Arvind Das
Every movie song that has been popular in a hundred years has a different story. These songs have preserved the memories of generations. Rani’s question – ‘What Jhumka’ – is actually a new generation one. Apart from giving voice to the socio-cultural conditions of an era, these old songs are also telling the love story of the modern generation.
‘Rocky and Rani’s love story’ in discussion
The recently released movie ‘Rocky and Rani’s love story’ is in discussion. Made in an entertaining style, the film is also doing well at the box office. After Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Pathan’, Karan Johar’s film has attracted audiences to the theatres. The film is interpreted on many levels. Critics are also looking at the film from many angles. For the first time in his twenty-five-year film career, Johar’s film is said to have a political tone. Changes in the relationship between men and women are also captured in this film. Along with this, questions have also been raised on looking at the art of dance through the prism of ‘gender’.
Know the story behind the song ‘Kay Jhumka’
Hindi cinema continues to express the feelings and aspirations of a large section of society through popular culture. While the story element has always dominated in Bollywood, music and songs play no less role. With exception, critics rarely talk about the lyricist-composer. But as famous film director Shyam Benegal wrote – ‘Indian ‘talkie’ films started singing before they could talk. The film Inder Sabha (1932) had 70 songs. However, old songs and music from Hindi films are beautifully woven into the story of this film. In the song ‘Rae Bareli Ke Beach Bazari Jab Hasan Dikhna Jayagi’, which is shot on Rocky (Ranveer Singh) and Rani (Alia Bhatt) at the beginning of the film, Rani seductively asks Rocky – ‘What Jhumka’? Amitabh Bhattacharya may have written the song, but in a way the song is a tribute to the evergreen song ‘Jhumka Gira Re Bareilly Ke Bazar Mein’ from the movie ‘Mera Saya (1966)’. Composer Pritam has recorded the tunes of Madan Mohan.
Influence of an old song
Also, the story of the older generation characters in the film – ‘Hum Botho (1961)’ – is told through the song ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhodkar Ki Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin’ written by Sahir Ludhianvi. Also, the song ‘Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna’ from the film ‘Guide (1965)’ and the very popular song ‘Aap Jaisa Koi Meri Zindagi Mein Aye Toh Baat Ban Jaye’ from ‘Qurbani (1980)’ are also very popular. has been used. The voice of this ‘disco’ sung by Nazia Hasan is heard even today. Pakistan’s Nazia was just fifteen years old when she was awarded the Filmfare Award for this song. It’s not that ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’ doesn’t have original songs, but the influence of old songs gives the film a different flavor. Every movie song that has been popular in a hundred years has a different story. These songs have preserved the memories of generations. Rani’s question – ‘What Jhumka’ – is actually a new generation one. Apart from giving voice to the socio-cultural conditions of an era, these old songs are also telling the love story of the modern generation.
(writer-journalist)