Lesser-known facts about the super hit film 1942: A Love Story" released in 1994

In the nineties, a film was released in India which was so full of romance, poetry and dreams of freedom that even after decades, its fragrance still remains in the hearts and minds of the audience. That film was "1942: A Love Story" released in 1994.

"1942: A Love Story" was directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is known for his sharp vision. But do you know how the screenplay of this film was written after long discussions and a lot of disagreements? The story begins with writer Kamna Chandra, who had already written stories for many successful films. Kamna had already shared a love story with Chopra. He liked the story, but then suddenly an idea came to his mind. "What if we set this story in another era?" He asked her. This idea changed everything. The film became a love story set in 1942, during India's freedom struggle against British rule. Kamna Chandra used her experiences growing up during the freedom movement to write a story that was more than just a boy and a girl meeting and falling in love. It was a wonderful story of love and sacrifice, during that turbulent era. The time is 1942. The British Raj is weakening. Brave men and women everywhere in India are meeting secretly, planning protests and mustering the courage to fight for freedom. In the quiet green hills of Himachal Pradesh, Narendra Singh aka Naren (Anil Kapoor) is the son of Diwan Hari Pratap Singh (Manohar Singh), who works loyally for the British government. Naren is madly in love with Rajeshwari Pathak aka Rajjo (Manisha Koirala), the beautiful and innocent daughter of a revolutionary, Raghuveer Pathak (Anupam Kher). Rajjo's father fights against the British, while Naren's family supports him. When Rajjo confronts her father about marrying Naren, he angrily says, "How can you love the son of a man who works for our enemies?" But Naren has a true heart. He agrees to give up everything for Rajjo. Rajjo's father agrees at last . But Naren's father cannot accept that his son is in love with the daughter of a revolutionary. He hatches a conspiracy and tricks Naren into revealing a secret about Rajjo's father, which leads to a police raid. Rajjo's father sacrifices himself in a bomb blast to save his comrades. Rajjo somehow escapes and joins the freedom movement led by a brave man named Shubhankar (Jackie Shroff). On learning of the betrayal, Naren leaves his father's side forever and joins Rajjo and others as a revolutionary. Their love now stands with the country's call for freedom.

The film's other cast includes Pran, Danny Denzongpa, Chandni, Raghubir Yadav, Sushma Seth, Manohar Singh, Brian Glover and others.

Did you know that Madhuri Dixit was the original choice for the role of Rajjo? In fact, Javed Akhtar had written the song "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha To" keeping Madhuri in mind. But Madhuri couldn't do the film due to date issues. Then Manisha Koirala was roped in. Manisha was rejected in the first audition but was selected in the second. According to reports, Ashwini Bhave also auditioned, and Nana Patekar was considered for the role of Anupam Kher, but he refused to play. It is rumoured that Nana wanted Jackie Shroff's role.

The making of the film was not easy. Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted perfection and it came at a price. He wanted to shoot in the beautiful hills of Dalhousie but flying the entire cast and crew to Himachal Pradesh was too expensive. So set designer Nitin Desai recreated Dalhousie in Mumbai's Film City. Just imagine that the real Himachal was created on a film set in Mumbai.

Another fact is that Jackie Shroff was so dedicated that when the director wanted to build some extra rooms for some scenes, Jackie paid for it from his own pocket. When R.D. Burman needed money for music recording, Jackie also helped the director.

The film took four years to make. It was the first Hindi film to have Dolby Stereo sound, which made its musical experience unique at that time.
This film became famous in 1942 The film is based on the Indian historical movement 'Quit India' movement. Its story was inspired by the famous Quit India Movement.

When Indians across the country stood up for freedom in 1942. The film tried to bring alive this period of courage and love on screen.

The music of “1942: A Love Story” is the soul of the film and is remembered even after so many years. This was the last film of the legendary music director R.D. Burman. It is said that when Chopra signed him, Burman was giving one hit film after another. Yet many music companies refused to buy the albums of the songs of this film. Little did they know that these songs would become immortal. R.D. Burman got his third Filmfare Award as Best Music Director but unfortunately he died four months before he could receive the award. RD broke all the music records with this film as till date it is considered as the highest selling record before the release of the film. R. D. won the Best Music Director, Best Lyricist, Best Male Singer and Best Female Singer awards for the music of this film.The lyrics of the film written by Javed Akhtar touch the heart directly. Songs like “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga”, “Pyar Hua Chupke Se”, “Rooth Na Jana”, “Kuch Na Kaho”, “Rim Jhim Rim Jhim”, “Yeh Safar” depict love and desire with words and tunes.

You will find that this song, “Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga” compares a girl to many beautiful things—“like a blooming rose, a poet’s dream, a bright ray of light, a beautiful deer in the forest, a gentle breeze,” and many more beautiful images. Kumar Sanu's voice made this song unforgettable and he even won a Filmfare Award for it, his fifth consecutive award.

There are many stories behind the creation of the film's music. The team devoted a lot of time to the music. Sometimes R.D. Burman would sing and dance to tell them the kind of tune he wanted. Everyone in the recording studio was lost in his magic. Even the director would listen with tears in his eyes that something priceless was being created.

The film's sets, the details of the costumes—from the houses, the old-fashioned cars and even the way people spoke and walked—everything was done with a lot of research.

When "1942: A Love Story" was released, it did not become an instant blockbuster at the box office. Still, critics praised the film for its elegance, the perfect atmosphere of the forties, the music and the beauty. Over time, it became a cult classic, cherished by many as a story of young love and the sacrifices made by families and lovers during difficult times.

The film premiered at Bombay's Metro Cinema at 9:30 pm, but started 5 minutes late at 9:35 pm, after which Vidhu Vinod Chopra closed all the entry doors of the theatre to prevent latecomers from entering. He did not want any disturbance after the film started. He said, he had spent four years of his life on this film and those who did not respect his film did not respect him either. After this incident, many well-known actors and directors were left waiting outside the cinema hall.

Kumar Sanu once came unshaven for the recording of a song for this film, but RD Burman told him to shave before coming as the song should have freshness, youth and romance. Kumar Sanu went back and recorded only after he came shaved.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted Shah Rukh Khan for the role of Raghubir Yadav. But by the time shooting began, Shah Rukh had started playing only lead roles in films.

1942 A Love Story', (1994) Even today the magic of this love story remains"

Vidhu Vinod Chopra bought Dolby stereo sound from London for the film's premiere at Bombay's Metro Cinema.

Gita Dutt's song 'Aan Milo, Aan Milo, Shyam Sanware' from Devdas was later re-sampled for the flute portion of Kuch Naa Kaho in 1942 A Love Story.

The film has been given a U/A rating, while it features a kissing scene that was earlier considered unsuitable for young children.

Kumar Sanu won his fifth consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer for the song "Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga".

According to reports, Lata Mangeshkar recorded "Kuch Naa Kaho" after R.D. Burman's death. R.D. Burman had a different tune in mind which he rehearsed with singer Kavita and the lyrics were also very different. Vinod was putting off the decision and was adamant that the male and female versions be rehearsed. The same track and tune was to be used for the film. Eventually, after R.D.'s demise, Vinod recorded the female version on the same track, but in Lata's voice. Kavita has now released the second version with the original lyrics and tune on YouTube and Facebook.

In 1991, Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted to title the film "Neha". He later changed his mind. The film was released in theatres in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. 

Even today, thirty years later, "1942: A Love Story" is remembered.

- ...1942 A Love Story', (1994) Even today the magic of this love story remains"

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