How Raj Khosla almost rejected a classic tune

The piece de resistance, the film's crowning glory, happens to be an exquisite piece of music that has made whole generations swoon.

- Amborish Roychoudhury

The piece de resistance, the film's crowning glory, happens to be an exquisite piece of music that has made whole generations swoon. But if Manoj Kumar is to be believed, Raj himself almost came in the way of one of his greatest musical artefacts. The actor reminisced, 'I got a call from Madan Mohan one day. "Raj Khosla has lost his mind," Madan said. "Ek gaana sunaya. Usko pasand nahi aaya. I made him hear a song. He didn't like it. You come and handle this please." '

Manoj Kumar didn't want to intervene. It was Raj Khosla's film, after all. He chose to speak to N.N. Sippy instead. There were only a few days left for the shoot and the song was yet to be finalized. What was to be done? Sippy concurred with the music director. He, too, wanted Manoj Kumar to approach Raj Khosla and sort this out. Meanwhile, Madan Mohan made Kumar listen to the song. Kumar was silent for a bit, then said, 'Don't tell me that Raj didn't like THIS song!' It was obviously a brilliant composition. One of Raj Khosla's great strengths as an artist and a filmmaker was the ability to appreciate good music. And he hadn't liked this? Kumar was flabbergasted.