Nasir Hussain, the name immediately sparks off a series of memories. Memories of magical movies like Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Dil Deke Dekho, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Baharon Ke Sapne, Teesri Manzil , Pyar Ka Mausam, Caravan, Yaadon Ki Baraat, Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahi, Qayamat Tak and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. Movies that are remembered even today for their hummable melodies and for their "jubilee" run.

Movies whose phenomenal success surprised even the man himself! Nasir Hussain had once joked that he had come to Mumbai in the 1950s with just one script, and re-working it again and again he bought himself 11 super-hits!

Today, advancing years and failing health have prompted Nasir Sahab to handover the reins of his banner to his son Mansoor Khan who with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander and Akele Hum Akele Tum- has earned a place for himself in show business. And it does not take a genius to guess that Mansoor's talent for innovation and entertainment comes from his father.

Nasir Hussain's first film was with Shammi Kapoor. The then movie moghul, S.Mukerji signed Nasir Hussain to direct a film for Filmistan. Nasir Hussain decided that Shammi Kapoor needed a complete change of image, sans his long locks and pencil thin moustache. It was a risk but the debutant director was ready for it. Shammi Kapoor, a desi James Dean and Elvis Presley rolled in to one, exploded on screen in his new avatar in Nasir Hussain's Tumsa Nahin Dekha, and rewrote box-office history.

If Tumsa Nahin Dekha resurrected Shammi Kapoor, Dil Deke Dekho made the perky Asha Parekh an instant heartthrob of the swinging 1960s. Even in the simmering 1970s, Nasir Hussain stuck to chart-topping musical like Yaadon Ki Baraat and Hum Kissi Se Kum Nahin. The Silsila with songs continued into the 1980s with Zamana Ko Dikhana Hai and Manzil Manzil. He changed track momentarily to make Zabardast for Mushir Riyaz but without much success. After that he decided to step down and let his son Mansoor Khan take over.

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