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U/L: "Moojhsay poochey mayray meeth" (Film: DIL AUR DEEWAR)

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"PYAR KIYE JA" (1966) was the remake of a super-hit Tamil comedy that had a title meaning "Not enough time for love". Apparently that title didn't translate well into Hindi. In the Hindi version, the principal male characters were played by Shashi Kapoor, Kishore Kumar and Mehmood.

Mehmood had originally declined the offer to act in this film. When he sensed that the producer was exceedingly keen on having him for a role in the movie, the comedian casually demanded twice his going rate --- certain that his ludicrous price would be dismissed off-hand, thereby giving the actor his way out of the project. To his utter surprise, the producer agreed, and Mehmood had no choice but to act in the movie.

What Mehmood was paid for the role exceeded even that of Shashi Kapoor, let alone Kishore Kumar. In what then seemed as a half-joking remark, Kishore Kumar told Mehmood that one day he would make up for that imbalance.

He didn't have long to wait. Buoyed by the success of an allout comedy film "PYAR KIYE JA", Mehmood once again donned the mantle of producer. He planned to make another comedy, "PADOSAN" based on the story picturised in a Bengali movie. Years earlier, he had produced "CHHOTE NAWAB" and he had also dabbled in film direction.

Mehmood approached Kishore Kumar to play a major role in his film. The actor-singer readily agreed, then asked: "How much will I be paid"? Mehmood asked Kishore Kumar to quote the sum. Imagine Mehmood's stunned look when he heard the words, "Twice what you earned for "PYAR KIYE JA"! But Kishore was not being serious. For when Mehmood agreed to the figure, he responded, "But that would ruin you". Yet, Mehmood did not resent paying the atrocious amount. He was well aware of the pivotal role Kishore would have in paving the way to his film's success. His conviction was not belied. "PADOSAN" went on to become one of the biggest comedy hits in Hindi movie annals, ranking at the top along with "CHALTI KA NAAM GAADI".

Kishore returned that gesture in later years. He volunteered his service gratis, as a guest-artiste, for a film in which Mehmood had a financial stake.

(Information sourced from "KISHORE KUMAR - The Definitive Biography" by Kishore Valicha)