This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a contributor to this blog. This article is meant to be posted in atulsongaday.me. If this article appears in other sites without the knowledge and consent of the web administrator of atulsongaday.me, then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
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Today’s song is from the film Mr. Sampath-1952.
The cast of the film was Motilal, Padmini, Vanaja, Kanhaiyalal, Agha, Badri Prasad, Sundari bai and many South Indian artistes. The music was by the pair- Balkrishna alias B.S.Kalla and E.Sankar Sastry. The film was produced by Gemini and directed by S.S.Vasan, owner of the banner. The film was based on the novel “Mr. Sampath- Printer of Malgudi” by the famous writer R.K.Narayan and a hit Tamil film ” Miss Malini”-1947. I have read the novel and also seen this film, after it was released on 25-12-1952 and again 2-3 times after few more years…the latest being in last month. There are many changes in the story. The novel’s Hero is very loveable, so is the film’s Hero but only as entertainment.
Motilal, while doing the role of Mr. Sampat has brought the character to life with his natural acting. Padmini danced well but could not impress the audience in the theatre. Perhaps that was the beginning of her career in Hindi films, though she was already a well known star in South. Kanhaiyalal and Agha did a good job. Motilal earned rave reviews for his acting, but the film flopped badly. This was a shock to its maker, S.S.Vasan.
In the late 40s and early and middle 50s, there was a spate of films from Madras, made in 2-3 languages including Hindi. Films like Chandralekha-48, Nishan-49, Mangala-50, Bahar-51 and Ladki-53 were some of the successful multilingual films made in Madras. Similarly, films like Aan and Udan Khatola had their Tamil/Telugu versions made. In 1957 also the film Asha was made into Tamil, Miss Mary was another bilingual.
S.S.Vasan or Subramaniyam Srinivasan ( 4-1-1904 to 26-8-1969 ) was an astute businessman. Vasan-owner of Gemini studios and Gemini empire, had tasted success with multilinguals like Chndralekha-48, Nishan-49 and Mangala-50. He wanted to make a Hindi film first and depending upon its success, he would make a Tamil version. He selected R.K.Narayan’s popular English novel-Mr. Sampath-The printer of Malgudi (published 1949) to make his Hindi film. He chose Motilal as its Hero and invited him to Madras to make the film. Motilal himself was a very punctual,professional and organised actor. He liked and was impressed with the southern way of professional and planned schedules of shootings. The film was completed ahead of its scheduled period.
Vasan had a lot of expectations from this Hindi film. There were rave reviews of critics about Motilal’s natural acting. However, the common public did not support their views and the film flopped miserably. Spectacular scenes-expected from Vasan’s film were absent. Moreover the poor music added to the woes. The film’s Heroine Padmini ( one of the Travancore sisters) was no doubt a famous star of the South but in the Hindi speaking belt she was hardly known. She was an excellent dancer, but acting wise she was no match to even ‘B’ grade Hindi Heroines that time. It was much later that she built her place in the Hindi films, with dubbed dialogues. Out of all the Southern heroines, I would give full marks to Vyjayanthimala for developing good Hindi quickly.
After this debacle, there was no question of making any Tamil remake of this film. That much business sense Vasan did have. Much later, in an interview, he accepted that the cinematic liberties he took with the original novel was one of the major causes-along with poor music-of failure of Mr. Sampat-52. After this film, it is said that R.K.Narayan refused to allow any film on his novels…till the Hindi film Guide. Here too, he is on record that he simply hated the film Guide-65, with so many changes in his novel. The film Guide-65 , however, was a landmark and a successful film anyway.
Born in Shimla on 4 December 1910, Motilal Rajwansh came from a distinguished family. His father was a renowned educationist, who died when Motilal was one year old. He was brought up by his uncle who was a well-known civil surgeon in Uttar Pradesh. At first, Moti was sent to an English school at Shimla and later, in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Thereafter, he shifted to Delhi where he continued with school and college.
After leaving college, Motilal came to Bombay to join the Navy, but he fell ill and could not appear for the test. Fate had other choices charted out for him. One day, he went to see a film shoot at Sagar Studios, where director K. P. Ghosh was shooting. Motilal, even then, was quite the man about the town and he caught Ghosh’s eye. Motilal described this event in his inimitable style,in one of his interviews….” The director Ghosh Babu looked towards me and said,” please come here”. I first thought he was calling someone standing behind me. I looked back and moved to one side. Nobody came forward, but Ghosh Babu came to me and pointed his finger at me and said, ” Yes, I am talking to you. Please come here” I went with him .” In 1934 (aged 24), he was offered the hero’s role in Shaher Ka Jadoo -1934 by the Sagar Film Company. Sabita Devi and Motilal’s first movie as a pair in the famous Sagar Movietone, the movie Lure of the City (aka Shaher ka Jadoo) released on 29 th September 1934 at the Imperial Cinema, Bombay.
Mehboob Khan was earlier selected for the lead role and was later replaced by Motilal. This was actor Motilal’s debut film and Motilal – Sabita made the best pair in the Sagar Film Company. They acted together in many other movies under the banner of the Sagar like, Silver King -1935, Dr Madhurika -1935, Lagna Bandhan -1936, Jeevan Lata -1939, Kulvadhu -1937, Kokila -1937, Three hundred days and after -1938 and later at Sudama Films in Ap Ki Marzi -1939 and Minerva’s Prarthana -1944. He worked with Mehboob Khan in Jagirdar -1937 and Hum Tum Aur Woh -1938 under the Sagar Movietone banner, in Taqdeer -1943 for Mehboob Productions, and Kidar Sharma’s Armaan -1942 and Kaliyan -1944. He also acted in S. S. Vasan’s film Paigham -1959 (Gemini Studios), and Raj Kapoor’s Jagte Raho -1956. In 1965, he also acted in the Bhojpuri film Solaho Singar Kare Dulhaniya.
Perhaps the role for which he received the most critical appreciation was that of the gentleman crook in S. S. Vasan’s adaptation of R K Narayan’s book Mr Sampat -1952. He is most remembered for his role as “Chunni Babu” in Bimal Roy’s Devdas -1955, for which he won his first Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award. Actor Naseeruddin Shah once described him as one of three all-time best actors of Hindi cinema, others being Balraj Sahni and Yakub.
Motilal was very suave and polished, and moved in high society, though towards the end of his life he was in financial difficulty. Although a thorough gentleman, he enjoyed gambling and races, and died almost penniless on 17th June 1965.
Motilal was an excellent Pilot and owned a small aircraft. He rarely travelled by train and always liked to fly. His family life was happy. His wife was a doctor.
He was in a relationship for several years with the actress Nadira. He was later involved with actress Shobhna Samarth after she separated from her husband, and he played Samarth’s real-life daughter Nutan’s father in Hamari Beti, Shobhana’s launch movie for Nutan. He also played her guardian in Anari, though this time the role had a villainous touch to it.
Motilal and Ashok Kumar were popular stars at the same time. Ashok Kumar was employed by Bombay Talkies and Motilal was employed by Ranjit. It is said that Sardar Chandulal paid Rs. One lakh to Motilal in those days. Motilal was a gambler. Once Chandulal Shah paid his debt of 75000 rupees which Motilal had lost in gambling, just to keep Motilal with Ranjit ! It is surprising that Ashok Kumar never worked with Motilal’s Heroines-Shobhana Samarth or Khursheed and Motilal never worked with Ashok Kumar’s heroines- Devika Rani or Leela Chitnis !
Actor Chandra Mohan treated Motilal as his son. During the last days of Chandra mohan, once Motilal had gone to meet him. Chandra Mohan was drinking from a costly foreign Whisky bottle, but he did not offer it to Motilal. Motilal was feeling bad and then Chandra Mohan said, ” I know you must be feeling bad that I am not offering you this Whisky, but trust me it is not whisky- I am drinking Bewada (country liquor) from this bottle and I don’t want my son to drink this dirty stuff ! ”
Motilal was the winner of Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Devdas -1955 and Parakh -1960. He is credited with being among Hindi cinema’s first natural actors.
He also directed the film Chhoti Chhoti Baatein -1965, but died before its release. At the 13th National Film Awards, it won the award for Certificate of Merit for the Third Best Feature Film and he posthumously won the Certificate of Merit for the Best Story Writer. ( adapted some information from Vithal Pandya’s book-Asli Nakli Chehere, wiki, Star portraits, nett4you, the book Sagar Movietone, and Shirish Kanekar’s book- Yaadon ki Baaraat, with thanks and my notes.)
I had seen the film Mr. Sampat-52 and liked it except for the many dances and songs of Padmini. Though the dances were very well choreographed ( as you can see in today’s Video song), none of the songs were memorable. Here is an adapted story of the film Mr. Sampat-52, from The Hindu….
The famous R.K. Narayan literary character of the gentleman crook became a classic Motilal role. The suave and fast-talking Mr Sampat hit Bombay as the manager of Seth Makhanlal Jhaveri Mill Gheewalla (Kanhaiyalal) municipal election campaign. He opens a bank with assistance from a former prince and the Kalamandir Theatre company to impress the woman he wants to win, Malini Devi (Padmini).
Mr.Sampat “Commission Agent and Business Consultant” is a versatile gentleman. As we see him first he is busily lecturing away on the National Transport Problem in a third class compartment in which he is a “Standing room” passenger. Malini is a modest young girl whose accomplishments as an actress have won the admiration and affection of her colleagues at Kalamandir Theatre where she is an artist. Kalamandir is dedicated to the cause of cultured entertainment and is directed by a young man who Symbolizes the dignity and idealism of the theatre. Malini has more than ordinary admiration for her director, but the director’s interest in her has only been that between a director and his protege.
Into the life of Mr.Sampat comes Seth Makkhanlal Jhaverimull Gheewallah a ghee merchant, who wants to get elected to the local municipality. Mr. Sampat appoints himself the ghee merchants manager, and to launch his election campaign he lures the innocent Malini to a Tea Party- all at the ghee merchants expense of course ! Makhanlal wins the elections, but finds himself short of two lakhs of rupees (which includes generous sundry expenses drawn by Mr. Sampat!) While the ghee merchant is contemplating this sad state of affairs Mr. Sampat breezes in like a breath of fresh air and a few minutes later Makhanlal’s troubles seem to be over. Mr. Sampat decides to start a new bank. “Friends Bank”, which boasts of a 20 p.c. interest per month! An ex-prince named Raj Mohan whom Mr. Sampat has cultivated as a juicy source of funds, is the chief patron.
Friends Bank makes a big start, but mere redistribution of customers’ money as interest is bound to stop sooner or later and before long the Bank faces bankruptcy ! But Mr. Sampat has another of his brain waves. There is Prince Raj Mohan and there is Malini!…. . Mr. Sampat visits Malini’s house again. The innocent Malini is swept away by his fast talking methods and before long. Mr. Sampat has planted the seed of vanity in Malini’s mind. He promises her that Mr. Sampat can make her great in her own right. Malini’s mind refuses to be poisoned, but her youthful innocence tempts her. Meanwhile the director of Kalamandir has begun to notice the distraction in Malini’s interest and one day he admonishes her for being irregular in her work.
This leads to a misunderstanding and Malini gives up Kalamandir and starts a new company called “Malini Devi Theatrical Company” of which Mr. Sampat becomes the Managing Director. With the money that comes in at the theatre, Bank Manager Makkhanlal tries to balance his accounts at Friends Bank. Even this, however is not sufficient and one day when Malini refuses the advances of his highness Raj Mohan at a party in her honour at his palace, the upset prince withdraws all his money from Friends Bank.
This starts a run on the Bank and it faces collapse –Makkhanlal is in trouble and runs frantically to his friend– but Mr. Sampat leaves him cold, saying after all as manager of the Bank it is really Makkhanlal’s problem not his ….. . Trouble brewed at the Malini Devi Theatrical Company also. One day at the height of a scene, there are some unexpected visitors on stage, – a bailiff, some creditors and a Court Summons -Server –They are there to inform Malini that her house and her properties are to be auctioned ! Malini is left dumbfounded. She realises now that the great Mr. Sampat has been nothing but a shark, after all ! . As for Mr. Sampat, Bombay got too hot for him! He leaves the city and his whereabouts are not known.
Today’s song is a dance and song video of Padmini. The dance is nicely choreographed but the song does not linger in listeners’ minds….Enjoy the Dance….
Song- Aji hum Bharat ki naari (Mr Sampat)(1952) Singers-Geeta Dutt, P B Shrinivas, Lyricists – Pt.Indra and J.S.Kashyap, MD – Balkrishna Kalla
Female chorus
Male chorus
Lyrics
aji hum bharat ki naari hain sabse nyaari
jaayen kismat pe apni hum balihaari
aji hum bharat ki naari hain sabse nyaari
jaayen kismat pe apni hum balihaari
hum BA paas hum BA pass
hum BA pass hum B A pass
badi mehnat se badi mushkil se
humne kiya hai BA pass
badi mehnat se badi mushkil se
humne kiya hai BA pass
hum BA pass hum BA pass
hum hokar BA pass
gayin sasuraal to boli saas
hum hokar BA pass
gayin sasuraal to boli saas
hain
ye kaun hai mem saab
kya chaal dhaal kya rang dhang
kya latke matke karti
ye padhi likhi titli kya chakki chulah kabhi karegi
kya maanjegin ye joothe bartan
paani kabhi bharegi
jo anpadh ho to aisa swaagat karte hain patidev
jo anpadh ho to aisa swaagat karte hain patidev
oh u fool
stupid idiot illiterate
what a shame
what a fem
o my god ye kaisi wife paale padi humaare
ab to romance aur ye life
khatm ho gaye saare
o my god ye kaisi wife paale padi humaare
ab to romance aur ye life
khatm ho gaye saare
aji hum bharat ki naari hain sabse nyaari
jaayen kismat pe apni hum balihaari
hum nurse bane dekho ji
hum nurse bane dekho ji
hum sewa karne ko aayin
aayin
hum nurse bani dekho ji
to dekh dekh humko
khud doctor mareez ho jaate
khud doctor mareez ho jaate
aur nurse nurse chillate
dekho ji
dekho ji
nurse
nurse
blood pressure mera
tumhen dekhte hi badh jaata hai
chloroform ki nahin zaroorat
hosh ud jaata hai
thermometer bhi bukhaar ek sau chaar bataata hai
nazron ka teer injection saa
dil mein chubh jaataa hai
hum bade jatan se naach seekh kar aatin
hum bade jatan se naach seekh kar aatin
tat thai tat thai
tadi dhitta tadi dhitta
tatatta thai
tadi dhitta tadi dhitta
tatatta thai
tridi dhai tridi dhai
tatathai thai
tridg thai trigd thai
tata thai thai
tridg dhai trigd dhai
tatathai thai
sangeet kala se jeevan madhur banaatin
aa aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa aa
aa aa aa aa aa
chahoon oar shor ghanghor hamaare hota
chahoon oar shor ghanghor hamaare hota
mat gaao
mat naacho
mat gaao
mat naacho
aan gayi
shaan gayi
dharm gaya
karm gaya
mat gaao
mat naacho
mat gaao
aji hum bharat ki naari hain sabse nyaari
jaayen kismat pe apni hum balihaari