Saawan Kumar breathed his last yesterday (25th August). Quite obviously, many memories about the man and the filmmaker still crowd the mind. And so, here are some interesting anecdotes involving the prolific producer-director-writer-lyricist.
The first incident was narrated to Information by Rumy Jafry who was close to Saawan Kumar, and who has a fantastic memory for interesting anecdotes.
Amitabh Bachchan was almost launched by Saawan Kumar Tak: Saawan Kumar Tak had made his first film, Naunihal, which bombed. Shaken by its failure, Saawan Kumar went to the extent of even requesting the then President of India, Zakir Hussain, to ensure that the government helped him financially for his next film! Upon this, the President reportedly told him that if he wanted institutional assistance, he would have to make a film which the NFDC could finance. That’s when the filmmaker decided to make a film on Mirza Ghalib. Teji Bachchan, mother of Amitabh Bachchan, who had introduced Saawan Kumar to the President, casually informed the filmmaker that her son was trying for a break in films. Without having ever met him or even seen him, the brave Saawan Kumar decided to make Mirza Ghalib with Amitabh Bachchan in the title role. But since Bachchan had not become The Amitabh Bachchan he became later but was waiting for a break in films, Saawan Kumar wondered if he had taken the wrong decision when he met Amitabh for the first time at the Bombay airport where he had gone with Teji Bachchan to receive Amitabh. This was because Amitabh Bachchan was lanky. However, the filmmaker was pretty impressed with Bachchan’s baritone and diction, glimpses of which he got while driving with the Bachchans from the airport to their residence. So he went ahead with his plans despite friends in the trade dissuading him from signing a rank newcomer to play Mirza Ghalib and advising him to instead sign a known hero. Saawan Kumar was armed with the confidence that after sporting a beard and the correct get-up, Amitabh would perfectly suit the character. Ultimately, however, the film had to be shelved even before it was launched because the finance from NFDC was not forthcoming. Had Mirza Ghalib been made by Saawan Kumar, it would’ve been Bachchan’s launch vehicle.
Saawan Kumar, Meena Kumari, Mumtaz And The Carter Road Bungalow: Anyway, Saawan Kumar then made Gomti Ke Kinare with Meena Kumari and Mumtaz. The latter was not keen to act in the film but agreed because Meena Kumari asked her to work in it. Just before its release, Saawan Kumar owed Mumtaz Rs. 25,000 towards the last instalment of her remuneration. As the filmmaker had spent all he had in completing the film, he pleaded inability to pay. So, Mumtaz refused to complete her dubbing. It was only because of Meena Kumari’s intervention that Mumtaz completed her dubbing, expecting that she would be paid her balance amount by Saawan Kumar after the film’s release. As bad luck would have it, that film also bombed at the box-office. Some weeks later, Mumtaz reminded Meena Kumari that she had completed her work in the film because of her (Meena Kumari) but that she had not been paid her dues. Realising that the filmmaker was broke, the conscientious Meena Kumari volunteered to herself pay Mumtaz the balance Rs. 25,000. In the alternative, she told Mumtaz that she had a vacant bungalow on Carter Road at Bandra (Bombay), which she could take in lieu of the Rs. 25,000, if she so desired. So the choice before Mumtaz was between Rs. 25,000 in cash and the bungalow. Mumtaz opted for the bungalow which, incidentally, is even today occupied by her (Mumtaz’s) sister who is married to Randhawa.
How Saawan Kumar Became A Song Writer: Cut to the time when Saawan Kumar was making Hawas. He approached Majrooh Sultanpuri for the film’s lyrics. The price of the maverick lyricist was an issue. The filmmaker went to the lyricist’s house to request him to make a concession for him. But Majrooh refused to budge. So dejected was the filmmaker on being told that there would be no concession in the charges that he swore to himself that he would never work with Majrooh in future. And that’s when Saawan Kumar reportedly hit upon what would turn out to be the lyrics for his first song which, incidentally, went on to become a super-hit! While leaving Majrooh Sultanpuri’s house, a very unhappy Saawan Kumar thought of the following very apt lines which were to later become the opening lines of the super-hit song of Hawas, which marked his debut as a lyricist: Teri galiyon mein na rakhenge kadam aaj ke baad…
Salman Khan’s Love And Respect For Saawan Kumar: This incident was also narrated to us by Rumy Jafry. Salman Khan was very close to the late filmmaker. One is not saying this just because the star tweeted thus on Saawan Kumar’s demise: “May u rest in peace my dear Sawaan ji. Have always loved n respected u.” The following incident would amply prove how much the grateful Salman Khan loved and respected the filmmaker who had given him a blockbuster in Sanam Bewafa.
Saawan Kumar was going through bad times when he was making Saawan… The Love Season. Since the project was not too saleable, the filmmaker requested Salman Khan (a saleable name) to make a special appearance in the film. Khan readily agreed. Not just that, Salman actually offered to instead act in the lead role in the filmmaker’s next film. However, since that would entail waiting for the star’s dates for a year or two, Saawan Kumar was content with the star’s special appearance in Saawan… The Love Season. Many who were around when the film released, would remember Salman Khan’s handsome face, complete with long hair, adorning the posters and banners of the film. This was one gesture for which Saawan Kumar Tak could never thank Salman enough!