Rajesh Khanna Hemant kumar and Kishore Kumar
Did You know that Rajesh Khanna once Called Music Maestro Hemant kumar in his guest house and said, ‘please you don’t sing this song for me. I want somebody else in this song’. Hemant Kumar was shocked to hear this and did something which Rajesh Khanna never expected.
It was around the start of 1968, when Film Director Asit sen thought of making a movie, khamoshi, for which the Producer, Music Composer and Main Playback Singer of the movie was Hemant Kumar.
While discussing with Director Asit Sen, Hemant kumar understood that, the lead cast of the movie were waheda Rehman and Rajesh Khanna. Rajesh khanna had just started his acting career few years back and was not so popular that time with few movies released like Raaz, Aakhri Khat, Baharon Ke Sapne etc.
All the actors were brought to Kolkata for shooting. The shooting started and the songs written by Gulzar Saab reached to the Director in Kolkata. Hemant Kumar, director Asit Sen and Rajesh Khanna were delighted to see the beautiful lyrics of each song. Upon understanding the lyrics properly, Hemant Kumar asked director Asit Sen to make Manna Dey sing this song, Dost kahan Koi Tumsa. The two other songs in the male voice was supposed to be sung by Hemant Kumar and two songs in female voice were also confirmed, one to be sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Aarti Mukherjee respectively.
Returning back to his guest house, where Rajesh Khanna was staying during the shoot in Kolkata, Rajesh Khanna started a casual discussion regarding the script and songs of the movie with other co stars, who were staying in the same guest house. The next morning Rajesh Khanna suddenly woke up listening to the door bell. He opened the door to see Hemant Kumar ji standing at the door step. Rajesh Khanna, a bit embarrassed asked him to come inside. Rajesh khanna quickly hid the cigarette packet to which Hemant Kumar laughed out loud and said, ‘No problem Rajesh, be Comfortable’. Rajesh khanna blushing a little said, ‘Dada you are senior to me. Why have you come here? You could have called me; I would have gone to meet you’. Hemant kumar smiled as said,’ no it is ok absolutely. But I heard something yesterday night; somebody told me that, you don’t want me to sing the songs in the movie? Is it true Rajesh? What happened, you can share with me’. Rajesh Khanna’s face turned red in shame, he never expected that, a small discussion yesterday night would reach Hemant Kumar, to which he personally had to come and meet him.
Rajesh Khanna leaving no choice left admitted that, he wanted only one song to be sung by one particular singer that will be getting picturized on him next week. Hemant kumar thought that, Rajesh Khanna was asking for Rafi Sahab for this song as Rafi Sahab had sung few songs for him in his early movies. But Rajesh Khanna said,’ no, not Rafi Sahab, I want Kishore Da in this song’. Hemant kumar being a bit surprised asked him, ‘why Kishore Kumar? Kishore kumar has never sung for you’. ‘I know’, said Rajesh ji, ‘but when I was going through the lyrics of the song, Woh Shaam Kuch Ajeeb Thi, I personally felt that this song is made for Kishore da. I might be wrong Hemant Da, please suggest’, said Rajesh Khanna.
Hemant kumar thought for a moment and then confirmed it to Rajesh khanna on the spot. Hemant Kumar had already worked with Kishore Kumar earlier. He knew the power of Kishore Kumar’s voice, especially in a sad song. ‘Ok, Kishore kumar will this sing this song. We need to contact him and will get things done’, concluded Hemant Kumar. Within one week Kishore Da recorded this song on request of Hemant Kumar, not knowing who the actor was. And that is how friends, it all started. This song, Woh ShAam Kuch Ajeeb Thi, became one of the biggest hits of that year and became an immortal song forever. Hemant Kumar’s song in the movie, Tum Pukar Lo was also very successful upon release.
From this film khamoshi, the Divine Combination of Kishore Da and Kaka started which went to create storm in the Box Office in the same year, with the release of Aradhana and with RD Burman joining Kishore Da and Rajesh Khanna in later years, it was this trio, ‘Pancham Kishore and Rajesh’ that ruled the Box Office during the Seventies.
Do share this blog and keep supporting janta talkies. If you want to know more in details about the making of this song, you may please click the link and watch our video in our YouTube channel,’ Janta Talkies Official’.
Thank You so much Friends!!!
