Sharaabi

Sharaabi poster for sale.

Featured here is an old Bollywood poster of the 1984 blockbuster Hindi film directed by Prakash Mehra that starred the greatest superstar of Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan in the lead role.

Produced by Satyendra Pal under the Chaudhry Enterprises banner, Sharaabi (1984) also starred Jaya Prada, Om Prakash, Pran, Ranjeet, Deepak Parashar, Mukri, A.K. Hangal, Suresh Oberoi, Satyen Kappu, Viju Khote, Bharat Bhushan and Vikas Anand in supporting roles. Actress Smita Patil made a special appearance in the song, “Jahan Chaar Yaar Mil Jaye, Wahi Raat Ho Gulzar,” while Kader Khan wrote the dialogues of the film.

Sharaabi (1984) was Prakash Mehra’s last hit and sixth in a row with superstar Amitabh Bachchan, the other five being Zanjeer, Hera Pheri, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Laawaris and Namak Halaal. A silver jubilee “blockbuster” at the box office, Sharaabi (1984) was one of superstar Amitabh Bachchan’s last films before he temporarily gave up acting to venture into politics, making this original Bollywood poster, highly collectible!

This Sharaabi poster was originally designed by cutting out images of actors from separate still photographs (shot on set location) and pasting them on a board. The typography is hand drawn / hand painted, which makes this poster an interesting mix of two very different design techniques.

A large cut out photograph of Amitabh Bachchan holding a glass of whiskey (typifying his character as an alcoholic in the film), with a still photo of lead actress Jaya Prada (who plays a singer in the film) on the top is seen in this Sharaabi poster. Typography used in this poster is entirely in English.

The soundtrack album of Sharaabi (1984) was composed by music maestro Bappi Lahiri, while lyrics of the songs were written by Anjaan and Prakash Mehra. It was a blockbuster upon it’s release, giving Indian cinema unforgettable tracks like “Inteha Ho Gayi Intezaar Ki” sung by Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle, “De De Pyaar De,” “Manzilen Apni Jagah Hai” & “Log Kehte Hain” sung by Kishore Kumar, “Jahan Chaar Yaar Mil Jaye, Wahi Raat Ho Gulzar” sung by Amitabh Bachchan & Kishore Kumar and “Mujhe Naulakha Manga De Re, O Saiya Deewane” sung by Kishore Kumar & Asha Bhosle.

The film’s super hit music bagged Bappi Lahiri the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director and Kishore Kumar his 7th Best Male Playback Singer award for the song, “Manzilen Apni Jagah Hai.”

Inspired by the classic Hollywood romcom, Arthur (1981), Sharaabi (1984) was remade in Kannada as Nee Thanda Kanike (1985).