Cha Cha Cha (1964 film)
| Cha Cha Cha | |
|---|---|
 Original poster | |
| Directed by | Chandrashekhar |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Iqbal Qureshi |
Release date | 1964 |
| Country | India |
Cha Cha Cha is an Indian romance film, released in 1964. The script is by Chandrashekhar, who also directed the film and plays the lead male role. It also features Helen in her first leading role. It is the first Indian film to feature Western dance.[1]
The cast also includes Om Prakash, Leela Mishra, Iftekhar, O. P. Ralhan and Tun Tun. Music in the film was composed by Iqbal Qureshi. The song "Subah Na Aayi Shaam Na Aayi", was written by the then new song writer Neeraj, and Makhdoom Mohiuddin's poem "Chara Gar" is depicted in the song "Ek Chameli Ke Mandve Tale", which tells the story of two lovers who can never be together.
Plot
Lali, played by Helen, returns home from abroad, disappointing her mother with her new attitudes, looks, and affinity to dance. After reluctantly making a trip to the temple at the request of her mother, Lali assumes that the man (Puran) singing in the temple, is referring to her in the lyrics of his song. In response, and to the surprise of onlookers, she slaps him, only to shortly discover that he is blind and was singing a religious song. Feeling guilty, and with the support of her family, Puran is taken to Mumbai (then Bombay), and regains his eyesight following eye surgery paid for by Lali's family.[citation needed]
Lali's character soon changes. Unable to persuade Puran to learn Western dance, she assumes traditional dress and the two fall in love. However, she is subsequently persuaded by her father to marry a wealthy businessman and end the relationship with Puran for the sake of family honour in light of her upcoming sister's marriage, as Puran, being of a "harijan" caste, is deemed unsuitable for her by her parents.[citation needed]
When she is struck by disability, her husband leaves her.[2] Puran in the meantime becomes a singing/dancing hero.[3]
Cast
- Helen as Lali
- Chandrashekhar as Puran
- Om Prakash as Lali's father Dinanath
- Leela Mishra as Lali's mother Laxmi
- Iftekhar as the family doctor
- O. P. Ralhan as Madan
- Tun Tun as Mohan's mother
- Bela Bose as Kalpana
- Aruna Irani as Geeta
- Madan Puri
- Mac Mohan as Sushil
Production
The script was written by Chandrashekhar, who directed the film and played the lead male role. It was released in 1964.[1][6]
Music
Music in the film was composed by Iqbal Qureshi.
| Song | Singer |
|---|---|
| "Ek Lali Ghar Se Chali" | Mohammed Rafi |
| "Subah Na Aayi" | Mohammed Rafi |
| "Woh Hum Na The" | Mohammed Rafi |
| "Ek Chameli Ke Mandwe Tale" | Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle |
| "Tumse Mano Na Mano Mujhe Tumse Pyar Ho Gaya" | Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle |
Reception and legacy
The film was one of Helen's few successes in a leading role.[2] Filmfare described Helen as someone "who slides across the film with the grace of a leopardess, whose femininity and quiet behaviour are in pleasing in contrast to Bela Bose's enthusiastic flaunting of over-emphasised charms".[2]
Kate Spade noted in her 2013 Cha Cha Cha timeline that in 1964 "Bollywood is hit with Cha Cha fever".[7]
In 2014 Cha Cha Cha was listed in 40 Retakes: Bollywood Classics You May Have Missed by Avijit Ghosh.[3]
References
- ^ a b Ashok Raj (1 November 2009). Hero Vol.1. Hay House, Inc. p. 215. ISBN 978-93-81398-02-9.
- ^ a b c Pinto, Jerry (2006). Helen: The Life and Times of A Bollywood H-Bomb. Penguin Books Limited. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-143-03124-6.
- ^ a b "40 Retakes: Bollywood Classics You May Have Missed". Zee News. 12 January 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ "Cha Cha Cha". Cinemaazi. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
- ^ "Cha Cha Cha". Bhavdeep Films. 17 November 1964. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Premchand2018was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Spade, Kate (2013). Kate Spade. New York: things we love: twenty years of inspiration, intriguing bits and other curiosities. Abrams. p. 134. ISBN 978-1-61312-390-4.