Raza Murad recalls 22-day Kashmir shoot with Kishore Kumar in 1980 film
Synopsis
Raza Murad's social media post has resurfaced a largely forgotten chapter of Bollywood history — a 22-day Kashmir shoot for Kishore Kumar's self-directed, self-scored 1980 film Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin, which had no songs and explored themes of loneliness. It is a rare first-hand account of the enigmatic legend at work, both in front of and behind the camera.
Key Takeaways
Raza Murad spent 22 days shooting alongside Kishore Kumar in Kashmir for the 1980 film Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin .
Kishore Kumar directed, produced, and scored the film — and also played the lead role of a jailed prisoner.
The film was unconventional for featuring no songs , using only natural ambient sounds as its background score.
Kishore Kumar died of a heart attack on 13 October 1987 ; his final recording was the duet 'Guru Guru' with Asha Bhosle .
Raza Murad , now 75 , has appeared in films including Padmaavat , Jodhaa Akbar , and Mohra .
Veteran Bollywood actor Raza Murad has shared a vivid recollection of his time working alongside the late Kishore Kumar in the 1980 film Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin, describing the 22-day shoot in the valleys of Kashmir as one of the most memorable experiences of his career. The actor took to social media to share a still from a dramatic scene in the film, offering fans a rare glimpse into the making of a largely forgotten classic.
The Roles They Played
In the film, Kishore Kumar portrayed a jailed prisoner, while Raza Murad played the role of a compassionate jailor who harbours a soft corner for the convict. Murad described the experience as an intimate window into the personality of the enigmatic entertainer. 'This was a memorable experience to know the mysterious, multi talented Kishore Kumar closely as a person,' Murad wrote.
What Made Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin Unique
Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin was a deeply philosophical film, directed, produced, and scored entirely by Kishore Kumar himself — a rare triple role even by his extraordinary standards. The film explored themes of loneliness, detachment, and the anguish of not belonging. Strikingly, it featured no songs at all, relying instead on natural ambient sounds for its background score — an unconventional choice that set it apart from virtually every Bollywood production of its era.
The Legend Behind the Lens
Kishore Kumar was among the most versatile entertainers in Indian film history, celebrated for his yodelling, his ability to adapt across musical genres, and a screen presence that ranged from slapstick comedy to intense drama. Several of his rare compositions, now considered classics, were lost to time. He passed away suddenly of a heart attack on 13 October 1987 — coincidentally his brother Ashok Kumar's 76th birthday. The day before his death, he completed his final recording: 'Guru Guru', a duet with Asha Bhosle for the film Waqt Ki Awaz, composed by Bappi Lahiri for a film starring Mithun Chakraborty and Sridevi.
Raza Murad's Enduring Career
At 75, Raza Murad remains one of Hindi cinema's most recognisable character actors, with a filmography spanning decades. His notable credits include Prem Rog, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Mohra, Gupt, Jodhaa Akbar, and Padmaavat, as well as the television series Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon. His reminiscence serves as a reminder of the depth of talent that defined an era of Indian cinema that is increasingly being rediscovered by younger audiences.
Point of View
No stars in the conventional sense, and a director-producer-composer who was better known for comedy and playback. That Kishore Kumar attempted such a film at the height of his fame says something about his artistic restlessness that his popular image rarely captures. The rediscovery of such accounts is part of a broader pattern of Hindi cinema's golden era being reappraised — often driven by social media posts from surviving collaborators who are the last living link to those sets.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin?
Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin is a 1980 Bollywood film directed, produced, and scored by Kishore Kumar. It is a philosophical film exploring themes of loneliness and detachment, and was unusual for featuring no songs — only natural ambient sounds as its background score.
What roles did Kishore Kumar and Raza Murad play in the film?
Kishore Kumar played a jailed prisoner, while Raza Murad played a compassionate jailor who develops a soft corner for the convict. The two actors shot together for 22 days in the Kashmir valley.
When did Kishore Kumar die and what was his last recording?
Kishore Kumar died of a sudden heart attack on 13 October 1987, which was his brother Ashok Kumar's 76th birthday. His final recording, made the day before his death, was the duet 'Guru Guru' with Asha Bhosle for the film Waqt Ki Awaz.
Why is Door Waadiyon Mein Kahin considered unique in Bollywood?
The film stands out because Kishore Kumar handled direction, production, and the background score himself, and chose to use only natural ambient sounds instead of songs — a radical departure from mainstream Hindi cinema of the 1980s.
What other films is Raza Murad known for?
Raza Murad, now 75, has appeared in a wide range of films including Prem Rog, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Mohra, Gupt, Jodhaa Akbar, and Padmaavat, as well as the TV series Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon.
