It is still not widely known that Mukesh had also acted as hero in Nirdosh (1941), his debut film as playback singer. Not successful as an actor, Mukesh even produced a film. But Talat Mahmood was simultaneously a successful singing star for a while.
There were so many singers and composers who were seen on screen playing themselves, from Lata Mangeshkar in Pukar and Shankar-Jaikishan in Main Sundar Hoon to Pankaj Udhas in films like Naam and Yeh Dillagi. But among those who played regular roles (as in with a bit of a performance) were Laxmikant as himself in Teri Kasam (with music by R.D.Burman!).
Recently, Bappi Lahiri acted as a shop-owner in Main Aur Mrs Khanna - incidentally he also produced films like Rock Dancer and even a National award-winning Bengali film! Anu Malik (like so many other music artistes) appeared as himself, including as judge in music shows, in some films, but also acted in Luck By Chance and played a pandit in Bride And Prejudice.
R.D.Burman chose to etch comic characters in both Bhoot Bungla and Pyar Ka Mausam while Aadesh Shrivastava acted as a club singer in the well-known Dhadkan zaraa ruk gayi hai in Prahaar. Music director S.N.Tripathi was well-known as an actor. Wajid of Sajid-Wajid has played a key role in Wanted.
Shaan tried his hand rather apprehensively at acting with Daman, while Sonu Niigaam tried his hand at being a full-fledged leading man in three films, Jaani Dushmun - Ek Anokhi Kahani, Kaash...Aap Hamare Hote and Love In Nepal. Kumar Sanu produced a Hindi film, Utthaan, and a Bengali one, while Udit Narayan produced several Bhojpuri films.
Among lyricists, Gulzar chose to move towards scriptwriting and later direction rather than keep struggling as lyricist. Rajendra Krishan invested his huge income in backing his producer brother Hargobind, whose hit films include Doli and Jwar Bhata. Veteran Kaifi Azmi turned to acting late with Naseem, while Amit Khanna went on to produce, write and direct films. Interestingly, lyricist Farukh Kaiser was assistant to director Raj Khosla but never directed a film. And Shaily Shailendra wrote the story of the hit thriller Khel Khel Mein and his legendary father Shailendra’s health took a tumble after he produced the critically-appreciated flop, Teesri Kasam and suffered losses.
Hridaynath Mangeshkar produced Lekin, a Lata Mangeshkar presentation - Lata, incidentally, has also produced films in Marathi. Another producer was Anup Jalota, though his films did not do well, while Talat Aziz’s Dhun, whose music made a mark, never got a release after being completed.
Salil Chowdhury co-wrote Bimal Roy films like Do Bigha Zamin, Parakh and Naukri and even directed Pinjre Ka Panchhi, Anil Biswas acted in Ladli, and Naushad wrote the story of Palki (officially) and many others unofficially, besides producing films like Babul and Udan Khatola. Hemant Kumar produced so many films, notably Bees Saal Baad and Khamoshi, besides being a singer and composer in demand.
But the really ambitious names were Vishal Bhardwaj and Himesh Reshammiya. Vishal Bhardwaj first ventured into making serials and then took to writing, directing and producing even internationally-applauded films like Makdee, Maqbool, Omkara and Kaminey. Himesh Reshammiya started his career producing and scripting television serials because getting a break in music was difficult and then, after peaking as music director and singer, went on to don the hero’s role, beginning with the hit Aap Kaa Surroor. Today, Himesh is doing five films as a composer-singer and actor, with Radio hitting the screen early next month.
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