Today’s second post is the analysis of the song, Jaa mujhe na ab, from the movie, Prem Nagar (1974). The song has been analysed on the basis of its context and visualization.
Movie – Prem Nagar (1974)
The song, Jaa mujhe na ab, was featured in Vijaya and Suresh Combines’ romrama Prem Nagar (1974), directed by K S Prakash Rao and produced by D Rama Naidu. The movie starred Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, etc.
The movie begins with the shot inside a plane. Karan (Rajesh Khanna) is completely drunk and he sings this short song and disturbs the other passengers. Karan is an alcoholic, rich brat and womanizer. Lata (Hema Malini) is an airhostess. But her mother wants her to leave the job, which the older woman considers as dangerous. Like the practice in those days, Lata appears at a hotel for a job-interview answering a newspaper ad. On Karan’s birthday evening, he has thrown a party at that hotel.
After the party, Karan saves Lata from a rape-attempt and takes her home to engage her as his secretary. His side kick (Asrani) supplies alcohol and women to Karan. The man creates an altercation between Karan and Lata and things go to the extent of her submitting her resignation. Her self-respect is hurt. Karan orders that there will not be any disrespect to her then onward. But his sidekick still insults Lata saying that her value is less that alcohol. This hurts her very badly and she discovers a music room. There is a veena in the room. She places it near her and sings a semi-classical song.
The song helps her get a place in Karan and his mother, the Rani Maa’s (Kamini Kaushal) hearts. After Lata saves Karan’s inheritance for him, she tries to make him stop drinking. But he throws the bottle at her head and she bleeds. Post some melodrama and some flashback, he decides to stop drinking. The subjects of Karan’s royal estate are being tortured by Karan’s elder brother, Badey Sarkar (Prem Chopra). When Karan comes to know of his subjects’ plight, he proclaims certain reforms and decides to tour his estate. On the day they tour the estate, they visit a tribal village where they sing a song.
Romance is kindled between Karan and Lata. But they don’t say anything to each other about it. When Karan broaches the subject of his deciding on his life partner, Lata expresses the desire to meet her. He takes her to a newly built palatial house and tells her to go into one of the rooms. The room is small with mirrors built on to the walls. She is happy that Karan had chosen her as a life partner.
Badey Sarkar finds out about Lata and Karan’s love affair and consults Rani Maa on what would be the next step. Lata is blamed of theft of a precious necklace and insulted in front of everyone. Karan trusts her and brings her out of the informal court of Badey Sarkar. He, then, asks her how could the theft happen. She misunderstands him and leaves. Lata and her family return to her brother’s bungalow and are treated like servants. She is now on the lookout for a new job.
Karan shifts to the city, finds out where she now lives and tries to convince her. She is not convinced because her self-respect is hurt. When her mother falls ill, she visits the doctor where Karan is talking to the doctor. Karan is coughing and is advised not to stop having alcohol. He has to now have it like medicine. Karan says he has promised someone that he wouldn’t have alcohol and leaves. He doesn’t see Lata.
Lata feels pity on him and goes to his home to talk to him. He throws a bottle of alcohol through the glass window and sings a song. After the song, she herself gives him a glass of alcohol to drink like medicine. But he declines.
Lata sends her younger brother to find out what would make him drink alcohol again. Karan’s reply is that if she tells him she no longer loves him, he would drink alcohol. She, then, agrees to marry someone else. Invite is sent to Karan and his family as well. Karan visits her on the wedding day at the venue and speaks to her. The groom’s mother sees them together and cancels the wedding.
Lata is about to take a harsh decision when Rani Maa comes to her and tells her to go and meet Karan, in all the bridal finery. When she visits Karan’s home, he is singing this song.
Song – Jaa mujhe na ab
The song, Jaa mujhe na ab, was penned by Anand Bakshi and set to music by S D Burman.
The man sings, “Leave me alone. Don’t remind me of yourself, again.”
Video – Jaa mujhe na ab
Cinematography is by A Vincent.
The video opens with Rajesh Khanna seeing a smiling Hema Malini’s image in the mirrors of the house. The music has already begun. Rajesh Khanna starts singing this song. He has pain in the left side of his tummy, which he holds often.
Lightning and thunder appear outside. It is symbolically shown to enhance the visual representation of turmoil in his life. Hema Malini in all her bridal finery is on her way to reach his home.
The video now shows moments when they were together in the previous parts of the movie. He moves from one part of the palace to another and he is tearful. It is raining outside and Kamini Kaushal is with Hema Malini in the car.
The car encounters an accident. Rajesh Khanna bumps into a large flower vase, which falls down. The song and the video end abruptly as he bows down in front of Hema Malini’s painting, on the wall.
Artists
Kishore Kumar have sung this song for Rajesh Khanna. Hema Malini and Kamini Kaushal are also seen in the video.
Cultural Influence
There is no influence of any culture on this song. The song and the artists are good. The video is watchable for the same.
