The new chartbuster in town
Back in 1999, when Ajay Devgn, director Milan Luthria and late music director-singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan came together for Kachche Dhaage, the film’s songs went on to become chartbusters. Now, it seems history is repeating itself: Milan’s next, Baadshaho — starring Ajay — has got off to a smashing start with a new hit, ‘Mere rashke qamar’.
The song, a new version of Ali Khan’s melody, has been received well since it was released. For starters, it brings back the old world romance of the ’70s. “That has been the universal response,” says Milan, adding that he was looking for an apt Nusrat track, when Bhushan Kumar (of T-Series) suggested the song to him.
Milan says, “These days, it’s an uphill task to break the pattern and have a ‘new’ kind of song. You are constantly told that songs with noise, effects and lots of gimmicks are easily acceptable. Also, the line, ‘the youth will like it’, is always thrown at you. But when you get great response across age groups — from 6-60 years old — you feel vindicated. And I am feeling that way. I believe that melody and good poetry never goes out of fashion.”
The song is a tribute of sorts to the late singer by his nephew, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. “It’s a rare song that has Nusrat saab and Rahat teaming up, so the song in itself is a multistarrer,” says Milan, laughing.
Calling it a “very emotional” set up, Milan says it’s difficult to explain his feelings about the song. “Besides Nusrat saab’s song, Baadshaho will also have Ajay and I teaming up. So, it’s extremely special,” he says.