This Lata Mangeshkar Classic Was Almost Junked. Then Manoj Kumar Stepped In
Lata Mangeshkar has been one of India's most legendary and cherished playback singers. Her voice has defined generations, and the list of her unforgettable songs is truly endless.
Among them, there is one timeless melody from the 1964 film Woh Kaun Thi? that stands apart — Lag Jaa Gale. You must have heard this hauntingly beautiful blend of romance and melancholy that continues to touch millions of hearts across generations. But did you know this iconic song was almost rejected?
Director Raj Khosla initially didn't like the track and even planned to drop it from the film. It was only after actor Manoj Kumar intervened that the song was finally included. The full story behind this near-miss moment is detailed in Raj Khosla: The Authorised Biography, released on May 20, ahead of the filmmaker's 100th birth anniversary.
According to the book, music composer Madan Mohan had to seek help from actor Manoj Kumar to convince the director to retain the song.
Manoj Kumar's Intervention
Manoj Kumar recalled, 'One day I got a call from Madan Mohan. He said — 'Raj Khosla has lost his mind. He's rejecting a beautiful song. Please come and handle it'." At that point, Manoj Kumar hadn't even heard the track and was initially hesitant to intervene. But after listening to it, he was convinced of its brilliance and decided to step in.
He spoke to producer NN Sippy, who agreed with Madan Mohan and encouraged Manoj to talk to Raj Khosla. The film's shooting was only days away, and the song hadn't been finalised.
The Director's Initial Reaction
When Manoj Kumar finally played the song to Raj Khosla, the director still called it 'bad". However, upon listening to it again more carefully, his opinion completely changed. He was reportedly 'shocked" and realised it was one of the finest tunes he had ever heard. In fact, Raj Khosla was so embarrassed by his earlier reaction that he picked up his shoe in frustration and called himself 'a fool", an incident mentioned in the biography.
Lata Mangeshkar's Favourite
Lag Jaa Gale went on to become one of Lata Mangeshkar's all-time favourite songs. She herself once said that the track was among her top six. With over 277 million views on YouTube, its popularity has stood the test of time. The music, composed by Madan Mohan, touches the soul — and Lata Mangeshkar's heartfelt rendition gave it everlasting life.
The book quotes Lata Mangeshkar saying, 'When we recorded the song, everyone was pleased. Raj Khosla liked it very much. We were all satisfied. After the recording, Madan bhaiyya came and hugged me — he was crying. The song made history."
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