LEGENDARY:MUKESH CHAND MATHUR
At the age of 17, Mukesh came to Bombay. His good looks inspired film-makers to cast him as a singing hero. He acted in Nirdosh, Sukh Dukh, Aadaab Arz and Mashooqa. Unfortunately, he was not successful as a hero but his singing was noticed first in Dil bujha ho to fasale-bahar kya from Nirdosh and later on in Moorti when he sang for Moti Lal. However, Mukesh took music lovers by surprise when he copied Saigal while singing Dil jalta hai to jalne de aansoon na baha faryad na kar in Pehli Nazar. Even Saigal was taken in and exclaimed "But I do not remember singing this song". Mukesh met Raj Kapoor for the first time at Ranjit Studio on the sets of Bansri. Mukesh sang for Raj Kapoor in his first film Neel Kamal. Raj Kapoor realised that he could achieve stardom if Mukesh sang for him. Later on in Aag, Barsaat, and Aawara, Mukesh rendered songs for Raj Kapoor. Soon it became evident that both were made for each other. Mukesh was Raj Kapoor's voice in the RK productions as well as some other banners.
The 1954-56 span was the leanest period for Mukesh. This was a phase in which nothing he did was right. Mukesh compounded his mistakes by venturing into production. His decision to produce his own film Anuraag was an unfortunate one. Indeed, things came to such a pass that he had to withdraw his children from school. To keep his home fires burning Mukesh was compelled to sing in an advertisement.
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