Aandhi ( Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya Hai ) : by Niilesh A Raje

Some interesting anecdotes about the film “Aandhi” and it’s songs I would like to share today with the voice of my readers

(a) The Plot - J.K. (Sanjeev Kumar) is a hotel Manager in a scenic location in India. One day he gallantly comes to the rescue of a drunk daughter, Aarti (Suchitra Sen) of a politician, and chooses to be discrete about it. When she recovers both fall in love and get married in a small marriage ceremony, have a daughter, and thereafter differences arise to such an extent that they decide to separate. Years pass J.K. and Aarti meet again when she is an established politician, both are still attracted to each other.

(b) Gulzar Saab then was involved working in two projects namely “Aandhi” and other being “Mausam”. Aandhi was first shot in Kashmir in 1974. It was producer J. Om Prakash who suggested to Gulzar Saab that “Aandhi Ke Baad Mausam Achha Hota Hai” (After the storm (Aandhi) the weather (Mausam) gets better). Gulzar Saab agreed and Aandhi was the project taken up first then came Mausam.

(c) The role of Hotel Manager J.K. in this film has been played by actor Sanjeev Kumar. Well, Gulzar Saab used to sit alone in Hotel Akbar in Delhi writing Aandhi’s script right from frame one to the end. There was an hotel employee by the name J.K. who served Gulzar Saab well day and night during his stay in the hotel. Gulzar Saab promised to name the hero of his film Sanjeev Kumar after this gentleman named J.K.

(d) The exalted success of the film musical hit “Aandhi” is pretty much evident with the number of views as seen on YouTube. The lyrics were penned down by none other than Gulzar Saab and music from the legendary music composer R D Burman.

(e) Tum Aa Gaye Ho, Noor Aa Gaya Hai . . . Nahin To Chiragon Se Lau Jaa Rahi Thee (Light has arrived with your arrival. The flames from the lamps were dying down) . The first line of this romantic duet was shot in a small garden behind the Oberoi Hotel from where the Dal Lake can be seen distinctly. The rest of the song was shot in Shalimar Baugh. Other musical numbers from this film includes, “Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi” and “Iss Mod Se Jate Hain”. While Gulzar Saab won his Filmfare Award as the Best Film (Critics) it was actor Sanjeev Kumar who won his Filmfare for being the “Best Actor” for the film Aandhi.    

Gulzar Saab remains to be the “Wizard of Words”.