My ten favourite Parveen Babi songs

Parveen Babi would have turned 63 today (4th April). She was a wonderful actress and a beautiful one at that. Born in Junagadh, Gujarat, she made her film-debut with Charitra [1973] opposite the cricket player Salim Durrani (is he related to G. M. Durrani, the singer?). I couldn’t find any video from Charitra but here is a song and here another one from her second film Dhuen Ki Lakeer [1974] opposite Ramesh Arora. Both the films flopped but she got noticed and had her major hit with Amitabh starrer Majboor [1974]. From then on there was no looking back. She not only had looks and sex-appeal but also good acting skills. If it were not for her impulsiveness and her illness, she would have reached heights, which other actresses could only have dreamt of. Instead she got reduced to playing the seductress and heroines in multistarrers like Shaan [1980], Do Aur Do Paanch [1980], The Burning Train [1980] and Mahaan [1983] or playing bit roles in Kranti [1981] and Razia Sultan [1983]. Nonetheless she left a big impression on the viewers and is still remembered for her mesmerizing looks and fabulous screen-presence.

I won’t go on about her sad end to her life and other tragic details of her life. These things can be read about in internet. Here is a post dedicated to this exceptional actress. Ten of her solo songs, which I like. Enjoy!
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Tags: Ameer Aadmi Gareeb Aadmi [1985], Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan, Anand Bakshi, Anjaan, Asha Bhosle, Bappi Lahiri, Bindu, Bullet [1976], Chor Police [1983], Ek Bar Jaan-E-Jaana, Ek Gunaah Aur Sahi [1980], Happy Birthday, Har Ek Rasta Sajaa Ke Chal, Jab Tum Chale Jaaoge To Yaad Bahut Aaoge, Jaidev, Kala Sona [1975], Khaiyyam, Khwab Ban Kar Koi Aayega, Lata Mangeshkar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Main Hoon Tujh Pe Kyun Fida, Main To Beghar Hoon, Namak Halal [1982], Nida Fazli, Pancham, Parveen, Parveen Babi, Pyar Karne Wale, R. D. Burman, Raat Baki Baat Baki, Rajesh Roshan, Razia Sultan [1983], Shaan [1980], Shashi Kapoor, Suhaag[1979], Telephone [1985], ten favourite Parveen Babi songs, Tumse Milke Zindagi Ko Yun Laga, Yahi Hai Tamanna
My ten favourite Nanda songs

It is not only Nanda, who has birthday today (Jan. 8) but also fellow-blogger Madhu-Dustedoff. Happy Birthday to you as well, Madhu! Many of the films mentioned here in this post (and others) are linked to Madhu’s excellent reviews on her blog. Incidentally, Nanda is also one of Madhu’s favourite actresses, so it fits in quite well.

Nanda had a sweetness about her, which one hardly sees nowadays. She had something about her, which made men and women feel all protective about her. She was the girl-next-door of the 60s. Even the glamour of the later 60s didn’t affect this image. Unfortunately, such were also the roles, which came her way. Ittefaq changed it, but till then a new crop of actresses had arrived. All the same, just like she helped Shashi Kapoor’s career start, she helped through out her career other leading actors like Sanjeev Kumar, Sanjay Khan and Deb Mukherjee.

Now she lives away from the glamour of the Hindi film industry and still looking good. The last I heard of her was in August in Times of India gossip columns, where it was mentioned that she was a generous tip-giver. That is nice to hear, that she doesn’t live secluded somewhere unattended, but living and enjoying life. May she celebrate more such merry birthday celebrations!
The rules for choosing the songs were
a. solo songs
b. one song per film
and blah, blah, blah! 😉
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Tags: Aaj Aur Kal [1963], Abhilasa [1968], Ahista Ahista [1981], Allah Tero Naam Ishwar Tero, Anand Bakshi, Asha Bhosle, Bhajan, Bheegi Hui Is Raat Ka Aanchal Kehta Hai, cloud, dev anand, Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke [1969], Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai, Happy Birthday Nanda, Helen, Hum Dono [1962], Ja Re Kare Badra, Jaidev, Jeetendra, Kabhi Kisi Ko Mukamal Jahan Nahin Milta, Kajare Badarwa Re, Kalidasa, Kashinath Ghanekar, Khaiyyam, Kis Liye Maine Pyar Kiya, Lalita Pawar, Lata Mangeshkar, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Machalti Arzoo Khadi Bahen Pasare, Madan Mohan, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Manoj Kumar, Meghaduta, Mujhe Gale Se Laga Lo, Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare [1966], Nida Fazli, Pati Patni [1966], R. D. Burman, Rajesh Khanna, Rajinder Krishan, Ravi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Salil Choudhary, Sanjay Khan, Sanjeev Kumar, Shailendra, Shashi Kapoor, Shor [1972], Sunil Dutt, ten favourite Nanda songs, The Train [1970], Usne Kahaa Tha [1960], Wadiyan Mera Daman