New Delhi: Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar are known for their iconic collaborative tracks over the years. For those unaware, the two also created the theme song for 'The Jungle Book' animated series which streamed on Doordarshan in Hindi. The song 'Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai' is known among kids who grew up in the 90s. The song was much loved then. However, not many know that Doordarshan did not approve the song when they first heard it.
In a recent interview, the 'Haider' director recalled that Doordarshan did not approve of the word 'chaddi' in the lyrics. Speaking with Mashable India, Vishal shared that he came to be the music composer when some other composer dropped out at the last moment.
Speaking with Mashable India, Vishal said executives at DD( Doordarshan) asked Gulzar if he had a composer who could do the job, who then called Vishal.
Gulzar saab called me the next day. We had to make it on Sunday, record it on Monday and give it to DD on Tuesday. But on Tuesday evening, we got it back from DD with feedback. They said, ‘Gulzar saab, chaddi theek lag raha hai kya? (Gulzar saab, is underwear okay?)’ They said to make it pant or lungi. Gulzar saab said, ‘Gandagi tumhare dimag mein hai, aur koi problem nahi hai (He said there is no other problem, your mind is filthy).'”
Vishal Bhardwaj also shared that Gulzar believed that this was Mowgli's image. "Voh chaddi pehen ke hai aur phool ki tarah lagta hai (He is wearing an underwear and he looks like a flower),” Vishal said. Since Gulzar believed in it, he told Doordarshan that if they can either take the lyrics or he won't give it to them.
Gulzar saab ne bola ya toh chaddi pehen ke hoga ya toh nahi hoga. (Gulzar said either it will be chaddi or no song at all.)”
And, for those who know, the song is one of the most iconic tracks of the 90s.
In other news, Gulzar and Vishal Bhardwaj most recently collaborated in the filmmaker's latest film 'Khufiya'.