A remake of Tarun Majumdar’s Bengali classic, in which Moushumi Chatterjee played the child-bride, ‘Balika Badhu’ was Tarun Majumdar’s second Hindi remake. The film, starring newcomer Rajni Sharma, was a success. Sharma subsequently appeared in minor roles before disappearing from the industry.
Sachin, who portrayed her reserved and embarrassed husband, also received positive reviews. However, Asrani and newcomer Kajri, playing inquisitive relatives, were the scene-stealers. The film expertly recreated the Bengali atmosphere and marked a major breakthrough for Amit Kumar as a singer. Under R.D. Burman’s guidance, Amit Kumar’s rendition of “Bade Achche Lagte Hain” achieved chart-topping success.
When Amit Kumar performs Bade Achche Lagte Hain, he’s not only marveling at nature’s beauty, but also the creative process that turned an R.D. creation into something more than just a song.
Amit Kumar recalls: “Pancham called and told my father to send me for a recording the next morning. My father asked, ‘What will he do in a recording?’ Pancham said I had to sing a song for a film to be produced by Shakti Samanta and he needed a raw voice. My father asked, ‘Why do you need my son when you have me?’ Pancham explained he needed a young voice to sound like a 17-year-old. This was just banter. My father was actually very happy for me. I sang the song Bade Achche Lagte Hain. I never knew it would become so popular. In fact, it didn’t become an overnight sensation like Chikni Chameli. It took three years to become popular. Today it’s a household number. Bade Achche Lagte Hain gave me an identity beyond being Kishore Kumar’s son. And I give full credit to Pancham. He forbade me from copying my father. He said no one could sing like him. He said, ‘Sing in your own voice.’ I did.”
