Untold & fascinating stories of your favourite Bollywood Songs: From tune change to truck inspiration

Chaiyya Chaiyya – Dil Se (1998)

Before it became the most daring train-top performance in Bollywood history, Chaiyya Chaiyya began centuries earlier in the verses of Punjabi Sufi poet Bulleh Shah. His folk song Thaiyya Thaiyya celebrated love as a path to the divine. Singer Sukhwinder Singh, already familiar with the original, introduced it to A. R. Rahman. Gulzar then reworked the ancient lyrics into a modern hymn of longing and ecstatic joy.

The filming matched the song’s fearless spirit. Mani Ratnam and cinematographer Santosh Sivan shot on a real Nilgiri mountain train, with Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora dancing on its roof. There were no harnesses, no digital tricks, just carefully timed choreography and a crew who trusted each other completely. The wind-whipped visuals and Rahman’s pulsing rhythm turned an old Sufi idea into a contemporary classic, prov

Kajra Re – Bunty Aur Babli (2005)

When Kajra Re hit the airwaves, audiences were captivated by its playful mix of flirtation and folk charm. Gulzar revealed that he drew inspiration from the witty one-liners and cheeky slogans painted on trucks that speed through North India. He imagined a small-town Punjabi girl dreaming of a beauty pageant crown, peppering her Hindi with bits of English to show off her ambitions.

The song became a family affair on screen: Amitabh Bachchan, his son Abhishek, and daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai dancing together in a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The infectious choreography and rustic-meets-glamour vibe turned it into a party anthem that bridged generations.

Khwaja Mere Khwaja – Jodhaa Akbar (2008)

Not every hit begins with commercial ambitions. A. R. Rahman composed Khwaja Mere Khwaja as a private prayer, a melody that brought him personal peace. Director Ashutosh Gowariker heard Rahman play it during the making of Jodhaa Akbar and was overwhelmed by its meditative power. Rahman hesitated; this was his own spiritual offering, but finally agreed to share it.

Filmed as a qawwali performance in the court of Akbar, the song became the film’s emotional soul. Listeners across faiths embraced it, a reminder that sometimes the most intimate music can resonate far beyond its creator.

Bole Chudiyan – Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001)

Today it’s a must-play at weddings, but Bole Chudiyan almost didn’t make it to the screen as we know it. When the initial recording felt slightly off, the composers had no time to start from scratch. With the film’s schedule pressing, they cleverly adjusted the melody over the existing track. That last-minute change gave the song its lively sparkle.

When the film released, families embraced it instantly. Its mix of joyous beats, ornate costumes and a cast dancing like they were at an actual sangeet set a new standard for Bollywood wedding songs.

Now Poo's aura and a dance performance on this song by the bridesmaids almost makes a wedding incomplete and we are grateful for the tune, composition, or whatever it became.

Chikni Chameli – Agneepath (2012)

Lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya recalls hours of “headbanging” and endless drafts before this rustic blockbuster found its voice. “Chikni” came first, then “Chikni Chameli chhup ke akeli,” and then the words just wouldn’t come. Composers Ajay-Atul broke the deadlock with a mischievous suggestion: “peg laga ke aai, pauaa chadha ke aai.” That cheeky line unlocked the rest of the lyrics, giving the song a bold, earthy energy.

Katrina Kaif’s fiery dance and Ganesh Acharya’s uninhibited choreography did the rest. The song became the life of every party and proved that even a lyricist’s creative block can lead to an unforgettable hook. And today we can't imagine a party or club who's playlist doesn't have this song added to it.

Senorita – Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)

Director Zoya Akhtar wanted the film’s three male leads to sing their own Spanish-themed track, but only Farhan Akhtar had real singing experience. Hrithik Roshan and Abhay Deol were unsure, Abhay especially. Composers Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy coaxed him into recording a “rough draft,” promising it wouldn’t be used. His natural, slightly shy delivery fit the carefree mood perfectly, so they kept it.

That unpolished charm became the song’s signature. Audiences felt as if they were eavesdropping on three friends serenading a warm Spanish night, and the track became an anthem for friendship and adventure.

Why This Kolaveri Di – 3 (2011)

This song was never meant to be a marketing masterstroke; it was simply the result of a late-night jam session. Actor Dhanush and his cousin, composer Anirudh Ravichander, were experimenting in the studio when Dhanush scribbled the now-famous “Tanglish” lyrics, half Tamil, half English in under half an hour. They recorded it with a basic camera running in the corner.

The mix of nonsense lyrics and an irresistibly catchy beat went viral across India and beyond. It was one of the first Indian songs to truly break the internet, proving that authenticity and fun can sometimes outshine careful planning.

Jai Ho – Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

This Oscar-winning anthem almost belonged to another movie. A. R. Rahman originally composed Jai Ho for Subhash Ghai’s Yuvvraaj, planning to picturise it on Zayed Khan. Ghai felt it didn’t match his film’s mood and, in a generous gesture, allowed Rahman and lyricist Gulzar to offer it to Danny Boyle instead.

The triumphant finale of Slumdog Millionaire turned the song into a global phenomenon. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and introduced Rahman’s genius to audiences who had never heard a note of Bollywood music before. And now we can't stop echoing these songs to celebrate the nation, personal victories or even sport wins.

Ek Do Teen – Tezaab (1988)

The song that launched Madhuri Dixit into superstardom started as a happy accident. Laxmikant of the composer duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal used the words “Ek do teen” merely as placeholders while sketching the tune. Director N. Chandra was desperate for a high-energy number and suggested a Koli folk rhythm, “ding dong ding…”, he couldn’t get out of his head. Laxmikant instantly recognised the beat and built the melody around those simple counting words.

Lyricist Javed Akhtar transformed the numbers into a playful, urgent plea of love. Meanwhile, legendary choreographer Saroj Khan trained Madhuri for hours every day, drilling every hip movement and hand gesture until they gleamed. The final performance, with Madhuri’s dazzling expressions and precision, turned a studio experiment into a nationwide craze. Even decades later, the opening “Ek do teen” still sends crowds into a nostalgic frenzy.