Music connects everyone from all walks of life. Bollywood music is one such space where everyone finds something beautiful and relatable for themselves. Knowing some trivia about these artists is nothing short of fascinating for fans. From the old timers like Nasir Husain to new-age artists like Arijit Singh, here are some interesting trivia about the Indian music industry!
10 Years of Arijit Singh-Pritam-Ranbir Kapoor trio delivering hits
With Arijit Singh singing the three released songs of Brahmastra Part One: Shiva (with more to come) for Ranbir Kapoor and composer Pritam, and the composer likely to do the film’s Part 2, we can hope now for a singer-composer-actor team after a long time, as in the olden days. Their team began a decade ago with ‘Phir le aaya dil’ in Barfi! (Though without lip-sync) and went on to do Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Jagga Jasoos later.
Nasir Husain opted for S.D. Burman
And here’s why Nasir Husain opted for O.P. Nayyar in Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. The filmmaker thought that Shankar-Jaikishan had given him “exquisite music” in Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai. He said, “I thought, why should I spend Rs. 5 when I can get equally great music for Rs. 2? So I decided on S.D. Burman. Then Nayyar came and begged me to give him a film on the basis of his music in my Tumsa Nahin Dekha. He asked to listen to his tunes at least. I did, and he (O.P. Nayyar) was in!”
The choice between S.D Burman and R.D. Burman
S.D. Burman lost two more big films due to varied reasons: he refused Gumraah (1963) because B.R. Chopra wanted Sahir as lyricist, and Raj Kapoor had thought of his music for Bobby. This was because elder brother Randhir Kapoor’s debut in Dharam Karam was to be with R.D. Burman’s music, and Kapoor thought that with a twist, his younger son Rishi would have the father as his first composer. However, the late Mukesh suggested that he sign Laxmikant-Pyarelal instead.
The Bachchan family debut chronicled through early ‘70s
And did you know that while Amitabh Bachchan made his debut in 1969 with Saat Hindustani, his wife Jaya Bhaduri appeared first in Guddi (1971) and his father, poet Dr. Harivanshrai Bachchan, made his film debut even later in Phir Bhi (1972)! Dr. Bachchan’s poem ‘Saanjh khile bhor jhare’ was sung by Hemant Kumar and his daughter Ranu Mukherjee, under composer Raghunath Seth for Phir Bhi. Subsequently, Dr. Bachchan only wrote lyrics for films featuring his son—Alaap, Laawaris and Silsila.
Showman Subhash Ghai entertained kids for a music launch
The music of Subhash Ghai’s 2003 comedy Ek Aur Ek Gyaraah had an unusual launch: 11,000 sets of stationery were distributed along with boxes of mithai and an audiocassette of the film’s music to Municipal school children all over Mumbai city!. The function was held in a suburban municipal school. This was Ghai’s first album with T-Series and the children had a gala time, even performing impromptu acts like a dance and a Sanskrit song. Ghai commented, “I loved the way the children entertained us, the entertainers!”
Rajesh Roshan shaved his head at the age of 19 for his music in a film
It is not commonly known that composer Rajesh Roshan, who made his debut with Mehmood’s 1974 Kunwara Baap, shaved his head at the young age of 19 as a mannat (prayer for success) for his music in the film! Not known also is the fact that Mehmood had decided (as usual) for R.D. Burman as the music director, but his brother, actor Anwar Ali, who was Rajesh’s friend, arranged a meeting with the filmmaker-comedian. And the tune for ‘Aa ri aaja nindiya’ made Mehmood weep, fixing Roshan’s destiny.
The powerful ‘Raag’ of Aadesh Shrivastava
When the late Aadesh Shrivastava’s Mora piya mose bolat naahi from Raajneeti (2010) became the most downloaded song of that year, the composer had declared, “I think that it is nothing less than the moment of truth. It once and for all exposes the sham claims of today’s decision makers in music that the young people of today like only crappy music or Western stuff. It exposes the fact that when you acquaint the young generation with good raag-based melody, they will take to it like a thirsty man gulps down water! Our raags so powerful that there have been over 3 crore downloads. I have been invited to 11 colleges since the song came out, and the students have asked me so much about the track.” Now, if that isn’t an eye-opener today, what is?
Usha Uthup was once refused to be coached by a music teacher
Pop singer Usha Uthup, who has several film hits under her belt, hails from a middle-class South Indian family. The singer recalled, “There was a music teacher in my convent school. She did sense my flair for music but refused to coach me because of my voice that was very bass. But God taught me everything even without any formal training!”
Why Anand-Milind signed multiple projects simultaneously
Music directors Anand-Milind, who were on a high throughout the 1990s, recalled their late father, composer Chitragupta, struggling to make ends meet when his career dwindled in the late 1970s. “He even had to change two BEST (Mumbai’s local transport) buses to go to his doctor!” said Anand. And Milind added, “At his peak, he would drive in his Chevrolet Impala!” This was probably a key reason why the duo decided to accept multiple assignments when success came their way after Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Dil.
Filmmaker Kidar Sharma’s an even better lyricist
Filmmaker-writer Kidar Sharma was also a brilliant lyricist (among his biggest hits are classics like ‘Ek bangla bane nyaara’ sung by K.L. Saigal in President (1937) and ‘Kabhi tanhaiyon mein bhi’ from Hamari Yaad Aayegi (1961). When he met for an interview (he lived alone and even made tea for us!), he pointed to the lane outside his home and said, “In those days, my eight cars (!!) would be parked there. Yes, I had a car for each day and two for Sundays!”
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