Read how a midnight phone call gave Saajan’s ‘Dekha Hai Pehli Baar’ its unforgettable signature hook.
Salman Khan-Madhuri Dixit’s ‘Dekha Hai Pehli Baar’ song from Saajan (1991) is the ultimate 90s Bollywood love song. Back then, the track instantly became a massive favorite, thanks to the incredible on-screen chemistry between the lead pair. Sung beautifully by SP Balasubrahmanyam and Alka Yagnik, the track has a warm, catchy beat that gets stuck in your head.
Even today, the moment that famous signature hook starts playing, it brings back instant nostalgia and makes you want to hum along. But do you know there’s an interesting story behind how that playful ‘tan tan’ riff in the song was created! In a throwback interview with Radio Nasha, music director Nadeem Saifi, one half of the legendary Nadeem–Shravan duo, recalled how this music piece was his wife Sultana’s idea.
Nadeem shared that Saajan, much like Aashiqui, was a film remembered for its great music. He explained that Sudhakar Bokade (the film’s producer) had first been working with another team, but when they couldn’t complete the songs, Bokade approached him and Shravan.
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Nadeem mentioned that he usually composed very quickly after hearing a situation, and the first tune he created for Bokade was “Dekha Hai Pehli Baar, saajan ki aankhon mein pyaar.”
He recalled that during its recording, close to midnight on New Year’s Eve, his wife Sultana had called to wish him. The composer said he asked her to listen to the song, and she suggested adding a playful riff (imitating the sound of a guitar or keyboard with tan tan tana) after the lines, ‘Dekha Hai Pehli Baar, saajan ki aankhon mein pyaar.’
He admitted that he found it wonderful and immediately included it. According to him, that memorable musical piece was actually composed by his wife, and it became the song’s signature hook.
Directed by Lawrence D’Souza, Saajan revolves around two best friends, Aman (Sanjay Dutt) and Akash (Salman Khan), who both fall in love with the same woman, Pooja (Madhuri Dixit), leading to a heartfelt tale of love, sacrifice, and friendship.
