Raaz - 1967

RAAZ
 

Introduction :

Raaz is a 1967 Hindi romantic thriller movie directed by Ravindra Dave. Produced by G. P. Sippy for Sippy Films, the story was written by C. J. Pavri. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Babita, I. S. Johar and Asit Sen. The films music is by Kalyanji Anandji. Rajesh Khanna and Babita are introduced in this film.

Star Cast :

•     Super Star Rajesh Khanna as Kumar/Sunil
•     Babita as Sapna
•     I. S. Johar as Rocky
•     D.K. Sapru as Sarkar Nath
•     Laxmi Chhaya
•     Kamal Kapoor as Sunil's friend

Other Film Crew's :

• Directed by     Ravindra Dave
• Produced by     G. P. Sippy
• Written by     C. J. Pavri
• Music by     Kalyanji Anandji
• Cinematography     K. Vaikunth
• Edited by     M. S. Shinde
• Production company :  Sippy Films
• Distributed by     Dosani Films
• Release date :     1967
• Language    :  Hindi
• Country     : India

Summary :
Kumar (Rajesh Khanna), though of Indian origin, lives in Africa. He has recurring dreams of a Railway Station in India called "Viran Nagar". He decides to find for himself and travels to India along with his friend, Rocky (I.S Johar). They are able to find Viran Nagar railway station, which is exactly as Kumar had dreamed of. When they go to find a ride, the locals shy away from them as behave as though they have seen a ghost. They find temporary accommodations and set out to discover the mystery behind Kumar's dreams. Then a young woman, Sapna (Babita), meets with Kumar, tells him that she has been awaiting his return, and now they can be together again. But Kumar has never been to this place before, and ends up even more confused. Then another local villager named Bansi tells them he had himself seen Kumar getting killed and buried in the nearby forest. Kumar and Rocky must now find out who was killed, and why the villagers believe that Kumar has returned from the grave.
Kumar finds out the truth from a mysterious man (Kamal Kapoor) who was a friend of Kumar's long-lost identical twin brother Sunil that he had been there before and was in love with Sapna. But Sapna's evil uncle Sarkar Nath (D.K. Sapru) was against their love and hence planned to kill Kumar. Kumar was attacked by Sarkar's henchmen and lost consciousness. At the same time, Sunil and his friend arrived in Viran Nagar and found Kumar unconscious. Sunil went to find help but was mistaken for Kumar by Sarkar's henchmen and killed. It is then revealed that it was Sunil who was killed and buried in the forest. As a result of his head injury from the attack of Sarkar's men, Kumar had lost his memory. Thus he began to have the recurring dreams when he returned to Africa.

In the end Kumar identifies the villains and defeats them. Kumar and Sapna live happily ever after.

Music Sound  Track :

S.No.     Song Title     Singer(s)

1     "Akele Hain Chale Aao" -  By  Mohammed Rafi
2     "Akele Hai Chale Aao" -   By Lata Mangeshkar
3     "Aeji Zara Sunna"  -  By Lata Mangeshkar
4     "Dil Sambhale Sambhalta Nahin"  -  By Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar
5     "Pyar Ne Di Sada Tumko"  -  By  Krishna Kalle
6    "Sochta Hoon Ke Maine Tumhen" -  By Mohammed Rafi and Krishna Kalle

Quotes on the film :
Rajesh Khanna said in an interview,"Though “Aakhri Khat” is my first film, I received my first break as a leading actor in Ravindra Dave's, “Raaz” in 1967. My heroine was Babita, already a popular actress then. Though I had lots of confidence, I was shy in facing the camera initially. In my first three shots, I had to perform with stress on my body language and dialogue delivery. Though I was right with my dialogues, my movements were not up to the mark. Ravindra Dave explained me my scenes and movements very clearly correcting my way of walking.Also it was based on double role and was a film much ahead of its time. There are two Rajesh Khanna.

Aakhri Khat - 1966

 Introduction :

Aakhri Khat (English: The Last Letter) is a 1966 Bollywood film written and directed by Chetan Anand. The music of the film is by Khayyam and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi; it includes the song "Baharon Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro", sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

Chetan Anand, started the film with a bare outline of a script and a 15-month-old infant who he let loose in the city, following him with his camera, mostly a hand-held camera, taking in all the city sounds, under the cinematic direction of Jal Mistry.  The film was selected as the Indian entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 40th Academy Awards in 1967, but was not accepted as a nominee.

Star Cast :

•     Super Star Rajesh Khanna - Govind
•     Indrani Mukherjee - Lajjo
•     Master Bunty - Buntu
•     Nana Palsikar
•     Manvendra Chitnis - Inspector Naik
•     Mohan Choti - Moti (Servant)
•     Tun Tun
•     Maruti Rao
•     Naqi Jehan - Wealthy young woman

Other Film Crew's :

• Directed by     Chetan Anand
• Produced by     Himalaya Films
• Written by     Chetan Anand
• Cinematography     Jal Mistry
• Edited by     Jadav Rao
• Distributed by     Prabha Pictures
• Release dates :    1966
•  Language    :  Hindi
• Country     : India

Summary : 
 Govind (Rajesh Khanna) is a young sculptor, while vacationing near Kullu, sees Lajjo (Indrani Mukherjee) and falls in love. Subsequently, they get married secretly in a village temple. He then has to leave for the city to pursue further education. Meanwhile, the girl finds that she is pregnant. On finding this her step mother sells her off for Rs. 500, where she is beaten, some time later she gives birth to a little boy, Buntu. Later Lajjo comes to Mumbai to meet Govind, carrying her one-year-old son. She leaves a letter for him at his doorsteps, and want to leaves the child as well, is unable to go through it, and takes him along. They keep wandering, and feed off whatever comes their way, soon she dies leaving her son alone.
The rest of the film is a story of the little child, wandering around the city. He goes out of the house, eating whatever he finds, including a pill, which makes him doze off. On waking up, he wanders even more and more into the city. Meanwhile Govind, comes know all through a letter she has left behind, Aakhri Khat (Last Letter), he soon realizes his mistake and with the help of police tries to find his wife and son, though only finds his wife's body. Later, he shows the Police inspector Naik, (Manvendra Chitnis), the statue of Lajjo he has kept in his studio.
The child is then rescued by a man who is a staff member of an orphanage nearby. He escapes from that place at night. And after a long time of wandering here and there, and after the help of some people, he ultimately reaches home to find a statue of his lost mother, and a new lady, who is now his new mother..

Production :
The film Rajesh Khanna's debut film as an actor, and he was shy while face the camera, after facing difficult in first three shots, director Ravindra Dave helped him understand his scenes and movements, and corrected his way of walking. Quotes on the film

Rajesh Khanna disclosed in an interview,"I consider “Aakhri Khat” a memorable film of my initial days. It was out and out a director's project and Chetan Anand, highly imaginative and sensitive director handled the film with expertise. I still clearly remember how cinematographer Jal Mistry shot the song sequence, “Ab Na Ja” on me and Indrani Mukherjee in five to six close ups also picturising the natural panorama of the Himalayas with rare aesthetics and perfection. My most challenging scene in “Aakhri Khat” was the last one where I am in a pensive mood in silence till I recognise my son, Bunty. Chetan Anand used to wake me up with late night phone calls so that my face had the ideal pathos oriented look."

Music Sound Track : 

• Music by     Khayyam
• Lyrics by Kaifi Azmi

The soundtrack includes the following tracks, composed by Khayyam, and with lyrics by Kaifi Azmi, also marked the debut of Bhupinder Singh as a solo playback singer.

S.No. Song Title    Singer (s) :

1. Aur Kuchh Der Thahar  -   By   Mohd. Rafi
2. Baharon Mera Jeevan Bhi Sanwaro  -   By   Lata Mangeshkar
3. Mere Chanda Mere Nanhe  -  By   Lata Mangeshkar
4. O My Darling  -  By   Manna Dey
5. Rut Jawan Jawan Raat Mehrbaan  -   By Bhupinder Singh