The five Kishore Kumar songs that could never be shown in Chitrahar...!

This article is of course not about singing hymns of eulogy as to how great a singer Kishore Kumar was. It would just be redundant, if not unnecessary, on my part to hold the pen to highlight the extraordinary talent he possessed. So, this draft of reflection means to call up those five superhit songs of his that could never be shown on TV, especially in the musical collages like the high-rated Doordarshan programme in the 80s and 90s - Chitrahar. But why?

The reason is none other than a visual-related one. These five songs by Kishore Kumar don't have uninterrupted cinematographic visuals while the audio plays in the background. Besides visuals, these songs also include graphical effects and other such animations presenting the names of the cast and of the film crew concerned. Quite obviously, these would have looked odd while showing these songs in a programme like Chitrahar on TV. That is why these five chartbusters could be seen only when the movies were broadcast on TV. Although, these days, the music channels (OTTs/television) no longer hesitate to show any such songs.

So, technically, one can say these four Kishore Kumar songs were the casting music of their respective films. Let us now have a look at those five songs.

First is Jaani O Jaani of Raja Jani (1972) starring Dharmendra and Hema Malini (Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi). Audio version: Jaani O Jaani

Jaani O Jaani

Second is Jaaneman Jaaneman of Jaaneman (1976) featuring Dev Anand and Hema Malini (Music: Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Lyrics: Anand Bakshi). Audio version: Jaaneman Jaaneman

Jaaneman Jaaneman

Third is Khatta Meetha of Khatta Meetha (1978) casting Ashok Kumar, Rakesh Roshan and Bindiya Goswami (Music: Rajesh Roshan, Lyrics: Gulzar). Audio version: Khatta Meetha

Khatta Meetha

Fourth is Tumhe Chhod Ke Ab Jeene Ko of Baseraa (1981) featuring Shashi Kapur, Rekha, Raakhi, Raaj Kiran and Poonam Dhillon (Music: R. D. Burman, Lyrics: Gulzar). Audio version: Tumhe Chhod Ke Ab Jeene Ko

Tumhe Chhod Ke Ab Jeene Ko

Last but not the least is Pyar Jab Na Diya Zindagi Ne Kabhi of Sitamgar (1985) starring Dharmendra, Rishi Kapur, Parvin Bobby and Poonam Dhillon (Music: R. D. Burman, Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri). Audio version: Pyar Jab Na Diya Zindagi Ne Kabhi

Pyar Jab Na Diya Zindagi Ne Kabhi

Hope you will enjoy the collection. If you have something to add to the list, do write in the comment section. I will remain thankful to you for your contributions.

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