- Pakeezah
Infobox Film
name = Pakeezah
imdb_id = 0067546
director =Kamal Amrohi
writer =Kamal Amrohi
cinematography =Josef Wirsching
starring =Meena Kumari Raj Kumar Ashok Kumar
language = HindiPakeezah (
Hindi : पाक़ीज़ा,Urdu : پاکیزہ، lit."Virgin", "pure of heart") is a 1972Bollywood film.It is well remembered by generations of its admirers for its touching story of a
courtesan , and for its lovely songs byLata Mangeshkar . It was themagnum opus of the director,Kamal Amrohi who is known for his perfectionism.Plot
This movie is about the pure of heart (Pakeezah) Nargis (Meena Kumari) who was brought up by brothel madame Nawabjaan (Veena). Unable to break away from the vicious circle, Nargis grows up and becomes a beautiful and popular dancer/singer Sahibjaan. Aristocratic Salim Ahmed Khan (Raaj Kumar) is enthralled by Sahibjaan's beauty and innocence, and eventually convinces her to elope with him, which she does. But trials and tribulations await Sahibjaan as she is recognized by men wherever she goes in the company of Salim. When Salim re-names her "Pakeezah" and takes her to a priest to be legally married, she refuses, and returns to the brothel. Salim eventually decides to marry someone else, and invites Sahibjaan to dance at his wedding, Sahibjaan agrees to this, not knowing that many secrets will be revealed at this wedding. This movie is also memorable for its songs: "Chalo dildar chalo chand ke par chalo, hum hai taiyar chalo...."; "Chalte chaltey yunhi koi mil gaya tha sar raha chalte chaltey..."; "Inhi logon ne le liya dupata mera...."; "Tharey rahiyo o banke yaar tharey rahiyo..."; "Aaj hum apni dhuaon ka asar dekhenge, teera nazar dekhenge, zakhmi jigar dekhenge...."
Production
Pakeezah took nearly 14 years to shoot because of change in relationship between Meena Kumari and the director from warm to worse and then back to compromise one.
Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi were married when Pakeezah was first conceived. A snippet from the originally recorded 'Inhi logon ne' can be seen on YouTube - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4FLyUu0v-U]Due to a variety of different factors, Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi parted ways and the film remained incomplete. It was only when Nargis and Sunil dutt saw the rushes of the film that they convinced Meena Kumari to complete it.
The heroine of the movie, Meena Kumari, gave probably the best performance of her career.When initially released in February 1972 the film opened to a lukewarm response and was supposed to be a flop. However after Meena Kumari's untimely death a month later, Pakeezah became a cult classic.
Details
* Starring :
Ashok Kumar ,Meena Kumari ,Raaj Kumar ,Veena Sapru ,Nadira
* Screenplay:Kamal Amrohi
* Set Design :Kamal Amrohi
* Costume Design :Meena Kumari
* Director of Photography :Josef Wirsching
* Lyrics:Majrooh Sultanpuri ,Kaifi Azmi ,Kaif Bhopali ,Kamal Amrohi
* Music:Ghulam Mohammed ,Naushad - Background Score, Title Music
* Singers:Lata Mangeshkar ;Mohd. Rafi
* Produced and Directed by:Kamal Amrohi Famous songs
Many times, when the lyrics are considered fully in the visual context of the singing in the film and storyline, a fuller understanding can often be achieved in retrospect.
* "Chalte Chalte", Lyrics: Kaifi Azmi. (Translation: While Walking; While going along I met someone. My life has stood still since...)
* "Thade Rahiyo O Banke Yaar", Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri (ठाढ़े रहियो)(Translations: My young lover, keep standing...)
* "Inhi Logon Ne", Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri (Various translations: Lit. These are the men who have snatched away my modesty (dupatta). In olden day, a woman's dupatta or veil was considered a symbol of a her modesty.
* "Mausam Hai Ashiqana", Lyrics: Kamal Amrohi. (Translation: Lit. Weather is lovely; at such a time my heart, find out where my love is.(Deeply Desiring [Because it is the Season for] ) True Love.)
* "Chalo Dildar chalo", Lyrics: Kaif Bhopali. (Translation: Come on, my love, come, across the moon let us go; I am ready, let us go)
* "Teer-e-Nazar Dekhenge", Lyrics: Kaif Bhopali. (Various translations: Lit. Today I will see the effect of my prayers. Today I will see gazes from these eyes; I will see wounds in this heart... You are getting shy from looking at my eyes, you are fearing the beat of your own heart; even then you insist to look at wounds of my heart;)Apart from these songs, the movie contains classical renderings in background composed by
Naushad , when he took over the incomplete job ofGhulam Mohammed . Ghulam Mohammed had passed away by the time the film was nearing release so Naushad was brought in to complete the background score. These renderings are presented in the voice of the veteran singer Rajkumari,Parveen Sultana ,Vani Jairam andNaseem Bano Chopra . Also the title track sung by Lata that appears at the beginning of the film is also composed by Naushad.External links
* [http://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/apr/25dinesh.htm Pakeezah at Rediff movies]
* [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067546/ Pakeezah storyline]
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