Dosto, today I present you with the song “Pardah Hai Pardah“ from the 1977 film, Amar Akbar Anthony. I enjoyed this song so much I added 4 versions for you. At the Bollywood Food Club, we don’t really do true film reviews; why bother when there are already so many great bloggers out there doing it so well? So I refer you to Bollywood 501, Filmiholic, Filmi Geek, and Philip’sfil-ums for some great insights into Amar Akbar Anthony. I will simply deal with the more superfical and say that any movie that starts out with Pran and a suffering Nirupa Roy instantly wins my heart. I have to add that I liked the patches Anthony wore on his clothing and Akbar’s array of sheer colorful shirts. Amitabh’s Anthony made me proud to be a Catholic, and Vinood’s Amar made me yearn to be a Hindu, while Rishi’s Akbar had me praising Allah. I LOVED this movie. And in particular I loved Rishi Kapoor‘s performance in “Pardah Hai Pardah” as well as the voice of its playback singer, Mohammed Rafi.
This is the kind of suffering I’m talking about! A blinded mother, not realizing she’s touching her very own son! Nirupa Roy suffers so well.
Amar Akbar Anthony (Devnagari: अमर अकबर एन्थोनी) is a 1977 Bollywood film about three brothers separated during their childhood who grew up in three different homes, adopting three different religions. The film was directed by Manmohan Desai and starred three actors, of them included Amitabh Bachchan (as Anthony Gonsalves), Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor. Each of the three heroes had an affilitian with a heroine, which included Parveen Babi, Shabana Azmi and Neetu Singh. Nirupa Roy, Pran and Jeevan were supporting actors. The music was written by Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Kishore Kumar sang for Amitabh Bachchan, and Mohammed Rafi sang for Rishi Kapoor. The soundtrack was one of Mukesh‘s last soundtracks with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Anand Bakshi was the was the lyricist. A ex-convict must flee his mob boss, leaving his family to fend for themselves. The ex-convicts wife in a fit of bad luck turns blind and inevitably his children are abandoned. They are adopted by a Hindu policeman (Amar), a Muslim tailor (Akbar), and a Catholic priest (Anthony). The Hindu raised son becomes a policeman in his turn; his Muslim-raised brother becomes a singer; and the last brother, played by Amitabh Bachchan, becomes a happy-go-lucky Catholic who lives on the edge of law. The boys meet again and their lives become entangled in an incredible twist of unlikely coincidences and furious action sequences interspersed with songs. (wikipedia)
So here are the video clips of the addicting tune, “Pardah Hai Pardah“:
1. Original version starring Rishi Kapoor, with playback singer Mohammed Rafi. It’s fun to know that he’s singing to Neetu Singh, who he married a couple years after this movie. I mean who wouldn’t marry him after this performance, hain na?:
Thanks to sikkbreman for the video. Makes me want to rush to a mosque!
2. Here’s a crowd favorite, from SaReGaMaPa Challenge, Amanat Ali. I especially like how he substitutes his own name in the “Akbar” part of the song:
I’ve already posted about my favoritism for the Indian singing talent search shows, so click here to see that and some more of Amanat. Thanks to shesthebest for the YouTube video.
3. Here’s Vinit Singh, another contestant from SaReGaMaPa Challenge:
Thanks to sachinscs for the YouTube video.
4. Here’s Irfan, from Star Voice of India. Not only is he great but how fun to see the movie’s real stars, Rishi Kapoor & Neetu Singh (I think that’s her) judging along with playback singers Alka Yagnik & Abhijeet:
Thanks to AmulStarVoiceOfIndia for the video.
VAY! I can’t wait to hear your reaction. It’s as good as “Zanjeer” and “Deewar” and “Lawaaris.” I was practically hyperventilating in the first 10 minutes because of all the action, and of course Pran. You must encourage Jasgit to watch it too as Pran plays such a great roll. This movie gives, gives and just keeps on giving. It was hard to sleep after watching it, just too stimulating! And after watching this I believe you will understand that we have an upcoming post perfect for Easter.
On another note, but Amitabh related, I watched “Cheeni Kum” last night and was thrown off by the time element. I’m glad to know the word for sugar now. I’m considering Cheeni Garam, or Garam Cheeni as an alternative nicknaam. Did he just get off a lunch or breakfast shift? Do fancy restaurants like Spice6 even serve breakfasts? Why was Sexy up so late at the strike of midnight if she’s so sick with blood cancer? Or did the clock striking 12 matlab that it was 12 noon, the actual time of Green’s birthday? The pony tail. I am in love with Paresh Rawal more and more. He was great in “Cheeni Kum” In pyaar with Paresh especially after seeing him in “King Uncle,” where he played a bad guy, but I didn’t know it was him until the end. Very HOT!
Thanks for the Amanat Ali video. I usually cringe in agony at talent contest videos – Lord how I hate them – but something possessed me to click on that one and I am glad I did; that is one gifted boy. It’s no trivial feat to take on a qawwali originally sung my Mohammed Rafi, and I’m inclined to think that young Amanat sahib even outperformed Rafiji himself. Vah vah, muqarrar!
Carla, I agree with you. I love clicking on the links of all Amanat’s performances on the show and seeing the reaction he gets from everyone in the audience and on the panels. I get the same response watching on a tiny screen. His voice is just heavenly. Hard to hold back the tears when he sings some of the more emotional songs.
I liked Irfan’s version too, but maybe that’s because he was singing to Rishi and Alka on the show.
Glad you stopped by, please come again dost.
Laxmikant Pyarelal had a very eventful musical combination with Lata over 40 years. They were as respectful towards Rafi as they regarded Lata. Even during the phase when music got commercialised in the 80s,
Namaste souvik! That’s nice to know. Thanks for stopping by.
I kind of grew up listening to Parda Hai Parda, and Amar Akbar Anthony is still one of my all-time favorites. So I’ll always love the song and everyone involved in it. Thank you for sharing!
theBollywoodFan,
I can understand how it’s one of your favorites. I especially like Amanat’s version,
I think because the combination of him subsituting his name in the “Or my name isn’t Akbar,” part, that takes some moxie! Plus that panel is so great, I like Bappi Lahiri, he’s a diva! And of course I love Amanat’s voice.
And of course the other one I really liked was Irfan’s, since Rishi and Neetu are there:
Look, an even more recent talent show version:
OK, I must leave the vortex of “Parda hai Parda” while I still can!
But wait! Here’s Irfan doing another great song:
nice
I love Neetu Singh… I believe that she has a unique appearance and style. She’s so warm and natural in all her roles. What a talent!!
Namaste Lina-ji,
Neetu Singh is adorable and unconventionally lovely. I agree about her warmness in roles. I always enjoy seeing her films. Thanks for commenting.