Hum Dono could have been much better than it actually was. I'm a big fan of Goldie's screenplays in general and I love double roles - "How could this possibly be bad?" I thought.



Two Dev Anands, but only one moustache and pompadour between them.

( More Dev Anand and Dev Anand shenanigans inside here! )

Kishore Kumar is my favorite playback singer of all time. I love his deep baritone, his distinctive yodeling, and the way he trills his r's. He was also a talented comedic actor, even if he loathed acting. Being one of the few singer/actors in Bollywood, it's always fun to watch Kishore picturized on himself.

Mere Bhole Bhalam from Padosan is my favorite of all his songs picturized on himself. I love his bizarre drama troop leader character anyway, but the way he moves so deliberately in this track is especially fun to watch.

Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si from Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi is another classic. The song takes place right as Madhubala has brought her car to Kishore's garage. It's the middle of the night and pouring rain. She's kind of nervous and Kishore is taking full advantage of the situation by playing with her! (And playing various automotive tools as instruments.)

Aake Seedhi Lagi from Half Ticket features Kishore and Pran dancing to a duet sung by Kishore and Kishore! Hilarious! The story according to the peanut gallery in the youtube comments is that Asha Bhosle was out of town so Kishore just decided to record both parts himself.

Of course, I love Kishore picturized on other people, too. He works well with Amitabh Bachchan, of course. I always though M. Rafi was a better fit for Rishi Kapoor, though.

Here's Kishore picturized on Dev Anand in Jewel Thief in one of my favorite Kishore tracks - Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechara. I love the yodeling!

And here is Kishore picturized on that old cradle-robber Rajesh Khanna in another excellent yodeling/travel song Mere Sapnon Ki Rani from Aradhana

This song is just so much fun! Hema and Dev Anand romping around some ruins while being chased by the police in Johny Mera Naam.

Maybe I'll pretend that I'm wearing a snazzy black sari with electric blue trim and running around with a briefcase full of diamonds instead of going to work in the pouring rain. "Ooooo Mera Raaaaajaaaaa......"

Inspired by the brief clip of the film in Johnny Gaddaar, I dug out my copy of Johny Mera Naam. There are so many things to love about this film, but for me the best parts are Pran and the ladies. Pran doesn't get a lady, of course, as he never does. In fact, while reading his biography, it mentions that doing romantic scenes made him uncomfortable!(!) Fortunately, Dev Anand has no problem with those. No problems at all....even at 46 or so, which is how old he was here.

Johny Mera Naam is the story of two brothers separated at a young age when their father is murdered in front of them by an evil thug. Mohan, the elder, runs after him to avenge his father while Sohan, the younger stays behind with their dying father. 15 years later *cough* we run into them again - Mohan is now "Moti" and played by Pran, middle management in the gang that killed his father and Sohan is "Johny" and played by Dev Anand, a police inspector with a penchant for disguises and ascots. ( Spoilers for the movie, but you know what's going to happen anyways, don't you... )

Before he was "evergreen" and urbane, Dev Anand was just kind of gawky! Aw! This is a beautiful song sung by Mohammed Rafi. The way he hits those khoya khoya chands gives me shivers.

The picturization is kind of silly. Is one allowed to sing about the moon in the middle of the afternoon? Also, Dev-ji appears to be drunk on love or some other substance as he wanders about Sound of Music-style through the hills.

I haven't seen the movie this is from, Kala Bazaar, but it sounds really good. Dev Anand plays a black market ticket seller forced to go legit due to his love for uptight Waheeda Rehmand! Just like Rangeela!