Raj Khosla@100: The master of suspense and melodrama in Hindi cinema

His first stint in cinema came as a stunt double for a heroine, Waheeda Rehman made her Hindi debut in his film, he wanted to be singer instead went on to become the master of the crime-suspense genre with gems such as "CID" and "Woh Kaun Thi?

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Raj Khosla, the director with unlikely beginnings, would have been 100 on May 31. He had a limited oeuvre of just over 25 films in 34 years but most stand out in the crowded gallery of Indian movies for their watchability, their star power and perhaps most of all for the many songs heard and remixed even today.

With his centenary - which will be celebrated in Mumbai with a one-day retrospective of his restored films cinephiles reopen a chapter of Indian cinema history that may not have got the prominence it deserved.

Beginning his movie making career with “Milaap” in 1955 and ending with “Naqaab” in 1989, both fairly forgettable, Khosla directed a host of major hits in between. He gave Sadhana three of her best films in "Woh Kaun Thi?", "Mera Saaya" and "Anita", worked with Dev Anand in memorable classics, including “Kala Paani” and “Solva Saal”, and was mentored by Guru Dutt.

With his second film “CID”, a stylish crime drama, Khosla sealed his place as a hit director still remembered. The 1956 film, which also starred Dev Anand and Shakila and introduced Waheeda Rehman, was offered to him by Guru Dutt.

Khosla, the director who carefully balanced art and commerce in his movies, has also given Hindi cinema some of its most memorable songs - "Lag Jaa Gale", "Mera Saaya", "Jhumka Gira Re", "Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana", "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan", "Nazar Lagi Raja Torey Bangley Per" and "Hai Apna Dil To Awara" and so many more.

In fact, “Jhumka Gira Re” from “Mera Saaya” has been repurposed in Karan Johar's 2023 film “Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani”.