The song 'Masakali' is closely associated with 'Delhi-6', but its journey reportedly began with another Shah Rukh Khan film. The popular track was originally composed by AR Rahman for Farah Khan's 'Om Shanti Om', which released in 2007.
Farah recently revisited the story during a conversation at composer Vishal Dadlani's Pune farmhouse. Speaking on her YouTube channel, where she was joined by her cook Dilip, Farah recalled that Rahman had created the composition before Vishal-Shekhar came on board the project.
She said, "I don't know where I was going to put it but I love that song and love that word.”
Rahman was initially expected to compose the music for 'Om Shanti Om', but could not join the project. Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani eventually took over the music, delivering songs including 'Ajab Si' and 'Deewangi Deewangi'.
How the song found its way to 'Delhi-6'
The composition was eventually used in 'Delhi-6', Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's 2009 film starring Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor. 'Masakali' went on to become one of the film's best-known songs and a popular radio track.
Dadlani also recalled the experience of working on 'Om Shanti Om', saying the team had "too much fun" while making the film. He also described it as the last time Bollywood had "big, masala music" in an album.
He revealed that he and Shekhar were prepared to work as assistant composers on the project if required.
The music that defined 'Om Shanti Om'
'Om Shanti Om' featured Deepika Padukone in her debut role alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Shreyas Talpade and Kirron Kher. Shah Rukh played Om, an actor who is reincarnated after 30 years and sets out to solve the murder of actress Shantipriya, played by Padukone.
The film's music also featured the elaborate 'Dhoom Taana', which paid tribute to Hindi cinema's music of the 1970s and 1980s. Composer Pyarelal came out of retirement for the song, while Vishal-Shekhar assisted with its orchestration and arrangements.
Released alongside Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Saawariya' in 2007, 'Om Shanti Om' became the year's highest-grossing Bollywood film. Made on a reported budget of Rs 40 crore, it earned around Rs 150 crore worldwide.