Read the emotional story behind Dhadkan’s iconic song ‘Dulhe Ka Sehra’ and why Sufi legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan never appeared in it as planned.
Some songs never fade with time. Instead, they live on in the hearts of listeners across generations. One such gem is ‘Dulhe Ka Sehra’ from Dhadkan (2000). Even today, the moment those opening notes play, viewers are transported into a world of pure emotion.
In a recent interview with Filmfare, lyricist Sameer Anjaan, who penned this track, shared an unforgettable story behind it. He revealed that music director Nadeem (of Nadeem-Shravan duo), a devoted admirer of the legendary Sufi singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, requested him to lend his voice to this special composition.
Khan saab was known for singing only his own compositions, so at first he hesitated. But when Nadeem expressed his deep admiration and insisted, the legendary singer agreed. Out of respect, Nadeem arranged a seated recording session, knowing the maestro’s comfort mattered.
According to Sameer, the recording began around 9 pm, and what followed was a night of raw emotion. Khan saab kept giving retakes, pouring his soul into every attempt. Each time he reached the line “Main teri baahon ke jhoole mein pali babul…”, he broke down. The words reminded him of his daughter, and the pain was too real to mask. Seeing his struggle, Nadeem suggested they continue the next day. But Khan saab, in his fiery spirit, replied, “If it happens today, it will… or never. Because I’m in that fever, that state of mind, you’ll get the right emotions.” Finally, after countless takes, the perfect one was captured.
Sameer also revealed that ‘Dulhe Ka Sehra’ was originally meant to be filmed on Nusrat saab himself, but fate had other plans. He passed away before the shoot, and the sequence was later filmed on Kader Khan. Yet, when the audiences watched it, they too felt the same lump in their throat at that very line. The lyricist called it a hallmark of a true artiste, and added that this is the only song Nusrat saab sang for a composer/lyricist in India.
Directed by Dharmesh Darshan, Dhadkan is a classic love triangle where a woman torn between her past and present must choose between two men who love her deeply.
