Filmmaker Mohit Suri recently shared a surprising story about how a “ruined” version of the iconic song “Woh Lamhe” brought him to tears and led to his enduring collaboration with music composer Mithoon.
An Emotional Start to a Hit Song
Mohit Suri, who just celebrated 20 years in Bollywood with his latest hit “Saiyaara,” reflected on his directorial debut, “Zeher” (2005). While the film itself didn’t fare well at the box office, its music, particularly “Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein,” became a timeless romantic anthem.
However, Suri initially had a very different, and negative, reaction to the song. He recalled hearing an early version by a “very senior music director” that left him deeply upset. He was so disheartened, he began to cry.
Producer Mukesh Bhatt, witnessing Suri’s tears, found it amusing but quickly offered reassurance. “Stop, you don’t have to cry and all. We’ll do something,” Bhatt told the then 22-23-year-old director.
A Serendipitous Meeting with Mithoon
Mukesh Bhatt then took Suri to meet another music director. By chance, they ran into veteran musical arranger Naresh Sharma, a former collaborator of Bhatt’s, known for his work on “Aashiqui” and “Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin.”
Naresh Sharma mentioned that his son, Mithoon, also worked in music, specifically on background scores. This casual encounter sparked Bhatt’s suggestion for Suri to meet Mithoon.
Suri remembered their first meeting vividly. Mithoon, then only 19, seemed completely immersed in his music, barely acknowledging Suri. This dedication, however, deeply impressed the young director.
The Birth of a Musical Partnership
Mohit Suri saw genuine honesty in Mithoon’s approach to his craft. He noted that Mithoon’s spiritual connection to his music, rather than social pleasantries, was what truly convinced him. This integrity led Suri to task Mithoon with composing “Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein.”
When Suri heard Mithoon’s rendition, he was completely blown away. He specifically recalled the powerful impact of the piano’s silence at the song’s beginning. It was a moment of pure creative magic.
Suri also recounted a beautiful coincidence: it rained heavily during the song’s recording, mirroring the lyrics that spoke of “Woh barsaatein” (those rains). He believes that when something good is created, it resonates with the universe itself.
A Lasting Legacy of Collaboration
The collaboration on “Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein” marked the beginning of a highly successful partnership between Mohit Suri and Mithoon. They have since created numerous hit songs together, becoming a formidable duo in Bollywood music.
Their joint efforts have produced beloved tracks such as “Aadat” from “Kalyug” (2005), “Tum Hi Ho” from “Aashiqui 2” (2013), and “Humdard” from “Ek Villain” (2014). Their most recent success is “Dhun” from Suri’s latest film, “Saiyaara.”
- Mohit Suri was initially distraught by a “ruined” version of “Woh Lamhe Woh Baatein.”
- A chance encounter facilitated by Mukesh Bhatt led Suri to meet a young Mithoon.
- Mithoon’s deep dedication to music impressed Suri, leading to their first collaboration.
- Their partnership has resulted in many iconic Bollywood songs over two decades.
This heartwarming story highlights how unexpected turns can lead to the most enduring and successful creative alliances in the film industry.
