Bollywood in the 1980s is a mixed bag. On the one hand, you have the 1970s glitter hangover epitomized by films like Disco Dancer (1982) and on the other you have serious arthouse films like Salaam Bombay! (1988). In between, are the song picturizations best categorized as Rekha -- Sexy. Still, there are gems hidden among the dancing girls and gangsters - the 1980s contain both Karz and Maine Pyar Kiya. I'm not including all of my favorite songs, like the entire soundtrack to Ram Teri Ganga Maili, because so many of the picturizations are very, very typical. I'm also skipping a lot of the "so bad they're good" picturizations.


#10 "Man Kyoon Bahaka Re Bahaka" (Utsav - 1984)

Why? Not only is this a rare duet between Asha and Lata, it's also a beautiful picturization that showcases two women singing for themselves and not a male audience.

( Man Kyoon Bahaka Re Bahaka )

#9 "Ek Do Teen" (Tezaab - 1988)

Why? Madhuri Dixit. Tezaab is a forgettable film, but the picturization lives on. She would continue to do item numbers through the 1990s, but none would be so innocent as "Ek Do Teen." In a decade of Rekha -- Sexy., the sweet Madhuri was a nice change of pace.

( Ek Do Teen )

#8 "Jawani Jaan-e-mann" (Namak Halaal - 1982)

Why? Parveen Babi is dancing...with herself! With multiple copies of herself! This is the last, long tail of 1970s glitter - kind of like that last drink you have at a party when you know it's not a great idea but you go ahead and drink it anyways and then end up dancing on the table. (Not that I'm speaking from personal experience...)

( Jawani Jaan-e-maan )

#7 "Yeh Pyaar Tha Ya Kuch Aur Tha" (Prem Rog - 1982)

Why? A rare bit of erotic restraint coming from late period Raj Kapoor that also manages to be lush. It's worth mentioning Prem Rog as the last film Raj Kapoor produced himself. It's a beautiful track and the dancing is lovely, as well. I love the bit where she sticks her ankle out and jingles her anklets. Too often, classic-style dancing is filmed in a dull manner, as if because there are no midriffs involved the audience is just going to use the song as an excuse for a bathroom break (and maybe that is the case - I don't know...).

( Yeh Pyaar Tha Ya Kuch Aur Tha )


#6 "Om Shanti Om" (Karz - 1980)

Why? The first time I saw this picturization I could not believe what I was seeing, that's why. I noticed a general trend of rotating things in the early 1980s (including this hilarious dream sequence with Rajesh Khanna that I can't remember off the top of my head), but for my money nothing beats Rishi Kapoor dancing on a giant turn-table.

( Om Shanti Om )

( Top 5 Under here! )

Now that the 1980s are done with, we get on to the fun stuff in the 1970s!!

So, it's a rainy Friday night. I don't feel well. What could make me happier than digging up pictures of Bollywood's actor/models? Answer: Kuch nahi.

( I prefer model/actor.... )

*phew* I feel a little better now. Although I still want my Powerful Opponents subs....

Wake up! Here's Alka Yagnik singing "Saajan Saajan" from 2003 film Dil Ka Rishta. Arjun's hair is so awful in this!

This song was the (only) highlight of Dil Hai Tumhaara: Preity's last-act lament as a living-puppet show orchestrated by Jimmy Shergil. Preity is supposed to be in love with Arjun, but Preity and Arjun have no chemistry. However, Rekha and Preity as estranged mother and daughter who realize that they do love each other after all and Jimmy Shergill's unrequited love for Preity are excellent.

Sadly, the movie built itself on the chemistry-less Preity/Arjun pairing instead.

Ah, well, when I run the world, things will be different.