Khaike paan... will stay

Khaike paan... will stay

Subhash K Jha

This is probably a first for Bollywood. Farhan Akhtar, who is preparing to shoot his version of Don from January end, is currently re-writing the original script co-written by his father Javed Akhtar. "I'm a great fan of the films from that era (late 70s and 80s). I grew up on a staple diet of films like Qurbani, Shaan, Sholay and Don. Now, with my Don I'd like to make the changes which I think will make the script more contemporary. I wouldn't describe what I am doing as tweaking of my dad's script, but I rather call it a reconstruction. For example, Isha Koppiker's character will have a lot more to do in my Don than the original."

Having finished with his committments as a judge for Nach Baliye, Farhan is devoting all his physical and creative energies to the music composition for Don. "Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy who composed the music in my two earlier films (Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya) have already recorded three original songs, one of them is the theme song. These tracks have no connection with the earlier Don. But I'm certainly retaining two tracks – 'Khaike paan Benaras wala' and 'Yeh mera dil pyar ka deewana' from the original. I mean why would I make the film without these two songs? It's like not visiting the Taj Mahal when in Agra."

Farhan intends to re-record 'Khaike paan' and 'Yeh mera dil' with new singers. Sunidhi Chauhan will probably render Helen's cabaret song by Asha Bhosle in Chandra Barot's Don, and Kareena Kapoor will perform to it.

With Mehmood's 'Sabse badaa rupaiya' in Bluff Master and now these twin songs from Don, does it reflect a retro-music phase in Hindi films? "I'd imagine it to be so," says Farhan, "I want the music to reflect a nostalgic value without losing out on the freshness and vigour that are essential to today's sounds. I'd say that's the impact I'm hoping to achieve in the film."

Farhan will tamper with the 'original' Don, but the best part, tracks Khaike paan and Yeh Mera Dil will remain untouched in remake

Let me be the first to thank you for the article.

will look foreward to all of Farhan's work, especially his
debut movie and any upcoming TV appearance.

thnx can't wait for the film, Farhan is one of the best directors around, and all round good guy.