The song ‘Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela’ from Gupt (1997) was always iconic but since last Thursday, it got a new lease of life thanks to The Ba***ds Of Bollywood. It plays an important part in the story and the way it’s even a part of the suspense has been loved by one and all. The credit for it obviously goes to the writers and makers, but one more person who also deserves to be thanked is Rajiv Rai, the director and producer of Gupt. He had the rights to the track and he happily gave it to producer Shah Rukh Khan, that too for free.
EXCLUSIVE: Gupt director Rajiv Rai opens up on ‘Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela’ in The Ba***ds Of Bollywood: “VERY happy for Shah Rukh Khan; glad the song worked out very well for them”; reveals interesting trivia on the dancer-in-white: “She was Rekha Prakash-Chinni Prakash’s assistant…”
Bollywood Hungama spoke exclusively with Rajiv Rai after the release of The Ba***ds Of Bollywood and after ‘Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela’ became even more iconic. However, the veteran filmmaker said that he still hasn’t seen the web series, “I went for the premiere and I saw the first episode. But I am very busy with some work. So, I’ll watch it either today or tomorrow. However, I am aware that the song is used in the climax and that it’s woven into the story. I always knew that, but I don’t know the exact storyline.”
He added, “I gave it knowingly as they told me that the song forms an important part of the story,” and also said that ever since the show has been released, “a lot of people have reached out to me (to share their feedback and excitement).”
On not charging a single rupee for parting with the rights, Rajiv Rai said, “Before the show was out, the news had spread that I was giving the rights to the song. Someone asked me, and I happened to casually mention that I hadn’t charged them. What do you charge for something like this?”
The dancer, in white dress, in ‘Duniya Haseeno Ka Mela’ with Bobby Deol forms a crucial part of the suspense. Mona Singh’s face is morphed on that particular dancer. Does Rajiv Rai remember who the original dancer was? Rajiv Rai revealed, “She was the assistant of choreographers Chinni Prakash and Rekha Prakash. I don’t remember the name. Initially, I had gotten another girl to dance with Bobby. But she was not able to perform as per our requirement. Rekha suggested that we should take a dancer for that part. This is how her assistant came on board.”
Rajiv Rai continued, “The girl, who was replaced, is also there in the song; she is the one in black who appears when the female singer sings ‘Aaah…’.”
Rajiv Rai signed off by saying, “I am very happy for Shah Rukh Khan and also glad that the song has worked out very well for them. They worked very hard. When Shah Rukh took the rights to the song, he told me, ‘We really need your blessings. It’s my son’s first show’. He was very polite and respectful. He’s a gentleman; how can you say ‘No’ to him? Also, it was for his son. I didn’t blink an eyelid. I told him, ‘Take whatever you want’! I don’t say that to anyone. I am not an easy guy to deal with (laughs)!”
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