Devata was released in 1978, which was a below average kind of a year
for Pancham - as far as number of releases are concerned. Surprisingly,
post the release of Sholay in 1975 and despite its mega-success, for
next 3-4 years, his average number of movie releases were just about
10-11. Comparatively, he had composed for 18-19 movies every year
between 1971 till 1975. Perhaps he became more selective post Sholay.
Coming back to 1978, apart from Devata, there were a few more, very
noteworthy & successful releases, which found RD in his full
elements. These were Ghar, Kasme Vaade & Shalimaar. I will surely
get to those compositions, but just now, would love to play a song from
another Dharmendra starrer from that year - Phande Baaz.
In 1977, RD & Rafi had got together - after a long time - to create
Kya Hua Tera Wada. Phande Baaz was another movie where he used Rafi's
voice - this time for Dharmendra. Of course, the movie, a social comedy
also had Kishore Kumar singing Abhi Gyarah Nahin Baje Hain to suit
Dharmendra's comic avataar.
The pick of the compositions was
however a duet by Rafi & Lata. The composition has an earnestness,
and a sweet sound, and RD's idea to introduce a whistle & humming at
the end of each stanza, adds that little special touch which he was
known for. Listen to this as Moushmi tries to make an honest man out of
"Phande Baaz" Dharmendra: