Movie: This song appears in 1968 Sagar Art International’s hit spy thriller Ankhen (The Eyes) directed and produced by Ramanand Sagar. The movie starred Dharmendra, Mala Sinha, Late Nazir Hussain, late Mahmood, late Dhumal, Kumkum, late Lalita Pawar, late Jeevan, late Madan Puri, etc.
The movie talks of the India of post-independence era, facing terrorist attacks in Assam, resulting in several casualties. Some concerned citizens, not working with the government, come together to do something to stop the bloodshed. When an associate is shot dead, Sunil Mehra (Dharmendra) has to visit Beirut to take over. His sister Sunanda (Kumkum), while conversing with him, gets him to reveal that there was a girl, Meenakshi Mehta (Mala Sinha), who would admire him. He talks in a flashback about the time he had gone to Japan for training.
Back to the present, in Beirut, Meenakshi is already present with an incognito dance group working within the enemies. Meenakshi has trained in spying as a child and is Sunil’s father’s (Nazir Hussain) friend’s daughter. The next shot is of Meenakshi and her troupe preparing for their upcoming performance. They sing this song.
Song: Music for this song was composed by Ravi and the lyrics were written by Sahir Ludhianvi.
The girl says, “Be someone’s beloved. This is the time for this to happen. In front of you is some swaying beautiful scenery.”
Video: Cinematography G Singh. Dance choreography is by Satyanarayan.
The video opens with Sajjan watching the dance performance hidden from view, through a large window. 2 sets of female dancers play with the dafli with cymbals and run down the stairs they are standing on. Madhumati and another dancer begin the dance. They are all wearing the Arabian dress in different colors.
Mahmood is playing the steward with the spy ear. Mala Sinha enters from above the stage, wearing a Cleopatra dress in a light blue color. She begins the song slowly. Dhumal is enjoying the song. Madhumati and the other dancer also join Mala Sinha in the song. Mala Sinha moves among the people sitting on the tables with the mike, given by Mahmood, just before this dance sequence. This mike contains a spy camera.
Dhumal says something to Mahmood, to which he nods. The 3 lead dancers dance together and Mala Sinha goes back to the stage and she is lifted back to the top. The song peters off and the video ends there.
Artists: The playback singers are Asha Bhonsle, Usha Mangeshkar and Kamal Barot and Mala Sinha performs onscreen with Madhumati, Mahmood, Dhumal, Sajjan and others.
Cultural Influence: This is a typical item song of today’s times performed by the heroine. The song and the artists are good. The video is worth watching for the same.
