When we hum those classic melodies, often the lyrics are what truly stick. They paint pictures, tell stories, and tug at our heartstrings. But who pens these timeless words? One such wordsmith, Asad Bhopali, crafted lyrics that became iconic, sung by legends like Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. His songs still echo in our memories, long after their creation.
Asad Bhopali was a gifted writer. People first knew him for his beautiful poetry. Later, he became famous for his film songs. He even won an award for being the best lyricist. He truly left his mark on Hindi cinema. His journey to the big screen was quite an interesting one.
Born on July 10, 1921, in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Asad Bhopali’s birth name was Asadullah Khan. His father taught Arabic and Persian, giving Asad an early connection to language. Fate intervened in 1949 when film producers Fazli Brothers were working on their movie, ‘Duniya.’ Their lyricist, Arzoo Lakhnavi, had moved to Pakistan after the country was divided. They needed someone new to finish the film’s songs, with only two already written.
The Fazli Brothers were on the lookout for fresh talent. A local businessman, Sugam Kapadia, who owned movie theaters in Bhopal, told them about the city’s many talented poets. He suggested they visit Bhopal and attend a “mushaira,” a poetry gathering, to find someone. The brothers liked the idea. So, on May 5, 1949, Kapadia organized a mushaira at Bhopal Talkies. Many poets took part, including Asad Bhopali.
Asad Bhopali’s performance deeply impressed the Fazli Brothers. They saw his talent right away. Soon after, they invited him to Bombay, the heart of the film industry. This invitation changed his life, marking his entry into the world of Bollywood.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Once in Bombay, Asad Bhopali wrote two songs for the film ‘Duniya’ (1949). His very first song, ‘Rona Hai To Chupke-Chupke,’ was sung by the legendary Mohammed Rafi. Another song, ‘Armaan Lute, Dil Toot Gaya,’ was sung by Suraiya. The next year, he wrote more songs for films, with voices like Lata Mangeshkar and Shamshad Begum bringing them to life. He got his biggest break in the 1951 film ‘Afsaana,’ where he penned five songs, making a strong mark.
Asad Bhopali worked with many music directors during his career. He wrote the famous song ‘Woh Jab Yaad Aaye, Bahut Yaad Aaye’ for ‘Parasmani,’ the first film scored by the renowned duo Laxmikant Pyarelal. He also often teamed up with music director Usha Khanna, who composed music for many of his lyrics. From 1949 to 1990, Asad Bhopali wrote over 400 songs for more than 100 films. His output was truly impressive.
– Photo: Social Media
Asad Bhopali’s name is often spoken in the same breath as other celebrated lyricists like Majrooh Sultanpuri, Sahir Ludhianvi, and Jan Nisar Akhtar. Through his lyrics, he earned great respect and fame. His contributions were recognized formally in 1990 when he received the 35th Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist. This honor was for his song ‘Deewana Ke Liye’ from the popular 1989 film ‘Maine Pyar Kiya.’
Beyond his professional life, Asad Bhopali had a family. He married twice. With his first wife, Ayesha, he had two sons, Taj and Tabish, and six daughters. From his second marriage, he had a son named Ghalib Asad Bhopali. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ghalib became a film writer and lyricist himself, working on movies like ‘Bhindi Bazaar’ and ‘Mumbai Mirror.’ Asad Bhopali’s younger brother, Qamar Jamali, was also a well-known Urdu poet.
Asad Bhopali’s work continued to be celebrated even after his passing. The film ‘Rangbhoomi,’ for which he wrote songs, was released in 1992, two years after his death. In 1995, a collection of his poetry titled ‘Roshni, Dhup, Chandni’ was published by the Urdu Academy in Bhopal. Asad Bhopali passed away on June 9, 1990, in Bhopal, leaving behind a rich legacy of words that continue to enchant audiences.