Cinema and music are inseparable in Indian film history. Songs serve as a powerful tool to express love, pain, and yearning, often driving the narrative of a film. It is not uncommon for directors to initially reject melodies composed by music directors, only to later realize their brilliance. Two legendary films, 'Woh Kaun Thi' and 'Pakeezah', share such unique histories regarding their music. Both films feature immortal tracks sung by Lata Mangeshkar that became defining identities of the movies. In one instance, a song was initially rejected, while in the other, a director felt compelled to pick up his shoe in sheer amazement upon hearing the masterpiece.
The Rejection Story of 'Woh Kaun Thi'
Released in 1964, 'Woh Kaun Thi' was a mystery thriller directed by Raj Khosla, starring Manoj Kumar, Sadhana, and Prem Chopra. The screenplay was written by Dhruv Chatterjee, based on Wilkie Collins' novel 'The Woman in White'. Produced by NN Sippy, the music was composed by Madan Mohan with lyrics penned by Raja Mehdi Ali Khan. While the film's music was a massive hit, one track remains an eternal favorite among listeners: 'Lag Ja Gale Ki Phir Ye Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho'. Despite its romantic depth, director Raj Khosla initially rejected the song.
With shooting deadlines approaching and the track still undecided, Manoj Kumar intervened. He spoke to the producer, NN Sippy, and requested a playback session. Raj Khosla heard it again but remained unimpressed. However, upon hearing the melody for the third time, he was deeply moved. He was so struck by the composition that he picked up his shoe as a gesture of shame for his earlier rejection, a story he recounted in 'Raj Khosla: The Authorised Biography'. Manoj Kumar played a vital role in the film's creation, and Sadhana’s performance was iconic. Produced on a budget of around 45 lakh, the film grossed 90 lakh and was a commercial hit. Following its success, Raj Khosla went on to direct suspense thrillers like 'Mera Saaya' and 'Anita' with Sadhana. The song 'Naina Barse Rimjhim' also became a classic, solidifying Sadhana's image as the 'Mystery Girl'.
The 'Pakeezah' Wonder
Another fascinating tale involves the 1972 film 'Pakeezah', directed and produced by Kamal Amrohi. After a strenuous 16-year production journey, the musical romantic drama was released on February 4, 1972. Starring Meena Kumari and Raj Kumar, the story revolved around the life of a Lucknowi courtesan named Sahibjaan. The music was composed by Ghulam Mohammad and Naushad. Every song in this film attained massive popularity. It is said that when Kamal Amrohi first heard the track 'Chalte Chalte Yun Hi Koi Mil Gaya Tha', he was so impressed that he lifted his shoe and declared that the song was magnificent and beyond any criticism.
Another iconic song from the film, 'Mausam Hai Aashikana', based on Raag Yaman Kalyan, also became widely loved. The film's production had begun in 1958. Initially, the film struggled to gain traction with the audience. However, following the tragic passing of Meena Kumari on March 31, 1972, the public's perception of the film shifted dramatically. As people realized this would be their final chance to see her on screen, theaters saw huge crowds, and the film eventually turned into a massive success.
