In the mid-1970s, Yash Chopra was working on Kabhi Kabhie, a film that would eventually become one of the most celebrated romantic dramas in Indian cinema. His wife, Pamela Chopra, had written the story, and the legendary poet-lyricist Sahir Ludhianvi was penning the songs. For the music, Yash initially envisioned the dynamic duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, who had delivered a chartbuster soundtrack for his previous film, Daag.
But Sahir Ludhianvi had a different vision. He insisted that the music should be composed by Khayyam, a talented but underappreciated composer who had delivered some exquisite melodies in the 1950s and ’60s but had never quite reached the top league. Yash Chopra agreed, but there was just one problem—no one knew where to find Khayyam. All they knew was that he lived somewhere in Juhu.
Determined, Yash Chopra and Sahir set out on an unconventional search, driving around the streets of Juhu, hoping to spot him. As fate would have it, they saw his wife, the singer Jagjit Kaur, buying vegetables at a roadside stall. One chance encounter changed everything, and soon, Khayyam was on board for Kabhi Kabhie.
However, another hurdle awaited. Laxmikant-Pyarelal did not take kindly to this last-minute change. Having already given a massive hit for Yash Chopra, they had expected to compose for Kabhi Kabhie and were deeply offended. Their displeasure echoed across the industry, and most session musicians refused to work on the film out of loyalty to LP.
This could have been the end of the road for the soundtrack. But Yash Chopra was not one to back down. His indomitable Punjabi spirit kicked in, and he found an ingenious solution—he brought in musicians from the Indian Navy band to record the songs. Just when things seemed to be falling into place, tragedy struck again. Mukesh, the legendary playback singer chosen to voice the film’s songs, suffered a heart attack and was bedridden for months, causing further delays.
Despite all these obstacles, the team persevered. And in the end, what emerged was a masterpiece. Kabhi Kabhie became an enduring classic, with its soul-stirring music, poetic lyrics, and timeless romance. Khayyam’s haunting melodies, Sahir’s evocative poetry, and Yash Chopra’s cinematic vision created magic that would be cherished for generations to come.
Sometimes, the greatest art is born out of struggle, and Kabhi Kabhie was a testament to that.
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