Writing Rangeela and Bombay for A.R. Rahman | Mehboob Recalls | Rahman Music Sheets - Episode 12 

I remember seeing his name on Rangeela and Bombay cassets. I was under the impression that lyrics were written by Talat Mehmood (the old time singer). I used to think when did a singer became a lyricist. Brilliant lyrics by the way. Finally was able to put face to the name.

Most underrated lyricist in Bollywood and unfortunately Bollywood couldn’t use this gem

"While Others Breathe AIR, We Breathe ARR." Many thanks ARRji for this Epic album. Love U sir ❤️🌹❤️

Translation: 1:47: How you got into Rangeela team? Mehboob: I had done two dubbed movies for RGV. I used to keep asking him for more films. One day his assistant called me. It was during Ramadan and the day was 31st. RGV told me that he’s doing a Hindi film called Rangeela and AR is the music director. I was happy knowing it’s his first Hindi project. AR asked RGV who is going to write the lyrics? I said a guy called Mehboob. AR asked if he’s done any movies before. RGV said he’s totally new even though I done works before. That time, my gurus like Anand Bakhsi and Majrooh Sultanpuri were alive. So I thought AR would prefer them. But it was his humility that he accepted me as a lyricist 3:17 tell us the story of Rangeela title track Mehboob: the situation was perfect for me. Urmila’s character was looking for a break into the movie industry. It was her first song. It was my first song as a lyricist too. So in a way the song suited me. Some how the line, “among these thousand faces, I wish my face is recognized” also echoed my journey 3:52 what was the story of Hai rama? Mehboob: it was a huge problem for me. I wrote countless Antara and Mukhda for the song. But neither I nor RGV was happy with them. So I was on the way to the airport. Suddenly the line “Hai rama ye kiya hua” came. RGV instantly liked it and said that’s what I want 4:31 the story of Kiya kare ya na kare Mehboob: The tune was ready for the song. RGV asked me to write something for the lyrics. He said he’s going to meet Mani Ratnam for 1 hr and you write something in the meantime. Good thing about that time was that there’s no pressure to deliver. So during that time, I tried different ideas. But nothing substantial came up. So I just thinking myself, “kiya kare ya na kare” which means I don’t know what to to or what not to do. I felt that that line fits perfectly to the lyrics. But I was scared to share it with RGV. When he returned after 1 hr, he asked me if I had written anything. I said no. Then he said it’s not possible that you didn’t write anything for 1 hr. Then I told him I have come up with something , but don’t yell at me if it doesn’t work. He just told me to explain what I wrote. Then I told him the lyrics. Meantime AR came and asked what’s going on. RGV told him that mehboob came up with the weird lyrics. AR asked what it meant and RGV said it means I don’t know what to do. AR said perfect because it’s very simple. In a way, the lyrics also resembled Aamir’s plight because he was also struggling to express his love for Urmila 6:33 story of Tanha Tanha Mehboob: the track was ready. Rahman said we should have Asha Bhosle Ji for the song. I was literally sweating because it was my first song with Asha ji and the feeling of a newcomer was there too. I told RGV that I hope this song reminds Asha Ji of Pancham da (RD Barman). So she came and finished the song. Then she came up to me and said “Mehboob bhai, the song reminded me of Pancham. A singer is the voice of the song, a music director is the Body of the song, but a lyricist is the soul of the song”. 7:59 To you, what’s the role a lyricist ? Mehboob: I’m not saying that Lyricist should get all the credit. There are musicians, music director and the singer. But we put words to a song. Even if you come up with a tune, how long can you hum it for? At the end of the day, you need a lyrics that puts word to the tune. I remember Majrooh sultanpuri used to tell me, “mehboob, try to understand the language of the tune”. 9:12 the story of Bombay Mehboob: Rahman asked me if I wanna do a movie called Bombay. The first song we did was Humma. I told Rahman that I would like to do the whole album, not just one song. He said you want to? Then there was the time when I wanted to quit the project. The mukhda and lyrics were too long. So I called up my friends in Mumbai and told them I got bored with the project. So I wanna come back. They said you can return anytime you want, but remember one thing there’s a lot of discussion about the movie in the industry. Mani Ratnam is coming up a movie on Bombay riot. If it works, people are gonna love your input. So I just hung up the phone and came on board. I took some courage and said yes to the project. Otherwise I was gonna say no to Rahman because the project was getting boring. I came with the lyric of Kehna hi kiya. Actually AR and Mani loved the first part of the song “Gumsum gumsum gup chuk “ so much that they kept it in the Tamil version too. RGV, the late Jhamu Sugandh and I were at the same hotel. When I came up with the kehna hi kiya lyrics, Jhamu called RGV and said you should listen to the lyrics. They both listened and said that it’s gonna be a big hit. Even today people still praise the song. I just want to say one thing that everyone works hard. But your luck and destiny also should favor you 12:37 Tu Hi re is like an anthem for broken hearts Mehboob: let me tell you a story. One day Jhamu ji called me to his office. He wanted to speak with his producer friend over phone. When I took the phone, the person got so emotional and told me he’s listening to Tu hi re while having a bottle remembering his loved one. Then I thought, “I have heard this after Tadap Tadap too. Have I made people alcoholic with my lyrics?” (Laughs)

I Remember when I was kid, me and my father went to television shop to buy TV and I selected particular TV set because Kehna hi kya was playing on it❤

So this tells us that most creative things happen when it is very simple (subtle). No need to overthink & making it complex.

Thanks a lot for listening to all our feedback and giving us a longer episode this time 👍🙏🙏😊. I think this is the min length u need to maintain for each episode. All the best!

This so nice. It's not only about Rehman but we are alos getting to know these great beautiful minds! Salute to Mehabbob saab!

This episode sounds more like Mehboob sheets than A R Rahman.

ARR ❤️❤️🎶🎶👍👍

Very delightful episode. Lyricist Mehboob spoke from his heart. That he was scared of writing lyrics of Bombay is a news indeed. Thanks for a great episode Mr Umesh. Kindly plan to add subtitles if possible.

I think for Bombay songs credits should be given to Mr. Vairamuthu. First songs were made in Tamil. Kannalanae became Kehna hi Kya, Uyire became Tu hi re. Vairamuthu you're a beauty. 😍

Hats off mehboob sir ...u r genius sir

This series is going to next level every week, hit like if u feel same

Underrated mehboob

One more fantastic episode. The insights of Mehboob about ARR, Mani, RGV are really interesting

Love you mehaboob Sir..you are the one who wrote all the lyrics for album -pal sung by KK.....yaaron dosti, hum rahe ya na rahe kal etc .

Mehboob Saab is one of the best lyrics

This is how history is made so simply.thank you O2 india for letting us know.i subscribed too

Mehboob sir and Rahman sir.. Evergreen songs ..

Only poison on the earth that gives life back is ARR music.

I always said A.r.rehman is best but best musician needs best lyrics. Mehboob sir great lyricist.. Sir rehman's music is out of world. I don't know why not these days movie makers give best lyrics to A.r.rehman

❤️❤️❤️ to Mehboob. Because of him we got BOMBAY hindi.

Aapp tho lyrics se evergreen banaya hai along with ARR. Mehaboob uncle

I was in my primary schooling when this movie had come but I remember enjoying the music as I didn't have the brain to understand the lyrics but after when I started understanding the lyrics I enjoyed the songs even more ..

ARR songs made mehboob a well known lyricist

Mehboob sir👌osammmmmm

Very nice ....Mehboob sahab

Loved it❤️

RGV.... great. Only few people recognise is talent.

Lyrics : Mehboob is awesome 💖 on with A.R. Rahman always Superhits 🎵🎤📝 please join with ARR again for all his Hindi songs ...ur combination with him was another level ! Which only Gulzar should match .. sometimes... not always.

Best lyrics, best music, Love u mehboob sahab. All the best. Allah may award you super success.

Mehboob bhai aapke alfaaz zubaan se nahi dilse aa raha hey..ek se badkar ek behtareen gaane diye humko

@O2india please do add subtitles because many People around the world are seeing these Magical videos..So please do add subtitles for upcoming videos..And This video made my day hearing about a Genius AR Rahman sir...❤️❤️❤️

Brilliant Work by Team O2

What an awesome interview.. you guys are doing phenomenal work

Watched Rangeela as a teenager.I liked the songs a lot and it was a rage.Tanha Tanha was on top on charts.Used to watch the song on MTv hiding from all cos the costume of Urmila was shocking in those times.RGV being a rebel always makes sure that he never follows the tradition and shocks everyone with his different take.The lyrics of all songs were awesome.All knew that the lyricist is Mehboob but I never saw him.Im seeing him for the first time in this video

god of music.

Gems of music

Subtitles guys.... Everybody needs to understand

Day by day the episodes are becoming very exclusive, many unknown facts reveled

first time see him , amazing !

Original feelings or thoughts are pure and in general hit . Many times feelings are covered by external influences . We may learn from presentation .

Great job O2 india

❤❤❤❤❤

Mehbood sab is absolutely right that the soul of any song is the lyrics. The music composition, orchestration, rendering and picturization bring it out and the listener is thrilled with the overall experience. Its creativity at work all through!👌👍

Creation happens. Very intresting story behind song.

Excellent Umesh, you guys did make it longer and made the required changes. Hats off! Very good episode :-)

❤

Thank you... 'Vande Mataram' is every ARR fan's favorite... Can you please do the video in detail? Thank you

Very engrossing. But I wish episodes were longer. Clearly Umesh does a lot of research before recording. I have enjoyed each episode. And this one was interesting as we know very little about Mehboob. But he appears very creative. Love your series, Umesh

🥰

For Bombay the lyrics were 1st written in Tamil by the legendary Vairamuthu.....So Tu hi re was translated from uyire? But Mehboob is an amazing song writer....

This episode is longer compared to previous episodes. That's what we wanted. Thanks for that

Good things have no age.

Subtitles, please

Add english subs plz

12:31 "Mehnat har koi karta hai lekin thoda taqdeer saath deja ye"

Pls provide English subtitles

rangeela movie best song love you song 1995

I understand a little Hindi. Maybe no Urdu at all 😅. But I just loved this interview and the personality of Mehboob… thanks for this episode

Please use CC (Caption) button placed on top right corner of video to switch on subtitles

When will be next episode uploaded??

No translation for non Hindi speaking audience. We have been watching since episode 1 and its a let down for us. Its not that you didn't have time to translate it.

Y subtitles not there?

Why dont u English translation while mehbob speak.. we had a great respect.. but u guys towards us

Subtitles pls... not everyone understands Hindi!

I think it is better to make content in English when you talk about ARR since he is a PAN India musician.

Please make some episodes on the music of Rang De Basanti, Delhi 6, Rockstar

Pls put original soundtrack, not other versions 🙏

The time when everyone used to work very hard, now a days there is no talent

Hi please kindly add english subtitles. Thanks 🙏

I’ve been waiting for this episode, and I couldn’t understand it now because it’s in Hindi and there’s no subtitles also. Disappointing.

I've seen a making of Kya Kare, first Abhijeet sang it and then Udit was finalized.

I'd love some subtitles next time for the non-english parts, thanks!

Subtitles????if need reach world level…Your Channel need SUBTITLE….

Mozart of Madras ARR

no subtitles?

Pls add subtitles..

Where is Kavita Krishnamurthy, Sadhana Sargam, Shreya Ghoshal, Chitra, why is it only Alka Yagnik's interview?

💔💔💔THE FACT THAT 99 % of the comments are about subtitles makes a point. I think you understand now. Most people watching are from South. Pls take care next time

ये महबूब तो पराकाष्ठा है !

Subtitles yenge da chello?

Pls Voice over in english

Subtitles please guyz

Do Translate Subtitiles in English ...

Is mehmoob sir still alive Please correct if iam wrong.

AR and Mahaboob are milk and sugar...

222th like

You haven't asked AR about RGV

Mehboob is much better lyricist then Amitabh bhattachrya, swanand kirkire, manoj muntashir etc

Don't you know about hindi speakers. They walked out from London concerts once tamil songs started. They kept insulting Tamils. They always insult. Now they think they made him. Both Ilayaraja and ARR are real gems. Now the entire music agents ate their words.

Lots of South Indians here so kindly go with English...

I Don´t Understand Hindi why South Indien Speaks not Tamil Telungu but North Speaks Hindi This is not normal or is hindi o2india

he looks and talks somewhat like narender modi. Hit like if you agree.

Bombay was made first in Tamil, how come gum sum chup can be made in hindi first ?

Common language ENGLISH.... for All Indian people 🤭

the worst thing about the songs of Rangeela are its lyrics. The words are so jarring. and no depth in the meaning. I wish somebody like Javed saab gets to rewrite the lyrics again so the songs become hummable again. Dont mean to insult this lyricist, but his work is 2nd class.

This background music and singing is annoying...better place original