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Published: 24 September 2023

Last Updated: 24 September 2023

When I bought a copy of the Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema on my visit to India, at the Delhi Book Fair decades ago, I read carefully about where they got all the information from. I was pleased to see the big mention of Har Mandir 'Hamraaz' work. Among regional languages I saw the name Murlidhar Soni and his forthcoming book on Rajasthani Cinema. I also saw the name M D Soni for Bhojpuri cinema.

I always suspected that both are the same person, and he is. I understand that his book is finally coming out after more than two decades. 

He is my Facebook friend and a well-known Hindi journalist. I am honored to know him.

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New10. Opposite sides of 78 records

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Published: 14 September 2023

Last Updated: 14 September 2023

Thanks to Upendra who spotted him in Ishara (1964). Here he is after mocking Subiraj and after being beaten by him.

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D N Madhok Lyricist

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Published: 14 October 2023

Last Updated: 14 October 2023

Part of Rehman Verma interview, from the book Jahan-e-Fan by Zahoor Chaudhary.

He is discussing how he came to give music in Heer Ranjha (1948):

Now Baba Chishti had gone to Lahore. Wali Sahib persuaded me and Khaiyyam to go to Bombay (from Calcutta) to finish the rest of the work for the film. Wali Sahib changed our names, respectively, to Vermaji and Sharmaji. I remember that we recorded a Panjabi song in the voice of Geeta Roy, "Ud Pud Janiya, Gheo Khan Khaniyan, Te Chunni Lai De Lal Rang Di".  Similarly, we recorded, "Kahe Ko Biyahi Bides" in the voice of Lata Mangeshkar.

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New26. 78 rpm record sides.