'Chhithi aayi hai' turns 25, continues to enthrall ghazal lovers
Pankaj Udhas talks about how even after 25 years, the song remains the most popular song among ghazal lovers.
“You know the song was almost not going to happen,” reminisces ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas about the iconic Chhithi aayi hai from Naam which has completed 25 years.Yesteryear leading man Rajendra Kumar who was producing the movie called Udhas said, “I want you to act in my movie.”Though not too enthused with the idea of acting, Udhas thought it would be seen as disrespectful to flatly say no. He said he would get back.When Udhas didn’t call for a week, Kumar called his elder brother Manhar and asked him why his brother was so ill-mannered and rude.“When my brother found out my predicament he told me to call Kumar Sir and clarify. I told Sir I don’t know how to act and it will be difficult for me to do so,” recounts Udhas.“He burst out laughing and explained that he wanted me to sing for his movie and this would be shot as a song I’m performing.”