Remembering Raj Kanwar The Director and his Romantic Musical Films

Raj Kanwar (1961–2012)

Few of my most favourite movies are directed by him.Especially the ones I grew up watching in the 90's.His directorial Debut "Deewana" is a modern classic of sorts,which gave Shahrukh his first major hit.It also starred Divya Bharti at her prime she had just given a major hit in "Shola Aur Shabnam" in 1992,next year in 1993 after this movie was released she died tragically.Many people do mention that while they were watching song "Aisi Deewangi Dekhi nahin Kahin" which was number 1 at the music charts and was coming in Superhit Muqabla on Doordarshan they heard of her sad news.Rishi Kapoor her co-star from the movie had rushed to the hospital only to be told of her passing away.Incidentally that year Shahrukh's "Baazigar" had a most shocking ever scene in Indian film history where a Hero throws away his girlfriend from the roof after she says she love him so much that she can die for him.Deewana was a really romantic film which had gems of songs composed by Nadeem-Shravan with beautiful lyrics by Sameer.

"Jeet" (1996) is another of his modern day classic.It was landmark film for its all three actors especially for Karishma Kapoor who was in a role very different from all her previous films,it was just before the makeover she went through in "Raja Hindustani".For Lucknow its known for some infamous shooting incident in Shubham Theater where Manager had to fire to control unruly crowds,it was much before the Multiplex eraand people fought to get tickets.After this incident movie was shifted to Novelty Theater.Again this had music by Nadeem-Shravan & lyrics by Sameer and the movie had several memorable songs.If you hear the songs you know they were recorded in a different way,they sounded quite different from the usual movie songs.The movie was very melodramatic very emotional,hard hitting and heart tugging,it was shot beautifully at lovely locales plus it had great action scenes of Sunny Deol and it went on to become an instant hit.

"Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega" (2000) was inspired from "While You were Sleeping" (1995) though I have never seen the movie from end to end but I really love to hear and see its songs.My favourite song "Aate Jaate Jo Milta Hai Tumsa Lagta Hai" is from this movie.It had beautiful Preity Zinta in a Scottish gown at here charming best.Her dress is really lovely and in this whole movie dresses of both leading ladies were quite exquisite.Music by Anu Malik was quite youthful and romantic,and I love most of the songs from this movie.

Andaaz (2003) was not much publicized I never knew when it was released that it had such great songs and that I would love it so much.It was screened at Anand Theater in Kaiserbagh which has now closed down.It was a decent hit and movie ran for several weeks.Akshaya Kumar has never given a better heart felt performance in a romantic role.Songs pictured on him are filled with breezy spring romance which make this one of my best loved romantic movie of all times.Aman Verma is in a nice role as Lara Dutta's love interest and later Husband.Vivek Shaq who died tragically last year is in a nice comedy role.It was the Bollywood debut of Priyanka Chopra.

Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006) is not a flawless movie but still its a matured love story where both lead character understand each other well and no melodrama or silly tantrums here.When I saw it in PVR Saharaganj I couldn't help noticing exquisite jewellery worn by the cast,how each minute detail had been taken care of.Katrina Kaif and Akshaya Kumar both give memorable performances.Though I had little liking for Himesh Reshamiya's singing from this movie I began to somewhat like few of his songs.Though the title track by Sonu Nigam I love better,its a well crafted song visually and is my favourite song from this movie.

His last movie Sadiyaan (2010) marked the debut of Shatrughan Sinha's son Luv Sinha.

Below are some other of My Favourite Songs from Movies directed by Raj Kanwar.

Deewana (1992)

Laadla (1994)







Itihaas (1997)

Judaai (1997) which my brother Ravi saw at Leela Cinema is a very entertaining adaptation of a South hit.It was a highly successful and people still see it when ever its on any channel.It has this strange story where a wife sells of her husband to a rich woman for she is tired of her middle class life and wants all kinds of luxury for herself.Its very funny,very dramatic and higly emotional.Paresh Rawal and Kader Khan are in really funny roles and Johnny Lever foolishly marries a girl who just says "Appa Chappa Chappa" all the time.