In a career spanning over 70 years, Lata Mangeshkar gave the world some memorable songs be it, sad songs, songs of joy, and songs of love. The legend passed away today at the age of 92 years in Mumbai.
An unknown fact
You must have all heard the song ‘Luka Chuppi’ from the film Rang De Basanti. The movie was one of a kind and so was the music. It was composed by AR Rahman. One of the songs from it, ‘Luka Chuppi’ became a huge hit.
Rakesh Omprakash Mehra revealed in an interview how he got Lata Didi to sing the song also revealed the fact she had rehearsed the song for four days. He had spoken to Lata Mangeshkar quite a few times about the song but somehow, things were not falling in place until months later, he called her again and she readily agreed.
“She said ‘Haan beta. Kaisa hai gaana? Bhijwa toh do mujhe’ (Sure son. How is the song? Send it to me). I said you know Rahman sir. Bante bante banega aur Prasoon likhte likhte likhenge (He is still making it, and Prasoon is still writing it) but I have shot it already. She said, ‘Aisa bhi hota hai aajkal?’ (Is that how it happens these days?). I said, ‘Haan. Aisa hota hai’ (Yes, it happens).”
He further went on to say that Lata Didi would come to the studio every day and rehearse the song. For 4 days she did so!
He further revealed that on the day of the recording, Lata Mangeshkar stood at the mic for eight hours and sang for all those hours. “She spoke to Rahman Saab. She stood at the mic, we were in the room. She stood there, her plait touching the floor. We kept some flowers, a bottle of water and a chair for her. For 8 hours, she sang the song and for 8 hours she stood there,” he recalled.
The song showcases the plight of the Mother played by legendary actress Waheeda Rahman who loses her son, an airforce pilot played by Madhavan in an accident.
