Udit Narayan On Aamir & Papa Kehte Hain

Aamir Khan’s 60^th  birthday has his dost-voice Udit Narayan exceptionally revved up. “We started  at nearly the same time. When Aamir Khan was being launched in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,  the director  Mansoor Khan needed a  young vibrant  youth anthem , a song that  described the uncertain adventures of  the young as  they stepped into the real world . They wanted to make their parents proud . Majrooh Sultanpuri Saab  captured the essence  of youthful aspirations, although he was  60-plus  years old back then,” recalls Udit.

The  music composer for  QSQT was supposed to be Rahul Dev Burman , but  Anand-Milind did the needful.

Recalls Udit, “The producer Nasir Hussain Saab who was  the  director Mansoor’s son, had always worked with Pancham Dada(RD). He wanted Mansoor to work with Pancham Dada. But Mansoor couldn’t vibe  with Pancham Dada. He opted for the newcomers, brothers Anand-Milind who are the sons of  the late composer Chitragupta. And what a score Anand-Milind gave!”

Udit gives credit for Papa Kehte hain where it is  due. “No singer can lift a  bad composition. It is because Anand-Milind came up with such a winsome tune  that Papa kehte hain became so special. I owe my career to that song.  Interestingly later , much later , I did  a song in  a film titled  Papa Kehte Hain . The song was  Ghar se nikalti hi   and I  am very fond of that song too.”

 Recalling his  long  playback association with Aamir Khan, Udit says, “I sang a  number of hits songs for Aamir after Papa kehta hain, like Khambe jaisi khadi hai in Dil  and Pehla nasha in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar which  is also an iconic song.In Akela Hum Akele Tum I sang for Aamir while  my son Aditya sang for the child who played Aamir’s son.  Purane zamane mein singer-actor ka Rishta  bahot gehra hota ttha, jaise ke Raj Kapoor Saab and Mukesh Saab , Rajesh Khanna Saab and Kishore Da…I would like to think  I shared something  similar with Aamir.”