Music composer Monty Sharma recently shared a candid story about Shah Rukh Khan’s blunt reaction to the background score of the 2002 film *Devdas*, which was initially mixed by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself.
The Infamous ‘Bakwas’ Comment
Monty Sharma, known for his work on films like *Black* and *Ram-Leela*, joined the *Devdas* team in 2000. He spent two years working on the film’s background score, even postponing his own wedding five times to meet deadlines.
Despite Monty completing the score, Sanjay Leela Bhansali decided to mix the entire background music according to his own preferences before presenting it to Shah Rukh Khan. The result was not what anyone expected.
Just two days before Monty’s fifth attempt at his wedding, Bhansali called him with startling news. Shah Rukh Khan had seen the film with the new mix and reportedly called the background score “bakwas,” even using a cuss word to describe it.
“He actually used a cuss word,” Monty recalled, adding that Bhansali then questioned his work, asking, “What have you done Monty?”
Unraveling the Mixing Mistake
Monty was shocked, reminding Bhansali that he had heard the complete score before it was altered. He promptly went to Film City to address the issue.
Upon reviewing the version Shah Rukh Khan had heard, Monty quickly identified the problem: Bhansali, in his mixing, had inadvertently muted most of the instrumental layers. A background score typically involves 16 “stems,” or individual tracks for different instruments, which combine to create the full sound.
“Sanjay Ji, while mixing it… has kept only the first and last stem, and silenced all the other 14 stems in the background,” Monty explained. This drastic simplification made the score sound incomplete and jarring.
Monty went scene by scene, pointing out where specific musical elements—like the track for Shah Rukh’s mother’s scenes—were missing. Bhansali eventually realized his mistake and fell silent.
Standing Up to the Director
Taking a firm stance, Monty Sharma told Bhansali directly, “Sanjay Ji, if you are going to do this all on your own, then please don’t approach me at all. You need to understand this is not your cup of tea. You don’t know the technicalities.”
After Bhansali acknowledged his error, Monty re-mixed the background score correctly. The film went on to become a superhit, and the music, as we know it, became iconic.
The Wedding Woes
The challenges weren’t limited to the music. Monty also shared how Bhansali repeatedly convinced him to postpone his wedding, using the film’s demanding schedule as a reason.
Each time Monty planned his wedding, Bhansali would raise concerns about the film’s completion and its potential journey to events like the Cannes Film Festival. “How will we complete the film?” Bhansali would ask.
After postponing his nuptials five times, Monty’s fiancée calmly suggested they didn’t need to get married. This made Monty realize the seriousness of the situation, and he finally managed to find a temple in Borivali to get married on Akshaya Tritiya.
- Shah Rukh Khan initially called the *Devdas* background score “bakwas” due to a mixing error by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
- Bhansali had accidentally muted 14 of the 16 instrumental tracks (stems) in Monty Sharma’s original score.
- Monty Sharma confronted Bhansali, explained the technical error, and then corrected the music himself.
- Monty postponed his wedding five times due to Bhansali’s concerns about the film’s production schedule.
This incident offers a fascinating glimpse into the intense creative process and the occasional behind-the-scenes drama of Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters.
Music composer Monty Sharma recently revealed a surprising anecdote about Shah Rukh Khan’s blunt reaction to the initial background score of the iconic 2002 film, *Devdas*.
The Shocking Feedback on Devdas Music
Monty Sharma, known for his compelling scores in films like *Black* and *Ram-Leela*, first collaborated with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali on *Devdas*. The project was demanding, even forcing Monty to postpone his wedding five times over its two-year production period.
After Monty completed the extensive background score, Bhansali took it upon himself to mix the music according to his own vision. This altered version was then presented to Shah Rukh Khan.
Just two days before Monty’s fifth attempt at his wedding, Bhansali called him with some rather unpleasant news. Shah Rukh Khan had seen the footage and declared the background score “bakwas,” reportedly using a cuss word to emphasize his displeasure.
“He actually used a cuss word,” Monty recalled in an interview, explaining how Bhansali then questioned his work, asking, “What have you done Monty?”
Unraveling the Technical Blunder
Monty was naturally taken aback, reminding Bhansali that he had approved the original score. He immediately rushed to Film City to investigate the issue.
Upon hearing the version that Shah Rukh Khan had reacted to, Monty quickly pinpointed the problem. A typical background score consists of multiple “stems” – individual tracks for different instruments, often around 16 in number, which are layered to create the complete sound.
As Monty explained, “Sanjay Ji, while mixing it… has kept only the first and last stem, and silenced all the other 14 stems in the background.” This dramatic reduction of the layers left the score sounding hollow and unfinished.
Monty calmly walked Bhansali through the scenes, highlighting where specific emotional cues and instrumental tracks were missing. Bhansali soon realized his error and was left speechless.
Monty Sharma Takes a Stand
Not one to be deterred, Monty firmly addressed Bhansali. “Sanjay Ji, if you are going to do this all on your own, then please don’t approach me at all,” he stated clearly. “You need to understand this is not your cup of tea. You don’t know the technicalities.”
After Bhansali accepted his mistake, Monty promptly re-mixed the background score to its intended grandeur. The corrected music went on to become a memorable part of the film’s success.
The Wedding Postponements
Beyond the musical drama, Monty also shared how Bhansali’s intense dedication to *Devdas* impacted his personal life, causing repeated delays to his wedding plans.
Each time Monty tried to finalize his marriage date, Bhansali would raise concerns about the film’s progress or its potential international recognition, like a screening at Cannes. He would frequently ask, “How will we complete the film?”
After postponing his wedding five times, Monty’s fiancée calmly told him that they didn’t need to get married, which made him realize the gravity of the situation. Determined, he finally secured a temple in Borivali and got married on Akshaya Tritiya.
- Shah Rukh Khan initially criticized the *Devdas* background score, calling it “bakwas.”
- The issue stemmed from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s personal mixing, which muted most of the instrumental tracks.
- Composer Monty Sharma confronted Bhansali about the technical error and then re-mixed the score correctly.
- Monty Sharma had to postpone his wedding five times due to the demanding production schedule of *Devdas*.
This behind-the-scenes account offers a rare glimpse into the intense creative collaborations and challenges faced during the making of a Bollywood masterpiece.
