(M)Itwas (B)ablast from the past

As far as dream debuts in Bollywood are concerned, an unforgettable one was that of Babla Mehta.

A singer with a voice that resembled that of the legendary singer Mukesh (to whom he continues to pay homage at concerts, both in India as well as overseas), his maiden song was Tere Mere Honthon Pe (simply known as Mitwa), the duet from Chandni.

His first co-singer was none other than Lata Mangeshkar, whose duets with his idol continue to enthrall Hindi film music buffs.

The four-minute, 31-second track, penned by Anand Bakshi, was composed by Shiv-Hari.

Melody and masti were Ma(ngeshka)rried

A chorus, comprising only members of the fairer sex, joined Lata Mangeshkar, Bollywood’s eternal bachelorette, as she sang Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyan Hain.

Anand Bakshi penned the sangeet staple from Chandni.

The film released on September 14, 1989, and was a hit, as was the song. There couldn’t have been a better gift than that for Mangeshkar, who became a sexagenarian a fortnight later.

At five minutes and 34 seconds, this Shiv-Hari composition was the longest song on the soundtrack.

But hopefully no one complained, because they got more bang(les) for the buck.

Wadkar eschewed the monsoon (Anupa)masti

Those associated with Hindi film music usually make a song and dance about the rain. But Shiv-Hari bucked the trend.

Lagi Aaj Saawan Ki from Chandni – which was three minutes and 25 seconds long – was the shortest song on the film’s soundtrack.

The haunting track was penned by Anand Bakshi, who was nominated for the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award in 1990.

It fetched Suresh Wadkar a nomination in the Filmfare Best Male Playback Singer Award category the same year.

Anupama Deshpande – who bagged the 1985 Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer – was his co-singer.   

Sridevi obviously enJo(ll)yed her en’title’ment

Shiv-Hari forayed into Hindi film music sporadically. One of their assignments was the soundtrack of Chandni (1989). It earned them their second nomination in the Best Music Director category at the Filmfare Awards the following year.

Its title track, Chandni O Meri Chandni was four minutes and 32 seconds long.

Not only was it picturised on Sridevi (who essayed the eponymous character), but she also lent her voice to it.

The childlike enthusiasm with which she exercised her vocal chords was ‘note’worthy.

Jolly Mukherjee was the male singer of the duet, penned by Anand Bakshi.