Musical Failures

1. Teesri Kasam 1966

The legendary poet, Shailendra, produced Teesri Kasam. It was based on Phanishwar Nath Renu's story, Mare Gaye Gulfam, the film is a subtle evocation of the platonic love between Hiraman, a bullock cart driver, played by Raj Kapoor, and a rural stage actress Hirabai, played by Waheeda Rehman. The songs, music and the visual appeal of the films bring alive the magic of rural existence.

The songs 'Duniya Banane Wale', 'Paan Khayen Saiyan Hamaro', 'Chalat Musafir Moh Liya Re', 'Sajanwa Bairi Ho Gaye Hamaar', 'Sajan Re Jhhoth Mat Bolo' were beautifully composed by Shankar Jaikishan. Despite of its indisputable aesthetic value, the film failed commercially. Shailendra was devastated by its failure and it lead to his demise.

2. Mera Naam Jokar 1970

It was directed and produced by Raj Kapoor, and written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. The film focuses on a clown who must make his audience laugh at the cost of his own sorrows. Three women who shaped his life view his final performance. Initially derided for its extremely long running-time, the film later on became a cult classic and is regarded as one of Raj Kapoor's best films.

This film was highly anticipated as it was under production for six years and heavily publicized, loosely based on Kapoor's own life. The film's music, still very popular, was composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The film, when released, was rejected by audiences, putting Kapoor into a financial crisis.

Songs 'Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo', 'Jane Kahan Gaye Wo Din', 'Kehta Hai Joker Sara Zamana', 'Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan' were extremely popular.

3. The Great Gambler 1979

The Great Gambler released in 1979, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Neetu Singh and Prem Chopra. It was directed by Shakti Samanta.

This film is a thriller, and its story is based on international gangsters, spies and secret agents of different countries' intelligence agencies and their undercover operations. This film had high production costs with a significant portions of it being shot in international locations including Cairo, Lisbon, Venice and Rome, and in India many scenes were shot in Goa. The Great Gambler has been widely appreciated for its action, direction and cinematography.

The songs 'Do Labzon Ki Hai', ' O Diwano Dil Sambhalo', 'Tum Kitne Din Baad Mile', 'Pehle Pehle Pyar Ki Mulaqaaten Yaad Hain' were quiet popular. The background music was the highlight of the film. The Film definitely needs a second try!

4. Kudrat 1981

Kudrat, written and directed by Chetan Anand, released in 1981. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Hema Malini in the main lead roles, supported by Raj Kumar, Priya Rajvansh and Vinod Khanna. The film is based on a reincarnation theme. The leading pair, Rajesh Khanna and Hema, also starred in Mehbooba, which was based on the same theme.

The film did fairly well at the box office but was not a hit. The music was composed by R D Burman and penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri & Qateel Shifai. Songs 'Hamein Tumse Pyar Kitna', 'Chhodo Sanam', 'Tune O Rangeele', 'Sajti Hai Yun Hi Mehfil', 'Dukh Sukh Ki Har Ek Mala' were beautifully composed. Parveen Sultana received the Best Female playback award from Filmfare.

The film and the soundtrack is very underrated and needs a revisit.

5. Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai 1981

Nasir Hussain, R D Burman, Beautiful Sets, Melodious Songs and scenic locations were considered as the hit combination. The Film had everything, but it failed at the box office. The film was Padmini Kolhapure's first film in the lead role. It also atrred Rishi Kapoor, Amjad Khan, Yogeeta Bali, Kader Khan, Asrani, Tariq Khan, and Simple Kapadia.

Film's music was well appreciated by the film goers, but the movie itself did not have the success associated with a Nasir Hussain production, with his last three films being major hits, i.e. Hum Kisise Kum Naheen, Yaadon Ki Baaraat and Caravan.

Rishi Kapoor was so upset with the failure that he refused to be part of the Nasir Hissain's next Manzil Manzil, in 1984. He took the failure upon him. Sunny Deol starred in Manzil Manzil.

The Songs 'Dil Lena Khel Hai Dildar Ka', "Hoga Tumse Pyara Kaun', 'Pari Ho Aasmani Tum', 'Poocho Na Yaar Kya Hua', 'Bolo Bolo Kuch Toh Bolo' are still considered as the best works of R D Burman. The soundtrack has been described as having a very futuristic electro feel and approaching a techno wavelength. The song 'Dil Lena Khel Hai' has been cited as a possible influence on the 1982 proto-acid house album Synthesizing: Ten Ragas to a Disco Beat by Charanjit Singh.

6. Yeh Vaada Raha 1982

Yeh Vaada Raha released in 1982, starring Rishi Kapoor, Poonam Dhillon, Tina Munim, Rakhee Gulzar and Shammi Kapoor. It is based on Danielle Steel's novel and made into the American film The Promise.

The film was directed by Kapil Kapoor and produced by Ramesh Behl. The strong plot line and good perfomances by the leading artists were unable to save the film, as the audiences rejected the film. The music of the film was the saviour. The songs were beautifully picturized and sung by legendary Kishore Kumar and Asha Bhosle. R D Burman's tunes were the saving grace.

The Songs 'Yeh Vaada Raha', 'Ishq Mera Bandagi Hai', 'Maine Tujhe Kabhi Kuch Kaha Tha', 'Jeene Ko To Jeete Hain Sabhi', 'Mil Gayi Aaj Do Lehren Kuch Is Tarah', 'Aisa Kabhi Hua Nahin' are still hummable.

7. Alag Alag 1985

Alag Alag released in 1985, starring Rajesh Khanna, Tina Munim and Shashi Kapoor in the lead roles, produced by Rajesh Khanna and directed by one of his favourite directors Shakti Samanta. The film was inspired by Pakistani film Meharbani.

The film was a desperate effort of fading star Rajesh Khanna to fght for his stardom. The film had everything, a strong story line, good music and powerful perfprmances, but, the film was a commercial failure.

The songs 'Kuch Humko Tumse Kehna Hai', 'Kabhi Bekasi Ne Mara', 'Kagaz Kalam Dawaat', 'Dil Mein Aag Lagaye', 'Is Jeevan Ki Yehi Hai Kahani' were very popular.

8. Sagar 1985

Saagar released 1985 was a ambitious project of the director Ramesh Sippy. The film stars Rishi Kapoor, Kamal Haasan and Dimple Kapadia. The film featured lyrics, story and screenplay by Javed Akhtar and music by R. D. Burman. Saagar was a comeback film for Kapadia. Saagar was India's official entry for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985.

Sagar was a musical film, with an amazing soundtrack done by R D Burman. It is said that R D Burman was emotionally involved with the film and worked very hard for the music. He was dejected by the failure of the film. Although, the films' music was later welcomed by the audiences.

The songs 'O Maria', 'Saagar Kinare', 'Sach Mere Yaar Hai', 'Chehra Hai Ya Chand Khila Hai', 'Jaane Do Naa', 'Sheeshe KE Gharon Mein' were very popular.

The title theme termed as ' Jalpari theme' was initially not released on the discs but later it was released. Sagar is considered as one of the best works of R D Burman.

9. Faasle 1985

This Yash Chopra film was released in 1985. It was the debut film of Farah Naaz and Rohan Kappor, son of singer Mahendra kapoor. The film was exclusively shot in Switzerland, one of the first films of Yash Raj banner to be shot in Switzerland. The film was a commercial failure and audiences rejected the newcomers. Poor storyline and poor editing were the major reason for the failure.

The film also saw the successful pair of, Faarookh Sheikh and Deepti Naval, for the last time on the screen, together.

Music of the film was composed by the classical music stalwarts Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, popularly known as Shiv-Hari. The songs were written by Umrao Jaan fame 'Shahryar'.

The songs 'Chandni Tu Hai Kahaan', 'Faasle Hain Bahut', 'Hum Chup Hain', 'In Aankhon Ke Zeenon Se', 'Janam Janam Mere Sanam' were beautifully composed and sung by Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle.

10. Lamhe 1991

Lamhe is a 1991 romantic film directed by Yash Chopra and written by Honey Irani, with Rahi Masoom Raza. The film stars Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in the lead roles, along with Waheeda Rehman, Anupam Kher and Manohar Singh, featured in supporting roles. In the film, Viren falls in love with Pallavi, but she marries Siddharth. The married couple die in a tragic car accident, leaving behind their one and only daughter – who grows up to resemble her mother, she meets Viren and falls in love with him.

Music was composed by Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma and Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, popular as Shiv-Hari and the lyrics were provided by Anand Bakshi. The song "Kabhi Main Kahoon" was made from a melody used as background music in Yash Chopra's previous movie Chandni, also scored by Shiv-Hari.

The film was rejected by the audiences upon its release, but, later it was well accepted by the masses and it is now considered as one of the best works of Yash Chopra.

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10 Films That Were Ahead of Their Times

10 Films That Failed Even with the Good Music