Jagmohan Singh Barhok

Nadeem- Shravan ,a team of two young men rose like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes to rule the Music World with the release of Mahesh Bhatt’s musical extravaganza featuring Rahul Roy & Anuu Kapoor.I was in Bombay & was asked to attend the music preview at Bandra followed by a cocktail-dinner hosted by the Bhatts in the side lawns of Hotel Centaur Juhu.The preview had made it significatly clear that the soulfully touching songs would do wonders,as it later proved, with the film becoming the most successful musical hit with all songs penned,rendered & composed miraculously well.It came as a shot in the arm for the musicians as they were warmly received with dozens of fresh assignments on hand.

“Aashiqui”,produced by Gulshan Kumar, revolves round two ‘love birds’, passionately engaged in love ,with the girl’s father Tom Alter not approving of their relationship.The film consisted of many lovely heart touching numbers composed by the duo Nadeem-Shravan like- “Main Duniya Bhula Doonga teri Chahat Mein”,”Sanso Ki Jarurat Hai Jaise”, “Dhire Dhire Se Meri Zindagi Men Aanaa”,”Tu Meri Zindagi Hai, Tu Meri Har Khushi Hai”, & “Najar Ke Samne Jigar Ke Pas” to mention some.It was followed by Lawrence D’Souza’s “Sajjan” starring Sanjay Dutt,Madhuri Dixit & Salman Khan,another musical hit with touching soungs-“Jiyen To Jiyen Kaise Bin Aapake”, “Meraa Dil Bhee Kitana Paagal Hai”, & “Tu Shaayar Hai, Mai Teree Shaayaree” shot at Seth Studios on a stage.I was present on the sets & Sanjay Dutt had borrowed my camera for the shooting.I also met Madhuri Dixit on-stage during the song picturisation.Raj Kanwar’s “Deewana” featuring Rishi Kapoor, Divya Bharti, Shahrukh Khan, Amrish Puri also turned out to be a musical hits with a too lively & passionately enacted dance number “Aisee Divangee Dekhee Nahee Kahee” picturised on Shahrukh Khan-Divya Bharti.”Sochenge Tumhe Pyar Kare Ke Nahi” picturised on Rishi Kapoor was another catchy number, & “Teree Ummid Teraa Intzar Karte Hain”, another marvel to boast.

“Maine “Maine Pyaar Tumhi Se Kiya Hai” from Ajay Devgan- Madhu starrer “Phool Aur Kante” was also composed by the same duo & rendered by Kumar Sanu-Anuradha paudwal.The film, produced by Dinesh patel, was directed by Kuku Kohli with Amrish Puri in a powerful supporting role.”Raja Hindustani” was another successful movie with “Aaye Ho Meri Zindagi Me Tum Bahar Banke” & ” Pardesi Pardesi jana Nahi” to hits.

The music-duo successfully composed soundtracks for many other films,too,-“Dil Ka Kya Kasoor (1992), “Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke” (1993),” Raja (1995) & “Barsaat (1995), “Agni Sakshi” (1996), “Jeet” (1996), “Raja Hindustani” (1996), “Pardes” (1997), “Sirf Tum” (1999), “Dhadkan” (2000), “Kasoor” ,”Dil Ka Rishta” (2003)& “Andaaz” (2003).Bestowed with four Filmfare best Music Director Awards for “Aashiqui”( 1991),”Deewana” ( 1992), “Sajjan” ( 1993) & “Raja Hindustani” ( 1997).

Interestingly,Nadeem & Shravan both were born in the same year 1954.Nadeem left the country following his alleged involvement in Gulshan Kumar’s Murder. Shravan Kumar Rathod,the subject of this write up, and an important part of Nadeem-Shravan duo. Died of COVID 19 in Mumbai on 22 April,2021.