Here we go with some interesting facts about Madan Mohan ji, one of the most talented music director of all times.
Madanji started his composing career as assistant to S.D Burman.
Originally, Madanji planned on being an actor. Unfortunately, his first film as a hero got shelved after completing almost 8-9 reels of shooting, and his subsequent efforts at acting were no less a flop. However, he made appearances in the films Shaheed(1948), Aansoo (1953) and Munimji(1955).
Madanji was known to be an extremely talented cook.Regular guests to these feasts were Lata Mangeshkar, Chetan Anand and his wife Priya Anand, and Kaifi Azmi.
On his second birthday, Madanji was gifted a small drum by his parents. That same day the Iraq Police Band was marching down the streets outside his house. Madan took his little drum, joined the band and started marching with the musicians. When his absence was discovered, his parents set out on a vigorous search and after two hours tracked him down at the police depot.
The film Mera Saaya was originally called Saaya. After Madanji had recorded the title song Tu jahan jahan chalega mera saaya saath hoga, he cooked dinner and listened to the song with Raj Khosla and other close friends over drinks. And they all agreed that the film's title should be changed to Mera Saaya.
Chetan Anand was planning a small film, Aakhri Khat, at the same time as Haqeeqat. He wanted Madanji to score music for both the films. But Madanji said, "Why don't you give Aakhri Khat to my friend Khayyam?" And the film went on to revive Khayyam's career.
For the song Chhayee barkha bahaar in Chirag. It was a very tough song to put together. The musicians were making a lot of mistakes. Lataji had to sing it about 15 times to get it right in one take. Completely exhausted she said, "What to do? Most of my biggest hits have been sung at my tired worst".
The song Aapki nazron ne samjha from Anpadhwas composed in two minutes during the lift journey from the ground floor to the fifth floor of his building.
The song Naina barse in Woh Kaun Thi was composed in the early '50s. But it wasn't found suitable for any film until Woh Kaun Thi(1964). At the time of the recording, Lataji was unwell. So the song was filmed on Sadhana in Madanji's voice, and re dubbed later.
He was a very honest and straight forward person. Asha Bhosle once came for a recording of a cabaret song. She asked Madanji, "Madan bhaiyya, this song is nice but who's singing the other songs?" When Madanji told her that it was Lataji, Ashaji bluntly asked, "Why can't I sing them?" And Madanji replied, "Jab tak Lata hai Lata hi gayegi." That didn't make Ashaji very happy.
Madanji literally composed ten tunes for Dil dhoondta hai in Mausam.
Lata Mangeshkar christened him 'The Emperor Of Ghazals'.
Madan Mohan's son, Sanjeev Kohli had about 30 unused tunes and Producer/Director Yash Chopra selected only 8 of them for Veer Zara. So, we may still see some more tunes composed by this great music director in future films or albums.
(A C&P: Compiled from various sites)
