Mumbai: It was on November 12, 1993 that Abbas-Mustan’s ‘Baazigar’ hit the theatres.
The Shah Rukh, Kajol and Shilpa Shetty starrer, which was made on a budget of Rs 40 million, went on to earn Rs 320 million worldwide to emerge as a blockbuster hit.
Three decades have passed, yet ‘Baazigar’ has remained one of the most iconic films of Bollywood. In fact, it has attained cult status, thanks to the storyline, suspense, screenplay, performances and, of course, the music and soundtrack.
As the film celebrates its 30th anniversary, music composer Anu Malik fondly remembered the ‘iconic’ film.
“Baazigar is an iconic film, in terms of its music, storytelling and performances. I am very honoured to see Baazigar getting stronger and stronger even as years pass and new great films emerge,” Hindustan Times quoted Malik as saying.
The songs were a major craze, and as Malik pointed out, they still are.
“In many of my shows, people still request me to sing ‘Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhein’ and ‘Baazigar O Baazigar.’ These songs will always be special for me,” Malik revealed.
It was a breakthrough film for not only the actors, but also Malik.
Then 33, the young music composer was looking for a break in 1992 when ‘Baazigar’ was offered to Malik.
“I was a young composer trying to break through. Baazigar’s tracks were something created from my heart. I salute all my musicians who understood my way and contributed to its success,” Malik remarked.
He recalled how the title track ‘Baazigar O Baazigar’ was conceived.
“(Producer) Ratan Jain met me and asked me to compose a song for Baazigar. I went to the beach and composed ‘Baazigar O Baazigar’. The very next day, the moment I sang it, he was so impressed that he jumped and called the director. One thing led to another and the rest is history,” Malik said.
