Imtiaz Ali on Patakha Guddi: Story Behind Highway's Superhit Song Revealed

Imtiaz Ali

Imtiaz Ali, a renowned director known for films like Jab We Met and Rockstar, discussed the story behind the hit song "Patakha Guddi" from his 2014 movie Highway, which starred Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda

Imtiaz Ali

The song "Patakha Guddi," performed by the Nooran Sisters and composed by AR. Rahman with lyrics by Irshad Kamil, became an enduring favorite for its energetic and soulful composition.

Imtiaz Ali

Uniquely, the song's sequence was filmed before the audio was recorded, initially using a folk song by Gurmeet Bawa, which was later reimagined by AR. Rahman for the final version.

Imtiaz Ali

Imtiaz Ali revealed that the Nooran Sisters sang the song for the first time at Rahman’s Mumbai studio while he directed them via video call from abroad, ensuring the right vocal quality and mic placement

Imtiaz Ali

The recording session was filled with excitement and lasted all night, with the sisters singing on a single mic, injecting a lively spirit into the song

Imtiaz Ali

Imtiaz Ali shared a personal connection to the song, as the repetition of the word "Ali" in the lyrics resonated with him, and Jyoti Nooran even pointed at him during the recording, adding a special touch to the experience

Imtiaz Ali

The Nooran Sisters were praised by Imtiaz for bringing divine energy to the song, which captured the essence and raw spirit of a Punjabi woman

Imtiaz Ali

Lyricist Irshad Kamil's contribution was highlighted as key to creating one of the most powerful pieces in Imtiaz Ali's film repertoire, cementing "Patakha Guddi" as a standout track