Chhaayaageet #117: "We do need a dhamaka of a song that will wake up even a dead person."
They both have been so magical together. One hit after another. So many nominations over the years. They have been regulars at the Filmfare awards, each and every year. But, the lady in black has been elusive. It’s been a sore spot. But who cares? Their self proclaimed mission, first and foremost, has always been to bring melody back.
Fame is not kind to some relationships. Theirs has started to show some cracks. The younger one doesn’t want to play second fiddle. Why should the elder one always make all the decisions? Just because he is older?
The younger one cannot hold himself back. “I am the captain of this team. I have to be in on everything at all times. How do you expect me to do the orchestration of the song if I am not brought in sooner”, he would say.
The elder brother would refuse to give in. “You don’t tell me what to do. I am 9 years older than you and know much more about music and compositions”, he would snap back.
The brothers have stopped talking. It is just their egos arguing now.
The younger brother branches out on his own. You realize the value of something once you lose it. So does he. Life is definitely harder without the elder sibling but at least he gets to make all the decisions now. Things are not going that great though. A few films have come by, but nothing has clicked.
One day he is flipping through the TV channels. Ah, that sounds like an interesting composition. It is a Pakistani song on some MTV like channel and has a catchy tune.
“This tune would work really well but needs to be modified for the Hindi film audience. I could also play with the lyrics. All it needs are some simple words thrown here and there to rhyme”, he wonders.
He convinces himself to write the lyrics and composition. This song is so unlike him. There is no melody here. It feels like a compromise of that original mission. The song will have to wait for the right film. He moves on from it, turning his attention back to the work on hand.
He invites a young producer for a music sitting. They have recently worked together in a film and, who knows, there may be an opportunity in his upcoming films. The producer also happens to be the younger brother of a superstar. The producer arrives at his house with one of the leading directors of their time.
Composer: “Bhai, kaise hain aap? Kuch kar sakta hoon aap ke liye? Pichli baar aap ke saath kam karke achha laga.” Brother, how are things going with you? Is there anything I can do for you? I liked working with you in the last film.
Producer: “Haan, sab achha hai. Hum (pointing to the director) ek film bana rahe hain, action comedy hai. Mera bhai hero hai. Hum iss film ko leke bahot excited hain.” Yes, things are going well. We (pointing to the director) are working on this action comedy film. My elder brother is playing the lead male character. We are very excited about this film.
Composer: “Oh bahot achhe. Mujhe khushi hogi film ka music karne mein. Kab shuru karenge?” Oh, very good. I would love to compose the music. When should we start?
Producer: “Aapko ek baat batana bhool gaye. Humne film ki music ke liye music director ko sign kar liya hai. Gaane bhi ban gaye hain. Sorry bhai.” Well, you know, there is this one thing I forgot to tell you. We decided to go with another pair of composers and the songs have already been composed. Sorry brother.
Composer: “Koi baat nahin, bhai. Agli baar.” Oh, that’s ok, brother. Next time.
Producer: “Aapko sach kahun to gaane achhe hain, melody achhi hai, lekin slow hain.” Well, to tell you the truth, the songs are good and melodious, but they are quite slow.
Composer: “To achha hai, yeh to achhi baat hai.” So what’s wrong with that. That’s a good thing.
Producer: “Haan, par humko aisa lag raha hai ki ek fast gaana hona chahiye. Shayad item song. Par hum jaante hain ye aapki speciality nahin hai.” Yes, but we both feel, the film is missing a faster number. Perhaps an item song. But we know that’s not your specialty.
Composer: “Haan aapne sahi kaha. Waise mein bhi slow aur melody vaale gaane banata hoon. Lekin mere paas ek composition hai jo aap ko zaroor sunni chahiye.” You are right. Normally I also compose slow and melodious songs but there is this one composition that you must hear.
Producer: “Theek hai, agar aap kehte hain to. Lekin aisa dhamaka chahiye ki mara hua aadmi bhi jaag jaye.” Alright, if you insist. We do need a dhamaka of a song that will wake up even a dead person.
The composer brings out the composition, with the lyrics he had written himself. He feels ecstatic that the song has found the film. This could be it. The director and producer are in total awe after listening to the composition and they just look at each other. How did this composer come up with that? The expression on their faces says everything.
Lalit Pandit composed and wrote the lyrics of the song Munni badnaam hui for the film Dabangg, produced by Arbaaz Khan, directed by Abhinav Kashyap.
Jatin and Lalit Pandit split with each other during the making of Fanaa. Aditya Chopra was aware that this might be their last movie together and tried his best to keep them from splitting. Jatin was into playing specific instruments like the piano, guitar and also a good singer. Lalit on the other hand was really good in orchestration and handling the technicalities behind the making of a song. At one point Lalit felt that Jatin was not being totally transparent with him and treating him as a younger brother rather than an equal partner. The music of Fanaa was a big hit and Jatin-Lalit went to win yet another Filmfare nomination Filmfare Best Music Director.
After 2006, Lalit went through a dry spell. He did a few movies here and there but nothing clicked. He did some independent compositions without any specific films in mind. One of those was Munni badnaam hui. He heard an old Pakistani song Ladka badnaam hua and liked it very much. He decided to put the lyrics that jived with the diction of folks from Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar area. Once the composition and lyrics were completed, he put it aside and continued with his regular work.
Lalit and Arbaaz Khan had worked together in Mere Khwabon Mein Jo Aaye and struck a bond of friendship with him. He invited him to come over for a music sitting where Arbaaz came there along with Abhinav Kashyap. They were working on the movie Dabangg and had already composed all songs through composers Sajid-Wajid. They felt the music was too slow and the movie needed a crackerjack of a song. Lalit sang for them the composition and they were completely sold. It took Lalit around 40 days to complete the song including the time for rehearsals, recordings, etc. Both Arbaaz and Abhinav wanted an established singer but Lalit pushed for a new voice. He brought in Mamta Sharma to come and sing this song.
The song created a controversy since a lot of people thought that Lalit took a lot of the original composition from the Pakistani song without putting his own touch. Lalit denied that.
Lalit Pandit won the Filmfare for Best Song Composer for this one song Munni badnaam hui in Dabangg.
Music: Lalit Pandit
Lyrics: Lalit Pandit
Singer: Mamta Sharma
*ing: Malaika Arora, Salman Khan, Sonu Sood
Director: Abhinav Kashyap
Producer: Arbaaz Khan
Film: Dabangg (2010)