This article is written by Raja, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a contributor to this blog. This article is meant to be posted in atulsongaday.me. If this article appears in sites like lyricstrans.com and ibollywoodsongs.com etc then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
| Blog Day : | 3530 | Post No. : | 14178 |
First of all, let me wish all of you a Happy Ugadi and Happy Gudi Padwa today (18 march 2018). I hope those celebrating the occasion are enjoying themselves.
Today also happens to be the birthday of Shashi Kapoor (18 march 1938-4 december 2017), one of our best-known and most loved actors.
The thought is inescapable – and burdened with more than a tinge of sorrow. The thought that, had I written this post on just his previous birthday, I would have been talking of Shashi Kapoor in the present tense. I’d have been saying “is”, instead of “was”.
But that’s life – and death. And we have to accept it.
Ah, Shashi Kapoor!
Where do I start?
Let me start as usual with “my generation”, the 70s.
For me, and I am sure for many Hindi film lovers born in the early 60s, Shashi Kapoor would have been an integral part of their childhood film-watching experience. He was a very familiar face throughout the 70s – whether in solo roles or in multi-starrer films.
Those were the times when Rajesh Khanna (for the first half of the decade) and Amitabh Bachchan (for the second half) ruled. The 70s also saw a whole lot of new actors emerge. There were also some from the earlier decade who continued to enjoy success – Dharmendra, Manoj Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Jeetendra to name a few.
And there was Shashi Kapoor.
One thing most people will agree about Shashi Kapoor – he was very handsome. He had this boyishly cute face, bright eyes, and a smile that got accentuated by crooked teeth and a deep dimple. No wonder you often heard of the term “chocolatey good looks” when people talked of Shashi. 
I think girls found Shashi particularly handsome – he was easily my sisters’ favourite. I was very young then in the late 60s, but I still remember that when the one weekly film in our club happened to be a Shashi film, they’d be thrilled. Thus I have fond memories of watching at a very young age, in that club, Shashi films like Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Aamne Saamne, Suhana Safar, Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati, Pyar Ka Mausam, Raja Saab, Rootha Na Karo, Jahaan Pyaar Mile and many more. Whether the film was good or not, was secondary. Shashi was a good enough reason to enjoy it. I remember for days after seeing Pyar Ka Mausam, they’d be singing “ni sultana re”. And they loved Aamne Saamne’s “nain milaakar chain churaana kiska hai ye kaam”.
Even when we went on holiday to Bombay for the first time in the early 70s, and we decided to watch a movie, the unanimous choice was Sharmeelee, playing at that time. I think my sisters were even hoping to catch sight of Shashi Kapoor somewhere on the streets of Bombay. Not even one in a million chance – but one lives on hope. I remember, for days after watching Sharmeelee, the song “khilte hain gul yahaan” was on their lips.
Back in our village, when we had to travel 25 km to see a film in a cinema hall, they managed to persuade my dad to take them for Jaanwar Aur Insaan (1972). My dad wasn’t into films at all – it’s possible they told him it was a film about animals (jaanwar). Whereas it’s more likely they were interested in the insaan (Shashi).
Ah, these childhood memories.
I was fond of Shashi too – from those late 60s films, while my sisters would sing Shashi’s “tum bin jaoon kahaan” in Antakshari, I’d sing “aaye baithe khaaye piye khiske”. A little more matter-of-fact.
Today, as I am writing this post, with all these memories coming to the fore, it strikes me that even in an era with Rajesh Khanna as superstar (and Amitabh Bachchan later), Shashi had his own following. Like my sisters.
Sharmeelee (1971) with superhit songs, Jaanwar Aur Insaan (1972), Aa Gale Lag Ja (1973) with superhit songs, Chor Machaye Shor (1974) with the famous “le jaayenge, le jaayenge, dilwaale dulhaniya le jaayenge”, Chori Mera Kaam and Salaakhen (1975), Fakira (1976) with hit songs.
All solo films for Shashi, all successful. Am not counting the multi-starrers, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Deewaar (1975) and Kabhie Kabhie (1976).
As the decade progressed, and multi-starrers became more common, Shashi Kapoor was very much part of them, often to be seen opposite reigning superstar Amitabh Bachchan in films like Trishul (1977) and Suhaag (1979).
Yet, he could carry his own in a solo – as was to be seen in Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), a film made by his brother, Raj Kapoor.
So Shashi Kapoor was largely a “safe” actor in the 70s – both for viewers and producers. Of course not every film worked (there are many aspect to a film’s success), but, by and large, audiences liked watching him on screen.
Towards the end of the decade, Shashi got into film production too. He produced some well-known films – Junoon (1979), Kalyug (1981), 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Vijeta (1982), Utsav (1984).
But in 1984, disaster struck – his dear wife Jennifer passed away, due to cancer. I think after that Shashi was not the same again.
I’ve talked a lot about his films of the 70s, mainly because that’s the decade I have most memories of. Of course his career started much earlier. As a child artiste (a young Raj Kapoor in Aag and Awara), with his first film as an adult being BR Chopra’s controversial Dharamputra (1961). In that film, he had a negative role.
Although he came from the Kapoor khandaan, it was made clear to Shashi that he had to come up on merit. He had his share of struggles early on – and though he managed the odd hit (like in the multi-starrer Waqt), he really had his first mega solo hit only with Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965).
His co-star in that film was, as usual, Nanda. I say “as usual”, because Nanda was his co-star in many films during the 60s. She was a much bigger star than he was – but was happy to be paired opposite him. Shashi later said he was hugely grateful to Nanda for this. Nanda herself said that Shashi was her favourite co-star.
One thing that struck me in obituaries about Shashi Kapoor last December was that almost everyone spoke a lot about Prithvi Theatre. And rightly so.
While there’s no doubt that Shashi Kapoor gained a lot of popularity from cinema, I think in his heart his love was Prithvi Theatre. After all, he had met his wife Jennifer also through theatre in the 1950s. So one of the most satisfying moments for him and for Jennifer must have been to set up Prithvi Theatre in 1978 and fulfil his father Prithviraj Kapoor’s dream of having a permanent location for his Prithvi Theatres (it had been a travelling troupe during Prithviraj’s time).
Many of the obits talked about how dedicated Shashi Kapoor (and Jennifer, when she was alive) was to Prithvi Theatre. Even when he was in very poor health in his final years, he would want to visit and even watch performances.
So no mention of Shashi Kapoor is complete without a mention of Prithvi Theatre.
I’ve not talked about his acting in English-language films or his partnership with Merchant-Ivory. I’ve myself just watched only one of these films – Bombay Talkie (1970), directed by James Ivory. It also starred Jennifer.
I’ve also not mentioned that Shashi Kapoor was considered to be a true gentleman actor. Many of his co-stars, from Sharmila Tagore to Hema Malini to Zeenat Aman, have said this. He was also supposed to have had a good sense of humour, always keeping the set lively.
All in all, Shashi Kapoor was a much-loved person during his lifetime. And for good reason. And you cannot really ask for more than that.
Now for the song for today.
It is from the film “Suhaana Safar” (1970). A film that I remember seeing as a very young boy, but sadly have only very faint memories of. I seem to vaguely remember a bus in which Shashi and Sharmila travel. That’s all I can remember now. A good excuse to watch it again.
The song is the title song. Aha aha aa ye suhaana safar hai, sung by Rafisaab. The lyrics of this song are by Anand Bakshi, music by Laxmikant Pyarelal.
The picturisation is of Shashi Kapoor in a jeep, generally giving out positive vibes, talking about travel, hawa, manzil etc. He finds himself behind a bus, and this infectious positive mood catches on with the travelers in the bus too. They join him in the song. Towards the end of the song, Sharmila Tagore (one of the travelers) looks out of the bus, Shashi waves to her – and it looks like he loses control of his jeep. (Am pretty sure it’s nothing serious :-)).
While watching the video and listening to the lyrics, I could not help thinking that this could be a metaphor for the suhaana safar of Shashi Kapoor’s life itself. And the suhaana safar that we have had following his films for decades. Indeed, it has been a wonderful journey – and we are thankful to him for letting us be part of it.
Interestingly, while I was having these thoughts, I got a message from Avinashji. As usual, when I thought of writing a post for Shashi Kapoor today, he had promptly messaged me, and offered to help me with providing the lyrics. Now, while sending me the lyrics, he echoed the exact same thoughts I had! About the suhana safar of Shashi Kapoor and what we have had with Shashi Kapoor. Serendipity.
I’ll now leave you with this positive song – and with remembering our suhaana safar with Shashi Kapoor.
There are two versions of this song – one by Rafisaab, the other by Suman Kalyanpur.
Rafi version (Audio)
Rafi version (Video)
Suman Kalyanpur Version (Audio)
Song-Aha aha aa ye suhaana safar (Suhaana Safar)(1970) Singer-Rafi/ Suman Kalyanpur, Lyrics-Anand Bakshi, MD-Laxmikant Pyarelal
Female chorus
All chorus
——————————————————-
Lyrics(Provided by Avinash Scrapwala)
——————————————————-
O o
o o o
Aa aa aa aa
Aa aa aa aa
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Hoye
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Rukti nahin hai nazaaron pe nazar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Hoye
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho o o o
Hawaayein jhoom rahi hain
Gulon ko choom rahi hain
Hoye
Hawaayein jhoom rahi hain
Rokoon dil ko main kaise
Aise udaa jaaye jaise
maang liye ho kisi panchhi se parr
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Hoye
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
O o o
Musaafir chaltaa hi jaaye
Kabhi bhi manzil naa aaye
Musaafir chaltaa hi jaaye
Dheere dheere haule haule
Mujhse ye dil boley
Kat jaaye raste mein
Saari umar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Hoye
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Chhup chhup chhainyya
Chhainyya
Chhup chhup chhainyya
Chhup chhup chhainyya
Chhainyya
Chhup chhup chhainyya
Patli kamar mori
Naazuk bainyya
Chhup chhup chhainyya
Chhainyya
Chhup chhup chhainyya
Ho o o
Mujhe ye raah naa bhulaa de
Kahin ye aur naa pahunchaa de
Mujhe ye raah naa bhulaa de
Kaisi hain ye matwaali
Lambi lambi kaali kaali
Zulf kisi ki hai
Ya ye dagar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Hoye
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Rukti nahin hai nazaaron pe nazar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Hoye
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Aha aha aa ye suhaana safar
Aha aha aa ye suhaana safar
Aha aha aa ye suhaana safar
—————————————-
(Female version)
—————————————–
Hmm hmm
O o o
o o
o o o
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Rukti nahin hai nazaaron pe nazar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho o o
Ho o o
Nigaahein jhoom rahi hain
Kisi ko dhoondh rahi hain
Ho
Nigaahein jhoom rahi hain
Koyee mulaakaatee miley
Aisa koyee saathi miley
Jo ban jaaye mera hamsafar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho o o
Abhi to door hai manzil
Dhadakne lagaa abhi se dil
Abhi to door hai manzil
Taubaa taubaa
Haaye haaye
Dil pe kyaa guzar jaaye
Saamne wo aa jaaye agar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho o
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho o o o
Mere dil bhool na jaana
Ki hain ye rastaa anjaana
Mere dil bhool na jaana
Aise naa machal jaana
Aagey naa nikal jaana
Chhod ke peechhe sanam ka ghar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho o
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Rukti nahin hai nazaaron pe nazar
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
Ho
Aha aha
aa ye suhaana safar
———————————————
Devnagri script lyrics (Provided by Avinash Scrapwala)
———————————————
Male version
———————————————
ओ
ओ ओ ओ
आ आ आ आ
आ आ आ आ
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
होए
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
रूकती नहीं है नजारों पे नज़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
होए
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो ओ ओ ओ
हवाएं झूम रही हैं
गुलों को चूम रही हैं
होए
हवाएं झूम रही हैं
रोकूँ दिल को मैं कैसे
ऐसे उड़ा जाए जैसे
बाँध लिए हो किसी पंछी से पर
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
होए
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
ओ ओ ओ
मुसाफिर चलता ही जाए
कभी भी मंजिल ना आये
मुसाफिर चलता ही जाए
धीरे धीरे हौले हौले
मुझसे ये दिल बोले
कट जाए रस्ते में
सारी उम्र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
होए
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
छुप छुप छैंया
छैंया
छुप छुप छैंया
पतली कमर मोरी
नाज़ुक बैंया
छुप छुप छैंया
छैंया
छुप छुप छैंया
हो ओ ओ
मुझे ये राह ना भुला दे
कहीं ये और ना पहुंचा दे
मुझे ये राह ना भुला दे
कैसी हैं ये मतवाली
लम्बी लम्बी काली काली
ज़ुल्फ़ किसी की हैं
या ये डगर
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
होए
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
रूकती नहीं है नजारों पे नज़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
होए
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
————————————
Female version
————————————
हम्म
हम्म
ओ ओ ओ ओ ओ
ओ ओ
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
रूकती नहीं है नजारों पे नज़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो
हो ओ ओ
निगाहें झूम रही हैं
किसीको ढूंढ रही हैं
हो
निगाहें झूम रही हैं
कोई मुलाकाती मिले
ऐसा कोई साथी मिले
जो बन जाए मेरा हमसफ़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो ओ ओ
अभी तो दूर है मंजिल
धड़कने लगा अभी से दिल
अभी तो दूर है मंजिल
तौबा तौबा
हाए हाए
दिल पे क्या गुज़र जाए
सामने वो आ जाये अगर
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो ओ ओ ओ
मेरे दिल भूल न जाना
कि है ये रास्ता अनजाना
मेरे दिल भूल न जाना
ऐसे न मचल जाना
आगे ना निकल जाना
छोड़ के पीछे सनम का घर
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो ओ
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
रूकती नहीं है नजारों पे नज़र
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र
हो
आहा आहा
आ ये सुहाना सफ़र