Bollywood has long produced songs that make people’s feet start tapping instinctively the moment the melody plays. One such iconic hit song was released 21 years ago, with lyrics penned by none other than the legendary Hindi cinema lyricist Gulzar.
This iconic hit song, created by blending folk music—specifically Qawwali—with modern beats, has today become an iconic track. The idea for the lyrics of the song we are discussing came to Gulzar saab from the quotes written on the back of trucks.
“Very few people know that the inspiration for a superhit song like ‘Kajra Re’ did not come from any big studio or music room, but from the desi shayari and folk songs written on the back of trucks running on Indian roads.”
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An entire iconic hit song inspired by poetry written on the back of a truck
The song we are discussing here is none other than the cult classic ‘Kajra Re-Kajra Re’, featured in the 2005 romantic comedy Bunty Aur Babli, which starred Rani Mukerji in the lead role. Even today, this song—picturized on Aishwarya Rai—stands out as the highlight of the entire film. In a past interview with the Hindustan Times, Gulzar himself revealed that he got the idea for the song from poetry written on the back of a truck.
He had said, “This poem feels quite eclectic. The song is primarily inspired by the lines often found written on speeding trucks on the roads of North India.” Trucks frequently feature amusing quotes about things like kohl-lined eyes and love; drawing upon such phrases, Gulzar penned the lyrics for the magnificent song ‘Kajra Re,’ in which he also beautifully referenced the streets of Delhi.
The composer was creating the melody while bathing in the bathroom
While Gulzar drew inspiration for the lyrics of this song—filmed featuring Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan, and Abhishek Bachchan—from a truck, there is an amusing anecdote behind how the music composer-singer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy created the melody. In an old interview, Shankar Mahadevan revealed that he composed the tune while standing under the shower in his bathroom; he immediately played it for his colleagues, and they went straight to Gulzar with it.
If you wish to know the true story behind the iconic hit song “Kajra Re,” it is not merely a Bollywood chartbuster but a unique blend of Indian folk music, exquisite poetry, and brilliant composition. The song featured in the 2005 film Bunty Aur Babli. Its music was composed by the renowned trio Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, while Gulzar penned the beautiful lyrics. Alisha Chinai, Shankar Mahadevan, and Javed Ali sang it.
Upon its release, it topped music charts on the BBC and across India, becoming the most popular iconic hit song of the decade
This iconic hit song celebrates dark, beautiful eyes—a theme that has long been an integral part of Indian folk culture. The composers presented this folk essence in a modern style, creating a unique blend of Kajri, Qawwali, and film music. Remarkably, the song was created in a very short span of time, yet it made history upon its release.
The song’s on-screen presentation played a major role in its popularity. Aishwarya Rai’s special appearance, alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, made it memorable. Interestingly, some members of the film’s team did not initially find the song particularly impressive, yet after its release, it became the film’s most defining feature.
“Kajra Re” was not merely an iconic hit song; it influenced the entire music culture of its era. The song won numerous awards, made its mark everywhere from dance floors to weddings, and remains just as popular today—two decades later—as it was at the time of its release. That is why it is counted among the most iconic and memorable songs in Hindi cinema.
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