Movies & Music of India – Barsaat 1949

Barsaat was the third blockbuster hit of 1949 following Mahal and Andaz which were released the same year, like the earlier releases Barsaat was also a film that influenced the future of Indian Cinema

Barsaat was the second directorial venture for Raj Kapoor after his debut with Aag (1948) released the previous year which had a mixed response at the box office. This time he regrouped with a new team of writer, actor and music directors. It was Raj Kapoor’s first major hit and with its success he also established the famous RK Studio in 1950. The RK emblem was also taken from a scene of Barsaat.

Synopsis

The film revolves around two love stories. Pran (Raj Kapoor) and Reshma (Nargis) and Gopal (Premnath) and Neela (Nimmi). Two friends with opposite personalities, the rich but sensitive Pran and the womanising Gopal both have affairs with two mountain girls while holidaying in the valley of Kashmir. While Pran and Reshma’s love is true and reciprocated, Gopal is a womanising villain, who disregards the faithful Neela (Nimmi) and condemns her to wait faithfully for his return with the coming of barsaat (Mansoon season). Many plot intrigues follow through with Pran and Reshma facing many trials on the path to true love, including parental opposition, accidents and an attempted forced marriage of Reshma to an uncouth fisherman. The couple are finally reunited.

Gopal on the other hand finally becomes a reformed character and rushes to claim the ever faithful Neela who has been pining away, only to arrive to find his true love dead. The film ends with Gopal lighting Neela’s funeral pyre as the rains finally come.

It was Premnath’s first success and he became a leading man who romanced heroines like Meena Kumari, Madhubala and Vyjayanthimala before turning towards villainy in the 60s. Besides Premnath’s Barsaat also made the career of other new comers introduced to the world of cinema by the future showman Raj Kapoor.

Nimmi (born Nawab Banoo)

Barsaat was the debut film for Nimmi, she had met Raj Kapoor on the sets of Andaz directed by Mehboob Khan, he was on the lookout for a young girl to play the second lead, and after observing Nimmi’s unaffected and shy behaviour as a guest on the sets of Andaz he cast the teenaged Nimmi in Barsaat opposite the actor Prem Nath. Nimmi played the role of an innocent mountain shepherdess in love with a heartless city man. As an introduction to film audiences, she could not have asked for a more illustrious launch to her film career. Nimmi had a very prominent and well received role and was an instant hit with audiences. The film’s climax also revolved around the fledgling actress. The huge success of Barsaat made Nimmi a star and nationwide sensation overnight.

Ramanand Sagar (born Chandramauli Chopra)

Ramanand Sagar was born at Asal Guru Ke near Lahore. His great-grandfather, Lala Shankar Das Chopra, migrated from Peshawar to Kashmir. Ramanand was adopted by his childless maternal grandmother and, although his original name was “Chandramauli,” it was changed to “Ramanand” by his adoptive family.^[3] Sagar worked as a peon, truck cleaner, soap vendor, goldsmith apprentice etc. during the day and studied for his degree at night.

He was a gold medalist in Sanskrit and Persian from the University of Punjab in 1942. He was also editor of newspaper Daily Milap. He wrote many short stories, novels, poems, plays, etc. under names like “Ramanand Chopra”, “Ramanand Bedi” and “Ramanand Kashmiri”

In 1940’s, Ramanand Sagar started out as an assistant stage manager in Prithvi Theatres and directed few plays under the guidance of Prithviraj Kapoor. He wrote the story and screenplay for Barsaat and thus started his career in the Indian Film Industry and went on to produce and direct many successful movies.

Jal Mistry

He began his career as an apprentice at the Sri Sound Studio, Dadar, Bombay. This ace cinematographer got his first break with Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat. Jal Mistry’s camerawork was instantly recognised for its high contrast and stark silhouettes which contributed greatly to the drama of the film. Jal Mistry was the first cameraman to use special pencil lights mounted on the camera to illuminate and emphasize the eyes of a character in close-ups.

Jal Mistry was later involved with many successful films like Udan Khatola, Bombai Ka Babu, Aakhri Khat, Baharon Ke Sapne, Heer Raanjaha, Bombay to Goa and Jheel Ke Us Paar to name a few. He won four Filmfare Awards for best Cimenatography.

Shankar Jaikishen

Shankar Jaikishen started blazing trails right from the word go with Barsaat their maiden venture, they composed ten songs for Barsaat , seven solo sung by Lata Mangeshkar, two Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh duet and a solo song sung by Mohd. Rafi.

Shankar Jaikishen worked with Raj Kapoor in 20 films including 10 of Raj Kapoor’s own production, from Barsaat to Kal Aaj Aur Kal (Jagte Raho with Salil Chowdhury and Ab Dilli Dur Nahi with Dattaram being two exceptions in this period).

Shankar Jaikishen scored a perfect ten with Barsaat and changed the trend of music in Hindi cinema forever. It established Lata Mangeshkar as the undisputed queen of Hindi film music. It also had the distinction of giving two firsts to Hindi cinema – a title song (“Barsaat Mein Humse Mile”) and a cabaret (“Patli Kamar Hai”). The film propelled Shankar-Jaikishan on the road to musical super-stardom and to a stature that remains unmatched to this date.

Hasrat Jaipuri

Hasrat Jaipuri wrote his first recorded solo song, Jiya Beqaraar Hai and the first duet Chhod Gaye Baalam for Barsaat. It was his first assignment as lyricist and he became a permanent member of Raj Kapoor, Shankar-Jaikishen, Shailendra, Mukesh team

Shailendra

While Hasrat Jaipuri wrote most of the songs for Barsaat, including the captivating imagery in Hawa mein udta jaaye, Raj Kapoor cajoled poet Shailendra into making his debut as a lyricist by offering him Rs 500 for Barsaat mein and Patli kamar Hai. Thus Shailendra started his career in Hindi cinema

Hasrat Jaipuri and Shailendra wrote lyrics for all Raj Kapoor films till 1971

It is worth revisiting Barsaat and enjoy the melodious songs that, I am sure, are still etched in your memory and will come to your lips when you see them on screen

Here is the link for the movie available on You Tube