Chhaayaageet #67 - "I don't know if I can write to a tune."
The filmmaker has a different perspective. However, mainstream cinema is not ready for a different perspective. But, undaunted, he wants to tell a different story, one that he himself has written. Except, there's one problem. There's no money.
So he starts doing the rounds talking to friends who wouldn't mind working for less, or nothing. His roommate at FTII (Film & Television Institute of India) signs on to be the editor. Some additional friends from FTII come on board as character actors. At FTII, he had directed his diploma film. The actress from that diploma film signs on to be the heroine. A new hero, who has done only two films, both comedies, wants to do a serious film. He sees this as his chance to break the comic mould. They have known each other from their theater days. Another friend is looking to get a break as a music composer. The filmmaker signs him up too.
Now he needs a lyricist. Another friend comes to mind. But he's never written lyrics before. He is a scriptwriter. And a mighty popular name.
"Why do you want me to write the lyrics for your film?", the scriptwriter asks.
"Because I have heard your poetry. You are a great poet. And you can do justice to the depth of emotions that I want in these songs", the filmmaker tries to persuade.
"But I don't know if I can write to a tune. Besides my poetry is my personal expression. Why should I exhibit it for the world?", the scriptwriter tries to get out of it.
The filmmaker continues his attempts at persuasion, not willing to give up.
Days and weeks go by in similar conversation. Meanwhile, the filmmaker has gotten a friend and his wife to come on board as singers.
Now if only he can convince his scriptwriter friend to write the songs.
One day, first thing in the morning, he shows up at the film studio where the scriptwriter is present at a shoot.
"I am not going to leave you until you say yes", he warns his friend. The scriptwriter shrugs.
It's a long day of shooting. Late in the evening at 9pm they decide to leave the studio.
"Come with me to my house", the scriptwriter invites the filmmaker.
The filmmaker is hopeful. Perhaps his friend might agree, and he might even write something tonight.
"Let's have a drink", the scriptwriter pours into two glasses.
One drink turns into a few as they go back and forth over the story and script of the film. It is now past 2am. The scriptwriter has still not agreed to write the songs for the film.
The filmmaker is tired. Doesn't seem like it's going to pan out. Dejectedly he gets up.
"Ok, looks like I can't convince you. Don't blame me for trying", he says as he gets ready to leave.
"Wait, let's write a song."
https://dai.ly/x1w7etd
Javed Akhtar wrote the lyrics for all the songs of Saath Saath (1982), written and directed by Raman Kumar. Jagjit Singh and his wife, Chitra Singh, provided their voices to Farooque Shaikh and Deepti Naval. Kuldip Singh composed the music. This was his first break.
Raman Kumar convinced Javed Akhtar to write the lyrics. According to Raman, Yash Chopra was inspired to ask Javed Akhtar to write the lyrics of Silsila after learning about the songs of Saath Saath. Silsila released first before Saath Saath.
Raman did not have money to even rent a recording studio. Jagjit Singh magnanimously footed all the bills for the recording. Jagjit Singh's rich timbre combined with the depth of Javed Akhtar's lyrics lend authenticity to the songs of the film, all of which continue to remain popular even after so many years.
Saath Saath ushered the era of ghazals in Hindi films, ghazals which felt easy and accessible to the common man. Jagjit Singh composed the music of Arth soon after. Javed Akhtar remarked that someone at HMV came up with the brilliant idea of releasing the songs of Saath Saath and Arth on a combination cassette, which became the highest selling combination cassette in the history of HMV.
Enjoy Jagjit Saab's live rendition below.
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: Kuldip Singh
Singers: Jagjit Singh, Chitra Singh
*ing: Farooque Shaikh, Deepti Naval
Director: Raman Kumar
Film: Saath Saath (1982)