Starring Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman in the lead roles, the 1978 crime thriller ‘Don’ emerged as one of the biggest hits of the 1970s. Directed by Chandra Barot, the film not only captivated audiences with its thrilling narrative crafted by the legendary writing duo Salim-Javed, but it also left a lasting imprint thanks to its unforgettable soundtrack. Among the film’s standout musical numbers are “Yeh Mera Dil,” “Main Hoon Don,” and the iconic “Khaike Paan Banaraswala.” The journey of “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” into this cinematic masterpiece is an intriguing tale worth exploring.
The story begins in 1973 with the film ‘Banarasi Babu,’ starring Dev Anand. The song “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” was originally composed for this movie by the talented duo Kalyanji-Anandji. With lyrics written by Anjaan and vocalized by Kishore Kumar, it was intended to be a part of the musical landscape of ‘Banarasi Babu.’ However, for reasons that remain a mystery, the song never made it into the film’s final cut.
Fast forward to the making of ‘Don’ in the late 1970s. As Chandra Barot embarked on his directorial debut, he brought a wealth of industry experience, having assisted notable filmmaker Manoj Kumar on the 1970 movie ‘Purab Aur Pachhim.’ This connection would prove pivotal in shaping one of the most memorable moments in ‘Don.’
While reviewing the final cut of ‘Don,’ Manoj Kumar suggested to Barot that the film, gripping and relentless in its suspense, needed a point where the audience could take a small break. Essentially, he proposed the inclusion of an engaging song midway to provide some respite. Intrigued by this advice, Barot turned to music directors Kalyanji-Anandji for a solution. Seizing the opportunity to recycle a great tune, the duo suggested incorporating the unused “Khaike Paan Banaraswala.” Thus, the song found its unexpected new home in ‘Don’ just before the film was released.
.
The impact was immediate and electrifying. Amitabh Bachchan’s energetic performance in “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” not only provided the necessary momentary break to the intense storyline but also added a dimension of charm to his character, making the song an instant hit. It was a brilliant stroke of serendipity that transformed an unused tune into one of the biggest hits in Amitabh Bachchan’s illustrious career.
The legacy of ‘Don’ extended into the new millennium with the 2006 remake entitled ‘Don: The Chase Begins Again,’ directed by Farhan Akhtar, son of Javed Akhtar, who co-wrote the original ‘Don’ with Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan. In this reinterpretation, the song “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” was given a fresh lease of life. Music directors Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy decided to remix the iconic number, this time featuring Udit Narayan and Shah Rukh Khan himself as the singers, while retaining the original lyrics to preserve its nostalgic essence.
Farhan Akhtar’s remake successfully paid homage to the original while introducing the ‘Don’ franchise to a new generation of moviegoers. With Shah Rukh Khan stepping into the shoes of Amitabh Bachchan, the film continued to explore the enigmatic world of the Master Criminal, laying the groundwork for yet another sequel in 2011, ‘Don 2.’
Recently, Farhan Akhtar announced the next installment in the franchise, ‘Don 3,’ which is set to release in 2025. While Shah Rukh Khan has opted out of the threequel, new talents Ranveer Singh and Kiara Advani have been cast in the lead roles. With this latest development, the ‘Don’ franchise promises to carry forward the legacy established over four decades ago.
As the anticipation builds for ‘Don 3,’ it is worth reflecting on how a song initially created for a different film became such a quintessential part of Bollywood lore. “Khaike Paan Banaraswala” is a testament to the unpredictable and collaborative nature of filmmaking, where an unexpected suggestion and a last-minute decision can lead to cinematic magic that resonates across generations.
In closing, the upcoming release is eagerly awaited, not just for its story but also for the potential musical gems it may introduce. Who knows? Maybe another unused tune will come to life and join the ranks of legendary Bollywood songs, just like “Khaike Paan Banaraswala.”
