Let's Talk About The Item Queens...

Unlike popular belief, Item Songs are not a recent edition to Bollywood movies. They have been around for a long time. Item Songs are songs which are present just for pure entertainment. Sometimes they have a crucial role in the narrative but a majority of the time, they act as an entertaining break from the narrative meant to energize the audience. It was during the 60s and 70s that these type of songs reached their peak and introduced viewers to the Holy Trinity of Item Queens - Helen, Bindu and Aruna Irani. 

Helen - The Undisputed Queen of Item Songs

Helen, Helen, Helen - What more can be said about her? She made her debut with Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo and ever since then she came to rule the world of Item Songs. Helen was sexy, charming, strong and vulnerable all at the same time. She could brighten up any movie and the mere mention of a 'Helen Item Song' could pull people into theaters. Over her long and successful career, Helen has given her fans numerous classics. 

I would love to watch a biopic made highlighting Helen's life from her humble beginnings as a Burmese refugee to her immense success in Bollywood. I would love to see Isha Shervani play Helen. Isha would be able to portray every shade of Helen convincingly. 

Here are my top three favorite Helen songs:

1. Yeh Mera Dil (Don)

Helen is absolutely amazing in this song. The way she moves conveys her emotions perfectly. The viewer knows she's in pain and wants her revenge. She plays the perfect seductress. 

2. Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay)

Any Bollywood fan is aware of this song. This song is forever immortalized by Helen. In this song, she plays a banjaraan belly dancer who entertains Gabbar Singh and his band of dakus. Once again, Helen portrays the seductress with ease and leaves the viewer wanting more! 

3. Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan)

Another timeless Helen classic. This song is easily one of Helen's most popular songs. Here she plays the classic cabaret dancer and puts on an unforgettable show. 

*For those who are interested, here's a post about my favorite Helen classics.

Bindu - The Quintessential Vamp 

Where Helen was known as an Item Queen, Bindu was known as the Quintessential Vamp. The Bollywood Vamp was a sexy woman who used her beauty to her advantage and generally aided the bad guys in their pursuits. Bindu was sexy and she wasn't afraid to show it with her skin-tight cut out dresses with their low necks and thigh-high slits. She introduced viewers to sexy cabarets as well as the sexy village belle or gaoun ki chori. Her unique style gave rise to a large body of distinctly Bindu-flavored Item Songs.

If there is ever a biopic made about Bindu, I would love to see Bipasha play Bindu. Both Bipasha and Bindu are strong women who are not afraid to show how sexy they are. Both Bipasha and Bindu challenged the norms about women in Bollywood. Moreover, I would love to see how Bipasha would interpret Mera Naam Hai Shabnam or Hungama Ho Gaya.

Here are my top three favorite Bindu songs:

1. Dil Jalon Ka (Zanjeer)

This is probably one of Bindu's most successful and popular songs. Bindu effortlessly teases the hero and puts him on the spot. 

2. Mera Naam Hai Shabnam (Kati Patang)

I wouldn't be surprised if people started calling Bindu Shabnam after this song came out. I strongly feel that no one else could have danced to this song other than Bindu. I just love the way she puts Asha Parekh on the spot in this song! 

P.S. To understand why Bindu puts Asha Parekh on the spot, you'll have to watch Kati Patang.

3. Hungama Ho Gaya (Anhonee)

I've got to say this is such an awesome 70s party song! Another classic Bindu song. Once again I don't think anyone else could do justice to this song. This song has regained popularity after being featured in Queen. How does Kangana compare to Bindu?

Aruna Irani - The Famous Banjaaran

Aruna Irani started out her career as a child actor. She later went on to act in several supporting roles before Caravan finally brought her front and center. She was able to showcase her dancing and helped her secure her place as an Item Queen! She was the one who made the character of the sexy banjaaran dancer famous. She also went on to perform cabaret songs and later in her career took on more central characters. If there was ever a movie made about the life of Aruna Irani, I would love to see Shradda Kapoor play her. 

1. Ab Jo Mile Hai (Caravan)

This song! I have no words for this song! I would be willing to bet that this is Aruna's most famous song. She is seductive, sexy and knows what she wants! She has her eyes set on her man and she doesn't care if the whole world is watching her go for her man. Even though the song is incredibly sexy, it is shot aesthetically. I can only imagine the skin show and provocative dancing this song would conjure if it was made today.

2. Thoda Resham Lagta Hai (Jyoti)

Here Aruna plays a courtesan. She has the villain mesmerized by her dancing and her poetry. This is the original song for the remix that made Meghna Reddy a star. Does this version have anything on the original? 

3. Ae Phansa (Bobby)

Aruna Irani plays an interesting character in Bobby. She is featured in two songs from the movie. Both songs are completely different and allow her to showcase her dancing talent wonderfully. Rather than just being the girl who comes in for songs, she actually has a role and plays an important part of the movie. In this song she makes the hero realize that he's in a bind and must take a stand to get out.

I don't think there will ever be anyone like Helen, Bindu or Aruna Irani today. They captivated without being overtly sexy and were never vulgar. They were subtle in their seduction but yet managed to steal hearts and souls. In today's world of bumping and grinding and overt sexuality, these songs and performers stand out as distant stars - forever bright and reminiscent of a different era.

Shammi Kapoor's Leading Ladies

Over the years, Shammi Kapoor has worked with many of the leading actresses of Retro-Bollywood. These are some of his most notable Leading Ladies (according to me).

Nutan

Shammi Kapoor acted with Nutan very early in his career. They starred in Laila Majnu (1953). The young Shammi Kapoor and the fresh-faced Nutan made a lovely pair onscreen portraying eternal lovers Laila and Majnu. They acted together again in Laat Saheb (1967).

Helen

Helen and Shammi Kapoor first starred together in Miss Coca Cola (1955). Since then, they have starred together in multiple films. Each time they came together, they created magic. In fact, most of Shammi Kapoor's masti-ful dance numbers almost always include Helen accompanying him. I remember watching an interview of Helen, where she talked about the relationship she had with Shammi Kapoor. Every time they had a song together, they would compete to see who had the most fun.

Asha Parekh

Asha Parekh started out her career as a leading lady with Shammi Kapoor in Dil Deke Dekho (1958). Since then she has starred with him in Teesri Manzil (1966), Pagla Kahin Ka (1970) and Jawan Mohabbat (1971). In an interview, Asha Parekh talked about the relationship that she shared with Shammi Kapoor. She was very close to him and his first wife, Geeta Bali. She used to call him Chacha, which means uncle.

Sharmila Tagore

Just like Asha Parekh, Sharmila Tagore started out her career in Bollywood with Shammi Kapoor in Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), which instantly made her a popular actress. She later acted with Shammi Kapoor in An Evening In Paris (1967), which once again became an extremely successful film further establishing her as a Bollywood leading lady.

Rajshree

Rajshree acted with Shammi Kapoor in two films, namely Bhramachari (1968) and Janwar (1965). Just like Shammi Kapoor, Rajshree was known for her dancing ability as well as her acting ability. Needless to say, both Shammi Kapoor and Rajshree set the screen on fire!

In an interview, Shammi Kapoor mentioned that though he acted with several leading ladies during his day, he considered Asha Parekh, Sharmila Tagore and Rajshree as the easiest to work with. Apart from these three ladies, Shammi Kapoor shared the best musical hits in his career with Helen, while he started out his career with Nutan.

20 Must Watch Shammi Kapoor Films

So far I have talked Teesri Manzil and Andaz, two of my most favorite Shammi Kapoor films. I as thinking long and hard about what my next post in Shammi Week should be a about. That's when I decided why not make a list of the Top 20 Shammi films?! This is my take on the Top 20 Shammi films to watch.

Out of the 20 films in this list, I remember watching only 5 or 6. Being a Shammi fan, I just have to watch all of the films on this list. (Now that I have a list I know which DVDs to keep an eye out for!)

Teesri Manzil - My Take...

I've mentioned earlier how watching Teesri Manzil instantly made me a Shammi Kapoor fan. So it's only fair that I talk about the movie and why it had such a effect on me.

Let me start by saying, I love watching murder mysteries and thrillers ever since I was little. I just love the way the story comes together after a crime has taken place. I enjoy being completely engaged and engrossed in the plot. Last but not the least, when the villain is revealed, I like being surprised! Teesri Manzil was the second Retro-Bollywood murder mystery I watched (the first was Madhumati). It had everything going for it - great music, wonderful cast, interesting story and novel direction.

The movie starts out with a suicide taking place at a hotel. It is later revealed that the victim was a guest at the hotel and was deeply in love with one of the musicians performing at the hotel under the name, Rocky. Witnesses say that before the victim killed herself, she begged him to confess his love for her and when he asked her to leave, she killed herself by jumping from the Teesri Manzil (third floor) of the hotel. When the police examine her remains and room, they find a suicide note in her room and a bejeweled coat button in her palm.

Cut to the present, the victim's sister, Sunita, decides to go to the hotel and deal with Rocky her own way. In her quest, she meets and befriends Anil, another guest who is staying at the same hotel and claims to be Rocky's friend. It turns out that Anil, is in fact Rocky and pretends to be Rocky's friend to prove his innocence to Sunita.

During their time together, Sunita and Anil fall in love. It is then that he reveals to her that he is in fact the 'Rocky' that she came to meet. He tells her everything that happened the night her sister died. She realizes that Anil was not responsible for her sister's death and explains to him that her sister would never kill herself.

While speaking to the police investigating the suicide, it is revealed that she was in fact murdered. The police also show Anil and Sunita the bejeweled coat button that was found in her sister's palm. How Anil and Sunita solve the mystery makes up rest of the story.

As I mentioned earlier, all of the songs in this movie are just plain amazing! R.D. Burman showcases his talent to the fullest extent with this soundtrack. He introduces the audience to the fast beats of Rock & Roll.

Song 1. O Haseena Zulphon Wali - An introduction song featuring Rocky/Anil (Shammi Kapoor) and Ruby (Helen). Mohd. Rafi sang this song superbly and Asha Bhosle adds so much ada!

Song 2. Aaja Aaja - A cute chedkani song where Anil dances with Sunita. Once again Mohd. Rafi and Asha Bhosle create magic.

Song 3. Deewana Mujhsa Nahi - A romantic song where Anil professes his love for Sunita. Mohd. Rafi sings this song and touches the heart of the listener.

Song 4. O Mere Sonare - The classic manana song where Sunita begs for forgiveness for treating Anil badly. Asha Bholse's charming voice and Mohd. Rafi's masti make this song a classic.

Song 5. Main Inpe Marta Hoon - A fun song where Anil explains that main inpe marta hoon! Mohd. Rafi's voice matches Shammi Kapoor's crazy antics perfectly! Asha Bholse adds ada easily!

Song 6. Tumne Mujhe Dekha - A heartfelt song where Anil reveals himself as Rocky. The emotion in Mohd. Rafi's voice adds so much depth to this song.

I hope this post inspires you to watch Teesri Manzil yourself and become a fan of Shammi Kapoor's work.

Yaaahhhooooo!!!!!

It's probably obvious to all of you that I am a huge Shammi Kapoor fan. So it only makes sense that I have a post or several posts dedicated to him. I fell deeply in filmi love when I watched him for the first time in Teesri Manzil and from then on I have become a die-hard Shammi Kapoor fan. Shammi Kapoor is mostly known for his fun-loving, romantic characters but he is just as good playing intense characters. Along with his acting and his charming good looks, I love him most when he's dancing!

So these are my Top 30 Shammi Kapoor Songs!

1. Dil Deke Dekho

2. Sar Par Topi Laal

3. Bade Hai Dil Ke Kale

4. Aaja Aaja

5. Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke

6. O Haseena Zulphon Wali

7. Dil Usse Do Jo

8. Deewana Hua Badal

9. Baar Baar Dekho

10. Mujhe Kitna Pyaar

11. Chahe Koi Mujhe Junglee

12. Aasman Se Aaya

13. Mere Yaar Shaba Khair

14. Khuli Palak Mein

15. Laal Chadi Maidan Khadi

16. Raat Ke Humsafar

17. Badan Pe Sitare

18. Suku Suku

19. Tumne Mujhe Dekha

20. Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai

21. Dil Ke Jharoke

22. Dil Tera Deewana

23. Yeh Chaand Sa Roshan Chehra

24. Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujh Par

25. Janam Janam

26. Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye

27. Aye Gulbadan

28. Yaar Chulbula Hai

29. Humse Na Pucho

30. Kis Ko Pyar Karon

Enjoy! Yaaahhhoooooo!!!!

My Top 10 Helen Favorites!!!

This is so difficult for me! I have to narrow down countless of Helen classics into a Top 10. Is that even possible?! Anyway, with a whole bunch of deliberation with myself I have come up with this list.

So in no particular order, My Top 10 Helen favorites are:

1. Yeh Mera Dil from Don

Who can forget Helen dancing in this song? That white costume. Those blue eyes. That brunette hair. She is a vision in this song. I still don't think anyone else can pull off this song. Helen's moves are sexy yet she manages to be graceful. She plays the perfect seductress - dangerous and coy.

2. Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo from Howrah Bridge

This is Helen's first song. She is young, fresh-faced and absolutely stunning. The moment she comes down those stairs, your eyes are fixed on her. She twirls, snaps and twists her way through the song making it even more memorable.

3. O Haseena Zulphon Wali from Teesri Manzil

I love everything about this song. Not only does this song have Helen dancing to the best of her abilities but as a bonus this song also has the one and only Shammi Kapoor. I love the hint of competition between Shammi Kapoor and Helen. Both of them together make this song unforgettable for me.

4. Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja from Caravan

Only one person could do justice to this song - Helen. She is amazing in this song. She plays the character so well. I remember watching this song when I was younger. I was completely mesmerized by Helen and her dancing then and I still am.

5. Mehbooba Mehbooba from Sholay

Helen is so sensuous in this song yet she never seems over-the-top. I like that no matter what she does, she still manages to look graceful. Many have tried to re-do this song but all have failed. No one can ever match up to Helen's grace and sensuousness.

6. Is Duniya Mein Jeena Ho Toh from Gumnaam

This is a really upbeat song and Helen adds more light to it! This song is all about cheering up and enjoying life. Watching this song makes me smile and want to dance at the beach (just like Helen)!

7. Aao Na Gale Lagalo Na from Mere Jeevan Saathi

Helen is the perfect personification of Asha Bhosle's voice. Asha Bhosle's voice complements Helen so perfectly. I just love the way Helen interprets the song. She is sensuous, yet graceful. If this song was being made today, I can't even express the horrible images that are coming to mind.

8. Aaj Ki Raat from Anamika

Helen grooves her way through this song effortlessly. I love how she can portray emotions through her dance. Even though this song sort of reminds me of the feel of Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja, I still enjoy it. Shoobu Shoobu Shoobu Shoobu Shoobu.

9. Ae Naujawan Hai Sab from Apradh

Apart from Helen, this song also features the bubbly Mumtaz and the stylish Feroz Khan. I love the way Helen moves through this song. She is very rightly proclaimed as the Queen of Bollywood Cabaret.

10. O Meri Jaan Main Ne Kaha from The Train

I still remember the first time I heard this song. My dad just purchased a CD of RD Burman hits. I couldn't stop laughing. The breathless singing made me giggle uncontrollably! Watching this song confirmed by belief that only Helen could do this song. She moves elegantly across the dance floor and works her magic as always!