Farah Khan recently shared an anecdote about the making of the hit song "Dard-E-Disco" from her 2007 film Om Shanti Om, revealing Javed Akhtar's initial reaction to her unique request for the lyrics. Speaking on the "Take 2" podcast, Khan recalled asking Akhtar to "write like Gulzar sahab" for the song. Akhtar's response was immediate and confident: "Achha, Gulzar sahab jaisa likhna hai? Abhi likhta hu (Oh, I've to write like Gulzar? I'll write now)".
Khan humorously noted that while Akhtar could procrastinate on other songs for Om Shanti Om, "Dard-E-Disco" was penned in a mere five minutes. This quick turnaround was due to Khan's specific brief, which seems to have sparked Akhtar's creative energy.
In an earlier interview on the "Cyrus Says" podcast, Akhtar himself recounted another aspect of Khan's brief for "Dard-E-Disco." He explained that Khan wanted a song "in which any line does not have meaning because the whole situation is absurd". Akhtar admitted that writing gibberish was surprisingly difficult. "I realized for the first time that to write gibberish is very difficult. I'm happy that it was fairly meaningless," he said.
The context for this unusual request was the scene in Om Shanti Om where a "vane, new-age star" Om Kapoor (played by Shah Rukh Khan) demands a dream sequence for his character, who is wheelchair-bound. The absurdity of the situation called for equally absurd lyrics.
"Dard-E-Disco," composed by Vishal & Shekhar and sung by Marianne D'Cruz, Nisha Mascarenhas, Caralisa, and Sukhwinder Singh, became a sensation. Sukhwinder Singh revealed that he recorded the song barefoot, wanting to dance while singing and avoid the sound of footsteps. The song remains popular, known for its catchy chorus and Shah Rukh Khan's memorable performance.
Khan's career extends beyond directing and choreography. She has ventured into YouTube, creating content that has garnered millions of subscribers. She candidly admitted that one of the reasons for her shift to YouTube was the "bloody expensive" prospect of sending her three children to university. Khan also emphasized that her work is driven by personal fulfillment and that she intends to continue working until she's 80, as her career isn't dependent on her looks.
Khan has also spoken about her experiences with sexual harassment in the film industry, highlighting the importance of self-respect and personal boundaries. She continues to be a candid and humorous voice in Bollywood, sharing her experiences and insights on various platforms.
