But he feels rain songs might be losing their power in Bollywood. “Today actresses are blatantly showing skin and no longer need the excuse of rain to do so. But it was so much better in the old days when nothing was overtly on display and much was left to the imagination. What could be sexier than Mandakini’s breasts peeking through that white transparent sari molding to her figure?” Kakar chuckles.

India being primarily an agrarian society, in the Manoj Kumar era of the ’50s and ’60s, rain symbolised a season of harvest when you reaped the benefits of your hard work. But has that innocence evaporated from the scene? Today, is rain merely being used as a tool of titillation? Director Aziz Mirza begs to differ. “Rain is something that’s so exceptionally romantic. There is nothing artificial or manufactured about it. Even in nature everything blooms during the monsoon. For me, rain is best summarised by these fantastic lyrics in Roti Kapda Aur Makan. “Hai hai yeh majboori, yeh mausam aur yeh doori, mujhe pal pal hai tadpaaye, teri do take ki naukri mein mera lakhon kaa saawan jaaye re.”

We agree Mr Mirza. Who cares about two-penny jobs when you can splash around in the rains?

* Pyaar hua ikraar hua — Shree 420
* Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si — Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
* Hai hai ye majboori — Roti Kapda aur Makaan
* Ab ke sajan saawan mein — Chupke Chupke
* Aaj rapat jaayein — Namak Halaal
* Rimjhim rimjhim — 1942 – A Love Story