Chhaayaageet #208 - "The title song is not working out the way I want it to."
After the success of his first film, the young filmmaker has planned an even bigger ambitious film. One day he calls the lyricist to narrate the script. The lyricist is simply blown away upon hearing it. But the next words from the filmmaker's mouth give the lyricist a pause.
"Sir, I want you to write me the title song with an aarti or devotional like temperament. And not only this, I want to use it in a variety of moments in the film, love, happiness, sadness, family bonding, family separation, and them reuniting."
The lyricist hears this demand and wonders this might end up being simultaneously the biggest and the most challenging film of his career. However, he puts up a brave laugh and asks the filmmaker, "You seem to be very ambitious and demanding this time, don't you?"
The filmmaker has a sparkle in his eyes. He replies, "Yes, I am, sir. But I'm sure that you'll fulfill all my demands and will definitely help me make my most ambitious film by penning absolutely fresh lyrics."
The lyricist gets together with the music composer duo to discuss the song. They begin the music sessions but have no idea where to start. The lyricist decides to call the filmmaker. "Who do you think should sing this song?", he asks.
With no hesitation whatsoever the filmmaker takes the nightingale's name. "Sir, are you through with the lyrics?", the filmmaker asks eagerly for a status update.
"I haven't started yet," the lyricist replies with a nervous laugh and immediately hangs up the phone. The lyricist shares the name of the singer with the music composers. With her in mind, they start to come up with a number of tunes. However, the filmmaker rejects every single one of them.
Three months have gone by. No tune is passing muster. Even after working day and night, there has been virtually no progress on the song. Not a note of music, nor a word of lyric.
Seeing that his team has not been making much progress, the filmmaker has quietly been discussing this song with a few of his industry friends and well wishers.
One day, the filmmaker goes to meet his friend and mentor, someone for whom the filmmaker had been an assistant director to. The mentor senses an internal disturbance. He asks the filmmaker what has been weighing on his mind.
"The title song of the film is not working out the way I want it to," the filmmaker shares.
Hearing this, the friend and mentor closes his eyes. The filmmaker looks at him, looks down at his own feet, and looks up at him again. It feels like an eternity has passed. The mentor's eyes are still closed. But he is humming something. He is humming a tune. The filmmaker thinks to himself his mentor is so gifted and is filled with gratitude. Tears start rolling down the filmmaker's eyes.
He immediately calls the music composers and the lyricist for a music session at his office. When they all meet, the filmmaker passes on the tune he has heard his friend humming. It is a very touching and soulful tune.
After working on the tune for a week, the lyrics are in place. Upon seeing the lyrics, the filmmaker becomes emotional and hugs the lyricist. "Sir, thank you so much for giving me the song that will be played in every Indian's house," he tells the lyricist as he is filled with joy.
Karan Johar has written and directed Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001), his second film after the successful directorial debut of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), with an ambitious star cast featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor. Music is composed by Jatin-Lalit, with lyrics of the title song written by Sameer. The title song is sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Sonu Nigam in different versions.
Karan had been an assistant director to Aditya Chopra on the latter's Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995). It is Aditya Chopra who came up with the tune of the title song when Karan visited him in the YRF Studios offices.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham was the most expensive Indian film at that point, and became a blockbuster success with positive reviews for virtually every department of filmmaking. It was nominated for a number of Filmfare Awards - Best Actress (Kajol, won), Best Supporting Actress (Jaya Bachchan, won), Best Dialogue (Karan Johar, won), Best Art Direction (Sharmishta Roy, won), Best Scene of the Year, Best Film (Yash Johar), Best Director (Karan Johar), Best Actor (Shah Rukh Khan), Best Supporting Actor (Amitabh Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan, both nominated), Best Supporting Actress (Kareena Kapoor), Best Music Director (Jatin-Lalit), Best Lyricist (Sameer for the title song, and Anil Pandey for Suraj hua maddham), Best Male Playback Singer (Sonu Nigam for Suraj hua maddham), and Best Female Playback Singer (Alka Yagnik for Suraj hua maddham).
Lata ji singing this song live:
Music: Jatin-Lalit
Lyrics: Sameer
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar, Sonu Nigam in separate versions
*ing: Jaya Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Kajol
Director: Karan Johar
Film: Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (2001)