Main Hoon Baanka Chhabila Jawaan Re
Posted on: July 26, 2026
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 comedy film ‘Halla Gulla’ (1954).
It was produced by Master Bhagwan for his own banner Bhagwan Art productions, Bombay. It was directed by Bhagwan himself and the music was by Nisar Bazmi. The story was by Devendra Mukherjee, screenplay by Vyankatesh Madgulkar and the dialogues were by Ehsan Rizvi. The cast included Shakeela, Sajjan, Bhagwan, Leela Gupte, Leela Gandhi, Baburao Pehalwan, Yeshvant Dave and many regular artists of Bhagwan team.
One specialty of this film is that all the 9 songs of the film were duet songs of Asha Bhosle and Mohd. Rafi, as per HFGK, though we found that one song – “Honewaali Ho Ke Rahegi” is a solo song of Asha Bhosle !
Master Bhagwan started directing the films from ‘Bahadur Kisan’ (1938), then came ‘Criminal’ (1939) and ‘Sukhi Jeevan’ (1942). In between, he went to Madras to direct two Tamil films, ‘Jaykodi’ and ‘Van Mohini’. His film ‘Sukhi Jeevan’ was the debut film for C Ramchandra in Hindi films. This film was produced by Harishchandra Rao Kadam, the elder of the Kadam brothers (Chandra Rao Kadam being the younger one). The film was a success, with a good run in theatres. His contract for this film had assured him a 20% share in profits, if the film was a success. Since the film was a success and ran long, Bhagwan asked for his 20% share from Harishchandra Kadam. However, he flatly refused, claiming that inordinate delay had caused excess expenditure and there was no profit. Bhagwan understood that he was being cheated, but could not do anything except expressing his displeasure.
Bhagwan decided then and there that hereafter he will not work for anybody else. He would have his own production set up and a studio. He started his own company – Jagriti Pictures, and also got a studio – Asha Studio, which was near RK studio. His successful stint as a director had earned him a name and he had no difficulty in getting finances for his first film. The terms were, take 80,000/- and return 1 Lakh, when the film gets sold to distributors. Film making was so cheap then ! The first film which Bhagwan made as an independent producer director was intentionally titled ‘Badla’ (1943), as if he took revenge on Harishchandra Rao Kadam !
This sort of cheating of the gullible, helpless artistes was common in some companies. One such famous company was Minerva of Sohrab Modi. When he made his second film ‘“’Saeed E Hawas” (1936), he had engaged an actor Chandra Kumar, as a hero in that film. Chandra Kumar (real name Sardar Gul who changed later his name to Anil Kumar again) was promised Rs. 200 for this role. After the film was released, when he asked for his payment, Modi gave him only Rs. 50, claiming that the film was a flop. Chandra Kumar was helpless and he left Minerva for good, immediately.
Master Bhagwan’s first film ‘Badla’ was a hit film. He then started making films after films, in the stunt genre. Films like ‘Bahadur’, ‘Jalan’, ‘Madadgar’, ‘Dosti’, ‘Shakehand’, ‘Matlabi’, ‘Bach Ke Rehna’, ‘Bhole Bhale’, ‘Jeete Raho’, ‘Bhedi Bangla’ etc. His stunt films became popular and he earned a lot of money. At his peak, he had 2 Bunglows in Bombay and 6 cars. His films had many admirers in the film line also, like Raj Kapoor, Sanjeev Kumar, Naushad etc.
Today’s film is ‘Halla Gulla’ (1954). The name immediately brings to mind a popular song “Halla Gulla Laayi La, Khullam Khulla Gaayi La” famous in the 1950s. However the song is not from this film. It was from the film ‘Dholak’ (1951), for which Shyam Sundar had given the music. Barring very few films, which Bhagwan directed, he never did the role of hero in his films. In the film ‘Halla Gulla’ also he was not the hero. Sajjan was the Hero.
The MD of this film was Nissar Bazmi. I always wondered, how some composers, who were found mediocre here, without much spark, giving music only to B and C grade films, became extremely popular and successful in Pakistan, winning accolades ? One example is Nisar Bazmi. To understand this strange phenomena, one must consider the state of affairs in the Pakistan Film Industry for 5-6 years post partition. Here is a part of an article on this issue, I found on a Pakistani site, filmbirth.com
Pakistan has been a part of India up until 1947. Up to that point Lahore was one of the thriving cinema producing centers in India. The first film made in a Lahore studio was ‘Delhi Express’ (1935) and Urdu and Punjabi films were to follow. The partition of India into two independent states – India and Pakistan, caused the demise of the Lahore film industry. Most Hindu filmmakers in Pakistan fled the region when the Islamic Pakistani government became independent. Without the Indian funding and production facilities, the migration of many renowned filmmakers and stars and a lack of proper distribution channels, Lahore (Lollywood) soon became less than a footnote in the regional cinematic landscape.
Fortunately, the outflow from Lahore was accompanied by an inflow into the city. Affected by the same political change, a number of talented Muslims who had established themselves in Bombay’s (now Mumbai) film circles, moved back to Lahore. Prominent among them were film producer Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, his wife actress and singer Noor Jehan, actress Swarn Lata, actor Nazeer, director WZ Ahmed, director Luqman, director Sabtain Fazli, music director Feroze Nizami and music director Khawaja Khursheed Anwar. These creative artists laid the foundation of the Pakistani film industry. They were also responsible for producing some of the best films ever made in Lollywood.
The creative energy of Lahore’s film people began to express itself as soon as the partition frenzy subsided. Lollywood became alive again and ‘Teri Yaad’ was the first film released after partition. Featuring Nasir Khan, brother of film icon Dileep Kumar and Asha Posle, it was released at Lahore Prabhat Cinema on Sept 2, 1948. Its producer was a Hindu named Diwan Sardari Lal, Daud Chand was the director while Nath was the music director. The following year, Anis Productions released a Punjabi film ‘Pheray’. Featuring Nazeer (who was also its director) and Swarn Lata, the film proved to be a success and became the first Pakistani film to complete a 25-week run at cinema houses. Another important film was Naubahar Films’ Do Ansoo’ which was released in 1950. Produced by Sheikh Latif and directed by Anwar Kamal Pasha, it won popularity and became the first Urdu film to complete its silver jubilee.
Due to a shortage of composers, all were welcomed with open arms. Those who had talents did extremely well here. Unfortunately the second generation of composers of caliber were not prepared and once these migrants disappeared from the scene, the musical fields of Pakistan dried up. According to an article on Wiki, there are 7 ages in Pakistan Film music –
- Independence and growth – 1947-1958
- The Golden Age of Pak Film Music- 59-77
- The age of Disaster…..77-88
(Onslaught of VCR and brain Drain to Bangladesh in 1971) - Politics, Islamisation and downfall…..79-87
- Collapse…..88-2002
- Decline…..2002-2009
- New wave and Hopes….2010 onward
Anyway, Nisar Bazmi migrated to Pakistan during the Golden Age period and got all the benefits.
Nisar migrated to Pakistan in 1962. Producer Fazal Kareem Fazli of Fazli brothers offered him first film ‘Aisa Bhi Hota Hai’. The music of this film became hit and very popular and there was no looking back for Nisar Bazmi. He gave music to 57 Pak films. He won Nigar Awards 7 times and also won ‘Pride of Performance’ award from the President.
His last film was in 1981. He came back to Karachi and started teaching aspiring singers, but only one of them became a famous singer. He regretted that the younger generation looked for quick money and did not put in hard work. None of his 8 sons loved music. They all followed different vocations. In his later life he was famous for learning the Quran by heart.
Bazmi taught music to up-and-coming youngsters, but only Faisal Latif managed to become somewhat popular. When asked why his students like Shafiq-ur-Rehman, Tanveer Afridi, Shabana and Shazia Kausar are unable to reach the top, he said, “My job was to train them, which I did. Now it is up to the musicians to utilize them as I am sure they have the talent to be the best”. When asked if our youth are going in the right direction, Bazmi Sb felt that it was because of our youths’ lack of interest that our music is not what it used to be. “A youngster today doesn’t want to be taught like the legendary singers. His only interest is to become rich and famous in a short time, which is certainly the wrong way”. He died on 22-3-2007 at Karachi. (My thanks to Late Shri Harish Raghuvanshi ji, book Albela by Isak Mujawar and information in Listener’s Bulletin no. 118).
His filmography in India is – ‘Jamna Paar’, ‘Jeb Katra’, ‘Daghabaj Dost’, ‘Khoufnak Aankhen’, ‘Hamari Kismat’, ‘Jiyo Raja’, ‘Rooplekha’, ‘Bade Saheb’, ‘Ghazab’. ‘Baama’, ‘Kyun ji’, ‘Gorilla’, ‘Khoj’, ‘Halla Gulla’, ‘Sitamgar’, ‘Adamkhor’, ‘Pyara Dushman’, ‘Fighting Queen’, ‘Jungle Queen’, ‘Kar Bhala’, ‘Bhala Admi’, ‘Kal Kya Hoga’, ‘Sachhe Ka Bolbala’, ‘Teer Aur Talwar’, ‘Shola Jo Bhadke’, ‘Zareena’ and ‘Mister Toofan’.
He got his first Film, ‘Jamna Paar’ (1946) as an MD. He left AIR, changed his name to Nisar Bazmi and forgot his dream of becoming a singer. In the next 15 years, he composed music for about 40 films, but only 27 films were released. Most of these films were C grade stunt films. Though he gave reasonably good music, he remained a C grade composer throughout. For the film ‘Khoj’ (1953), the assistant producer did not have much money. For singing a song he could only offer Rs.50/- to Mohd. Rafi (who was charging almost 1000/- per song those days). Rafi liked the song and he magnanimously sang the song “Chanda Ka Dil Toot Gaya” by taking just ONE rupee as fees !
The story of this film was not like other films of Bhagwan. It was different. Maybe because of that the audience felt cheated and the film was not successful. The story of the film was…..
Bhagwan and Sajjan are friends. Both are unmarried. They go for a fun cruise on a ship. The shipwrecks in a storm and both survive to reach a new place. For survival, they start a new business of finding pearls from the sea and then selling them.
Meanwhile Sajjan falls in love with Asha, their house owner’s daughter. Her father does not like it and in a hurry arranges her marriage with a crook, who wants to loot pearls from this pair. Sajjan and Bhagwan cheat the father and Sajjan gets married to Asha. They are thrown out and the crook is also now openly against them.
By good luck Bhagwan gets a very big pearl costing lakhs of rupees. Sajjan gets greedy, cheats Bhagwan and throws him out of their house. Meanwhile the crook plans to kill Sajjan and usurp pearl and Asha. Bhagwan learns about this plan and saves friends Sajjan and Asha. The crook is arrested by police. Sajjan realizes his mistake and then all is well at the end.
Here is a song from this film. It is a duet of Asha and Rafi. Enjoy….
Song – Main Hoon Baanka Chhabila Jawaan Re (Halla Gulla) (1954) Singer – Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Lyricist – Saba Afghani, MD – Nisar Bazmi
Lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
oo oooo oooo oo oo
ooo ooo
main hoon baanka chhabeela jawaan re
main hoon baanka chhabeela jawaan re
main albeli naar chhabeele bach ke raho
main albeli naar chhabeele bach ke raho
jaayen khaali na mere baan re
jaayen khaali na mere baan re
kar doonga bekaar chhabeeli bach ke raho
kar doonga bekaar chhabeeli bach ke raho
aa ja sunaaun tujhe geet raseele
tujhe geet raseele
aate hain naach mohe rang rangeele
mohe rang rangeele
aate hain naach mohe rang rangeele
donon miley to kya hai baat re
baat hai ye bekaar chhabeele bach ke raho
baat hai ye bekaar chhabeele bach ke raho
aisi akad se kabhi kaam chale na
kaam chale na
paaya hai roop to kyon mauj kare na
mauj kare na
paaya hai roop to kyon mauj kare na
mauj kare na
do din ki hai ye chaand raat re
chhodo ye taqraar chhabeele bach ke raho
chhodo ye taqraar chhabeele bach ke raho
kehna na maana to phir haath malegi
haath malegi
<?> ho meri yahi <?> rahegi
yahi <?> rahegi
<?> ho meri yahi <?> rahegi
ab naahin hogi mulaqaat re
tumse gayi main haar chhabeele bach ke raho
tumse gayi main haar chhabeele bach ke raho
o main hoon baanka chhabeela jawaan re
main hoon baanka chhabeela jawaan re
main albeli naar chhabeele bach ke raho
main albeli naar chhabeele bach ke raho
Hindi script lyrics (Provided by Sudhir)
ओ ओss ओss ओ ओ
ओs ओs
मैं हूँ बांका छबीला जवान रे
मैं हूँ बांका छबीला जवान रे
मैं अलबेली नार छबीले बच के रहो
मैं अलबेली नार छबीले बच के रहो
जाएँ खाली ना मेरे बाण रे
जाएँ खाली ना मेरे बाण रे
कर दूंगा बेकार छबीली बच के रहो
कर दूंगा बेकार छबीली बच के रहो
आ जा सुनाऊँ तुझे गीत रसीले
तुझे गीत रसीले
आते हैं नाच मोहे रंग रँगीले
मोहे रंग रँगीले
आते हैं नाच मोहे रंग रँगीले
दोनों मिलें तो क्या है बात रे
बात है ये बेकार छबीले बच के रहो
बात है ये बेकार छबीले बच के रहो
ऐसी अकड़ से कभी काम चले ना
काम चले ना
पाया है रूप तो क्यों मौज करें ना
मौज करें ना
पाया है रूप तो क्यों मौज करें ना
मौज करें ना
दो दिन की है ये चाँद रात रे
छोड़ो ये तक़रार छबीले बच के रहो
छोड़ो ये तक़रार छबीले बच के रहो
कहना ना माना तो फिर हाथ मलेगी
हाथ मलेगी
<?> हो मेरी यहीं <?> रहेगी
यहीं <?> रहेगी
<?> हो मेरी यहीं <?> रहेगी
अब नाहीं होगी मुलाक़ात रे
तुमसे गई मैं हार छबीले बच के रहो
तुमसे गई मैं हार छबीले बच के रहो
ओ मैं हूँ बांका छबीला जवान रे
मैं हूँ बांका छबीला जवान रे
मैं अलबेली नार छबीले बच के रहो
मैं अलबेली नार छबीले बच के रहो
Atul’s Song A Day- A choice collection of Hindi Film & Non-Film Songs 
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