mahendra Kapoor, Dil Aur Mohabbat (1968 or 69), lyrics Aziz Kashmiri, music O P Nayyar
https://youtu.be/V6Mg-a0iLAc?t=65
Ek do theen char by Kishore Kumar from Sanjog (1972), lyrics Anand Bakshi, music R D Burman
https://youtu.be/aGUYyiTferU?t=35

Qawali from Sanjog sung by Mohammad Rafi & Chorus
https://youtu.be/dn5xWjRfksE?t=37

Mera naam aao mera pass aao by Danny and Lata Mangeshkar,
Yeh Gulistan Hamara, lyrics Anand Bakshi, music S D Burman
https://youtu.be/XMAPoPd8Wb0?t=15
Extract from comments:
Danny tells us why the role was taken away from him. “The great comic actor Johnny Walker who had done three films with the same banner(Guru Dutt Films) walked into the director Atma Ram’s office asking for a role in Yeh Gulistan Hamara. Since there was no other option I was told my role was being given to Johnny Walker Saab. I opted out, but the song remained.”

That’s how Johnny Walker ended up singing in Danny Denzongpa’s voice.

Johnny Walker (1957) duet by Manna Dey and Rafi
Already posted as Song No. 8
22 N Venkataraman August 2, 2024 at 5:47 pm: Ranganji,
First, let me join you and other members of the SoY fraternity in paying my humble tributes to two of the greatest and popular personalities of Hindi film industry on the occasion of their remembrance day. I learn from your write-up that Md.Rafi and Johnny Walker (JW) were born in the same year, hence 2024 is their centenary year too. Thus it is an apt article published at appropriate time.

Just like, without the Sun, there would be no moon light, no full or crescent moons for us to enjoy, Rafi’s voice gave JW’s career the extra fillip, and their combination gave us immense aural and visual pleasure.
Thus it was indeed a symbiotic relationship.

Thank you Ranganji, for a meticulous, well researched biographic presentation on JW, with relevant statistics, and a bouquet of 21 highly enjoyable songs, to mark JW’s 21st remembrance day.

I too feel that JW’s claim of acting in 300 films is overstated. Even if you add those 25 /30 films (mentioned by JW in an I interview) where he was part of the crowd, then too the total will not touch 300. Let me see if I can do a tabulation.

A minor correction . In an interview, I think it was “Guftagu” produced by Doordarshan Sahyadri, Mumbai, Johnny Walker says his first song was a solo, “Main nahin peeta, main to nahin pee hain”. Though he could not recall the name of the singer and the film, he mentions that it was a Qawwali style song composed by Sardar Mullick, father of Anu Mullick and it was Shammi Kapoor’s early film. With these information it was not difficult to identify the film and the singer – Thokar (1953), Balbir and chorus.

I presume, you meant to say, Aar Paar (1954) was the first film in which Rafi sang for him which was a duet and Shahzada (1955) was the first film in which Rafi for the first time sang a solo for JW.
Thank you once again:
23 N Venkataraman August 2, 2024 at 8:11 pm: Posting a song from the film Dillagi (1966)
Dupatta Odhe Nikle Bahara, Rafi solo, lyrics Majrooh Sultanpuri, music Laxmikant Pyarelal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpvw0586fao
24 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 2, 2024 at 10:07 pm: D P Rangan ji,

Manna Dey , Asha; KA.

HASEENA MAAN JAYEGI.

Mere Mehboob mujhko tu itna bataa…

Kishore Kumar has sung 4 songs for JW.

I have already mentioned the SANJOG song.

2. Ishq mein hum Jahan se..
( With Rafi _ for Shashi Kapoor, Asha, Usha Mangeshkar. ) ; KA.
FARISHTA YA QATIL, 1977.

3. Dariya mein jahaj..
( Asha, Usha) ; RDB.
SHAAN, 1980.

4. Allah teri shaan…
( Lata ); Rajesh Roshan.
RISHTA KAGAZ KA, 1983.
25 Avinash Kumar August 3, 2024 at 9:43 am: Dear Sir,
Very exhaustive and informative article but as usual your obsession with one singer somehow blurr the facts . One of The Best songs ever picturised on JW is “Kisne Chilwan Se Mara Nazarra Mujhe …” from Baat Ek Raat Ki .
I can understand this escaped your eye because your concentrating on Rafi songs but you missed it totally raises questions about the research team .
In addition Mahendra Kapoor has rendered couple of songs for JW , when Rafi and OPN had a tiff . I am not an authority on film music but surely a follower of songs of yesterday years . I always say proper and objective research is not done on Indian Film Music . It is matter of great concern that no institute has conducted any research .
All sorts of bizzare claims are floating on internet . Some one says Mohd Rafi held Guinness World record of singing 30k songs , other contests it is Asha Bhonsle who holds record . I am a music lover for 60 plus years .
I followed Binaca right from beginning 1st episode .
26 R Vasudevan August 3, 2024 at 11:34 am: Md. Rafi Sahib by lending his voice lifter career of many actors from Johnny Walker to Navin Nichal and between them there are so many and if one start counting there will definitely missing ne or two.

Good write up on JW and Rafi Sahib and I enjoyed reading it.
27 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 3, 2024 at 11:36 am: JW has acted in a few Punjabi n Marathi movies. So, there may be some other playback singer who has sung for him.

He has acted in an English movie…THE PERFECT MURDER, 1988.
28 D P Rangan August 3, 2024 at 12:02 pm: Venkataramanji

Thanks for appreciation of the post. Your drawing a parallel between Sun and Moon is apt and emphasises the symbiotic relationship between JW and Rafi. I just posted 21 songs without realising it is the 21st remembrance day of JW. You had mentioned this and I am happy about it. It takes a keen mind to discover such points. I heard the song and it is a typical LP tune.
29 D P Rangan August 3, 2024 at 12:08 pm: Vasudevanji
Thanks for your support of the post and considering it good. Play back singers do sing for quite a number of actors in their career. But Rafi and JW combination is unique and such numbers would not prevail in case of other actors.

Dr. Shetty
Happy to note you are your usual self and quite adept at discovering more and more JW songs sung by others. If enough songs are traced another post could be attempted on it. I am waiting for you to post more songs and then will try to obtain you tube links.
30 AK August 3, 2024 at 4:11 pm: Avinash Kumar,
Welcome to SOY. Your ire is misplaced. You did not notice the title of the song – it was on Mohammad Rafi’s songs for Johnny Walker to coincide with Rafi’s Remembrance Day in the continuing series on Rafi’s centenary celebrations. It was almost Johnny Walker’s Remembrance Day off by two days.

We all know Kisne chilman se mara nazara mujhe, but that would not find a place here.
31 D P Rangan August 3, 2024 at 5:29 pm: Avinashji
Blog master has explained the main theme of the post, i.e. JW and Rafi’s singing for him. Had this been a post on JW, your observations would have been relevant. While exploring data for the post, I came across a single instance of Manna Dey singing for JW and mentioned it. Dr. Shetty a veteran in identifying songs has come out with other singers in addition to Rafi. I am very thankful to you for the interest you had exhibited in your comments.
32 Rahul Muli August 3, 2024 at 7:13 pm: Rangan ji, Pradeepji
Pradeepji’s recall about JW’s Marathi movie is astounding. Shrimant mehuna pahije ( wanted a rich brother-in-law) was the only Marathi film in which JW acted. The film has host of Marathi stars like Raja Gosavi, Sharad Talwalkar, Jayashree Gadkar. It’s music was scored by Mohammad Shafi ( must be his only Marathi score)
Here is Rafi singing for JW ( you tube states that it is the first Marathi song rendered by Rafi)
Hi duniya bahurangi
https://youtu.be/8XiXVJ5fYKg?si=Z4auXAua5isltXXi
33 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 3, 2024 at 11:07 pm: Rahul Muli ji,

So, it is Rafi _ JW in Marathi, too.

The tally must be..
Punjabi….3
Marathi n Gujarati… 1 each.

MR FUSKI 007 , Gujarati, must be having Mahendra Kapoor for JW.
34 N Venkataraman August 4, 2024 at 12:33 am: Pradeep ji ,
You have come up with quite a number of songs of singers other than Md. Rafi and also a couple of songs from non-hindi films. Thanks a lot.

Yes. It seems Mahendra Kapoor sang for JW in this 1978 film. The name of this Gujarati film is Mian Furski 007 and it appears JW was in the title role. There are two songs by Mahendra Kapoor, one a duet with Preeti Sagar and the other a triad with Anand Kumar and Harshada
Rawal. And it seems both were for JW. Only audio clip of the songs are available.

And one of the Punjabi films was Teri meri I’m jindri (1975). There was one song lip-synced by JW and the sing was rendered by Dalip Singh Deep. The video of the song is available. And I am aware of one more Punjabi film – Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974). I do not know whether JW had any song in this film.
35 Hans August 4, 2024 at 12:34 am: DP Rangan,
When I discussed subjects to be targetted by me for the centenary posts with AK, he told me Johny Walker is booked. It had come to my mind that you might be the person. You have done a lot of posts at SOY and in fact you and Vaishnavji are the mainstay from the guests side. I have read all of your posts – which are all great – and I can say that this one ranks among the top of your posts. Being a statistics person myself I know how hard it is to get at them. You have done a thorough work with them and the narration of JW’s career is outstanding. Through the selected songs you have been able to show the variety of execution by both the artists.

Avinash here claims he has been experiencing music for 60 years but has not understood the special relationship between Rafi and JW. Despite Baat Ek Raat Ki not being successful its music was hit and was rated very high and Manna Dey song on JW has been held to be a classic by music lovers. But this or the other two Manna Dey songs do not outline the special relationship between the actor and singer because they could have been sung for any other comedian. Rafi JW was not any ordinary combo. There is a subtle difference between the most iconic songs of Pyasa, Naya Daur and Madhumati for JW – posted by you – which can be done only by Rafi and yet when it comes to a Romantic song like ‘gareeb jaan ke’ Rafi sings it differently. In the same film Chhoo Mantar Rafi sang another solo ‘aankh men surat teri’ which is totally different in rendition. This song is picturised like ‘kisne chilman se mara’. I give it here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn4TZUMz5fA

Two issues have been discussed in the comments. I will add my comments on these. First is singers other than Rafi singing for JW. Manna Dey and Kishore Kumar songs have already been discussed. One of Mahendra Kapoor songs has been mentioned. He sang another song in Kahin Din Kahin Raat ‘yaaron ki tamanna hai teri zulfon men fans jayen’. Batish play backed for him in 3 songs. Two he did in Railway platform ‘andher nagri chaupat raja’ and ‘dekh tere bhagwan ki halat’. In Basant he gave play back for JW in a triad in which Rafi sang for Shammi Kapoor. The song was ‘dil rakh diya sar rakh diya’. Vintage era singer GM Durrani sang for JW in all male duet ‘kuchh ankh mili kuchh paisa mila’ in Musafirkhana in which song Rafi sang for Karan Dewan. Johny Walker sang a few words in the film Taxi Driver in a duet ‘mast ram ban ke zindagi ke din gujar de’ with Kishore Kumar (for Dev Anand). JW sang a couple of lines at the end of a Surendra Manna Dey duet ‘meri patni mujhe satati hai’ in film Pati Patni.

The second point was raised by Dr Shetty when he mentioned KK and Rafi sang for him in Sanjog and asked in which other films this happened. Vaishnavji @ 3 mentioned this phenomenon for the film Baat Ek Raat Ki which perhaps was not noticed by Dr Shetty. In Musafirkhana JW sang another duet play backed by Rafi in addition to the one by Durrani I mentioned. Similarly JW had in Basant other duets with Rafi Asha in addition to the Batish duet I mentioned.

There are some changes in stats which I would discuss separately so that they may be modified in the main article for future reference.
36 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 4, 2024 at 8:01 am: Hans ji,

2 more singers to the list. Good additions.

I have heard one more song where JW either sings or speaks a few lines. Will rack my brain to remember.
37 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 4, 2024 at 8:18 am: Rangan ji is totally justified in assuming that Manna Dey is the only other singer for JW because it looks like that from a distance.

The only case of 2 creative people working together exclusively with each other is of the Director/ Producer B R Pantulu and Music director T G Lingappa ( in Kannada movies. For his other language movies, BRP worked with others. ) Even for the movie produced by BRP’s Padmini Pictures after his death, TGL was the composer. Ace Director Puttanna Kanagal ( one time assistant of BRP, strangely, never worked with TGL before or after this.
38 Anita August 4, 2024 at 1:31 pm: Rangan ji,
Johny Walker and Rafi were indeed inseparable. The song no 19 in your list proves amply that even when Joy Mukherjee and Johny both featured together, Rafi’s voice was used for Johny and not Joy, though Rafi was the one who lent his voice for several of Joy’s Songs.
Here are two songs which are perhaps not heard very often; these are in typical JW -Rafi style. Ye Ras Bhari Baaton Ka – Ghar Basake to Dekho (https://youtu.be/xpqmEgFo2PI) and Sambhal Ke Yeh Duniya Hai – Sitaron Se Aage.
In the latter song, even as JW and his gang warn people around about the wayward ways of the world, they go about their business of picking pockets. I love the way Rafi sings the line Nahin Nahin Ek Baat Kehta Hun Bhai for JW after each gem of advice. https://youtu.be/EWO6ScHR8ZI

I must add here that Guru Dutt and Dev Anand played an equally important role in shaping JW’s career. So did lyricists like Sahir, Majrooh and Rajinder Krishan who came up with wonderful tongue-in-cheek lyrics for many a song.

I remember doing a show on AIR some months ago on JW’S songs and many retired employees of BEST had actually called on the studio phone and reminisced about JW being a BEST employee before joining films. JW was not just a great comedian, but more importantly a great human being. As an actor, he had the sagacity to hang his boots when he realized that he had no more to offer.
39 Hans August 4, 2024 at 2:44 pm: Dr Shetty,
I forgot to add one more play back singer who did the job for JW and that is Geeta Dutt. JW lip synced her song ‘gori gori raat hai’ in Chhoo Mantar while he was disguised as a woman. I am giving the link though it is not a Rafi song, but is unique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DbbwvCuG7w

Regarding your other point, if the song you remember is the only one then it is ‘dekhta chala gaya’ from Gateway Of India, posted at no. 7 in the main article above.
40 Hans August 4, 2024 at 6:59 pm: Anita,
‘Sambhal ke’ from Sitaron Se Aage is my absolute favourite. What a tune and matching and funny orchestration. The other thing you mentioned about Rafi selected for giving play back for JW ignoring the hero also happened in 1958 film Amar Deep in the triad song ‘is jahan ka pyar jhootha’ in which Manna Dey gives play back for Dev Anand while Rafi is there for JW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZIh9IuZgyw

But the reverse has also happened in a couple of instances like in Musafirkhana and Basant which I mentioned in my comment @ 35. Balraj Sahni is not known for getting songs, but he was also given Manna Dey in Suhag Sindoor for the song ‘insaf wala jo bhagwan hota’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXk8-LeMY1s

JW also shared Rafi with the hero for play back in some songs and a couple of them I am sharing here.

In a funny Lata Rafi duet in which the intoxicated Mala Sinha asks funny questions from Viswajeet and JW they answer with just the words ‘maine to nahin maine to nahin’. Viswajeet being the hero gets the lion’s share saying it 5 times while JW says it just twice. In the end Viswajeet asks a counter question to Mala Sinha ‘tune to nahin tune to nahin’ to which she answers again ‘maine to nahin maine to nahin’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wJgypIBhfg

In this solo Rafi song ‘kitni jawan hai zindagi’ from Shehnai the same pair of Viswajeet and JW share the play back and this time equally and even in favour of JW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KOtoaOmuxc
41 D P Rangan August 4, 2024 at 9:43 pm: Hans @35
I am completely bowled over by your superlative praise of my effort. Do I really deserve it. Coming from a veteran such as you I will remember it for ever. I have also a fad for statistics and in biographies it is a must. You must also praise AKji for presenting the tables in a more precise way than what I sent him. You have quoted three instances of Rafi singing in three movies for JW. It can be extended for all the songs of JW that he sang. No two songs are similar.
I did try to trace songs mentioned by you about other singers for JW.

Railway Platform (1955) – A debut film for hero Sunil Dutt.
Andheri Nagari Chopat Raja – Rafi, S D Batish, Manmohan Krishna and Asha Bhonsle – (Qamar Jalalabadi/O P Nayyar)
https://youtu.be/o-gCnA6PixU?t=3
( In 1955 a film titled Andheri Nagari Chaupat Raja was released. Lyrics Bharat Vyas, music Avinash Vyas. A haunting Talat Mahmood solo – Deep Jal Raha hai. Shamshad Begum sang a fast paced song with lyrics starting with the title of the movie.)
Dekh tere bhagwan by S D Batish, Mohammad Rafi and Manmohan Krishna. The tune is borrowed from a similar song from Nasik sung by Kavi Pradeep (C Ramchandra).
https://youtu.be/0Ltdn8NKOMA?t=98
Song from Basant (1960) mentioned by you is a qawali style song.
Aji Ulfar ko kushiyo ki kahani by Mohammad Rafi, S D Batish and Asha Bhonsle (Qamar Jalalabadi/O P Nayyar)
https://youtu.be/X6OPR0WPwKI?t=161
Musafir Khana (1955) – Kuch ankh mii kuch paisa mila by Mohammad Rafi, G M Durrani -(Majrooh Sultanpuri/O P Nayyar)
https://youtu.be/W6yTjSgjJXQ?t=106
When Rafi is separated from JW, the other singers do not do so well. To me all the songs appear mediocre.
42 Hans August 4, 2024 at 9:58 pm: DP Rangan,
The total of songs listed by you comes to 154. Two films have been left out. Marine Drive had one solo and one duet in it and Sau Ka Note had one solo. Both these films were from 1955. So the number of films in which Rafi sang for JW is 87. Chhoo Mantar had two versions of ‘gareeb jaan ke’. One was a solo and the other a duet. So this film had two solos. Khota Paisa had one solo only, while you have shown two solos. The Musafirkhana duet has Durrani singing for JW, so there is one duet less. The result is that there are two additional songs which were solos. So the total of songs comes to 156.

There are other changes which do not effect the total number of songs. You have shown 1957 films Duniya Rang Rangeeli and Mr X as having two duets each, but they have one solo and one duet each. Similarly 1959 film Zara Bach Ke has one solo and 2 duets instead of 2 solos and 1 duet. Basant did not have any Rafi solo, therefore the number of 2 solos and 1 duet shown by you should be 3 duets.In 1961 film Suhaag Sindoor you have shown two solos, but it has one solo and one duet. Similarly Modern Girl a 1961 film (shown by you in 1962) has one duet instead of one solo.

Changes can be made in the main article.
43 Hans August 4, 2024 at 11:24 pm: Now I come to songs. Johny Walker as a part of comedy subjects quite a good number of songs relating to being kunwara. I give here a few.

In the first three songs he praises being unmarried narrating the problems of marriage.
Sabse mehngi cheej muhabbat – Anjaan – Hemant Kumar – Rajinder Krishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihSsAo7Z3-s

Hum tum jise kehta hai shadi – Kaagaz Ke Phool – SDB – Shailendra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKT2NkZxNSI

Haseenon ki ankhon ka tara – Pyar Ka Sapna – Chitragupta – Rajinder Krishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXk5DIzAvWE

In the next one even he talking of sanyas.
Haseeno sambhalo apni ye duniya – Khota Paisa – Madan Mohan – Rajinder Krishan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88NFnGa5SdU

But here he takes an about turn and is ready for marriage.
Mera yaar bana hai dulha – Chaudhvin Ka Chand – Ravi – Shakeel Badayuni
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ZLd_zhlAk
44 mumbaikar8 August 5, 2024 at 9:49 am: Mr. Rangan,

I will echo Hans words and congratulate you on your great work, I would not only say that this is your best work but stick my neck out (old habits die hard) and say that I think this is the best tribute to Rafi, in his centenary year.

I had three songs on my list but all three of them are already posted by Anita and Hans. I will go with the other song from Guru Dutts’s Chaudwin ka Chand.

Yeh duniya gol hai. I love their chemistry in the end of this song.

Here: https://youtu.be/GKOWCfLXv_A?si=6E7yOCozM-GJUY00&t=164

Mr. Rangan @41
“Dekh tere bhagwan by S D Batish, Mohammad Rafi and Manmohan Krishna. The tune is borrowed from a similar song from Nasik sung by Kavi Pradeep (C Ramchandra).”
Not only its tune is borrowed, it is parody of the the original
bhajan by kavi Pradeep and seems to be the brain child of three geniuses Ramesh Saigal Madan Mohan and Sahir.

Johny Walker’s birth date has a typo error.
45 mumbaikar8 August 5, 2024 at 10:27 am: Rajaji @ 22

“With these information it was not difficult to identify the film and the singer – Thokar (1953), Balbir and chorus.”

Only audio is available of the first song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cR5eAvcDClo
46 mumbaikar8 August 5, 2024 at 6:19 pm: Hans @35

“There is a subtle difference between the most iconic songs of Pyasa, Naya Daur and Madhumati for JW – posted by you – which can be done only by Rafi and yet when it comes to a Romantic song like ‘gareeb jaan ke’ Rafi sings it differently. In the same film Chhoo Mantar Rafi sang another solo ‘aankh men surat teri’ which is totally different in rendition.” Rightly said.

This can be true for the songs from Sitarona se aage and Kagaz ke phool as well.
47 N Venkataraman August 5, 2024 at 8:59 pm: Mumbaikarji @ 45,
Since there was no response when I mentioned about JW”s first song by Balbir, I thought that nobody had noticed it. Thank you for noticing and posting the song. Balbir also rendered another song, for JW in the 1957 film Ek Saal. A duet, “Are Suno Re Suno Re Suno” with Geeta Dutt, picturised on JW and Minoo Mumtaz, lyrics Prem Dhawan, music Ravi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0jWaX_zXdY
48 N Venkataraman August 5, 2024 at 10:37 pm: Hansji @ 35 & 36,
You have added 3 more singers, to the ‘other singer’s list, G M Durrani, S D Batish and Geeta Dutt. That’s great. Besides the three mentioned by you, we have Balbir, Manna Dey, Mahendra Kapoor and Danny Danzongpa. In all we have 7 singers , other than Md.Rafi, who sang for JW.

One song of Mahendra kapoor mentioned by Pradeepji (Aankhon ki Talashi) has been posted. I am posting the other song mentioned by you.
Yaaron ki tamanna hai teri zulfon men fans jayen, film Kahin Din Kahin Raat, (1968), lyrics Aziz Kashmiri, music O P Nayyar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJx7PboBsAo

I think ,there is one more song by MK not yet mentioned or posted yet
Woh Pyara Pyara Pyara Chanda, film Wahan Ke Log (1967). lyrics Shakeel Badayuni, music C Ramachandra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbqfkYWxdwM
49 D P Rangan August 6, 2024 at 12:56 pm: Ms. Anita @38
I am thankful to you for agreeing with the theme of the post about intertwining of JW and Rafi. Music Director must have realised that Rafi suits JW best and not Joy. As an aside Rafi seems to have sung about 80 songs for Joy Mukherjee. Heard both songs mentioned.
Guru Dutt was initially responsible for uplifting the career of JW. Dev Anand paired with JW at a time when JW himself was in ascendancy.
I regret I did not mention about role of lyricists who are also involved in song popularity. Lyrics do play a major role in JW songs bringing out all JW’s acting talent and cine audience would have enjoyed that.
too.
Once again let me give my appreciation of your comments for all it conveyed.
50 D P Rangan August 6, 2024 at 1:17 pm: Mumbaikar @44
I am indeed fortunate to get an appreciation in this light. Thank you very much. If this post is considered best tribute to Rafi as you have stated I consider myself lucky.
I am very poor in understanding lyrics when they are written in high class Hindi or urdu and hence could not realise that the song from Railway Platform is a parody of Kavi Pradeep song in Nastik. I had seen the film long ago. It is very ordinary except for Madan Mohan songs(e.g. Basti basti parbat parbat by Rafi heard in the background when titles are run at the start of film and another instance with a grief stricken Nalini Jaywant plodding on) . It portrays the trials and tribulations of rail passengers stranded because of floods across tracks further ahead.
51 D P Rangan August 6, 2024 at 1:42 pm: Hans @42
You have my head swimming with more statistics. I will deal with them in parts.
Marine Drive : there are two solos by Rafi. Have a video of one which shows Ajit singing it. The other is audio only. It is too sedate to be attributed to JW. Your guess is as good as mine.
Only one duet by Asha and Rafi. Rafi sings only one stanza, but it smacks of JW. Here is the audio link
https://youtu.be/jogBP9IQBr4?t=244
I concede the duet but not the solo unless you come out with a video.
Sau ka Note _ Checked with IMDB. Johnny Walker is not shown in list of actors. He cannot be missed. The solo by Rafi is such it could be attributed to JW.
Khota Paisa – One less Solo and Choo Mantar one more solo. I agree and they cancel out each other in total.
Musafir Khana – One duet less for JW is also conceded.
If a duet from Marine Drive is added the total stands at 155 . If the solo from the film is proved beyond doubt then it will be 156 .
As regards interchange between solo and duet without affecting overall position I will come to it after verifying again.
52 AK August 6, 2024 at 6:49 pm: Mumbaikar8 @44,45, 46,
It is great to have you back after a long hiatus. I have to thank DP Rangan-Rafi-JW for bringing you back from hibernation. Welcome back home.
53 Hans August 7, 2024 at 12:35 am: DP Rangan, @ 51
Nowadays initial links in youtube contain a lot of unrelated videos, so that one has to go down a lot to find real videos. The video link of the concerned song was very low. Here is the video link for ‘bata ae aasman wale tere bande kidhar jayen’. You said this song does not look like JW’s. I had in my comment said and you had agreed that the duo had different type of songs. This qawwali type song was a street song for getting help for orphans. In those days films there were a number of such songs and Rafi mostly was part of them. For example ‘tumhare hain tumse daya mangte hain’ in Boot Polish and ‘hamen bhi dedo sahara ki besahare hain’ in Seema.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOQ3GhQ-kNI

Regarding Sau Ka Note, HFGK gives his name as guest artist. IMDB is never a reliable source for such information. After initial fame of Johny Walker he was included in many films as guest artist even after completion of the film and in many of them his song with Rafi was included as an item song. I have found that in some films in which videos are available, his name does not appear in credits. This also strengthens his claim of many more films where he has acted. Some data would prove this special status of JW-Rafi in the late 50s. Of the 156 songs of this duo, 107 songs were filmed in five years from 1956 to 60 and only 49 songs were there in the remaining 16 years. In these 5 years Rafi sang about 1000 years and 107 were filmed on JW which is around 11 per cent. No other single artist ever got so many songs in such a short period. For two years of 1958 and 59 the data is more tilted in favour of this duo. For these two years of 353 Rafi songs JW got 57 which is more than 16 per cent.

@ 41
I think AK has to be praised for finding guest writers and himself giving so many great posts. Presentation is normal for him which he does for all of us. Regarding the songs of singers other than Rafi, I would never expect them to be Rafi’s equals, so I lower my bar for them. Of the Batish songs the two in Railway Platform he rendered admirably well as per JW’s character in the film. In the Musafirkhana song too Durravi did a good job.
54 mumbaikar8 August 7, 2024 at 9:04 am: Rajaji@ 47

No response does not mean that it went unnoticed, our way of responding has changed in the last couple of years.

I think we are all feeling a “KHalaa“ that is created by the departure of (what should I name him?) the gatekeeper, the mediator, the magnetic personality, for me he is the SOY Gandhi, he had a “Kasish” that pulled all of us. Difficult to overcome. I miss him more in Rafi’s centenary. I had requested him to be a guest writer for Rafi, once when he had poetically described Rafi’s singing.
55 mumbaikar8 August 7, 2024 at 9:06 am: Mr. Rangan @ 50

I have not seen Railway Platform. Basti basti parbat parbat is one of my favorite songs. I like dekh tere bhagwan ki halat kya ho gayi insaan too. Another movie that had Ramesh Saigal and Sahir combination was Phir Subah Hogi all great songs.
56 mumbaikar8 August 7, 2024 at 9:07 am: AK@ 52

Thanks for the warm welcome. Feels good to be back.

Now taking a cue from Hans’ comment I want to give the credit where it is due.

Thanks for your great job of finding, accommodating and encouraging so many guest writers.

And a special thanks for accepting and appreciating a Neendak like me.
57 KB August 7, 2024 at 1:37 pm: A very funny song from the film NIGHT IN LONDON featuring Johnny , Biswajeet and Mala Sinha , Bagh mein phool kisne khilaya hai (available in Youtube ) where Rafi sings for both Johnny and Biswajeet in different tones trying to handle a swinging Mala Sinha !
58 N Venkataraman August 7, 2024 at 6:45 pm: Mumbaikarji @ 54,
True, we miss Bhatiaji very much. Sometimes in life we end up in situations we can’t change. We just have to accept reality.

Hansji @42 & 53 Ranganji @ 51,
Marine Drive has 3 songs rendered by Md.Rafi. The solo “Ab wo karam kare sitam , main nashe mei. Hoon” was lip-synched by Ajit.

The others two songs were duets with chorus support.
In the song ” Batan de ye aasman wale tere bande kider jaye” (posted by Hansji) the female voice ( I think it is Asha’s voice) can be heard from at 2:45 to 3:35, picturised on Tuntun and another female character.

True, the video clip of the other song “Mohabbat Yun bhi hoti hai” is not available. But the full film is available for viewing in YT. You can find the song at 30:08.Rafi makes his entry at 33:49, singing for JW.

That makes the total songs 156.
59 Hans August 7, 2024 at 10:21 pm: Mumbaikar8,
Though my comment was about those iconic songs, it is true for everyone of Rafi songs and for JW in particular. Anita has finely described the song ‘sambhal ke’ where Rafi articulated the usual talking of JW in between the antaras as if JW himself was talking. This he has done multiple times in his songs. You must be remembering the Devar Bhabhi song ‘maike se aaja biwi ri’ where Rafi mimics the voice of Radha Kishan which was a unique voice. He even articulated songs of Kamaljeet in Shagoon as if he is singing, though Kamaljeet appeared in just a couple of films. Due to these reasons I say Rafi can do anything.

‘Sambhal ke’ was filmed on the actions of JW and his two chelas who were pickpockets. Later in the film they decided to leave this job and start a good living and set up a bicycle repair shop. The other JW song in that film ‘ruk ja pyare ruk ja’ is aimed at getting customers for his shop. The set up of this song is totally different from the earlier one. In the filming JW shows his cycling prowess which was mentioned by DP Rangan in his narrative. Here is the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIo6hPxMdpc

You can see this variety of this duo in the 4 songs from Ghar Ki Laaj. In ‘lelo chudiyan’ JW sells chudiyan and does talking in between. In ‘laila ki ungliyan’ he has given a different treatment. The duets ‘teri lat ka laga hai jhatka’ and ‘laal batti ka nishan’ are based on panjabi folk and are both treated not only different from each other but also from the solos. Ravi also set to tune the two songs in Chaudhvin Ka Chand in the same year. If you take all these into reckoning you will be surprised with the variety the JW-Rafi combo produces.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoG-r6JEpZI
60 Hans August 7, 2024 at 10:55 pm: Venkataramanji, @ 48
Mahendra Kapoor is my favourite singer, but he can not compete with Rafi. He is just like other singers, singing to his best ability without any correlation with the acting skills of the artist lip syncing his songs. The Wahan Ke Log song I had seen when I did N Datta but quickly went to the back burner of my memory, but something was telling me he had three songs. Thanks for reminding. The other two songs are my favourites. ‘Yaron ki tamanna hai’ has a unique and funny picturisation. JW runs away with Malika’s bicycle and she hires a tonga to pursue and hits JW with a horsewhip. When he falls she takes the bicycle and JW is on the tonga. Then JW pulls her to the tonga and the tonga driver falls down and takes the bicycle.

@ 58
Yes, ‘bata ae aasman wale’ is a duet with Asha. It is shown as solo in the HFGK. Video link of ‘muhabbat yun bhi hoti hai’ is available, though very low in the list and I am giving the link here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWkWOL1SPAo

And also thanks for mentioning the other Balbir song @ 47.
61 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande August 8, 2024 at 12:08 am: Ranganji,

An excellent tribute to this wonderful symbiosis pair of Rafi and JW, comprehensive and well-written.
Complemented by some valuable and informative comments and insights by Hansji, Venkataramanji and others.
Adding some songs that I like:
Kal talak hum theek tha – Detective 1958 (with Geeta)
I am adding the audio here, as the video one is too short
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHhDGzwQ8hk

Zulf ke phande phans gayi jaan – Mujrim 1958 (OPN)- an enjoyable song in police lock-up
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR6B9pbUlD8

Maine kaha tha aana Sunday ko – Ustadon Ke Ustad 1963 (with Asha) – always a delight to watch JW and helen together
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOkp_gNCo4M

Dekh idhar ae haseena – 12 o’clock 1958 (with Geeta) (OPN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO1jqpZbQns
62 Dr. Rajesh Deshpande August 8, 2024 at 12:19 am: Ranganji,

I was going through the list of Rafi songs for JW and realised that you have mentioned two songs in Aji Bas Shukriya – one solo and one duet.
However, JW has no solo in the film. He has two songs with Geeta Bali – one a duet and other a trio.

Kadki tera hi naam clerki ( Rafi, Asha, Ghulam Mohd)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZulqMCNzmXk

O daata o daata de humko bhi ek pyara bangla – (with Asha)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuaUa3vpieQ

Interestingly, the film also had an Asha solo, picturised on Geeta Bali which has JW’s name in the mukhda –
Sach kehta hai Johnny Walker ghar ki murgi daal barabar
63 Hans August 8, 2024 at 8:39 pm: If we look at this duo’s figures MD wise, we would know that the variety factor being discussed is true for most of the MDs.

It has been agreed, for the present, that they had 156 songs in 87 films. OPN had the most songs 34 in 16 films. Next comes Ravi with 31 for 17 films, which would look like a surprise here. I have always called OPN, Ravi and N Datta as three musketeers for Asha Bhosle. Figures for the the 3rd musketeer N Datta would be a further surprise, which is 22 songs in 9 films. OPN and N Datta got the lion’s share in films in which JW was the lead male actor. In some of the films JW got the lion’s share of songs even when another male was the lead actor. Black Cat would hardly be a surprise, as the lead was Balraj Sahni who got to lip sync two lines before the Lata gem ‘main tumhin se poochhti hoon. JW got 3 song in Paigham where Dilip Kumar was the first lead and Raj Kumar the second lead. In this film Dilip got just one duet. Even Raj Kumar (2) got more songs than Dilip.

Now these 3 musketeers gave in all 87 songs for 42 films, for this duo. Next best were Madan Mohan and S Mohinder with 9 songs in 6 and 3 songs respectively. SDB gave 7 songs in five films. SJ (4 songs), CG (5 songs), LP (5 songs) and KA (6 songs) worked with the duo in 4 films each. Five MDs CR, Hans Raj Behl, Roshan, Dattaram and RDB had 2 films each, with CR giving 5 songs, HRB and Dattaram 3 each, while the other two 2 songs each. Five more MDs Hemant Kumar, Salil Chaudhary, Nashad, Mukul Roy and Sudeepta did one film each with a single song in each film.

Until now 50 songs have been posted including 21 in the main article. Of these the 3 musketeers naturally get the lions share with 25 songs (OPN 13, Ravi 9, N Datta 3). SDB gets 5, MM, CG and LP get 3 each. CR gets 2 and 8 others get one each. The remaining 4 KA, HRB, Dattaram and Sudeepta have no songs posted.
64 Hans August 8, 2024 at 11:36 pm: I would take up those composers who have not been represented here.

Hans Raj Behl
Ye hokar rahega ye hona likha hai – Changez Khan – Verma Malik
This is one of the great songs in terms of lyrics, singing as well as acting. Verma Malik who got fame in the post golden era wrote great lyrics for the situation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn7Ykgqdy44

Dattaram
Babu insurance kara lo – Kala Aadmi – Hasrat Jaipuri
JW is here selling insurance policies. He had already sold so many things in the films that they decided to try a hand on this too and he performs the song admirably.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO6XVkHjoWc

Sudeepta got only this film and the only song but he showed his prowess for JW admirably.
Thoda sa humko sharbate deedar chahiye – Gulam Begum Badshah – Roopbani
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVk771flPvU

Kalyanji Anandji
1. Aankde ka dhanda ik din teji sau din manda – Satta Bazar – Gulshan Bawra
As Balraj Sahni was the hero JW got all the male songs rendered by Rafi. Gushan Bawra was also a lyricist who got fame later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3rr1IlK2KI

2. Sun gori khol jara ghunghat ka door – Phool Bane Angare – Anand Bakshi
This is a duet with Kamal Barot, filmed on Shammi and JW and no need to say all fun. This film had songs like ‘chand aahen bharega’ and ‘watan pe jo fida hoga’. Anand Bakshi showed early talent here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSUxmE5M7Ug
65 N Venkataraman August 8, 2024 at 11:41 pm: Hansji @ 60,
An accurate depiction of the funny picturisation of the “yaaron ki tamanna hai”. Thanks for the response and for providing the visual clip of the duet “Bata ye aasmaan wale”.

Taking a tally of the songs by singers who have sung for JW other than Rafi, as of now we have 4 by Kishore Kumar, 3 each by Mahendra Kapoor, Manna Dey and S D Batish, 2 by Balbir, 1 each by G M Durrani, Danny Danzongpa and Geeta Dutt.

And there is there is one more song rendered by Manna Dey not yet mentioned or posted here. It appears to be a parody song. I am sure you can identify the original songs.

He Re Rama Ram Kasm Kaisa Aaya E Zamana, film Ek Hasina Do Diwane (1972), lyrics Qamar Jalalabadi, music Kalyanji-Anandji
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GKMQOapCZ8

In all 19 songs by 8 singers from Hindi films.
66 N Venkataraman August 9, 2024 at 12:16 am: Hnasji,
As mentioned by Pradeepji, there are 3 Punjabi films, 1 Gujarati film and 1 Marathi film in which JW acted. The Rafi song for JW from the Marathi film was posted by Rahulji. That makes it 157 songs in 88 Hindi films as far as Rafi-JW is concerned.

Out of the three Punjabi films, I think only Teri Meri Ik Jindri (1975) has a song picturised on JW. Here is the song rendered by Dalip Singh Deep, lyrics Inder Singh Hassanpuri, music S Mohinder, picturised on JW and Jr. Mehmood. “Hay rabba hay rabba” (03:20 to 07:17)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLvWKQsWrZw

The other two Punjabi films Dukh Bhanjan Tere Naam (1974) and Walait Pass (1961) have no songs on JW.

JW plays the title role in the Gujarati film Mian Fuski 007. There are two songs and it seems both the songs are picturised on JW.
Only the audio link to the songs are available.
Marun Naam Miya Fuski, Mahendra Kapoor & Preeti Sagar, music Gaurang Vyas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9CKg4q8A6U

Dhanio Sauna Goom Thay Chhe, Anandkumar CMahendra KapoorHarshada Rawal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cZPkkMAoME
Ashok Vaishnavji can confirm.
Thus we have 22 songs in all sung by 9 singers other than Rafi for JW.

@63,
You have done a fine-tooth comb analysis to provide some interesting statistics. Kudos to you.
Rajeshji has posted six more songs and the trend is similar. OPN 2, Roshan 2 and Ravi 1.
You have posted 5 more songs of 4 unrepresented MDs, taking the total songs of JW-Rafi songs to 55.
67 Hans August 10, 2024 at 8:04 pm: Venkataramanji,
Thanks for the praise. Mind blowing research by you. The Manna Dey song is a discovery for me and a good parody especially the part which parodies ‘jinhen naaz hai hind par’ is beautifully written by Qamar Jalalabadi. The original song ‘jinehn naaz hai’ was also sung by Manna Dey. I dont know if it was a version song or SDB tried it first on Manna Dey which I have read some people say and might be true, because SDB was dead against Rafi at Pyaasa time. The Panjabi song depicts a typical situation even in present day Panjab and Haryana and elsewhere too where a number of boys stay unmarried.

On other singers you have missed the two songs which JW himself sang. I think some more songs from 50s might be discovered – Rafi as well as non-Rafi – if videos are found of all JW songs.
68 D P Rangan August 10, 2024 at 9:28 pm: Dr. Deshpamde @61 and 62

Thanks for appreciation of the post including title. As expected you have come out with a string of songs which are enjoyable as JW has not been involved in any tragic situations and his songs are pleasing to ears and hilarious.
Here is video of Detective song – Shailendra/Mukul Roy (brother of Geeta Roy)
https://youtu.be/pO-6LJJNcGI?t=48
Will correct about Aji Bas Shukriya. Roshan is the music director.
69 D P Rangan August 10, 2024 at 10:04 pm: Hans & Venkataramanji

You both have given enough material for me to struggle for quite some time to correct everything and present a final roundup. I will attempt it now. My computer is very fidgety and can refuse to cooperate at any time. That is why I am sluggish in my response. When I next go to US, will get a new computer and dump the present one.
70 Hans August 10, 2024 at 10:15 pm: Now I take up N Datta. The original article had only one song from him and I posted two because that film had escaped the notice of DP Rangan.

The first one is ‘beta dar mat dar mat dar mat’ from Bhai Behan written by non other than Sahir. Only he could have written such funny and meaningful lyrics. JW is lightly giving serious message. Along with ‘sambhal ke’ posted by Anita, this is the closest Rafi got in imitating JW. This song I would easily put among top 10 of this duo, though it is very difficult to make such a list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc80ae8aKtg

JW had one solo and two duets with Suman Kalyanpur in Black Cat. The solo ‘kaun tujhe roke kaun tujhe toke’ and the other duet ‘one two three four dil ka tu chor’ are typical JW songs. I give here ‘nashe mein hum nashe mein tum’ which is different. Jan Nisar Akhtar wrote great lyrics for each situation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpWd_aJZigc

‘Beta sambhal ke chalna’ is a typical solo from Mr John written again by Jan Nisar Akhtar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekf1_JTh6Sw

In this song ‘pandit ho ya lala Rafi and Geeta Dutt are selling the fruit ‘cheekoo’. Lyrics again by Jan Nisar Akhtar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feTfZehHYno

‘Garaj ho to nakhre dikhati hai biwi’ from Sachche Moti was the last song composed by N Datta for this duo. It shows the variety of Sahir too.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jwlHxjn2kU
71 Hans August 12, 2024 at 10:06 am: I had given MD wise figures @ 63 in which the 3 musketeers were the main contributors. While OPN and N Datta had most of their work upto 1960, Ravi continued in the 60s. OPN and N Datta had just one song each in the 60s. Ravi’s tally is equally balanced between the 50s decade and 60s decade. He started with Ek Saal in 1957 and had 15 songs in 7 films during the period from 1957 to 60. From 1961 to 64 he gave 15 songs in 9 films and then one song in Aadmi Aur Insaan in 1969. I give here some of his songs with more variety.

‘Dil to kisi ko doge’ from Ek Saal was his first song with this duo. As discovered by Venkataramanji there was another duet by Balbir for JW in this film. So this becomes the 5th film in which two singers gave play back for JW. One was mentioned by Dr Shetty and 3 I mentioned @ 35.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF4iYM8zUnE

‘Hum yaar ki gali mein pukare chale gaye’ was a parody song in film Girls Hostel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tGdOdpujTk

‘Aashiq hoon apne pyar ke johar dikhaunga’ in Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya has lyrics by Shakeel where JW describes the materials for his ‘pyar ka makaan’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C54coay3zwY

Here is a pure romantic song, but Rafi still sings in such a way that it looks like a JW song. ‘Mere dil ko jiski talash thi’ is the second song from Ustadon Ke Ustad being posted here. The first was posted by Dr Deshpande.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd0ih1t2GWw

Now comes one of the best satirical songs in films. ‘Watan ka kya hoga anjam’ from Aadmi Aur Insaan was the last song sung by Rafi and composed by Ravi for JW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EWO8uqs0y0
72 Dr Pradeep K Shetty August 12, 2024 at 8:46 pm: The post was meant to be Rafi _ JW association. But, the erudite, in depth, scholarly comments by experts turned it into the most thorough life/ cinema journey of JW, and, complete picture of his musical journey.

Kudos to the writer, AK ji and all the expert commentators. No artiste can have such a privilege of a Total coverage.
73 AK August 12, 2024 at 9:54 pm: Dr Shetty,
I think we have to say Three Cheers to Mr DP Rangan who laid such a solid foundation with JW-Rafi combination. That made the experts explore other singers who had sung for him, as well as his non-Hindi films.
74 D P Rangan August 13, 2024 at 7:54 pm: Dr. Shetty @72
Once again thanks for your appreciation. Enough data and you tube videos are available to trace all the songs of JW. He stands out as a great comedian and Rafi has sung each one of them in his inimitable way and has ensured it is tailor made for the situation portrayed by JW. This must be a record by itself which will stand the test of time.

AKji@73
Do I really deserve this much for this post which was thanks to your unstinted support and encouragement.
75 Hans August 14, 2024 at 10:04 pm: @ 72 to74
Dr Shetty has raised an important point. As this was Rafi-JW it was bound to go JW way because Rafi has a vast field and though a considerable part JW is just about 3 or 3.5 per cent. JW was a big comic talent but if he had not been associated with Rafi he would not have got what he got. From 1956 to 60 he got lead roles in 8 films with 31 songs. He also got almost co-lead in some important films and got majority of songs in which Balraj Sahni and Ashok Kumar were in the lead.

Rafi gave play back to a number of other comedians and his numbers are in hundreds. I have not made a study in this regard but I am sure his number of comic songs for comedians as well as other characters may come to about 500 including JW. In view of this DP Rangan’s article is of immense value. I have read somewhere that Rafi sang more than 170 songs for Shammi Kapoor, but he was a lead actor and highly popular who got most of the times 4 or more songs in each film. But for a comedian, who is expected to get one or two songs per film, to reach to this number is not less than a miracle.
76 Hans August 14, 2024 at 10:12 pm: DP Rangan,
I have discovered one more song for JW. This is in 1957 film Do Roti. This song is not listed in HFGK. If you agree his number would go to 157. I give here the song ‘choron ki tarah chupke chupke tanhai mein jake peete hain’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlBVdS2unAk
77 D P Rangan August 15, 2024 at 8:13 am: Hans
I agree with you it is a difficult study to count how many songs Rafi had sung for other leading actors. He might have done a magnificent job, but nothing will beat his sysmbiosis with JW. Other comedians would have far few songs.
Thanks for a typical Ravi song. I will try to compile a revised count of JW songs and suggest to AKji how to alter the table so that it fully covers all these comments.
78 Kuljeet Singh August 17, 2024 at 12:41 pm: Dear AK Ji,
Here is a attached list of some Qawwalis.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L22vy8o1h4o–A4Ph7g_RFhfg3C-A3Vg/view

If you look at the singers, we can easily say that Rafi was a clear dominator in this area. Its just my humble suggestion if somebody can make an article on Rafi’s dominance in Qawwalis. Some more points can be added too, like the composers who composed more qawwalis.
79 AK August 17, 2024 at 7:45 pm: Kuljeet Singh,
Excellent compilation. It is loaded towards later years, for example it does not include Aahein na bharin shikwe na kiye kuchh bhi na zuban se kaam liya. There are some other songs which may not be included in qawwalis. But thanks a lot. Let us see if some Rafi lover gets enthused by this.
80 KB August 19, 2024 at 2:21 pm: Sir, With reference the # 76 & 77 above, there are lists of songs compiled on youtube videos on the songs sung by Rafi for different actors of his time and include even the actors of seventies like Rajesh Khanna , Vinod Mehra, Navin Nischal and Amitabh Bachchan. This information is readily available and may be used as a guideline and may only require small corrections , if any, and can be verified on the movie videos also.
81 RaunakJoy August 19, 2024 at 2:57 pm: I like Johnny Walker, with the caveat that often his comedy tracks, while being largely funny, often distracted or took away from the main story. Of course, the blame for that largely lies on the directors who failed to integrate into their pictures his comedy tracks (or tracks of most comedians!). His best work lies in films made by our better picture- makers like Bimal Roy (Madhumati), Guru Dutt (Pyaasa) or BR Chopra (Naya Daur), who knew how to best utilise his talents, while ensuring that his comic antics fitted organically into the larger story they were telling. Otherwise, in picture after picture of less gifted filmmakers, Walker and his brand of comedy often came across as outright irritating!!

But no such complains can be made against Mohd Rafi’s renditions for JW. In Indian pictures, we come across as many combinations of singer- actor who fitted each others persona as a pair of perfectly made hand-gloves does. MGR- TM Soundarrajan, Dilip Kumar- Talat Mahmood, Kishore Kumar- Rajesh Khanna, Uttam Kumar- Hemant Kumar are just a few of these which comes to one’s mind. But, imo, no other combination sounded as authentic, organic and realistic as the Rafi-JW did. It seemed as they were one and the same voice only. And that’s some serious talent of rather unmatched proportions on Rafisaab’s part.
82 AK August 19, 2024 at 7:15 pm: Raunak,
My compliments for your great analysis. About irritating comedy, there were bigger culprits than JW: Mehmood-Shubha Khote-Dhumal. In almost all the films they were a sore patch and highly irritating.
83 Hans August 21, 2024 at 7:37 pm: DP Rangan, @ 77
I agree fully with you that other comedians can not come even near the number of JW. Mehmood, Om Prakash and Agha had quite a good number of songs by Rafi, but they do not have films where there were multiple songs by Rafi as in the case of JW. I was talking about total number.

Even for the heroes barring Shammi Kapoor no one can come near this figure. A cursory glance on Shammi’s songs shows that he had around 180 songs but they came in 46 or 47 films, as he had the advantage of a lead actor and that too a dominating one who demanded songs by Rafi. But, he could not reach the milestone of getting songs in 87 films which JW reached.
84 Hans August 22, 2024 at 9:54 am: Raunaq Joy’s comment @ 81 “Walker and his brand of comedy often came across as outright irritating!!”, is nasty to say the least. Unless he can corroborate it with some examples, it will be treated as having tinge of jealousy or even hate, because he has singled out JW brand rather than general comedy in our films. Or he may be trying to show that his standards for films are too high. There are many persons who think our films should not have songs or at least so many songs. But we are common people who like formula films too, because films are meant to provide us entertainment. For gyan we have quite a number of Veds and Purans and other related literature. Even highly popular films with historical pretensions were never believed by people to provide us with true history. Anarkali, Mughal-e-Azam, Taj Mahal etc were accepted as entertaining movies by the general public and not historical truths. JW was a fine comedian roundly loved by one and all, which shows in the fact that he worked in more than 200 films despite cutting down on films in late 60s and 70s. He was doing what was expected in films. Indian films have always been like this. Serious sensitive scenes followed by comic snippets and JW never indulged in vulgarity.
85 RaunakJoy August 28, 2024 at 6:36 pm: Hans Ji @84

Respected Sir,
Where did you find the jealousy and hate? I categorically stated that I liked JW but with certain caveats. Never knew like stood as a synonym for hate and jealousy!

Secondly, I talked about JW because the post was about him. If the post was about the general scenario/history/evolution of Indian screen comedy, I would have talked about everyone from Ghori- Dixit to Noor Muhammed Charlie to Kishore Kumar to Mehmood to current day comedians like Johnny Lever and Rajpal Yadav. And unlike many, I would have also included our other comic greats like Nagesh, Bhanu Banerjee, Brahmanandam, Jahar Ray etc., and not pass off Hindi cinema as the be-all-and-end-all of Indian cinema. But since the post was about Johnny Walker, I restricted myself to Johnny Saab only.

Thirdly, no actor or singer are greater than the director or composer- i.e. the creators themselves! A good director or composer brings the best out of the artist in question. This is exactly what I had pointed out in my earlier comment too. But I didn’t knew that praise for good directors and criticism for our less gifted filmmakers (without naming any) meant hate or jealousy for the artist!!

Fourthly, that films are meant for entertainment strictly and literature and religious books are for gyaan is an opinion or view only, and not universal truth. Like there are millions who don’t read religious or philosophical books like Vedas and Puranas, but do learn about many multiple facets of life from good films. Infact, leave alone philosophical books, for many, literature isn’t even about classy stuff of Premchand or Manu Bhandari or Phanishwar Nath Renu. These millions (and no one has any right to belittle them or their choices) strictly read for “entertainment” which explains why the likes of Surender Kumar Pathak, Ibn E Saifi or Gulshan Nanda have often outsold the more “gyaan” giving writers of “serious” literary merit.

As such, entertainment is a very relative term. What is entertaining for one might not be entertaining for some one else. Like you don’t find JW comedy as vulgar (I completely agree to that)- something which in your opinion, some others have indulged in. But the fact remains that “seemingly” vulgar comedy by others is enjoyed and is “entertaining” for many, and enjoys high “popularity”.

Popularity, again is a relative term. Mass popularity surely means someone is accepted and “loved” by many. But that by itself doesn’t mean that one is loved by one and all. There are people who say dislike Salman Khan, Mehmood and Kishore Kumar on one hand, and like Shahrukh Khan, Johnny Walker and Mohd Rafi on the other hand- and vice- versa. But fact remains that popularity of any one these people is no less than the other. Yet personal choices remain and are to allowed- and respected.

As for the supposed high standards that I seemingly have for films, let me make it clear that I have no apparent dislike for commercial films. Infact, I only divide films into two types- good and bad, and never have belittled the choices of any type of film lovers. This is in sharp contrast to many lovers of so- called commercial films, who dismiss both the lovers of better quality pictures as being pseudo- intellectuals having “higher standards”, and the lovers of low- budgeted and seemingly tackily made films that run crazily in the interiors of that nation as being B- grade! Somehow it’s only their choices and their views which are right and sensible and anyone who differs from them is either pretentious/high nosed or uneducated/tasteless. I find this attitude hypocritical and Hitlerian to say the least.

Fact is all types of movie exists in India- and each has its own set of audiences. If one goes through the history of Indian cinema, the numbers would come around somewhat like this- 30% so-called B- grade films, 30% so called commercial films, 25% so- called middle of the road films and 15% so-called art/offbeat films. Each of these types exist and each of these need to exist, irrespective of whether they are patronised by a majority audience or minority ones. And this is so because both majority opinion and minority rights matter.

What also matters is the demand for better pictures by the audiences, whatever be the type/genre of the films being made. Unless, this is done, a sea of mediocrity will drown the entire film industry- a trend which often does and might become a reality again considering that many of our producers (and at times some people too!) have come up with fabulous excuses to defend this mediocrity, the most common excuse of them being that people like only this and that type of film. As established beforehand, such a belief is largely a myth. But many of our producers have used this excuse to make films which are abusive, vulgar (comedy included) and crass- brimming with unabashed and unnecessary skin show, sexuality and unmitigated violence. But we all know that such excuses don’t stand the test of facts, stats and logic. The lines between so- called “high standards” film and “simple commercial films” is anyways far more blurred than it seems to people. The classic example of this is the ultimate so- called art film Pather Panchali, which is actually India’s fifth biggest grosser ever and is on the correct criteria of RoI, the biggest commercial success that Indian cinema has ever seen till date! I think nothing more needs to be said in this regard.

As far as me giving examples of JW and his bad films are concerned, JW Saab delivered some 65 flops and 40 hits during his peak period of 50s till 1965. Of these 65 flops, 4-5 were rather offbeat like Kaagaz Ke Phool, Munna, Aandhiyan which explains their possible lack of connect with the audiences. But the rest 60 or so films were all made in the “people’s preferred template of sensitive scenes followed by comic scenes coupled with songs”. Yet these films made for the masses, were rejected by the masses as these template films aroused feelings of disappointment and “irritation” among the public. And nothing in these films from the story to lead actors to “comic geniuses” to music could entertain and make people like the picture.

I don’t think there is any need for me to mention each of these 60 flop films or even the later 50 flops from JW saab’s post peak period. The examples are self sufficient and I see no point in further bloating up this reply. Suffice to say, just not labelling someone’s possible favourite as the greatest or not liking some of that favourite’s person stuff should be reason enough to come up with personal assumptions regarding the other person- atleast not to the extent of labelling that person as having feelings of hate, jealousy or superiority. It’s true we all possess the ability to agree to disagree- and we should because diversity of opinion makes this world all the more beautiful. But that should not succumb to the extent of taking rather personal digs at someone- especially when one doesn’t know each other in person.

Amen. Take care.
86 RaunakJoy August 28, 2024 at 7:01 pm: Akji @ 82,

I agree. In many of their films together, the track revolving around the trio of Mehmood- Shobha Khote- Dhumal did come across as highly irritating. I guess, it again boils down to the makers and their calibre in how to best integrate and utilise the talents of the artists working in their picture, so as to make people enjoy their antics and not get annoyed or irritated instead!!

And thanks Sir, for your compliments. Means a lot genuinely.
87 D P Rangan August 29, 2024 at 5:06 pm: Hans
Just stumbled upon upon a duet from Ek Saal (1957) sung by Geeta Dutt and Baalbir for Minu Mumtaaz and JW. I do not know whether this has been presented earlier in comments. Am adding for knowledge sake
EK Saal (1957) – Prem Dawan/Ravi
Miyaan mera bada beyman
https://youtu.be/pmMa9xeg4ho
88 D P Rangan August 29, 2024 at 5:13 pm: Hans

Wonder of wonders! Kishore Kumar singing for JW in the film
Sanjog (1972) – Anand Bakshi/R D Burman

Ek do theen chaar – https://youtu.be/aGUYyiTferU?t=47
89 Hans September 5, 2024 at 10:03 am: DP Rangan,
Venkataramanji mentioned this Ek Saal duet @ 47 and also posted the link. Dr Shetty mentioned the Sanjog KK song @ 15 and you responded to it @ 20,21. Dr Shetty later @ 34 mentioned three more songs by KK for JW. You perhaps forgot that. But, it is clear that even after the article, you are still searching with your special zeal and certainly something will come out of it.
90 Hans September 9, 2024 at 1:08 pm: Mr Raunaq Joy, @ 85
Thanks for your long response and sorry for being late as I had closed the tab and saw it on 5th September.

You say you liked JW with some caveats. What I pointed out was also with a caveat. I asked you to give some examples where his comic acting had been ‘outright irritating’. In response you have read me a long Satyanarayan Ki Katha with some Bacon like essays on things like ‘popularity’, ‘entertainment’, ‘good films’ etc. In the 10th para you come up with statistics of flop films in which JW acted. I will talk about this point later. First, kindly tell me if this was the examples I wanted. Did you really not understand what I wanted or you have diverted yourself with this information because you do not have any proofs of what you claim, namely the irritating examples of his acting. Instead of collecting flim-flam stats of JW films you could have seen some of his films to have the actual taste of his acting which I doubt you have, except a few films you have mentioned.

I will now reply to you pointwise. You wrote ‘Never knew like stood as a synonym for hate and jealousy!’. I had also quoted what you wrote in your earlier post. Writing ‘like’ and then saying all the negative things seems like writing “आदरणीय श्रीमानजी आप कमीने हो”. In this Hindi line the first three words show extreme respect, but the word ‘kamine’ says opposite. I had only used the word ‘tinge’ of jealousy and not jealousy. Sometimes we dont know our own sentiments. You said you talked about JW because this post was about him and not about other comedians. That is hiding behind a wrong argument. This post was about JW and his combo with Rafi and songs filmed on him. You specially targeted ‘Walker brand of comedy’, which means you were talking of him and segregating him as against other comedians of his times. The word ‘like’ is just an camouflage and has no meaning after what you said in that post and the present post where you have made him responsible for at least 110 flop films.

In the next para you showed your vast knowledge of the names of comedians which one can easily acquire by googling. You also wrote “not pass off Hindi cinema as the be-all-and-end-all of Indian cinema”. Here lies the real problem. I think you have very poor view of Hindi Cenema or the SOY. SOY is not a blog which has aim of showing either Hindi Cinema superior or showing other regional cinema in poor light. AK is a scholar in Hindi and could easily have started the blog in Hindi but in my view one of the reason for his adhering to English was the will to associate as many from all parts of India. This has also materialised. As you can see most of the regular commenters here are from South or Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat etc. If you will have a look at guest writers, they are from all over India. There are just 3 or 4 from Hindi area. In this blog there is respect for every region. Even a long series of multiple version songs was posted on this blog. People here talk freely about regional films and songs and also post them. I dont know why there was any need for you to write what you wrote. Who was talking about supremacy of Hindi cinema. But fact is also that artists come to bollywood from all over the country, which means they think it important. As you seem to be a Bengali, it seems you have a grudge against bollywood because its rise snatched the importance of Calcutta as a Hindi film hub. But that was the handiwork of Bengali producers, directors, actors, composers etc. who moved to Bombay. But the contribution of Calcutta is discussed many times here on SOY. Hindi cinema has been enriched by people from Bengal, South and many other places. Even if some Hindi person boasts about its supremacy, you should claim your contribution rather than trying to belittle it. At present Hindi cinema is at its lowest ebb. I have for the last 7-8 years and more been watching Hindi dubbed South movies regularly and also Bhojpuri films. In the last three decades I must have watched less than 20 Hindi films.

You wrote “no actor or singer are greater than the director or composer”. Do you really believe that. At another place you claim JW is responsible for all the flops in which he acted. Even if we take your claim as true, then it can be said that JW was responsible for the remaining films becoming hits. That would be a great achievement for JW because not even the most popular hero had more than 90 hits. Would you agree. You contradict yourself in the other paras. How you arrived at the stats of flops. I think the stats circulating on the internet and other media hardly have any basis. I will give here example of Yadon Ki Baraat. I saw it on the second day of its release in Rohtak. In Haryana, Dharmendra is highly popular. Despite that there were just 8 persons in a hall of capacity of about 1000. This film is claimed to be a blockbuster to a super-hit by different commenters making videos on youtube and in other media too. This is just one example. Sholay was the biggest hit I have seen. It was hard to get ticket at the window even after two months in a small city like Rohtak. Film makers of these days who can not make their films run for two weeks in the big cities even in halls with less than 200 capacity, claim to have broken the records of Sholay. We can never be sure which films or songs were hit or flop 70 years ago. Anyway, whatever JW was doing was under the directions of the director and in accordance with story and dialogues written by others.

I think you have mastery in misreading statements and presenting your arguments in accordance with that. For gyan I mentioned Ved, Puran and related literature. You twisted this to include all literature because it fitted in your definition of popularity. The matter of literature is not like films. They can not be compared with one meter. The popular literature you mention comes temporarily into focus, but the serious literature stands the test of time. I myself am specially fond of Bengali literature, though I read translations of all languages. I can name dozens of famous writers without googling. At the international level, I have read a lot of English and Russian literature and persons like Guy de Maupassant and Franz Kafka and also Arabian literature.

There are a number of things which you have discussed, but I think writing on each one of them would serve no purpose and would be beating about the bush. I have given my view on the point in question and you can make an opinion about me or my views based on that. I never say things like agree to disagree, because that indicates lack of argument. If you have to agree to disagree, that should be done straight away at the start and not after writing a dozen paragraphs.

I would like to assure you that I have nothing personal against you, even after this discussion, because I believe in making a point and forgetting. You must have seen that I contradict a lot with AK, but I have the utmost regard for him and I am sure he reciprocates that.
91 AK September 9, 2024 at 3:01 pm: Hans @90, Raunak Joy @85,
I urge the two of you that you have said enough on this topic, and let us close it in a cordial atmosphere.
92 Hans September 9, 2024 at 10:37 pm: AK,
OK.

Mohammad Rafi & Johnny Walker in Symbiosis

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