"We signed SJ for our film!"
Exploring the Producer-SJ-Competitor Relationship!
by Shahrukh

That is the subject and although a discussion is on
with a focus on the RK-SJ relationship, let us explore other
facets of this queer triangle of Indian popular cinema!
Fascinating, complex discussions are likely because this subject is such!
Let me initiate this discussion and we can touch on many an example as we go!

"We signed SJ for our film!"
was a HUGE statement in the 50s and 60s

To producers, it meant that their film was SOLD
& distributors would queue to buy it!
To audiences, a film with music by SJ meant ecstasy!
To heroes, it meant that their image and identity would be showcased
in inimitable style and with an unmatched elegance ... also the song
they would 'sing' on screen, would be on the nation's lips!

Take a case in point, Boot Polish!
A film which can almost be called non-commercial!

And the scene where Bhola shouts ...
"Arre Belu, woh dekho Raj Kapoor!"
Raj Kapoor is asleep by the window
with a cigarette on his lips, true Hollywood-Bogart style!
And the background music comes in ...
A harmonium plays out the 'Awara' Hoon tune with a pacy panache!

That was the SJ magic!

And Belu remarks ... "Arre aaj kal to sabhi Raj Kapoor ban ke ghoomte hain!"

This was a film sans Lata and was a RK production!
And was a huge commercial success too!
But what catapults that film into an all time great category?
The SJ magic!

Few other MDs or their creations had such a prowess or fate!

Most of Raj Kapoor's films & career!
Most of Shammi Kapoor's films & career!
Most of Rajendra 'Jubilee' Kumar's films & career!

All owe their success and image to SJ!
And these stars would insist on SJ!

Or the distributors would as Bharat Bhushan realized with
that other exception in the SJ ouvre - Basant Bahar!
These were also times when the stars would ASK for SJ to MAKE their career!

Manoj Kumar & Jeetendra owe their early career breakthroughs to SJ!
Later LP became their song smiths but could not catapult these stars
to the same dizzy heights!

And when this beautiful SJ story ran into turbulent waves a lot of things changed!
"We did not sign SJ for our film ... we signed so & so!"
became the line!

A Sanyasi Manoj Kumar preferred other MDs.
Jeetendra thought his Farz was to go with LP!
Even Shammi Kapoor found it Manoranjan to go with RDB!

Producers? They are in it for business alone!
And it is their business to take commercial decision!

Many dumped SJ without a thought or feeling ...
Some had pangs ...
Some did it after telling SJ ...
Some stuck on to SJ with a lot of hopes ...

Reminds me of that sublime SJ song which explores this sentiment ...

Preet Yeh Kaisi Bol Ri Duniya ...
Preet Yeh Kaisi Bol ... Ri Duniya ...
Bol Ri Duniya ...Bol!

Shahrukh