Chhaayaageet #209 - "Gaana suno to lagta hai ki koi cabaret ho raha hai."
There is quite a chemistry between the lyricist and the filmmaker. This is not the first rodeo for either of them. But the speed is truly admirable. The filmmaker’s latest film is star studded but playback music still leads the way. The filmmaker explains the situation and the lyricist is back with the words and lines in no time. It is almost mechanical at this point. The filmmaker is known to be critical at times but there is nothing to complain about. He is happy with the progress.
Just one final song is remaining now. The filmmaker meets with the lyricist to explain the situation. It is a cabaret. The lead actress is performing. The filmmaker wants this to be a duet even though the male playback is not that critical. The audience needs to focus on the lead actress. She is absolutely stunning.
As per his style, the lyricist is back in a day. He walks the filmmaker through the lines. Back of his mind, he is thinking that this is a done deal. He is planning what’s the next big thing to do? Other upcoming films, events or perhaps even take some time off. The filmmaker is still digesting. “Koi baat nahin ban rahi hai. Isse dobaara likho.” This is not working. Please rewrite it.
The lyricist feels a bit dejected. But it’s alright. Such a critical filmmaker and if he wants me to rewrite the song, so be it. He consoles himself and returns back home.
The next day he is back at the filmmaker’s house and runs through the drill again. The filmmaker goes pensive for a few moments. “Abhi bhi koi mazaa nahin aa raha hai. Dobaara koshish karo.” It still doesn’t feel right. Please try again. The lyricist feels insulted now but swallows his pride and goes back to the drawing board.
This cycle continues for the next few days but the filmmaker is far from being satisfied. He feels this is not working. He decides to call the duo composer team.
“Ye cabaret waala gaana humaare geetkar sahib nahin likh pa rahe hai. Mere khayaal se kissi aur geetkar ko lena chhaiye.” Our lyricist is not able to write the cabaret song. We should try to work with a different lyricist. The composers have been working with the lyricist for a long time. They can’t believe their ears that now just for this one song they will have to go to another lyricist. Who knows who that will be and if he or she will have the right chemistry with them and the filmmaker.
The younger composer comes up with ideas to stall this train of thought. “Aap aisa mat kijiye. Ek baar aur koshish kar lete hai.” Please don’t do that. Let’s try once again. The filmmaker wants to hear nothing about this. “Maine bahut waqt barbaad kar diya hai iss gaane ke peechhe. Aur waqt nahin hai mere paas.” I have already wasted a lot of my time for this one song. I don’t have any more to waste.
The younger composer tries one last resort. “Ek kaam kijiye. Humey situation bataiye. Hum koshish karte hain.” Let's do this. Explain the situation to us. We will try something. The filmmaker knows this is futile but still decides to go along. He explains the situation to them.
The younger composer thinks for a while with his eyes closed. He can see the young lead actress almost like a seductress singing and dancing on the cabaret floor. The male actor is playing drums and providing a supporting playback. The disco lights are all turning on or off in unison.
He sings few lines from the mukhda and being a composer, he also has the tune going along with it. “Ye kaisa rahega?” How is this? The filmmaker is intrigued. “Ek baar phir sunaao?.” Can you sing that once again? The younger composer repeats the lines. “Haan, ye hui na baat. Gaana suno to lagta hai ki koi cabaret ho raha hai.” That’s it. You know it is a cabaret song as soon as you listen to it.
The composers breathe a sigh of relief. “Aap chinta mat kijiye. Baaki ka gaana hum geetkar sahib ke saath milkar likh lenge.” Don’t worry. We will work with the lyricist to complete the rest of the song.
Kalyanji Anandji composed the song Laila mein Laila for the film Qurbani (1980) produced and directed by Feroz Khan. The song was initially written by Anandji and later completed by Indeevar who also wrote the remaining songs in the film. The playback is provided by Kanchan and Amit Kumar. The song is picturized on Zeenat Aman and Amjad Khan. Feroz Khan had initially shot this song for his film Kasak also featuring Zeenat Aman, however, that film never got made. Instead, Feroz Khan reused the song and footage in Qurbani.
Qurbani became a landmark film that blended multiple genres, including musical, romantic, action, and thriller elements. The film was a blockbuster success and the highest-grossing Indian film of 1980. Qurbani was notable for its innovative storytelling, action sequences and urban settings. It also marked the launch of the disco era for Hindi films featuring the hit sing Aap jaisa koi which was sung by Nazia Hassan and composed by Biddu. For more of the back story on that song please visit https://chhaayaageet.com/2021/10/07/chhaayaageet-39/.
There was an interesting incident between Amit Kumar and Feroz Khan. For the male version of the duet, Amit Kumar was chosen to sing the lines. He was there to support as a male playback but there wasn’t much opportunity for Amit Kumar initially to show his mark. When Amit Kumar came for recording, Feroz Khan pulled him aside and prompted him to do the “Gullu Gullu, etc” during the song as the song rode into its climax. Amit Kumar wasn’t sure initially what was expected of him but followed Feroz Khan’s lead to deliver the amazing “Gullu Gullu He Bababab…” performance which was very well accepted.
Kanchan was nominated for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer for Laila mein Laila and Kalyanji Anandji was nominated for Filmfare Best Music Director. That year, Laxmikant Pyarelal won Filmfare Best Music Director for the film Karz and Nazia Hassan won the Filmfare Best Female Playback Singer for Aap Jaisa Koi.
Laila mein Laila is inspired from the song Chicano by the band Black Blood.
The song Laila O Laila was recreated in the film Raees (2017), sung by Pawni Pandey featuring Sunny Leone.
Music: Kalyanji Anandji
Lyrics: Indeevar
Singer: Kanchan, Amit Kumar
*ing: Zeenat Aman, Amjad Khan
Director: Feroz Khan
Film: Qurbani (1980)