On Rahul Dev Burman’s Birth Anniversary, Some unknown Facts About The Maestro

1.     Rahul Dev Burman was  never taken seriously by his father the legendary Sachin Dev Burman; at  least not in Rahul’s early years. When Sachinda’s long-term collaborator Dev Anand wanted  to sign  RD instead  of SD for Hare Rama  Hare Krishna, SD  stoutly discouraged  Dev imploring  the  actor-producer-director to sign the father as usual. But Dev stuck to his guns. Or shall we say Ganas?

2.     The fact is, Rahul ghost-composed  some of his father’s popular songs including  Roop tera mastana  and Mere sapnon ki rani in Aradhana.Earlier the  song Sar jo tera chakraye in Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa was  also composed  by RD. Guru Dutt was so impressed by Sachin Dev’s son that he  wanted to sign him for a film. Again, guess where the resistance  came from?

3.     RD’s  first  ever independent break as a composer came  from comic virtuoso Mehmood in Chote Nawab.  RD wanted his life’s first  composition to be sung by Lata Mangeshkarji. But there was  a hitch: during those days Lataji and  RD’s father were  not on talking terms . When RD  hesitantly  approached  the Goddess Of Melody she not only agreed to sing for RD, she  also consented to break the  ice with RD’s father.

4.     RD’s first big hit  was Nasir Hussain’s Teesri Manzil. The  project would not have come to  RD if Nasir Hussain had not insisted. The  film’s leading man Shammi Kapoor wanted  his favourite  Shankar-Jaikishan.When Nasir insisted , Shammi agreed to hear “this new eager boy”  out. The minute Shammi heard  RD’s O  mere sona re, he was bowled over

5.     RD’s  other close friend in  the film industry was Rishi Kapoor. RD loved watching Rishi shoot his songs.On the sets of Nasir Husain’s films Hum Kissise Kam Nahin and Zamane Ko Dikhana Hai  RD  would  have lunch with Nasir Hussain and then watch Rishi dance.