In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about Bollywood music.
December 2024 marks the birth centenary of two of Hindi cinema’s finest legends, Raj Kapoor (born 14th December 1924), and Mohd Rafi (born 24th December 1924).
We are so used to Mukesh being ‘Raj Kapoor’s voice’. Indeed, he has sung almost 90% of the songs picturised on the actor. Manna Dey also sang for Raj Kapoor. While Mukesh was Raj Kapoor’s preferred voice, what is interesting is that outside Raj Kapoor-produced films (only two songs Rafi has sung for Raj Kapoor in RK Films), Mohd Rafi has sung more than 25 songs for Raj Kapoor in the outside films not produced by RK Films banner.
Here is the list of the best Rafi’s songs, both solos and duets, that raj Kapoor lip-synced to on screen.
1 Yun To Apas Mein Bigadte Hain, Khafa Hote Hain- Andaz (1949) with Lata Mangeshkar (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (Lyricist-L), Naushad (Music Director-MD).
This was perhaps the first ever song to be lip-synced by Raj Kapoor. At this time Mukesh had not cemented his position as Raj’s voice, that would happen later that year with Barsaat. Actually in Andaz Naushad used Mukesh in four solos-all picturised on Dilip Kumar- and this one duet was picturised on Raj and Nargis. YouTube link of the song is given below.
https://youtu.be/mOBPYPqjOZ4?si=8pgm7zLhoKExGirA
2 Main Zindagi Mein Hardam Rota Hi Raha Hoon– Barssat (1949). Hasratj Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). This is one of the two songs in an RK Banner that was picturised on Raj Kapoor. This was also the first song Mohd. Rafi sang for Shankar Jaikishan.
https://youtu.be/Ipa9kqu9FJ8?si=S2SJI_RWUf0_4NRB
3 Tara Ri Aara Ri, Yeh Sawan Rut Aur Hum Tum- Dastan (1950)- With Suraiya (S), Shakeel Badayuni (K), Naushad (MD). This was a duet song picturised on Raj Kapoor and Suraiya (who also sang the song with Rafi).
https://youtu.be/5y8xheHDCY4?si=KUD70g2TZsuwDz8H
4 Baap Bhala Na Bhaiya, Sabse Bada Rupaiya– Sargam (1950), with Chitalkar and Lata Mangeshkar (S), PL Santoshi (L), C Ramchandra (MD). This song was picturised on Mumtaz Ali, Rehana, and Raj Kapoor.
https://youtu.be/Pyq5q5qiW9U?si=Ewp7XZdZjyAX9vtB
5 Hum Tum Yeh Bahar, Dekho Rang Laaya Pyar, Barsat ke Mahine Mein- Ambar (1952), with Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L). Ghulam Mohd. (MD). This was Raja-Rani film, where Raj got to play swashbuckling hero to Nargis’s tragic princess. This song was picturised on them.
https://youtu.be/ruqJAruR8aM?si=3te6whWT2mGF_sRY
6 Tera Kaam Hai Jalna Parwane, Chahe Shama Jale Ya Na Jale- Paapi (1953). Rajinder Krishan (L), S Mohinder (MD). This song was picturised on Raj Kapoor. Originally S Mohinder had composed some tunes for Film Anarkali, which he could not do. So he used one of those tunes for this song.
https://youtu.be/lr8K63Iq3w8?si=bsNvyyaSZ5PIWVKj
7 Tere Dil Ka Makaan , Hai Bada Alishan– Do Ustad (1959). With Asha Bhosle (S), Qamar Jalalabadi (L), OP Nayyar (MD). This is one of the rare film where OP Nayyar gave the music for the film starring Raj Kapoor. By this time Mukesh was established as Raj Kapoor’s voice, but OP Nayyar refused to use Mukesh’s voice saying that tunes which he has composed for this film, only Mohd Rafi can do justice for these tunes. He even threatened to leave the film, in the end Raj Kapoor agreed for Mohd. Rafi.
https://youtu.be/qduPNtCA0WY?si=eRgxgrwkfF3V6mJ_
8 Baazi Kisi Ne Pyar ki Jeeti Ya Haar Di– Nazrana(1961).Rajinder Krishan (L), Ravi (MD). I think this was the only film starring Raj Kapoor which had music by Ravi. The song is in two parts.
https://youtu.be/t3JtDGTyhQI?si=t6sfK2hOn-Ulgcqy
9 Tum Hi Tum Ho Mere Jeevan Mein, Phool Hi Phool Hain Jaise Chaman Mein- Ek Dil Sau Afsaane (1963), with Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). This song was pictirised on Raj kapoor and Waheeda Rehman.
There is interesting story about this song, all the other male solos song in this film were sung by Mukesh. However, it turns out that Mukesh was not available on the day of recording, so Shankar Jaikishan requested Mohd Rafi to sing this which was later to be redubbed by Mukesh. However, Raj Kapoor was so happy with the way Rafi had sung this song that he suggested they retain it in the film.
https://youtu.be/Ag2XtqWZ5jE?si=rwaLK5M3pwIyPwSf
10 Sadqe Heer Tujh Pe Hum Fakeer Sadqe- Mera Naam Joker (1970). Prem Dhawan (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). This song was picturised on Raj Kapoor and Padmini.
This is the second song Mohd Rafi sang for RK Banner, which Raj Kapoor lip synced. In fact in this film, Shankar Jaikishan would use three singers for Raj Kapoor-while Mukesh had the bulk of the songs-four solos and two duets. Manna Dey sang ‘Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo’, and Mohd Rafi this number. Mohd Rafi’s voice holds centre stage in this minimally orchestrated melody.
https://youtu.be/r804WmRRg9I?si=K5QmqnsfxYLwXcPp
Friends, please do let me know if you have any other favorite song of Raj Kapoor and Mohd Rafi combination.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
20th June 2025