Kaha Hai Tu Mere Sapnonke Raaja

Kaha Hai Tu Mere sapnaonke Raaja- Lata Mangeshkar-Film Afsana 1951-Lyricist Asasd Bhopali-Music Husnalal Bhagatram.

Afsana, released in 1951, was essentially a romantic film depicting childhood love, the invitable separation thereafter with lot of twists in the events with suspense interspersed in the plot.

In short the story goes like this..... 

The twin brothers kids,Ratan and Chaman have common friend Meera    ( Tabassum).Although both adore her, Meera has a decided preference for Ratan. Unfortunately for them, during a fair, the inevitable happens – a sudden storm strikes the fair and in the resulting mayhem, Ratan is lost, presumed dead.

Meera grows up (Veena, now) mourning for Ratan.Chaman (Ashok Kumar) tries his best to woe her affections but fails. So, Chaman consoles himself in the company of dancer Raseeli (Cuckoo)and Chatpat (Jeevan).Raseeli loves Chaman,but realises that his heart is with Meera. To tease him, she meets rival theatre owner Sampatlal. Angry Chaman hits weak hearted Sampat. Thinking that he killed Sampat, Chaman flees to Masoorie with police on his heels. 

Far away in other location, here comes another Ashok Kumar (Ashok Kumar II)! He is a judge in Gorakhpur, raised in an orphanage and suffering from amnesia (loss of memory). (Remember lost twins ?). So we have here lost twins, separated lovers and to top it all amnesia....but hold there are more twists in offing....

This second Ashok Kumar ( An honest Judge), is married to Leela (Kuldip Kaur),who is hungry for money and flirts with Judge's friend, a rich businessman Mohan (Pran).The affair that has been going on for a while. Now comes another twist...

During his official tour to Masoorie, Judge Ashok Kumar checks into a hotel, where by filmi coincidence, fugitive Chaman also stays. Sensing the chance of swithover and making his life respectable, Chaman drugs the Judge, removes his beard, exchanges his clothes and leaves Judge to die as Chaman.

Just when we are relaxing and trying to understand the plot, here comes another vicious twist (gosh, my head is spinning).Chaman meets an accident and Judje is presumed to be dead.

Back in Masoorie, Chaman undergoes drug recovery and nursed back to health under police protection.Everybody including Police ,thinks he is Chaman, the murderer of Sampat. The judge"s denials are overulled as drung overdose induced amnesia.

To prove his identity the judge in Masoorie, gives surprise visit to his wife, and discovers her clandestine affair with Mohan. Devastated Ashok wanders arround and is found by Chatpat. Unable to convice Chatpat that he is not Chaman, the judge Ashok resigns to his destiny and accepts Chaman's identity, since Judge is already dead.

So at this stage, what we have got is supposedly dead Judge in Chaman's identity. Fugitive Chaman in Judge's identity. Add to this Meera's love to Ratan, who we know is the judge under amnesia. Tired with your head reeling ? No, it's not your fault. My head also is spinning like a top. It is best to see on screen what more twists coming.

In the meanwhile, we are treated with wonderful melodious songs by Husnalal Bhagatram sprinked in the story, which gives refreshing state to tired brain.

This song "kaha hai tu Mere Sapnonke Raja" comes in the film, when childhood Meera (Tabassum), grows as young Meera (Veena). The song heralds the transition at the start. The grief striken Meera reminisces the childhood memories and urges her beloved to return.

She says that her entire childhood is vainly spent in his fond memories, and now when in the dreamland of youth, the twinkling stars in the skies and the flowering blossom is calling for his presence.. please come back to grace her love.

The sorrow, the anguish and pangs of separation had kept her awake throughout the merciless night and hopes his arrival whould spread light of joy in her life tormented with pains.

Beautiful lyrics, the heavely tune of Husnalal Bhagatram, the rendering of song by Lata (Listen how tenderly the song opens with an aalap), makes this song memorable. On screen, the darkness of the room where Veena sings the song, the sadly twirling curtains and Veena's eyes full with immense sorrow make this song watchable as well. One of the great song in the arsenal of HB duo.

Lyrics of the Song:

तेरे ख़याल में बचपन की ज़िन्दगी गुज़री
जवानी आई तो तुझको पुकारती आई

कहाँ है तू मेरे सपनों के राजा -2
जवानी आ गई है अब तो आ जा
अब तो आ जा

क़सम है दिल के अरमानों की तुझको -2
क़सम बचपन के अफ़सानों की तुझको
वो ही रंगीन अफ़साने सुना जा
जवानी आ गई है अब तो आ जा
अब तो आ जा

तुझे आवाज़ देते हैं सितारे
बहारें कर रही हैं कुछ इशारे
कुछ इशारे
इशारों का मुझे मतलब बता जा
जवानी आ गई है अब तो आ जा
अब तो आ जा

ज़ुबाँ पे दिल की बातें आ गई हैं -2
बड़ी बेदर्द रातें आ गई हैं
मेरी रातों को आ कर जगमगा जा
जवानी आ गई है अब तो आ जा
अब तो आ जा

Another beautiful song by Lata, which was filmed on Veena has happy and peppy note

Wo Aaye Baharein Aayee.....Lyricist Asad Bhopali- Music Husnalal Bhagatram

 
              

And this is another one in melancholic mood of Veena mourning for her lost beloved one......Wo pas Bhi Rahakar Pas Nahi- Lyricist Asad Bhopali- Husnalal Bhagatram

             

Afsana 1951
Starcast: Ashok Kumar, veena,Kuldip Kaur, Pran, Jeevan.
Written by I.S.Johar
Cinematography : Rajendra Malone
Lyricist : Nakshab Layalpuri, Gafil Harnalji
Music: Husnalal Bhagatram
Produced by Shadilal Handa, B.R.Chopra
Directed by B.R.Chopra