Azaad (1955)


"Azaad" was a breakway movie in Dilip Kumar's career. He was crowned as a tragedy king after series of movies he played the role of a tragic hero. These roles finally "got" to him, and under a psychiatrist's advice, was looking for a turn to do something light. In an interview Dilip seem to have said that "how many ways can an actor portray the death on the screen?"

When an opportunity to play in "Azaad" came he immediately grabbed it. He did such a great job doing comedy that he was given his second Filmfare award for this role. (He won earlier for "Daag (1962)".) In a brilliant career where one outstanding performance after another was delivered, Dilip grabbed a total of eight Filmfare awards which is still a record. Currently Shah Rukh Khan has a chance to go for that record. I believe he already has won five or six times Filmfare awards.

The music for "Azaad" by C. Ramchandra is still considered to be one of the colorful feathers in his cap. In early 50's, he created such beautiful music for films like "Albela", "Anarkali", and a host of other movies that remain as landmark even today. Most of the songs were resounding hits. His duets with Lataji (he sings under the name "Chitalkar") from this movie are considered to be some of the best. Almost all the songs are gems. "Radha Na Bole" is considered to be one of Lataji's top song. Her duets with her sister Ushaji, especially "Aplam Chaplam" are still a joy to hear.

Now for the details of the songs and songs themselves ...

When the music of Azaad was released on records, the critics were recommending Anna (CR) to leave the film industry and take sanyaas. When the songs and the film became a big hit, the same critics said the film is a runaway success only due to its songs.

Yes Parag, CR was known by many names with Anna or Anna Saheb among others. He started as an actor originally and produced several movies later in his career. He was the first music director who brought Western blend to Indian music. He was greatly influenced by the late great American Band Master, Benny Goodman. CR used clarinet (Jazz style) molding it into beautiful Indian melodies in some of his earlier movies.

By the way, "Azaad" was originally made in Tamil and then in Telugu. All three versions of the movies were major hits.

Swarapriya

THANX swarpriya.

Thanks once again swarapriya. Keep Rocking and Rolling