Kishore Kumar's refusal to sing 'Kasme Vaade Pyar'  for Manoj Kumar’s Upkar paved way for Manna Dey 


Kasme Vaade remains Manna Dey's most soulful rendition to date 


By Rajesh Ahuja 


Listening to the soulful melody 'Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa' from Manoj Kumar's classic film Upkaar,  based on former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's slogan of 'Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan' during the 1960s, leaves cinelovers teary eyed even today at the soulful rendition of the melody by iconic singer Manna Dey.. 


However, not many may be aware that Manna Dey was a last minute choice for the song, which was to be rendered by legendary playback singer Kishore Kumar. 


According to the biography of legendary villain Pran,  written by Bunny Reuben,  Kishore Kumar was offered the song by Kalyanji Anandji, the music directors of Upkar. However,  Kishore Kumar refused to sing the song as it was to be picturised on Pran, who was popular for his villainous roles at the time. 


However, after  Manoj Kumar stood his ground that the song would be picturised only on Pran, Manna Dey was roped in to sing the song. As it turnedout,  Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa went on to be etched in  history of  Bollywood as Manna Dey's  most  soulful rendition. 


Kishore Kumar's  refusal  to  sing  the iconic  song 'Kasme  Vaade  Pyar  Wafa' paved way for Manna Dey 




'When Kishore Kumar was approached to sing the song,  he absolutely refused to do so. Not even a personal request from Pran,  on whom the song was to be picturised, could get Kishore Kumar to change his mind,'the biography says. 


'Upon Kishore Kumar's refusal,  Manoj Kumar asked Kalyanji and Anandji to scout for another singer who could render the song, which he could see pictured only on Pran. 'Manoj Kumar went ahead and told Kalyanji Anandji that they should look for another singer for this beautiful song which he could see being sung only by Pran. 


Finally the song was sung by Manna Dey. And what a rendition! Even today, it stands out not only among Kalyanji Anandji's best compositions but also as  Mannada # most soulfully rendered songs. That Pran had lip synced the song so naturally only served to add to its beauty,'the biography said. 


It is notable that Manoj Kumar was the first filmmaker who cast Pran, known largely for his villainous roles at the time,  in a good man's character role. 


Pran was cast for the famous role of 'Malang Chacha ' in Upkar. 


The iconic character of 'Malang Chacha' marked Pran's transition from villainous roles to character roles. 


'In Upkar,  Manoj Kumar decided to do something that few others would have dared to attempt at that stage. Manoj had no doubt that Pran would be able to deliver the goods with regard to what he had in mind for him,'the biography says. 


Speaking in the biography,  Manoj Kumar said that when he was working on the script of Upkar,  he had only Pran in mind for the role of 'Malang Chacha'. 


'Even as I was working on the script,  as the scenes of (the character) Malang Chacha developed, I began constantly to see in my mind's eye Pran saab doing that role,'Manoj Kumar said. 


Set in the backdrop of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Upkar celebrates village life and the contributions of farmers and soldiers to India. 


Upkar , which marked Manoj Kumar’s directorial debut,  starred Manoj Kumar,  Asha Parekh,  Pran,  Prem Chopra and Madan Puri in pivotal roles. 


Released in 1967, Upkar was the highest grossing Indian film of the year. 


Also Read 


When Pran charged just one rupee from Raj Kapoor for Bobby 


When Manoj Kumar joined the cast of Aadmi after last minute exit of Dharmendra 



Pran recommended Dev Anand to Prakash Mehra as hero  for Zanzeer 




When Rishi Kapoor turned down offer to do a guest appearance in Koi Mil Gaya 


When RD Burman sought Rishi Kapoor's help to get work in his films in 90s 




Tina Munim reflected an elfin charm on screen that was refreshingly modern for its time: Rishi Kapoor 






When Rishi Kapoor rejected a role offered by Salim Javed in Trishul 



Amrish Puri was offered villain's role in Raj Kapoor's Ram Teri Ganga Maili 



Historical web series Freedom at Midnight streaming on Sony Liv from November 15 



Rishi Kapoor had some reservations about doing Ramesh Sippy's Saagar 














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