Sameer Anjaan’s phone‑call story starts with a whiff of panic and a dash of humour. When the soulful riff of “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” rolled out, David Dhawan was so taken aback that he rang the lyricist and blurted, “Bada ganda gaana likha hai tune, yaar. Meri picture mein aisa gaana likhna mat!”
The scene is almost cinematic in its own right. Anjaan, who had penned the words, laughed it off, pointing out that the melody wasn’t part of Dhawan’s slate. “Teri picture ka gaana hai? Tu kyun pareshan ho raha hai? Jaane de na,” he quipped, turning a potential conflict into a light‑hearted banter.
Dhawan, ever the quick‑witted director, countered by reminding Anjaan that his own songs — from the upbeat “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” to the slick “Makhna” — had already hit the airwaves. He mused, “Meri film ke gaane bhi release hue hain. Uss film ke music ko khatam nahin kar diya toh tu mujhe bata.” The exchange shows how even a hit can unsettle a filmmaker when the rhythm is unexpected.
The twist? Both “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” and “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” opened on the same day: October 16, 1998. While Karan Johar’s romantic drama seduced hearts with Jatin‑Lalit’s melodies, Dhawan’s comedy‑drama roared with Viju Shah’s punchy beats. Two very different visions, yet both shot straight into the box‑office limelight.
For fans of Bollywood’s golden era, the anecdote is a sweet slice of insider lore. It reminds us that behind every chart‑topping track lies a ripple of reactions, and that the industry’s biggest names can get a little jarring when a tune takes the spotlight unexpectedly.
So next time you cue up a classic, remember that even a director’s favourite soundtrack can be a surprise. That’s the kind of backstage drama that keeps cinema lovers hooked long after the credits roll.