If there’s one movie everyone is talking about right now, it’s Ranveer Singh’s ‘Dhurandhar’. The film is just days away from its December 5 release, and fans can’t stop replaying the trailer. Packed with action, drama, and Ranveer in full beast mode, the trailer has sparked massive buzz across social media. But beyond the punches and explosions, it’s the last 20 seconds of the trailer that have truly stolen the show.
That qawwali-style ending – the line “Na toh karwaan ki talaash hai” – has electrified viewers. Many people loved the energy but didn’t know that the tune is actually rooted in Indian music history from the 1960s. And that’s what makes the moment even more special.
The musical twist
Director Aditya Dhar has done it again. As Ranveer Singh unleashes his intensity in the final moments of the trailer, the revamped qawwali plays in the background, creating the perfect cinematic impact. Fans instantly wanted to know where this line came from, and soon the internet rediscovered one of Indian cinema’s most iconic musical pieces.
A qawaali with a rich legacy
The line featured in the trailer is a modern reinterpretation of the legendary qawaali “Na To Karavan Ki Talaash Hai, Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai,” from the 1960 classic ‘Barsaat Ki Raat’. The original was composed by Roshan Lal Nagrath (Hrithik Roshan’s grandfather) and written by the celebrated poet Sahir Ludhianvi.
It featured an incredible lineup of singers – Manna Dey, Asha Bhosle, Sudha Malhotra, S.D. Batish, and Mohammed Rafi. The song became one of Bollywood’s greatest qawaalis, remembered even today for its soulful energy and grand musical arrangement.
Interestingly, this is also Shah Rukh Khan’s favourite qawaali. On Netflix’s ‘The Roshans’, SRK shared, “My favourite song is actually a qawaali by him. I think I nearly know the whole qawaali if it is playing.”
Where it all began?
Before entering films, the melody existed as a traditional qawaali titled “Na Toh Butkade Ki Talab Mujhe,” performed by Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s father). Their version carried deep Sufi emotion and powerful vocal artistry.
Producer R. Chandra originally approached composer Khayyam to adapt this classical piece, but when he declined, Roshan stepped in and the rest is history. This is how the soulful ‘Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai’ we know today was born.
The new song, titled “Ishq Jalakar (Karavaan)” or “Karwaan Ki Talaash,” continues the musical journey of this timeless composition. It blends the essence of the original with modern beats, making it appealing to today’s audience while still respecting its roots.
For younger listeners, this may be their first introduction to a musical masterpiece with decades of history. For older music lovers, the new version feels like revisiting a classic that never truly faded away.
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