In a surprising turn of events, veteran Bollywood singer Altaf Raja recently revealed that he received a blank cheque from filmmaker Rajiv Babbar for his work on the movie Shapath. The amount he eventually filled in has become a talking point, especially in comparison to the fees reportedly charged by other prominent artists of the time.

Altaf Raja, who became a household name after his debut album Tum Toh Thehre Pardesi in 1997, recounted the incident in a recent interview with The Lallantop. He said that after the success of his album, he received numerous offers to act and sing in films. One of these opportunities led him to collaborate with Rajiv Babbar on the film Shapath, where he sang and featured in the song "Ishq Aur Pyar Ka Mazaa Lijiye".

According to Altaf, Rajiv Babbar was deeply impressed by his song "Tum Toh Thehre Pardesi". Babbar, after returning from a trip to Vaishnodevi where he listened to the song repeatedly, contacted Altaf and requested him to sing for his film.

Initially, Altaf was hesitant to become a playback singer, as his ambition was to be a successful album artist. However, he agreed to sing "Ishq Aur Pyar Ka Mazaa Lijiye" for Shapath, even adding his signature sargam to the track. The song was recorded in approximately two hours, and Rajiv Babbar was so pleased that he also wanted Altaf to appear in the music video. The music video was filmed over three days at Mithun Chakraborty's hotel in Ooty.

It was after the filming of the song that Rajiv Babbar presented Altaf with a blank cheque. Altaf, initially taken aback, inquired about the gesture. Rajiv Babbar reportedly told him to fill in whatever amount he deemed appropriate.

What's surprising is the amount that Altaf Raja eventually decided to fill in the cheque. He revealed that he only filled in Rs 80,000, not even a lakh. This revelation becomes even more noteworthy when compared to another claim made by Altaf in the same interview. He stated that the legendary Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan charged Rs 5 lakh for the song "Dulhe Ka Sehra" for the film Dhadkan.

The story highlights the different approaches artists take when it comes to valuing their work. While Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, an established and highly sought-after singer, commanded a significant fee, Altaf Raja, despite his rising popularity, chose to charge a relatively modest amount. It also reflects the potential respect and admiration Rajiv Babbar had for Altaf’s talent by giving him the freedom to decide his worth.

Rajiv Babbar is known in the industry for his contributions to music. He has worked with many talented artists and has a passion for music. Altaf Raja, on the other hand, continues to be a popular name in the music world, with his songs still enjoyed by millions.