Director Shakti Samanta’s son, Ashim Samanta, reveals how a romantic carriage scene between Madhubala and Ashok Kumar in Howrah Bridge’s ‘Yeh Kya Kar Daala Tune’ was entirely removed by censors for being ‘too sensuous.’
Ask any retro cinema lover about Shakti Samanta’s Howrah Bridge (1958), and their eyes will likely light up. The film brought Ashok Kumar and Madhubala together in a stylish thrill-ride that defined the look and feel of 1950s Hindi cinema. Yet, as brilliant as the lead actors were, the film’s music took on a life of its own. Thanks to O.P. Nayyar’s unforgettable compositions, the soundtrack became an instant hit, and its songs remain just as popular and enjoyable today as they were back then.
Every classic movie holds secrets that never quite make it to the big screen. Some get locked away in quiet studio archives, while others survive as stories passed down by filmmakers and fans over the years. One of the most fascinating behind-the-scenes tales belongs to the iconic song ‘Yeh Kya Kar Daala Tune’ song from this film.
Director Shakti Samanta’s son, Ashim Samanta, in a chat with Radio Nasha, once shared an interesting piece of trivia about the filming of this track. He recalled that much of the opening was filmed in a tanga, a traditional horse-drawn carriage. His father had shot a breathtakingly romantic moment where the wind catches Madhubala’s scarf, blowing it straight across Ashok Kumar’s face. With the thin fabric resting between them, Kumar leaned in and gently kissed her lips and cheeks through the scarf.
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It was a brief, beautiful shot, but the censor board objected, saying the scene looked ‘too sensuous’ and ‘very sexy.’ Left with no choice, his father had to cut that scene from the song.
Howrah Bridge follows Prem Kumar (Ashok Kumar), who travels from Rangoon to Calcutta to solve his brother’s murder and recover a stolen family heirloom. As he digs into the city’s dark underworld, he crosses paths with Edna (Madhubala), a cabaret dancer who helps him crack the case.
