How a Rejected Song from Dev Anand’s Film Became a Superhit in Amitabh Bachchan’s Don
Reported by Shruti Sneha
Mumbai, 12th December 2024: Amitabh Bachchan films have given us so many iconic songs that one of the top contenders in the list surely must be Khaike Paan Banaraswala from the 1978 blockbuster Don. Its catchy energy, fun-played lyrics, and Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic step would always remind one of the songs, but not many know about how this chartbuster was rejected by Dev Anand.
Originally, Khaike Paan Banaraswala was initially intended for use in a scene from the movie starring Dev Anand: Banarasi Babu. He allegedly thought it to be quite below the expectations from him when the usage of the term “Khaike” hurt him particularly; thus, it could not make it to the latter film either.
Decades after composing, Chandra Barot who directed his movie Don understood an action-thriller with such an intense narrative should have at least some funny bits.
Zeenat Aman Unveils Backstory
Bachchan’s co-star in Don Zeenat Aman, has shared this interesting behind-the-scenes detail on social media. She recalled how the cast and crew of the movie reassembled at Mehboob Studio to shoot the song. Kishore Kumar’s energetic vocals, coupled with Amitabh Bachchan’s energetic performance, made Khaike Paan Banaraswala a chart-topper.
Barot’s gamble paid off, as the song became an instant hit, captivating audiences with its unique beats and witty lyrics.
A Taste of Authenticity
Kishore Kumar wanted Amitabh’s lips to appear to be stained red as if he had really chewed paan. During shooting, Bachchan is said to have chewed 15-16 betel leaves to achieve that look. That gives this sequence all the naturalness and memorability.
Don is, of course, an iconic landmark in Bollywood’s cinematic heritage. The song Khaike Paan Banaraswala by Salim-Javed’s ensemble cast featuring Zeenat Aman, Pran, and Helen still makes the audience grove with it to date. The story of this song from being rejected to becoming super-glamorous is indeed a testimony to how fate can turn around the fortunes of art.
