Life does not treat everyone equally. On one side, it can give success, name, and fame without much struggle. On the other side, people struggle all their lives for the recognition of their work. One such name was “Asad Bhopali,” who, despite giving so many hit songs, remained underrated. And when his talent was recognised, he was in no condition to enjoy it.
Asad Bhopali was an iconic poet and lyricist who worked in the Hindi film industry from 1949 until 1990. He was known for his songs like “Hansta Hua Noorana Chehra” and “Woh Jab Yaad Aaye Bahut Yaad Aaye,” “Ajnabi Tum Jane Pehchane Se Lagte Ho” “Ai Mere Dil-E-Naadaan,” “Dil Ka Suna Saaz Tarana Dundega” “Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke,” “Kabootar Ja Ja Ja,” “Kahe Tohse Sajna,” and many more
Early Life and Career
Asad Bhopali, born Asadullah Khan on July 10, 1921, in the royal city of Bhopal. His father Munshi Ahmed Khan, was a teacher of Arabic and Persian languages. With a rich linguistic heritage, Asad Bhopali was well-versed in Persian, Arabic, Urdu, and English. His linguistic skills later became the foundation of his lyrical prowess.
In 1949, at the age of 28, Asad Bhopali’s poetic talent caught the attention of film producers Fazli Brothers. This was a pivotal moment that led him to the Hindi film industry. His first break came with the film “Duniya (1949),” directed by SF Hasnain. For the film he wrote two songs, “Arman Lute Dil Toot Gaya” and “Rona Hai To Ro Chupke Chupke.” It was the beginning of a prolific career that spanned over four decades.The songs were well received. He followed it with songs like “Humen Duniya Ko Dil Ke Zakhm Dikhlana Nahin Aata (Adhi Raat)” and “Yeh Meri Chalti Phirti Laash (Nirdosh).
Asad Bhopali In Films
Asad Bhopali’s big break came with B.R. Chopra’s “Afsana” (1951), where he wrote five songs, “Woh Paas Bhi Rah Kar Paas Nahin,” “Mohabbat Ka Dono Ke Dil Par Asar Hai,” “Woh Aaye Baharen Laaye Baji Shehnai,” “Kismat Bigdi Duniya Badli,” and “Kahaan Hai Tu Mere Sapnon Ke Raja,” which became immensely popular.
He continued to write in films like “Rajput (1951), Apni Izzat (1952), Jaggu (1952), Moti Mahal (1952), Ameer (1954), Dost (1954), Khaiber (1954), Darbar (1955), Mast Qalandar (1955), Shah Behram (1955), Insaaf (1956), Khul Ja Sim Sim (1956), Rajdhani (1956), Miss Bombay (1967), Sawan (1959), Zara Bachke (1959), and Rangeela Raja (1959). In this period, he mostly worked with Hansraj Behl on smaller films.
Some of his early songs include Yeh Meri Chalti Phirti Laash (Nirdosh, 1950), Aawaz De Raha Hai Dil-E-Beqarar Aa (Jaggu, 1952), Teri Ada Pe Nisaar Karne (Darbaar, 1955), Do Dil Dhadak Rahe Hain (Insaaf, 1956), Pyaar Jagaanewala (Zara Bachke, 1959), and many more.
An Underrated Genius
In 1960, he wrote lyrics for Tu Nahin Aur Sahi with Ravi. He followed by Pyaar Ka Saagar (1961), Salaam Mem Saheb (1961), Apna Banake Dekho (1962), Tower House (1962), Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye (1963), Ustadon Ke Ustad (1963), and Maya Mahal (1963). Some of the songs from this period include “Yeh Rang Bhare Baadal (Tu Nahin Aur Sahi),” “Zara Si Baat Pyaar Ki (Salaam Memsaab),” “Main Khushnaseeb Hun (Tower House),” “Sau Baar Janam Lenge (Ustadon Ke Ustad),” “Dil-e-nadaan zamaane me (Mast Qalandar),” “Raat Raat Bhar Jaag Jaag Kar ( Pyaar Ka Saagar),” “Aaj Ki Raat Andhera Bhi Hai Tanhai Bhi,” and “Aay mere dil-e-nadaan (Tower House),” “Raat Chup Hai Chandni Madhosh Hai (Ustadon ke Ustad),” and “Abhi Kamsin Ho Naadan Ho (Aaya Toofan),” among others
Asad Bhopali’s true shining moment came with his collaboration with Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The film was a low budget fantasy film Parasmani (1963), first film of Laxmikant Payarelal. Their team gave timeless classics such as “Woh Jab Yaad Aaye,” “Hansta Hua Noorani Chehra,” and “Mere Dil Mein Halki Si.” The songs were a rage and are still popular.
He followed it by Mr. X in Bombay (1964), Boxer (1964), “Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965),” “Lootera (1965),” “Shreeman Funtoosh (1965),” “Chhaila Babu (1967),” “Roop Tera Mastana (1972),” “Nirdosh (1973),” “Jurm Aur Sazaa (1974),” and many more. Some memorable songs from this period include “Ajnabee tum jane pehchaane,” “Kya teri zulfein hai,” and “Pyar Baantte Chalo” (Hum Sab Ustad Hain), “Woh Jharokhe Se Jo Jhanke To Itna Poochhoon (Shreeman Funtoosh),” “Tere Pyar Ne Mujhe Gham Diya (Chhaila Babu),” “Dil ki baatein dil hi jaane (Roop Tera Mastana),” “Haseen dilruba kareeb aa zara (Roop Tera Mastana),” “Dil Ka Soona Saaz Tarana Dhoondhega (Ek Nari Do Roop),” and many more.
Asad Bhopali and Usha Khanna
He also worked extensively with music director Usha Khanna in films like “Ek Sapera Ek Lutera (1965),” “Faisla (1965),” “Alibaba Aur Chalis Chor (1965),” “Badal (1966),” “Dada (1966),” Insaaf (1966),” Main Wohi Hoon (1966),” “Dilruba (1967),” “Fareb (1967),” “Hum Ek Hain (1969),” Nateeja (1969),” “Begunah (1970),” “Tanhaai (1972),” “Gumrah (1976),” “Dada (1978),” “Bin Phere Hum Tere (1979),” “Shama (1981),” and many more.
Some of the most iconic song fron their collaboratiob include “Hum Tumse Juda Ho Ke Mar Jaayenge Ro Ro Ke” and “Tera Bhi Kisi Pe Dil Aaye” (Ek Sapera Ek Lutera), “Dil Pe Nazar Hai Pyar Ka Darr Hai(Insaaf),” “Bahut Hasin Ho Bahut Jawan Ho (Main Wohi Hoon),” “Parde Mein Koi Baitha Hai (Dada),” “Dost Ban Ke Aaye Ho (Bin Phere Hum Tere),” “Babuji Itna Khayal Rakhna Mere Taale Ki (Ladaaku),” “Chand apna safar khatm karta raha (Shama),” and many more.
Other Work
From 1949 to 1990, Asad Bhopali wrote approximately 400 songs for over a hundred films. Despite the presence of other renowned lyricists, he carved out a niche for himself with his unique style and heartfelt lyrics. He worked with music direktors like Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Raj Kamal, N. Dutta, C. Arjun, Hansraj Behl, Ravi, Ganesh and many more.
Some of his other famous songs include “Raat Chup Hai Chandni Madhosh Hai (Ustadon ke Ustad),” “Abhi Kamsin Ho Naadan Ho (Aaya Toofan),” “Ye rang bhare baadal (Tu Nahin Aur Sahi),” “Bahut Hasin Ho Bahut Jawan Ho (Main Wohi Hoon),” “Tere Pyar Ne Mujhe Gham Diya (Chhaila Babu),” ” Sau baar janam lenge (Ustaadon Ke Ustaad),” “Raaz-e-dil un se chhupaaya na gaya (Apna Banaa Ke Dekho),” and “Rahega Jahan Mein Tera Naam (Love and God).”
Maine Pyar Kiya
One of his most celebrated works came at the very end of his life, when he was very ill and bedridden. The songs of “Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)” swept the nation and became a rage. “Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka,” “Dil Deewana Bin Sajna Ke Maane,” “Kabootar Ja Ja Ja,” “Kahe Tohse Sajna,” “Dil De Ke Dard-E-Mohabbat Liya Hai,” and “Mere Rang Mein Rangne Wali” are now considered classics of Indian cinema. He got his first Filmfare Award for “Dil Deewana.” But unfortunately he was not in a condition to go and receive the award.
Death and Legacy
Asad Bhopali first married with Ayesha. Together they have two sons, Taj and Taabish as well as six daughters. He also have a son Ghalib Asad Bhopali, from his second marriage. Gahlib is alos a writer, poet and lyricist.
Tragically, after suffering a severe paralytic stroke, Asad Bhopali passed away on June 9, 1990, in Bhopal. Urdu Akademi of Bhopal published his poetry collection ‘Roshni, Dhoop, Chandni‘ posthumously in 1995. It further cemented his status as a luminary in the world of Hindi cinema and poetry.
Asad Bhopali’s life and work remain a testament to the enduring power of words and the beauty of lyrical expression. His journey from the cultural milieu of Bhopal to the glittering lights of Bombay is an inspiring tale of talent, perseverance, and the transformative power of art.
Asad Bhopali’s lyrical genius has graced numerous songs that have touched the hearts of many. His ability to weave emotions into words has resulted in a legacy of songs that are celebrated to this day.
Asad Bhopali on IMDB
