These Shah Rukh Movies derived Titles from Bollywood Songs

Do you know who suggested this popular song for the film title to Aditya Chopra who marked his Bollywood debut with the film? Anupam Kher’s wife – Kiran Kher! Anupam Kher playing Shah Rukh’s dotting father in the movie.

Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge turned to be an iconic movie of Bollywood, and many forgot the super success of Chor Machaye Shor whose top song was used as film’s title. The key line – Le Jayenge Le Jayenge Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge also became the theme of Shah Rukh starrer. The song from Shor Machaya Shor was written by the celebrated poet Indrajeet Singh Tulsi who started his film career with the heart touching and haunting song of Shor – Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai. He wrote only fewer songs for Bollywood and passed away in 1984. But his written words – Le Jayenge Le Jayenge Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge is quite popular among music fan of today. It can be said that DDLJ‘s riding success started a new trend in Bollywood, i.e. to coin movie title from any hit song of yesterdays. 

The title One 2 Ka 4 itself is derived from a popular song of Anil Kapoor from the movie, Ram Lakhan. The song was written by great Anand Bakshi.

Karan Johar’s movie titles are mostly coined from Bollywood film songs

Karan’s debut movie – Kuch Kuch Hota Hai starred Shah Rukh Khan in lead role. The title was taken from a raunchy song of Kismat (1995) starring Govinda and Mamta Kulkarni. The song ‘Mehboob Sanam Tujhe Meri Kasam’ was penned by Sameer. Years earlier in the late 1960s, there was one Shammi Kapoor film, Tumse Accha Kaun Hai, which included one item song featuring Shammi Kapoor & Aruna Irani. The song was “Ankhon Mein Ankhein Na Dalo, Mujhe Kuch Hota Hai”. The film’s title could be inspired from this dance number too, originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar. The lyrics were penned by Hasrat Jaipuri and composed by Shankar – Jaikishen.

Karan’s second film was Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The film title was coined from the inspiration song ‘Yeh To Zindagi Hai Kabhi Khushi Hai Kabhi Ghum’ from the action thriller, Qaid (1975) sung by Kishore Kumar. Music was composed by less-known composer, Nitin Mangesh, and featured Vinod Khanna and Leena Chandavarkar. The phrase was later used for 1979 film – Baton Baton Mein and the song is – Ude Sabke Kadam Tara Ram Pam. It’s a misconception that K3G’s title was coined from the inspirational song of Baton Baton Mein. ‘Tara Ram Pam’ has also been used in Bollywood to coin a movie starring Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukerji. This song was written by Yogesh Gaur.

Kal Ho Na Ho was produced by Karan Johar and many believe to be a KJ film. This movie also starred Shah Rukh in lead role. The movie title was coined from yet another raunchy number belonging to the movie, Hamesha starring Saif Ali Khan and Kajol. The song – Aisa Milan Kal Ho Na Ho was written by Dev Kohli. So it’s a Saif Ali Khan song too reused for his movie.

As told above, Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna too was coined from an old hit song from the movie, Chalte Chalte. All these Karan movies had a ‘K’ factor in common. Johar’s latest release is Ae Dil Hai Mushkil where Shah Rukh played a cameo role. The movie title too is derived from a hit song of Rafi from the movie, CID.

As told above, One 2 Ka 4 is derived from a peppy number of Ram Lakhan. Film title – Phir Phi Dil Hai Hindustani is derived from an extremely popular song starring Raj Kapoor. Phir Phi Dil Hai Hindustani is an iconic song belonging to Raj Kapoor film, Shree 420 starting as – Mere Joote Hain Japani. The lyrics were written by Shailendra.

Anushka Sharma debut Bollywood opposite Shah Rukh Khan through Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. The film title was derived from a popular song of Suhaag featuring Big B, Rekha, Shashi Kapoor and Parveen Babi. They were paired for the second time in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, and the movie title was derived from an iconic song featuring Hema Malini from the movie, Sholay. Both the original songs were penned by Anand Bakshi.

Conclusion

Before I conclude I would like to add one more film in this list. It’s Yash Chopra’s musical Dil To Pagal Hai. Priyadarshan’s Gardish had one less-heard song, Yeh Mera Dil To Pagal Hai, sung by Asha Bhosle and S. P. Balasubrahmaniyam. The song featured Jackie Shroff, and south Indian actress Aishwarya. The movie title also make us remember the popular romantic duet sung by Kumar Sanu and Alka Yagnik – Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai. 

Many songs overcome the test of time for its tune and rendering. But when a filmmaker choose a particular song to coin his upcoming movie, it’s solely the powerful lyrics which does the job. But the sad part is we don’t know most of those creators of those memorable songs we hum frequently. In this column, I have mentioned the lyricists of all the songs re-used as titles for Shah Rukh. But let me tell you, though most of these songs are extremely popular, I had to google a lot to find those names. If I have quoted any name wrong please let me know.