Chhaayaageet #168 - "You have every right to reject me if you don’t like my singing."
The composer is deep in thought. The challenge of singer selection has been emotionally draining. He knows who he wants. But he cannot move forward with it. Every star has a singer behind him. It’s like they are the same person. You close your eyes and listen to a song. Your mind brings the image of your star actor. It’s hard to separate the two. But the filmmaker and lead actor have joined forces in this process and have outvoted him.
The composer bites his tongue and decides to go with the majority vote. The recordings begin. One after another the same set of singers go through the songs. It's the last composition left now. Although this one is a bit unusual.
It is a song that will play in the background. The movie is about an imposter who pretends to be the long-lost son of a wealthy person. He falls in love with his daughter, but in the eyes of the world, he is her brother. Now she is getting married and he is sad.
The composer decides to consult with his son. “Do you have any suggestions? I feel we should go back to the singer I wanted in the first place. I know his voice does not suit the actor but it is a background song so it should be ok.”
The son is an assistant to the composer and also knows the original singer well. He adds, “I don’t think he will come back just for this one song. He will feel bad that we did not select him in the first place. He treats you like his father. Do you think you will be able to talk to him? I cannot do it.”
The composer sees that his son has a point. “You are right. I don’t have the heart to go to him and ask him to do just this one song. Who else do you think can sing?”
The son offers the name of another offbeat singer suitable for a background song. “What about him?”
The composer is not convinced. “He is getting too old for these songs.”
The son throws out a few more names.
“His voice has started quivering. The other guy has a soft voice.” The composer does not like any of the suggestions and comes up with reasons to dismiss all of them.
They finally settle down on a singer. The son is relieved. “Ok, I will try him but no guarantees.” The composer invites the new singer to rehearse at his place.
“Look, I am in need of a singer for this background song. I have agreed to rehearse with you but if I am not convinced, then you won’t be singing this song.” The singer obliges with a smile indicating his agreement.
The composer still feels things may be unclear. Obviously, he is indecisive himself and feels like he needs to reiterate. “Again, I am telling you. I am not completely sold on you and if I feel you are not what I am looking for, I will find someone else. I hope that’s clear?”
The singer can sense the uncomfortable feeling between them. He is happy to just do a rehearsal with this maestro composer and acknowledges that. “Sir, it has been 12 years since I sang your composition. You have every right to reject me if you don’t like my singing.”
Mukesh sang the song Chal ri sajni ab kya soche in the film Bombai Ka Babu (1960), directed by Raj Khosla, music by SD Burman, lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The song plays in the background in a wedding scene with Dev Anand and Suchitra Sen in the foreground.
SD Burman was keen on having Kishore Kumar sing all the songs in Bombai Ka Babu. They had really good chemistry based on the work they had done in the past. But it so happened that Raj Khosla wanted to cast Dev Anand in the lead role and Dev Sabeb’s playback voice was Mohammed Rafi. Both Raj Khosla and Dev Anand were also insistent that Burman Da use Rafi’s voice for all the songs.
When it came to the odd song Chal ri sajni which was to play in the background, Burman Da saw an opportunity to bring in Kishore Kumar. He discussed this with his son, RD Burman, and concluded that Kishore would not agree and also he was not brave enough to ask Kishore to sing just this one song. They discussed other options such as Hemant Kumar, Manna Dey, or Talat Mehmood but Burman Da didn’t feel good about any of those singers.
They both finally agreed to call in Mukesh for a rehearsal with the caveat that if things didn't work out, he would be out and someone else would be brought in. Mukesh had last sung for Burman Da 12 years back in the film Vidya. Mukesh was just delighted to be working again with Burman Da and gave one of his best performances in this somber number which only he can deliver.
Bombai Ka Babu had other hit songs such as Deewana mastaana hua dil and Dekhne mein bhola hai sung by Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhosle.
Here is Mukesh singing the song live in a concert.
Music: SD Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri
Singers: Mukesh
*ing: Suchitra Sen, Dev Anand
Producer/Director: Raj Khosla
Film: Bombai Ka Babu (1960)