When the Timeless Hit Song Was Rejected- The Story of "Lag Ja Gale"

The iconic song "Lag Ja Gale Ki Phir Ye Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho" from the 1964 film Woh Kaun Thi?, sung by the legendary Lata Mangeshkar, remains a favorite among music lovers even after 61 years. Despite its age, the magic of this song has not faded, and it continues to be a popular tune that people hum to this day.

What many don’t know is that this superhit song was initially rejected from the film. Yes, it’s true. Director Raj Khosla did not want this song to be a part of the film at first. This decision left the film's composer duo, Madan Mohan and his team, quite upset. Madan Mohan then requested actor Manoj Kumar to speak with Khosla again and play the song for him once more.

Manoj Kumar listened to Madan Mohan and played the track for Raj Khosla again. This time, after hearing it, Khosla was so moved that he immediately agreed to include the song in the film. When he was later asked why he had initially rejected the song, a visibly embarrassed Khosla replied, "My mind must have been elsewhere at that time. Otherwise, who could ever reject such a beautiful song?"

Thus, "Lag Ja Gale" became an integral part of the film, and Khosla’s decision turned out to be not only a good one for the film but also a blessing for music lovers everywhere.

The song was filmed on actors Manoj Kumar and Sadhana in Woh Kaun Thi?, with the two seen sharing an intimate romantic moment on a moonlit night. The sheer chemistry between them, combined with Lata Mangeshkar’s soulful voice, elevated the song to iconic status.

Lag Ja Gale was such a massive hit that it even got a remix in the 2016 film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, starring Anushka Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor, bringing the timeless melody to a new generation.

Lata Mangeshkar’s voice gave this song an eternal charm. Her mesmerizing rendition turned it into a classic that has secured a permanent place in the hearts of listeners, making it one of the most cherished songs in the history of Indian cinema.

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