Le gaye pehlu se dil choree choree
Posted on: March 16, 2025
This article is written by Arunkumar Deshmukh, a fellow enthusiast of Hindi movie music and a contributor to this blog. This article is meant to be posted in atulsongaday.me. If this article appears in other sites without the knowledge and consent of the web administrator of atulsongaday.me, then it is piracy of the copyright content of atulsongaday.me and is a punishable offence under the existing laws.
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Today’s song is from a Hit film Pehli Nazar-1945.
The film was produced and directed by Mazhar Khan, for his own banner Mazhar Art Productions, Bombay. Anil Biswas gave excellent music to the songs written by Dr. Safdar ‘Aah’ Sitapuri. The cast of this Muslim social film was Motilal, Veena, Munawwar Sultana, Baburao Pendharkar, Bhudo Advani, Nemo, Bibbo, Balakram, Cuckoo and others.
The film was famous for the First Hit Playback song of Mukesh, ‘Dil jalta hai to’. No doubt the song was excellent but the story behind the song’s rendition was more famous and juicy ! The story has been written about on almost every well known cine-platform, including this Blog, that I will not repeat it here !!
The film was also the First one in Bombay for one of the Heroines of the film- Munawwar Sultana, who was selected and brought from Lahore by the Producer Mazhar Khan. We have often heard and read that in olden days, young film aspirants from far off cities and smaller towns, ran away from homes to the Maya Nagari-Bombay, to try their luck. Few of them succeeded. But mind you, not ALL stars came running away to Bombay. Many of them were brought honourably too, particularly from other film centres like Calcutta and Lahore. For example, Shamshad Begum was brought to Bombay, honourably from Lahore. Saigal was brought from Calcutta to Bombay, with an attractive offer.
That, precisely, was the fame of Bombay, that careers are made in Bombay and opportunities are found in abundance for those who have Talent and Luck ! Munawar Sultana, was one such star, who was brought from Lahore with an offer of Rs. 4000 pm and rented, furnished accommodation by Mazhar Khan.
Munawar Sultana was born on 8 November 1924, in Lahore, into a strict Punjabi Muslim family. According to an interview with son Sarfaraz and daughter Shaheen, conducted by Shishir Krishna Sharma, Munawwar’s father was a radio announcer. Munawwar wanted to become a doctor, but was side-tracked by an offer in films. This was a small role in the film, Dalsukh Pancholi’s Khazanchi (1941), where she played a barmaid, and had a song, “Peene Ke Din Aaye” picturised on her. It was sung by Umrao Zia Begum.She went by the screen name Asha for this period.
In 1945, she was visited in Lahore by producer-actor-director Mazhar Khan, who contracted her on a monthly fee of Rs. 4000 plus an apartment, and brought her to Bombay. Munawwar’s first film with Mazhar was Pehli Nazar, where she was cast opposite actor Motilal. In the popular song “Dil Jalta Hai Toh Jalne Do” (Let the Aflame HeartBurn) playbacked by singer Mukesh for Motilal, Khan focused on Munawwar’s close-ups during the picturisation.
Following Pehli Nazar, she was kept busy through 1947 to 1949 working in several films. Baburao Patel wrote in the cine-mag Filmindia 1949, about her being one of the most overworked actresses along with Suraiya and Nargis.
In 1947, Munawar acted in four films Dard, Elaan, Andhon Ki Duniya and Naiyya. Dard was directed by Kardar under Kardar Productions. In spite of no big stars being in the film, it turned out to be a surprise “musical hit” at the box office. The hero of the film was Kardar’s brother Nusrat (Kardar). The song “Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon” became a big success. Elaan garnered positive reviews for Munawwar. A Muslim social, the film was praised for its “progressive attitude” towards the need of education.
When Mehboob Khan heard the story initially,he spent a few days thinking about it.He anticipated the adverse reactions of the Fundamentalists on this film. His team for this film included many Muslims, almost in every department. Major contributors like Naushad, Zia Sarhadi, Amirbai Karnataki and most important , Munawar Sultana,the Heroine,were all Muslims.Others at least were connected indirectly,but Munawar was the Heroine.
Mehboob Khan had a sitting with her and explained to her the entire story and the likely repercussions to the film.He gave her an option to opt out of the film. Munawar played very bravely and firmly told Mehboob Khan that she was 100% with him and was ready to work and face whatever happens as an aftermath.
This act of courage was loved and appreciated by Mehboob Khan very much and he remained indebted to her ever after.
1948 saw Munawar in four more films. Parai Aag, Sona, Majboor and Meri Kahani .
1949 was Munawar’s busiest year with seven releases. Out of her four films released in 1950, Munawar’s most notable film was Babul (Father’s House). She acted opposite Dilip and Nargis in this love triangle. Directed by S. U. Sunny, the music was composed by Naushad The film became a major success at the box office. She acted in a few more films till 1956, with Jallad being her last appearance.
From 1950, Munawar’s career slowed down, and she acted in fewer films. She met her husband Sharif Ali Bhagat, a businessman, on the sets of a movie for which he provided furniture. He produced two films with Munawar in the lead, Meri Kahani (1948) and Pyar Ki Manzil (1950).
In her career, she never sang any song and the Pakistani singer of the same name never acted in any film. Still there is always a confusion between these two artistes.
Following the sudden death of her husband in 1966, Munawar managed her family of four sons and three daughters. In the last eight years of her life, Munawar suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. She died on 15 September 2007, at her home in Ambedkar Road, Pali Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. (Thanks to Shishir krishna Sharma ji’s Blog Beetehuedin, for some information,HFGK,muVyz and my notes.)
1945 was a year in which many films with muslim background were made- some Historicals and few Socials and Costume dramas. Films on Historical content were Humayun and Ek din ka Sultan. Social films were Zeenat, Phool, Pehli Nazar, Gazal, Dhamki, Chhamia, Chand tara and Begum. Films based on Muslim folk tales were Aladdin, Laila Majnu, Nagma-E-Sahra, Shirin Farhad and Son of Hatimtai. Irrespective of the story content, films became Hits on acting and music.
1945 was the year when the II world war ended and the film industry got some relief and concessions from the Government. However, in 1945 only 73 Hindi films were made (99 in all languages including Hindi).
New Theatres, the giant in Calcutta was sinking as many of their talented actors and directors left and joined Bombay industry. It affected the company very much. To improve their position, they promoted Bimal Roy , one of their Cameramen to direct a Bangla film- ‘Udayer Pathe’. The film was a Hit and immediately a Hindi version ‘Hamrahi’ was made. This too became a Hit and Bimal Roy started his career as a director in Bombay. The song ” Jan gana man’ featured in this film. later it became our National Anthem.
Shaukat Hussain’s film Zeenat-a Muslim Social, became famous because of its First all women qawwali ‘ aahen na bhar ‘. Shyama and Shashikala were seen on screen first time in this song.
Noorjahan was popular with her songs in yet another film ‘ Village Girl’. Shyam Sundar composed melodious songs for her. Mohd. Rafi’s first duet with Durrani, ‘Dil ho kaabu mein to’ , after doing a chorus song in ‘Pehle Aap’-1944.
Lata also sang her First Hindi song in a Hindi film – ‘Badi Maa’ It was filmed on herself, hence it was not a playback though. Badi Maa was Master Vinayak’s ‘Propaganda Film’ for the Government. It was made to come out of his financial difficulties.
Mukesh gave his First playback song for ‘Pehli Nazar’. It was said that he was very nervous before the recording. An interesting story circulated about this event.
Mehboob tried to give an Unity message through his Historical film, spinning a tale of a Raakhi sent by a Rajput princess to Humayun.
Not lagging behind, Sohrab modi too made a film ‘Ek din ka Sultan’ based on a story of Humayun and a Bheesty.
Saigal and Suraiyya gave good songs in Jayant Desai’s film ‘Tadbir’.
S.Nazir’s Laila majnu, Prabhat’s Lakharani (Gurudutt was its choreographer), Ranjit’s Moorti, and the film Panna Dai were other notable films. Master Bhagwan fulfilled his life’s ambition of directing his Idol-Master vithal in the film ‘ Nagma E Sahra’. Some other films which were remarkable were, Albeli, Amrapali, Bachpan, Chhamia, Dharma(last film of actress Madhuri), Meghdoot (for songs of Jagmohan), Phool- by K.Asif, with 14 big stars, Sanyasi, Sharbati Aankhen and Vikramaditya by Prakash Pictures (Manna Dey in 7/9 songs).
The story of the film Pehli nazar-1945 was….
It is an excellent movie with a tragic story involving Munawar Sultana, Veena and Motilal. The story is about two Pathan families in which there are two brothers living as neighbours. Their daughters, Munawar Sultana and Veena are so fond of each other that they feel more of sisters than cousins. An engagement gets arranged between Motilal (son of a nawab) and Veena. When Motilal comes to see Veena, by chance, he sees Munawar Sultana in the house. He changes his mind and insists on breaking off the engagement with Veena. He proposes for Munawar Sultan thereby creating a big rift between the two close families.
Towards the end of the film, Munawwar Sultana drinks poison to end her life fearing that her father would kill her for the family honour. Her death unites the warring families and Motilal marries Veena, the original bride.
Today’s song is sung by Kalyani and Hamida Bano. Enjoy this 80 year old song….
Song- Le gaye pehlu se dil choree choree (Pehli Nazar)(1945) Singers- Kalyani, Hamida Bano, Lyricist- Dr. Safdar Aah Sitapuri, MD- Anil Biswas
Lyrics
le gaye pehlu se dil choree choree
allaah qasam
le gaye pehlu se dil choree choree
allaah qasam
hamko to loot liya jora joree
allaah qasam
hamko to loot liya jora joree
allaah qasam
le gaye pehlu se dil choree choree
allaah qasam
minnaten kar ke thhake
minnaten kar ke thhake
roothhna bekaar hua
minnaten kar ke thhake
roothhna bekaar hua
laakh samajhaaya magar wo na wafaadaar hua
laakh samajhaaya magar wo na wafaadaar hua
tauba tauba
tauba dil de baithhe ham tujhko kabhee
allaah qasam
tauba dil de baithhe ham tujhko kabhee
allaah qasam
hamko to
hamko to
hamko to loot liya jora joree
allaah qasam
le gaye pehlu se dil choree choree
allaah qasam
ab kisee dhab se usey apna banaaye na bana
ab kisee dhab se usey apna banaaye na bana
aur chaaha ke bhula den
ke bhula den aen aen
aur chaaha ke bhula den to bhulaaye na bana
aur chaaha ke bhula den to bhulaaye na bana
kaisee ye jud gai dori se dori
allaah qasam
kaisee ye jud gai dori se dori
allaah qasam
hamko to
hamko to
hamko to loot liya jora joree
allaah qasam
le gaye pehalu se dil choree choree
allaah qasam
le gaye pehalu se dil choree choree
allaah qasam
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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