Aap Beati

Minimal Bollywood posters for sale: Aap Beati (1976).

Featured here is an actual surviving original Bollywood poster of the 1976 Hindi drama written, produced and directed by Mohan Kumar that starred Ashok Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini and Premnath in key roles.

An Emkay Films presentation, Aap Beati (1976) also featured Nirupa Roy, Aruna Irani, Asrani, Sujit Kumar, Madan Puri, Junior Mehmood and Naaz in supporting roles. Helen and Tun Tun made a special appearance in the film.

Printed and circulated during the first release of the film in theaters (somewhere in 1976), this Aap Beati poster was designed and printed for publicity of the film but never ended up being used.

This vintage Bollywood poster was originally designed in hand painted oil on canvas format by a leading art studio in Bombay. The printed signature of master Bollywood poster artist D.R. Bhosle is seen on the bottom right.

Striking hand painted portraits of actors Ashok Kumar and Premnath are seen illustrated in this vintage Aap Beati poster. Legendary Bollywood poster painter D.R. Bhosle uses a restrained approach in designing this masterpiece, with a strong focus on portraiture and likeness.

The two actors have been captured in their true element from the classic song, “Ban Gaya Buddha Sharabi” sung by legendary singers Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey. The jolly mood they are in post a drinking session has been illustrated using excellent lighting techniques to make their faces glow. Garlands are seen around their necks, as they are heading back home after a wedding.

As is Bollywood poster designer D.R. Bhosle’s trademark technique, a minimal white and yellow background is used, making the two portraits stand out in sharp contrast.

Typography used in this minimal Bollywood poster is entirely in Devanagari Hindi. The title of the poster is seen in a striking stretched 3D font in yellow encased in black on the top.

The soundtrack album of Aap Beati (1976) was composed by the hit duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. It featured a song sung by Kishore Kumar and his son Amit Kumar together called “Kismat Ki Baat.” Another song sung by Lata Mangeshkar called “Zara Jaldi Jaldi Mila Karo Na Ji” was very popular at the time of the film’s release.