Nasir Husain regaled audiences for over three decades with his genre of light romantic musicals.

His innings as a filmmaker began with the breezy romantic comedy, Tumsa Nahin Dekha. The film was a runaway hit.

He swarmed the BO with superhits like Dil Deke Dekho, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Baharon Ke Sapne, Caravan, Teesri Manzil, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hum Kisise Kam Nahin and Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai. And also helped launch the careers of a number of Bollywood's brightest stars, like Asha Parekh, R D Burman, Shammi Kapoor, etc.

An inherent understanding of characterisation and plot, a keen sense of melody and an eye for budding talent made Nasir Husain an entertainer in the truest sense.

Nasir Husain passed on the mantle to son Mansoor Khan with Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, written by Husain himself.

Rediff.com profiles the most popular films of the filmmaker.

Yet, Shammi Kapoor's exuberance and spontaneity as a guileless lover and a peppy score by O P Nayyar did the trick at the BO. The film established Husain's credentials as a director.

It also gave Shammi Kapoor his legendary zingy image. The duo came together next in another fluffy romance -- Dil Deke Dekho, and met success again.

Songs to remember: Tumsa nahin dekha and Jawaani aayi mast mast bin piye.

Lavish sets, mind-blowing choreography, fabulous music and the chemistry between Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh were the high points of Teesri Manzil.

With this murder mystery, Nasir Husain turned producer and handed over the director's task to the talented Vijay Anand.

Teesri Manzil also marked the beginning of a fruitful professional relationship with composer R D Burman.

Songs to remember: O Haseena zulfonwali, O mere sona re and Aaja aaja.

Just when Nasir Husain was being dubbed one dimensional for his love ditties, he switched tracks with the serious drama Baharon Ke Sapne.

He dealt with the issue of unemployment and the undying conflict between the rich upper and lower working classes.

A relatively unknown Rajesh Khanna played the lead opposite Asha Parekh in this film, which did not do well at the BO.

Incidentally, Asha Parekh worked in maximum number of Nasir Husain films -- Dil Deke Dekho, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Teesri Manzil, Caravan, Pyar Ka Mausam.

Songs to remember: Chunari sambhal gori and Aaja piya tohe pyaar doon.

Asha Parekh played a damsel in distress seeking refuge in a tribe of gypsies, represented by Jeetendra and Aruna Irani. Even as the film circled around its central protagonist Asha Parekh, it was Aruna Irani's spiced up act as the garam masale pouting babe that stood out.

Also noteworthy was Helen's sensuous strip act in Piya tu. Caravan had all the ingredients to make a masala potboiler. No wonder it fared well.

Songs to remember: Piya tu ab toh aaja, Dilbar dil se pyaare, Chadhti jawani and Kitna pyaara vaada hai.

A milestone in Nasir Husain's career, Yaadon Ki Baaraat boasted of extraordinary music.

He recreated the lost and found theme of Yash Chopra's Waqt in his own style casting an unusual trio of Dharmendra, Vijay Arora and nephew Taariq as the three estranged brothers. Leggy Zeenat Aman played Arora's love interest.

Using Dharmendra only for a strong special appearance, Husain defied the star system and proved a hit could be made with lesser-known stars.

As an aside, nephew Aamir Khan made his first screen appearance as a child artiste in melodrama. Earlier, he acted as the younger Shashi Kapoor in Pyar Ka Mausam, Aamir developed cold feet and his kid brother Faisal was called in to save the day.

Songs to remember: Churaliya hain, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Lekar hum deewana dil, O meri soni and Aap ke kamre main.

Hussain repeated his lucky mascot nephew Taariq to good effect in Hum Kisise Kam Nahin, starring Rishi Kapoor. Childhood sweethearts Taariq and Kajal Kiran remain oblivious to each other until a series of unexpected circumstances bring them together again.

A clean family entertainer, Hum Kisise Kam Nahin is fondly remembered for its title qawwali and musical jugalbandi between its lead heroes.

Songs to remember: Chand mera dil medley, Hum kisise kam nahin, Bachna aye haseeno, Yeh ladka hai allah.

Another Husain caper with trademark larger than life sets, lit floors, grand choreography, Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai was a encouraging follow up to Hum Kisise Se Kam Nahin.

Loverboy Rishi Kapoor wooing Padmini Kolhapure formed the basic synopsis.

Songs to remember: Dil lena khel hai, Hoga tumse pyaara kaun, Puccho na yaar.

Around the mid-Eighties, Husain's magic appeared to be on the wane. Though Manzil Manzil was no great shakes, it remains an eventful film in the hearts of those associated with it.

It was during the shooting that the romance between its lead actors Dimple Kapadia and Sunny Deol blossomed. And Aamir Khan stepped in as assistant to his uncle Nasir Husain with the film.

Songs to remember: O meri jaan, Loot gaye hum toh rahon mein.

Realising it was time to hand over the reigns to his talented son Mansoor Khan, Nasir Husain produced Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak which launched the careers of his son and nephew, Mansoor and Aamir respectively.

Whilst scouting for newcomers, Husain hit upon the idea of working with the chocolate-faced Aamir and struggling starlet Juhi Chawla. The film about star-crossed lovers turned out to be a turning point in their careers.

Husain, Aamir and Mansoor teamed up yet again in the youthful Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. Even though JJWS was no blockbuster, it was well appreciated.

Songs to remember: Papa kehte hain, Akele hain, Aye mere humsafar.