Gulshan Bawra reminiscences with Kamal Sharma

Bollywood rare - II

Excerpts from Gulshan Bawra's talk with Kamal Sharma from Vividh Bharati archives. Aired on 11/07/2015, 10.30 PM. Bawra sahab was a lyricist of yesteryear and also acted in a few films in minor roles.

He recalls his days in pre-partition India, while also playing some rather rare vintage songs in this talk

And this is one of his penned song, where he makes an appearance too :

Chandi ki deewar na todi ( Vishwas - 1969 ). Mukesh, Gulshan Bawra, Kalyanji Anandji

Bombay cinema : old and rare - I

Amusing, rare conversation on Caste in Bollywood

A very rare instance of a conversation around caste stereotypes in Bombay cinema, even though it is done for comedic effect and is from six decades ago! The clip is from the film 'Dil ki Rani', circa 1947, starring a very young Raj Kapoor and an almost juvenile Madhubala. 

Tried watching the film, to find the context of the scene, but had to abandon the plan as it was sheer torture. The film is unbearably bad.

For a cinema tradition of more than a 100 years, it is quite stunning how totally disconnected and aloof the industry remained from caste and related issues. This was one of the rare occasions, when comedy opened up the lid, even though for a fleeting moment.