Written and directed by Basu Chatterjee, Rajshri productions’ movie Chitchor was released in 1976. The movie had Amol Palekar as the male lead (Vinod). Palekar became well known for his “average middle class guy next door” roles. Zarina Wahab played the female lead (Geeta). Though she had made her debut earlier, this was her first lead role.

The movie had a simple story line. Geeta’s sister from the city sends a letter to the family about an engineer who will be visiting the village soon and says that the engineer could be a potential match for Geeta.

The engineer sends his friend Vinod, an overseer, to the village first to get to know the people and the work to be done for the project that is underway. Vinod is mistaken to be the engineer expected and given VIP treatment by Geeta’s family. Mad about music and with an amiable personality, Vinod wins over everyone. Geeta learns music from Vinod and music brings them closer. Geeta and Vinod fall in love.

However, once her family realises the mistaken identity, the VIP treatment for Vinod disappears. Geeta’s family tells her not to have anything to do with Vinod, causing her disappointment. With the real engineer (Sunil) arriving, Geeta is now expected by her family to marry him. Chitchor introduced Vijayendra Ghatge in the supporting role of Sunil.

The movie had a happy ending with Sunil bringing Vinod and Geeta together.

== MUSIC TRIVIA: RAVINDRA JAIN ==
• Ravindra Jain was the music director for Chitchor.
• Blind since birth, he was also an accomplished lyricist and singer.
• His music had melody and sweetness that helped his compositions stand out
• His favourite male playback singer was Yesudas, who sang this as well as a number of other songs for the composer.
• Ravindra Jain encouraged new singers; for example the singer Hemlata was a protégé of Ravindra Jain
• He got a break in Hindi films with the 1973 movie Saudagar, but it was Chitchor's outstanding music that firmly established him in the industry.
• Some of Ravindra Jain's successful music albums included Chor machaaye shor, Fakira, Geet gaata chal, Ankhiyon ke Jharokhon se, Pati patni aur woh, Ram teri Ganga Maili and Henna.

== QUIZ (Scroll down for the answers)
1. Which was the first movie where Yesudas was the playback singer for Amol Palekar?
2. How many Amitabh Bachchan movies did Ravindra Jain compose music for?
3. What was the common link between Chitchor and the movie Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)?
4. Another song from this movie won Yesudas the National award for best singer. Which song was that?

#oldhindisongs #oldisgold #ravindrajain #yesudas #rajshri #amolpalekar


== SONG INFO ==
Song: Aaj Se Pehle
Movie: Chitchor (1976)
Music Director: Ravindra Jain
Lyrics: Ravindra Jain
Original Singer: Yesudas
Version Singer: Spark SP
Photo Courtesy: SKP

== QUIZ ANSWERS ==
1. Rajnigandha
2. One (Saudagar)
3. Rajshri Productions
4. Gori tera gaaon baDaa pyaara