Manzil”* .. Film Song info

Let’s start the day with Kalpana Pictures 1960 drama film *”Manzil”* directed by Mandi Burman. 

The film starred Dev Anand and Nutan. It hey were supported by Achala Sachdev, K N Singh, David, Krishan Dawan,  and Mehmood. 

Many films stand out for their great songs; so much so that each song in those movies is an iconic gem. Such movies are remembered not for anything else, but for their music, regardless that its star cast is really grade A. The memories of such movies are because of the songs and not because of the stars; the true stars are the songs.

As a rule that Dev Anand + SD Burman = Musical Magic, this film is a wonderful example to demonstrate this rule. Produced and directed by directed by Mandi Burman under the banner of Kalpana Pictures. 

What wonderful songs this movie has – “Ae kaash chalte mil ke”, “Chupke se miley pyaase pyaase”, “Yaad aa gayeen wo nashili nigaahen”, “Ab kisey pata kal ho kyaa”, “Arre hato kaahen to jhhootthi banaaoi batiyaan”, “Humdum se gaye humdum ke liye”; each one a veritable gem in its own right. And also, one of the movies where Burman Dada has used three singers for Dev Anand (Rafi, Manna Dey and Hemant.)

The movie is about a rebel son (Dev Anand) who loves music and wants to become a musician, an idea completely detested by his father (KN Singh), who is product of the old school families and considers being a musician a derogatory station in life. The conflict between the father and son becomes intense, and the son leaves home to go and make a fortune and name for himself as a music director. There is a lady love in his life (Nutan) who is daughter of Manmohan Krishan, a very good friend of the family. In his absence, the girl’s family arranges the marriage of their daughter to an army captain (Krishan Dhawan), not waiting for and having no news of the rebel son. The storyline goes through some twists and turns, with predictable misunderstandings, that lead to a near tragic situation. In the end, the army captain, in trying to eliminate the musician young man, falls prey to his own machinations and dies. The two lovers are united once again.

The theme is somewhat counter to the accepted cultural norms of the country, especially in the 1960s, and hence overall the movie did not do very well at the box office. But it’s music, well that is another story.

The lyrics are by Majrooh and the singing voices are those of Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle. There is actually a wonderful chemistry between Dev Anand and Nutan on screen; the songs they have done together are extremely expressing and lovely.

The picturization of this song is a veritable treat to watch, just watch for the facial expressions, the body language and the antics of the two players on screen, so endearing and so young and so much in love. It makes want one to fly to this valley and just be there with this music.

There is a wonderful mouthorgan playing throughout the song, wonder if that is RD Burman (possibly). Burman Dada is in his full mettle in the song, using the folk themes and wonderfully soft melody. There is a small passage in the song, where Nutan is trying to listen to the sound of silence in the valley, very reminiscent of the same action/expression in the song “Dil Ka Bhawar . . .” from Tere Ghar Ke Saamne”.

Enjoy this absolutely fabulous melody from the musical magic rule.

*"Dil To Hai Deewana Na, Manega Bahana Na, Ruk Jana"* lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri, composed by S D Burman and sung by Asha Bhosle and Mohammed Rafi 🎤🎵🎶🎧