SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Pretty Leena Chandavarkar & superstar Rajesh Khanna in 

'Mehboob Ki Mehndi's (1971) song "Yeh jo chilman hai.."

Romantic song sequence..starts in rangeen mahal with Lakhnavi shan-o-shaukat..And hero comes in nawabi tahzeeb..goes towards beautiful young heroine behind the curtain..

He express.."Yunhi kabhi kabhi to nazara karenge hum.."
Then she replies from the curtain.."Parda utar gaya jo rukh-e-mahtab se.."

Roomani shayari comes in the beginning of Rafi's romantic song "Yeh jo chilman hai.."

That time superstar Rajesh Khanna & pretty gorgeous Leena Chandavarkar portrayed this scene of Izhar-E-Mohabbat in Lakhnavi nazakat!

This is my sixteenth picture..from 'Mehboob Ki Mehndi' (1971)..Again a film made by my favourite filmmaker H. S. Rawail..famous for making romantic Muslim Socials!

Pretty Leena Chandavarkar and superstar Rajesh Khanna in

'Mehboob Ki Mehndi's (1971) song "Mere deewanepan ki.."

Special thing about this was Rajesh Khanna co-produced this film (with the fascination of this genre) with H. S. Rawail. And on his story-screenplay.. Gulzar & Anjana Rawail wrote the dialogues of it!

Reflecting the Muslim culture & tahzeeb of Nawab era..it's story takes place in complex social situation..Yusuf from royal family attracts towards beautiful singer Shabana who is a daughter of courtesan..and then their marriage becomes difficult! Here is also this genre focused on the importance of education in this community. It's Shabana does the job of tutor and takes care of her family!

Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandavarkar beautifully played the romantic lead of this film! Character artists acted with them were Mumtaz Begum, Iftekhar, Jagdish Raj & Pradeep Kumar in a different kind of role!

Munir Khan cinematographed and V. K. Naik (who latter became Marathi filmmaker).. edited this film! For this well known art director Sudhendu Roy created classic nawabi mahol and Rawail sahab directed this love story with his roomani shakhsiyat!

Pretty sweet look of Leena  Chandavarkar in it!

This film is also considered as romantic musical in this genre. Anand Bakshi wrote the lovely lyrics for this. And music - director Lakshmikant-Pyarelal composed them superbly! These songs were sung by Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishor kumar and Hemlata! In this, Lataji's title song & meaningful "Jane kyon log mohabbat kiya karate hain.." and duets with Rafiji (above mentioned &).. "Itna to yaad hai mujhe.." and with Kishorji.. "Mere deewanepan ki.." are still touches the romantic hearts!

This film is counted among the 17 consecutive hit films of superstar Rajesh Khanna!
And memorable for beautiful sweet look of Leenaji!!

- Manoj Kulkarni