Every filmmaker aspires to unleash a masterpiece of the silver screen, one that not only commands the box office, but also leaves an imperishable mark on the collective consciousness of cinemagoers. When a motion picture graces the cinema, diverse audiences are known to elicit varying reactions.
The crux of the matter rests upon the film’s success and box office takings. Some, like Guru Dutt, seek solace from a harsh reality, whilst others, such as Shah Rukh Khan, fixate on the commercial viability of the picture. However, there are those who are left bewildered by the success of their own productions and ponder the reasons for its occurrence.
Kishore’s unprecedented desire with Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
An unprecedented episode, one that transpires exclusively within the realm of Bollywood, shall be recounted bare in this article. We shall unfold the tale of Kishore Kumar’s vexation when his motion picture achieved widespread acclaim, despite harboring a secret desire for its commercial failure.
The versatility of Kishore Kumar is widely acknowledged by one and all. Beyond being a gifted vocalist, he was a talented thespian and a master of the comic art. The period from 1957 to 1958 marked a pivotal juncture in his career, where he garnered tremendous success. Yet, there was one particular film that incited Kishore Kumar’s wrath, despite its commercial triumph.
Indeed, the mere notion of these three artistic geniuses, the Kumar brothers, sharing the screen, is a testament to the film’s significance. The fact that “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” brought together Ashok, Kishore and Anup Kumar in a shared cinematic endeavor is an occurrence of rare and unparalleled magnitude.
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Kishore’s idiosyncratic tendencies to save money
An intriguing tale lies behind this affair. Despite his reputation for being meticulous, especially in matters of tax, his approach was not driven by a desire to evade taxes, but rather by his idiosyncratic tendencies to save money. He had hoped that the failure of the film would result in a lower tax bill, and consequently desperately desired the film to be a flop.
In a strange twist of fate, the movie film, “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi,” turned out to be a grand success much to the disappointment of Kumar. The historic film was crafted with a great deal of precision, featuring lyrics by the talented SD Burman and starring the effervescent Madhubala, one of the most celebrated actresses of the era. The film also boasted the prominent “Kumar trio” and the legendary KN Singh, renowned for his portrayal of malevolent characters. Despite its all-star cast, Kishore Kumar hoped for its eventual failure.
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However, upon viewing the film Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi today, one may question why Kishore Kumar desired its failure. In a contemporary film landscape where finding comedy is akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, the film’s title alone does not suggest that it is a three-hour long endeavor.
Most notably, the musical numbers of this film remain beloved to this day, with timeless hits like “Babu Samjho Ishare”, “Hum The Woh Thi”, and “Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhagi Si” still eliciting joy and adoration from audiences far and wide.
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi shattered the box office accolades
Ultimately, the outcome of the film defied Kishore Kumar’s expectations, as it not only achieved success but also reached blockbuster status. Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi was the second highest grossing Hindi film of 1958, causing Kishore Kumar to transfer the majority of the film’s rights to his secretary, Anup Sharma, who was credited as a producer in the film. Conversely, the silver lining for Kishore Kumar was that the success of this film strengthened his bond with Madhubala, and the extent to which their affection flourished requires no further investigation.
Indubitably, Kishore Kumar was a multi-faceted talent. Besides being a gifted singer, he was also a talented actor and a master of comedy. The later part of the 1960s marked a turning point in his career, as he experienced tremendous success. Nonetheless, one of those films left Kishore Kumar feeling disgruntled due to its success.
Yet, the film remains a beloved and enduring classic to this day, much to the surprise of its own creator. Despite Kishore Kumar’s initial misgivings, the film Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi turned out to be a massive success, becoming one of the most successful Hindi films of the 1960s. Ultimately, Kishore Kumar’s frustration was assuaged by the strengthening of his connection with Madhubala, the preeminent actress of the film, as their relationship flourished.
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