{"id":184727,"date":"2023-09-03T20:41:14","date_gmt":"2023-09-03T20:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indiansapidnews.com\/?p=184727"},"modified":"2023-09-03T20:41:14","modified_gmt":"2023-09-03T20:41:14","slug":"nothing-vulgar-in-choli-ke-peeche","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indiansapidnews.com\/tv-movies\/nothing-vulgar-in-choli-ke-peeche\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Nothing Vulgar In Choli Ke Peeche’"},"content":{"rendered":"
‘Many people pointed fingers at me.’ Thirty years later, Subhash Ghai’s Khalnayak<\/em> is still etched in people’s minds.<\/p>\n The song Choli ke Peeche<\/em> from Khalnayak<\/em> is one of the best remembered Hindi songs despite its controversial history.<\/p>\n It was a turning point for singer-actor Ila Arun<\/strong> who sang the folk version filmed on Madhuri Dixit and Neena Gupta.<\/p>\n It is this song that gave Ila her footing as a singer in the Hindi film industry.<\/p>\n “It contributed a lot to my bank and my personal life,” Ila tells Mayur Sanap\/Rediff.com<\/em><\/strong> with a laugh, explaining, “When the song became a huge success, I started getting a lot of live shows.’<\/p>\n What are your memories of Choli Ke Peeche<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n I remember when Subhash Ghai called me to Laxmikant-Pyarelalbhai<\/em>‘s place. At that time, sittings used to be really important.<\/p>\n The songs were not just the way it happens now.<\/p>\n Joining the sitting was such a great happening.<\/p>\n The lyricist, the singers and the director used to sit alongside the music director. Sometimes, the actress was also there.<\/p>\n The whole journey of the song and how it would be like was conveyed to the artists.<\/p>\n I remember I was with Alka (Yagnik, co-singer<\/em>) at this sitting, and when I heard the line ‘Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai<\/em>‘, I was taken aback for a second.<\/p>\n But then, I’m an actor and didn’t react because the second line was very good: ‘Choli me dil hai mera<\/em>‘.<\/p>\n It was a very big thing for me to record this song along with Alka and so many other musicians.<\/p>\n Anand Bakshi (lyricist<\/em>) was present, and so was Subhash Ghai.<\/p>\n The way Laxmiji<\/em> composed the song and the way it was uplifted by Pyarebhai<\/em> in his orchestration is just amazing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Was it upsetting when the song was embroiled in controversy?<\/strong><\/p>\n Kafi logo ki ungliyaan utth gayi thi mujh pe<\/em> (Many people pointed fingers at me<\/em>).<\/p>\n They would ask, Why did you sing such a song? Why did you do this ‘double-meaning’ song?<\/p>\n My mother also asked, ‘Yeh kya gaaya<\/em>? (What did you sing<\/em>?)’<\/p>\n But I was never guilty of the song. I was very proud to have sung it.<\/p>\n I saw it as a folk song, and there was nothing vulgar in it. The song is between two girls.<\/p>\n You see, in small towns, when the baraat<\/em> has left, women used to spend time with each other with some playful music.<\/p>\n Also, so many big names were involved in this song. They knew what they were making.<\/p>\n It was so nicely picturised, and Madhuri (Dixit<\/em>) danced so well.<\/p>\n When I couldn’t do the song, Neena Gupta performed in it. My voice suited her personality.<\/p>\n It contributed a lot to my bank and my personal life. (Laughs<\/em>)<\/p>\n When the song became a huge success, I started getting a lot of live shows.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Do you discuss the song with Madhuri Dixit and Neena Gupta?<\/strong><\/p>\n Both are very good friends of mine, especially Neena.<\/p>\n I did a show in Kolkata with Madhuri, where she performed on the song. She is a very graceful person. She always says, ‘Maaza aa gaya<\/em> (I had fun<\/em>)’<\/p>\n But I am really missing three key people.<\/p>\n First and foremost, Saroj Khanji<\/em>. She choreographed this song so well. Nothing vulgar, but very sensuous. And Madhuri always did justice to her choreography.<\/p>\n I wish Anand Bakshi and Laxmikantji<\/em> were alive today.<\/p>\n The 30 years celebration of the song and film would have been something else in their presence.<\/p>\n Many singers used to sing like Lata Mangeshkarji<\/em> during that time. Do you think the uniqueness of your voice helped you back then?<\/strong><\/p>\n It did benefit me. Change sabko accha lagta hai<\/em> (Everybody likes change<\/em>).<\/p>\n My mother always thought I didn’t have a singer’s voice. She never encouraged me.<\/p>\n When I came to Bombay, I sang a few songs for fun and people saw the difference. I was lucky that I got a chance to record my first song Morni<\/em> alongside Lataji<\/em>. It was a big deal for me.<\/p>\n People liked that song and it became a hit.<\/p>\n Let me tell you, all my private albums have done wonders.<\/p>\n Despite no visuals attached to it, it’s a voice that was appreciated by the common people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What is the legacy of Choli Ke Peeche<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n The song has aged very well. It fits all age groups from 16 to 76.<\/p>\n I had a show on July 29 at NCPA in Mumbai and it was house full. Women danced on my number.<\/p>\n Wherever I go, the song is a part of my live concerts. I always perform the full song exactly the way Madhuriji<\/em> and Neenaji<\/em> did.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
‘They would ask, “Why did you sing such a song? Why did you do this ‘double-meaning’ song?”‘
‘My mother also asked, “Yeh kya gaaya?<\/em>?”‘<\/strong><\/p>\n