Javed Akhtar Recalls Writing Pal Pal Hai Bhaari: ‘Ashutosh Made The Perfect Arrangement For My Murder’ – News18

Last Updated:December 20, 2024, 13:56 IST

Javed Akhtar opens up about the immense pressure of writing Swades’ iconic Ramleela song, “Pal Pal Hai Bhaari.” Recalling the experience, he admits, “I told [Ashutosh] that you have made the perfect arrangement for my murder,” but managed to complete the song in just two…Read More

Javed Akhtar recently reflected on the experience of writing the songs for Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades and recounted the immense pressure he faced while crafting the iconic Ramleela song “Pal Pal Hai Bhaari.” Javed revealed that the circumstances surrounding the song’s creation felt overwhelming, even to the point of potentially affecting his health. He admitted, “I told [Ashutosh] that you have made the perfect arrangement for my murder.” Despite the intense pressure and his initial doubts, Javed managed to complete the song in just two hours.

Speaking with the YouTube channel O2India, Javed recalled how Ashutosh had summoned him to Wai, where the film was being shot, and explained that the song had to be recorded urgently because AR Rahman would soon be unavailable for a month. Javed sought context for the song and was surprised to learn that it was inspired by a pivotal moment in the Ramayana. The scene depicted Sita, held captive by Ravan in Ashok Vatika, defending Lord Ram’s character and superiority. Acknowledging the sensitivity of the subject, Javed initially expressed his reservations: “If you told me in Mumbai, I would have at least brought some books like Ramcharitmanas and seen what I can quote from them. This was the time when the Ram Mandir movement was at its peak. I told him I can’t do it.”

The next morning, despite his anxiety and thoughts of backing out, Javed sat down at dawn and wrote the entire song in two hours. Reflecting on the process, he shared an interesting anecdote. After the song’s release, a well-read individual with deep knowledge of the Ramayana complimented him on his interpretation of Tulsidas’ lines of argument. Javed humbly confessed that he had no deliberate plan: “Till date, I think that I must have either heard this in my childhood because we would attend a lot of Ramleelas, and when I needed help my brain just presented that information. Or this was the only line of argument that was possible, and I also chose the same way.”

The song, composed by AR Rahman and sung by Madhushree and Vijay Prakash, became one of Swades’ most memorable moments. Released in 2004, Swades told the story of a NASA scientist who returns to India to reconnect with his roots and finds his purpose in uplifting a rural village. With its poignant themes, soulful music, and heartfelt performances, the film resonated deeply with audiences and earned a special place in Indian cinema. It recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, further cementing its legacy as a timeless classic.