Vidhu Vinod Chopra's honest feedback to RD Burman on Kuch Na Kaho: Bahut kharab…

Vidhu Vinod Chopra recounted his candid feedback to RD Burman on the initial composition for Kuch Na Kaho, revealing the challenges faced during the making of 1942: A Love Story.

In Short

• Vidhu Vinod Chopra approached RD Burman to compose music for 1942: A Love Story
• The filmmaker added that he received warnings about Burman's declining reputation
• Chopra expressed his initial disappointment with the tune of Kuch Na Kaho

Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra reflected on when he approached veteran musician RD Burman to compose music for his 1994 blockbuster, 1942: A Love Story. At IFFI Goa 2024, Chopra recalled how others asked him not to reach out to RD Burman for his film, as he was going through an all-time low. When he finally composed music for the film, Burman asked Chopra to return to his father, SD Burman, and re-tune it.

Elaborating on it further, Chopra said, "There was one gentleman who told me that if I was taking RD Burman, he wouldn't buy our music. It was that bad."

The filmmaker continued, "For me, I had established that bond with him in Parinda. I knew he was the best at that time. They refused to buy the music at that time. They gave me options for some new people, but I went to RD. This is a story that I've told many times. It's boring, but I'll quickly say it for people who haven't heard it that the first song I gave him was Kuch Na Kaho."

He added, "I went to RD Burman, and he played Kuch Na Kaho for me with his musicians."

Describing the tune further, the filmmaker said he was shocked when Burman played it for the first time. “Normally, I say what I feel. If I feel like saying some words here which are not appropriate, I will say it. So, I looked at him. And he asked how it was. I didn't have the heart to tell him that it was bull**t. I was quiet. So, I said I’ll think and let him know. He asked me about the song's first reaction. I thought I'd break it gently [to him] and said ‘Dada, bohot kharab hain (It’s horrible)'.”

Watch the video here:

On the work front, Vidhu Vinod Chopra last directed award-winning film, 12th Fail, featuring Vikrant Massey.

With inputs from Sana Farzeen.