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Salil Chowdhury

Mere Apne (1971)

A deeply emotional Gulzar–Salil collaboration featuring unforgettable performances by Kishore, Lata, Mukesh and Manna Dey.

Mere Apne Poster

Film Information

Language: Hindi

Lyricist: Gulzar

“Mere Apne” was Meena Kumari’s final released film, with Salil Chowdhury’s music enriching Gulzar’s sensitive storytelling. Several recordings, particularly “Roz akeli aaye, roz akeli jaaye”, have fascinating alternate versions and missing antaras due to Meena Kumari’s illness during the shoot.

Songs

Nr Song Singer(s) HndMalTamTel KanBngOth
MA1 Haal chaal theek thaak hai Kishore Kumar, Mukesh ✔----HM21-
MA2 Roz akeli aaye, roz akeli jaaye Lata Mangeshkar ✔------
MA3 Ho ho, gangaa ki bhari god mein Manna Dey GN4 / GN8------
MA4 Koi hotaa jisko apnaa hum apnaa Kishore Kumar ✔----HM24-

Notes & Background

Mere Apne was Meena Kumari’s last complete film. During the shoot she was extremely unwell, and the filming of “Roz akeli aaye, roz akeli jaaye” was cancelled multiple times. Gulzar wanted it filmed, not just used as background — but it never happened.

Surprisingly, the song originally had three antaras, but only two were included on the record. A Gulzar-compiled CD (2003) features a different second antara, proving HMV possesses the full recording but has not released it.

“Roz akeli jaaye” is also musically very close to the classic Nazrul-geeti “Meghla nishi bhore, mon je kemon kawre” — though Salil’s lush orchestration transforms it.

“Koi hota jisko apna” remains one of Kishore Kumar’s most loved melancholy songs, with Salil’s signature chord movements and harmonic layers.