When Jagjit Singh, Amitabh, Shah Rukh, Yash Chopra, Vajpayee joined hands

Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and Yash Chopra have collaborated numerous times. In fact, both superstars owe a large part of their stardom to the late legendary filmmaker. But what about a collaboration between SRK, Bachchan, Chopra and the ghazal maestro, Jagjit Singh? Now what if we add ex-Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the list as well?

Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, it is for these instances that the phrase ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ was penned. The five stalwarts in their own respect had joined hands once for a special project. In layman terms, it was the baap of all collaborations. On Jagjit Singh’s fifth death anniversary, let’s look back at this moment which not many would remember for unknown reasons. 

The five of them came together in 2002 for the song ‘Kya Khoya Kya Paya,’ a song from Singh’s album Samvedna – Sensitivity. It was written by Vajpayee, sung by Singh, the video was directed by Chopra, performed by Khan and narrated by Big B. 

The song had everything working for itself. Vajpayee is known to be a poet and this song proves his talent in the art. The lyrics describing the journey of life and death strike a deep chord in your heart. Needless to say, Singh shows his magical ghazal skills once again. As SRK goes about wondering about life in the song, he underplays his part and speaks through expressions. By the way, who would have imagined Singh being King Khan's voice? Big B has been a terrific narrator in a number of films. Over here too he provides a perfect start. 

But the video wouldn’t have been so enchanting but for Chopra’s moving presentation. The song only shows Khan walking and wondering about life. But you are glued to the screen intensely due to the vibrant canvas created by the late filmmaker and his method of treatment that is simple yet highly appealing. 

Samvedna also had few more impressive tracks. ‘Kadam Milakar Chalna Hoga’ is a song motivating the youth of India. It’s narrated by Vajpayee himself. He speaks about how he, Jayprakash Narayan and others had united during the Emergency. He also emotionally recalls how the Jayaprakash Narayan movement ended. This might be a rare occasion of Singh singing a motivating song. 

‘Ek Baras Beet Gaya,’ another song from the album, is about Vajpayee’s recount of the one year of the Emergency and his experiences of the same. 

Vajpayee’s rich words also make you wonder as to why a lot of his other work isn’t featured in albums or films. It is still not too late.

Watch 'Kya Khoya Kya Paya':