Vishal Dadlani reveals how a cigarette lighter inspired Rajesh Khanna’s iconic song ‘Chingari Koi Bhadke’

MUMBAI: Music composer and singer Vishal Dadlani, on the singing reality show, Indian Idol, shared an interesting anecdote behind the creation of the evergreen song ‘Chingari Koi Bhadke’, originally featured in the Rajesh Khanna-starrer ‘Amar Prem’.

Vishal spoke about how the iconic track was born out of a simple real-life moment involving legendary lyricist Anand Bakshi and composer R.D. Burman, fondly known as ‘Pancham Da’.

While interacting with contestant Abhishek and others on the show, Vishal revealed that Pancham Da had spent an entire night composing the melody before handing it over to Anand Bakshi to pen the lyrics.

Recalling the story, Vishal shared, “Pancham Da saari raat kaam karke unhone gaana banaya tha. Bakshi sahab ko gaana diya tha likhne, aur woh apparently baarish mein ghar ja rahe the, aur unki woh dhoomrapaan ki aadat thi, toh lighter jal nahi raha tha. ‘Chingari koi bhadke toh saawan use bujhaye,’ the idea came from this.” (Pancham Da had worked through the night to create the tune and had given it to Bakshi sahab for the lyrics. Apparently, while returning home in the rain, Bakshi sahab was trying to light a cigarette, but the lighter wouldn’t work because of the downpour. That’s when the line ‘Chingari koi bhadke toh saawan use bujhaye’ struck him)

Vishal further expressed his admiration for the legendary creators and said that true geniuses have the ability to transform the most ordinary moments into timeless art.