Bollywood Ear Candy: Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar Tera
By Laura Witkowski
‘Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar Tera’ translates to “come, come I am your love”, but from watching this video, you would be forgiven for thinking it meant, “Let’s shake it till we all go crazy!”
The song and dance sequence of this number are very similar to the Ghostworld-associated ‘Jaan Pehechaan Ho’ and it’s no surprise. Mohammad Rafi sang both songs, both have the same choreographer, and both were featured in mid-60s thrillers. ‘Jaan Pehechaan Ho’ is from 1965’s Gumnaam and Aaja Aaja Mein … ‘ is taken from the 1966 hit Teesri Manzil. It’s strange to think that these wildly fun dance party numbers somehow fit into the narrative of a thriller, but then again who ends up dead or missing or somehow punished in scary movies? The people who exercises caution, restraint and good judgement, or those who give themselves over to worldly pleasures? Exactly. So dance away kids, because somebody just might die tonight!
The star of Teesri Manzil is Shammi Kapoor, who passed away a short while ago at the age of 79. He was a Bollywood superstar. Moms in India loved him the same way your mom loves Sean Connory. Though the actors rarely sing the songs they’re performing, Kapoor’s convincing, flirtatious and dramatic performances helped push the boundaries of Hindi film music. Plus he knew how to shake it. So pop your colloar in Kapoor’s memory and get down to ‘Aaja Aaja Mein Hoon Pyar’.
