Asad Bhopali – The Unsung Lyricist Of Hindi Cinema

Asad Bhopali – a lyricist who did amazing work but remained relatively unknown. He was born on the 10th July 1921 at Bhopal. His father’s name was Munshi Ahmed Khan and Asad Bhopali was his eldest child. His original name was Asadullah Khan. He had formal education in Faarsi, Arabic, Urdu and English. In due course, the world recognized him as Asad Bhopali. At the age of 28, he went over to Bombay and became a film lyricist. But his whole life was a constant struggle. His first film as lyricist was ‘Duniya’ (1949). He had his share of difficulties in Bombay. Although he eventually worked with most major music directors like Laxmikant Pyarelal, Ravi, Usha Khanna, Kalyanji Anandji, C.Ramchandra.

He wrote two songs in “Duniya” of which Mohammad Rafi sang, “Rona Hai To Chupke Chupke Ro” and “Armaan Loote Dil Toot Gaya” was recorded in Suraiyya’s voice.
The film that catapulted his lyrics into fame was B.R. Chopra’s “Afsana” where he penned six out of the nine songs which were sung by Shamshad Begum, Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh.

In 1990, his song “Dil deewana bin sajna ke” from “Maine Pyar Kiya” won him a Filmfare Award.
A list of some of his songs –
1. Moti Mahal (1952)
https://youtu.be/u0Oiyr28zdY

2. Hum Sab Ustad Hain (1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Og7l-oZ11w

3. Parasmani (1963)

4. Tower House (1962)

5. Ek Sapera Ek Lootera (1965)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9p209fgPRk

6. Roop Tera Mastana (1972)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DijBtxQXlZU