Hundreds of thousands of films have been produced and released world-wide, but only a handful of movies are in the category of “shall never die”. Amongst these is Bollywood’s Pakeeza.
Producer, Director and Writer Kamaal Amrohi (KA) had its story ready since the early fifties (1953/54). However, it took 18 long years and overcoming many hurdles before Pakeeza finally reached its destination on the big screen and Kamaal Amrohi’s vision became a reality.
1953/54
Taking into consideration the story, he aimed to produce a musical classic with 10-12 timeless songs.
Initially two obstacles were in front of him, the Finance and the Music. Considering the environment of the early fifties, his choice fell on Music Director, C Ramachandra who had then successfully given the very popular music for Anarkali (1953) followed by Azaad (1954), but somehow the conditions didn’t work with them.
Naushad was then the highest paid Musician, but he was not ready to take on any more films as he was already working on Uran Khatola, and had signed for Mother India and Mughal e Azam. He advised Kamaal Amrohi that the right musician for the subject should be his former chief assistant Ghulam Mohamed because the story related to a life of a twaif (courtesan) and most of the songs in the film were supposed to be “mujra” songs. The main instruments used in these songs are Sarangi, Tabla, Dholak, Duff and Ghungroo and Ghulam Mohamed had a mastery in knowing and playing on those musical organs. Taking Naushad’s advice, he signed up Ghulam Mohamed for Pakeeza.
Ghulam Mohamed had recently given popular music in Kardar’s Dil e Nadan and Sohrab Modi’s Mirza Ghalib which also won him a National Award, but unfortunately it didn’t grant him entry to join the group of popular musicians of the industry, unknown to Box Office!
Kamaal Amrohi’s financier B Shanker wasn’t happy with his choice and was reluctant to finance Pakeeza. However, trusting the assurance given by Naushad, Kamaal Amrohi signed Ghulam Mohamed as Pakeeza’s music Director.
1956
Pakeeza went on the floor in July with the Muhurat shot taken by Naushad giving the clap shot.
Bollywood was still in the era of black and white and Pakeeza was no exception.
Progress was slow and eventually the film had to be shelved in 1958, after 2 years of shooting.
During these 2 years, Ghulam Mohamed recorded 9 songs of the movie.
Meanwhile Kamaal Amrohi started another black and white project “Dil Apna aur Preet Parai” starring Meena Kumari and Raj Kumar, same cast of Pakeeza. This got released in 1960, the year when K Asif’s magnum opus, Mughal e Azam was released (5th August 1960)
“Dil Apna aur Preet Parai” won Filmfare’s best Music award. Shanker Jaikishan had composed a song copied from a foreign tune. “Ajeeb Dastan Hai, Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam” sung by Lata Mangeshker. This song made the duo win their Black Lady.
1962
Kamaal Amrohi didn’t want his dream baby, Pakeeza, to remain lying on the shelf. He managed to get fresh finance and decided to re-shoot Pakeeza in colour. Whatever was shot in B/W was discarded.
To add some more flavour to Pakeeza, he also shot it in CinemaScope.
He had to abide by the conditions laid down by Financier and Distributors and reduced the numbers of songs to half. Only 7 songs were finally approved including 4 out of 9 that were already recorded by Ghulam Mohamed and filmed. The remaining 5 were kept aside, unused.
1966
Smooth sailing continued for 4 years before Pakeeza again had to be shelved.
Matrimonial problems arose between the couple which resulted in a separation and Meena Kumari refused to shoot any further scenes for the film.
1968
It took Kamaal Amrohi 2 years to convince Meena Kumari, still his wife, to resume work and the cameras were switched on again.
As the destiny was written, sadly Ghulam Mohamed passed away on 17th March 1968 and Naushad took the charge of Music.
Although the four songs recorded by his late predecessor were approved by Naushad, he was of the opinion that small changes were needed, considering the time factor from the mid-fifties to late sixties, plus the change of the era from B/W to colour. The four songs were re-recorded and three freshly composed songs by him were added.
1972
Pakeeza was finally released on 4th February 1972. Sadly after 55 days on 31st March 1972, Meena Kumari passed away.
2024
Today it has been 52 years, yet the freshness of its songs remains the same, truly timeless. Pakeeza is remembered as one of the most elaborate musicals of Indian Cinema.
As long as Music, the universal language, shall live, Pakeeza shall not die!
PS.
It is sad to note that favoritism and discrimination was common in various sectors of the society, and this had also victimized Pakeeza as far as its music was concerned. Pakeeza was nominated with highest votes for Filmfare awards yet it was deprived of it.
Let our memories rewind – if we go back 12 years from 1972, the music of Mughal e Azam also suffered the same fate! History repeated.
A K Bagha.
