Mehmood was most popular as a comedian but he also assayed serious (Beti Bete) as well as negative roles (C.I.D.). A good number of classical numbers have been picturized on him, many with vocals by his favourite, Manna Dey. He is also credited with introducing R D Burman as a music director in his first home production, Chote Nawab. Later in his career almost all songs picturized on Mehmood were with a comic strain.
FiveSongs – Solos picturized on Mehmood
| #1 | Song: Hato Kahe Ko Jhooti Singer: Manna Dey Year: 1960 Movie: Manzil Director: Mandi Burman Lyricist: Majrooh Sultanpuri Composer: S D Burman |
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| Playing a paanwaala, Mehmood enacts a mujra right in his shop. His histrionics are hilarious, but might cause one to miss the movie’s hero Dev Anand, in the beginning of the song.
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| #2 | Song: Piparwa Ke Patwa Singer: Mohammad Rafi Year: 1963 Movie: Godaan Director: Trilok Jaitley Lyrics: Anjaan Composer: Pandit Ravi Shanker |
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| Mehmood plays younger brother to Raaj Kumar in this screen adaptation of Munshi Premchand’s Godaan. On his way back to his village, he sings this song amongst fields and village paths.
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| #3 | Song: Aao Twist Kare Singer: Manna Dey Year: 1965 Movie: Bhoot Bangla Director: Mehmood Lyrics: Hasrat Jaipuri Composer: R D Burman |
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| Mehmood produced, directed & starred in Bhoot Bangla opposite Tanuja, the second movie from his production house & R D Burman’s second movie as a music director. This song was a lift off from the 1960 Chubby Checker song “The Twist”. The main ‘twist’ in the song however was Manna Dey, who was known for his classical based songs. R D Burman reportedly asked him to listen to the Chubby Checker version and persuaded him to sing this song for the movie.
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| #4 | Song: Ilahi Tu Sunle Singer: Mohammad Rafi Year: 1961 Movie: Chote Nawab Director: S. A. Akbar Lyricist: Shailendra Composer: R D Burman |
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| Chote Nawab was the first movie from Mehmood’s production house and R D Burman debuted as a music director. Mohammad Rafi sings for a childlike “chote nawab“, played by Mehmood, who in turn sings for his ailing father.
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| #5 | Song: Maine Rakha Hai Singer: Mohammad Rafi Year: 1964 Movie: Shabnam Director: Aspi Irani Lyricist: Jawed Anwar Composer: Usha Khanna |
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| Mehmood plays the swashbuckling hero opposite southern star L. Vijayalaxmi in Shabnam. Usha Khanna was one of the few female music directors, who managed to make their mark in Bollywood.
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