In the realm of Hindi cinema, discussions about movies are incomplete without a nod to the enchanting world of songs. Even today, some films are crafted with four, five, eight, or nine songs. Imagine the astonishment when we speak of a film boasting a staggering 72 songs. Yes, such a cinematic marvel exists in Bollywood, and its name is ‘Indrasabha.’
Now, consider the intrigue surrounding films with eight or nine songs. The popularity of a film with 72 songs raises curiosity to unparalleled heights. Indeed, ‘Indrasabha’ holds the record for having 72 songs, and its runtime was approximately three and a half hours.
The Dual Saga of ‘Indrasabha’
‘Indrasabha’ has etched its name in Bollywood history by being made twice. The film first graced the silver screen in 1925, during the era of silent films when music wasn’t an integral part of the cinematic experience. The first iteration was directed by Manilal Joshi. However, the landscape of cinema underwent a revolutionary change in 1932 with the advent of talkies. During this transition, Madan Theater, under the banner of J.F. Madan, took the initiative to recreate the film. This marked the first-ever talkie version of ‘Indrasabha,’ which is significant for being Bollywood’s maiden sound film. It’s essential to note that ‘Alam Ara’ was the first talkie film, and ‘Indrasabha’ followed suit with synchronized sound.
Madan Theater contributed 72 songs to this cinematic extravaganza, featuring the mesmerizing voice of Jehanara Kajjan, also known as the Nightingale of Bengal. The film comprised nine Thumris, four Holi songs, 15 Geets, 31 Ghazals, 2 Chaubols, 5 Chhand Geets, and 5 general songs. Even after a century, only eight years remain until ‘Indrasabha’ completes its centennial milestone, and to date, no film has surpassed the record set by this 92-year-old masterpiece.