The song had to be lost before we could find it again with a story: Vishal Bhardwaj & Gulzar on Lata's lost song

A song that was recorded in the 1990s and was lost for more than two decades has been rediscovered and finds its way to a modern, digitized world.

VB Music and the short-video app Moj have relaunched the long-lost single, 'Theek Nahi Lagta'. Sung by Lata Mangeshkar, composed by Vishal Bhardwaj, and written by Gulzar, it has been relaunched as an ode to the legendary singer on her 92nd birthday tomorrow.

Directed by Bhardwaj, the music video of the song features 12 Moj content creators. Pankaj Joshi, Divya Upadhyay, Apoorva Aroora, Chetan Sharma, Karan Panjwani, Khushi Maheshwari, Manasi Chaurasia, Priyanka Sharma, Rishabh Saini, Ruthvi Deev, Sunny Kalra and Surbhi Sikhri will also be part of the song.

Describing the journey of the song at a press conference for the launch, composer-filmmaker Bhardwaj said, "The song is from the time Maachis (1996) had not been released. I had got a break. We had done 'Paani Paani Re'. In that time, we had recorded this song.

"This was a lovely song, written by Gulzar saheb. Unfortunately, the film did not get made and the song was lost. For a long time. The format back then was tape. It was two-inch progress. And the studio also shut down. Two years ago, Spectral Harmony, a studio, found this tape [and] told me."

He added, "I am very excited to release this special song as a tribute to Lata Mangeshkarji. The song was recorded 26 years ago... I was on a treasure hunt for a long time and finally succeeded a few years ago in retrieving her voice. I then reproduced the song with Ketan Sodha featuring my favourite classical maestro Niladri Kumar on the sitar."

About the song's journey, the composer said, "The song had to be lost for us to find again, with a story. It is a matter of pride for me that a song written by Gulzar saheb, sung by Lataji, is being released under my label."

Lyricist-filmmaker Gulzar, who was also present at the press conference, called the composer a 'Columbus' for having traced the song. He said, "My memory is with this Columbus of the song who discovered it. For us lyricists, the script and the song are often together. There might be many more of my lyrics and songs stuck in Vishal's drawers.

"I was fascinated with Vishal's music. I used to bother him on the unit of Maachis and ask him to sing  'Chhod Aaye Hum Woh Galiyaan' again and again. Manmohan Singh, our cameraman, was a good singer himself, he would asked him to sing."

Describing 'Theek Nahi Lagta', the veteran lyricist said, "It was a simple tune, like he always composes. It was about a relationship, uncommitted. It is more common today and hence will always remain relevant. The tune is in Vishal's observation of society, atmosphere, environment, and he is aware of everything happening in society. Perhaps that inspired the song."

While she did not attend the press conference, Lata Mangeshkar sent a voice note wishing the best for the song. She said, "We used Gulzar saheb's poem for a film which was not completed. The song was 'Sab theek to hai lekin / kucch theek nahi lagta [All is well but nothing seems fine]'. Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzarji had recorded the song, and now are releasing it. I hope listeners like the song, the lyrics, and the music, because Vishal Bhardwaj is a very good musician. I wish him all the best, that this record do well, and that people wish him all the best."

Talking about Mangeshkar, Bhardwaj said, "When I was making songs for Maachis, I was very conscious. She realized that and called me and explained that don't think I am Lata Mangeshkar. Treat me like a new singer. When a personality like that says that, it is something special .That is why she has lived forever. I have not seen the quality in any other singer. When she learns, she learns like a student, and when she teaches, she teaches like a master."

Gulzar also praised the legendary singer, saying he would often try to impress her with his words. He said, "If I knew a song is to be sung by Lataji, then I would try to give something new in the lyrics to surprise her, make her happy. It was an accomplishment. To impress a great person, make a guru happy is a separate joy."

Recalling a similar incident during the recording of the song 'Aapki Aankhon Mein Kuchh' for Ghar (1978), the lyricist said, "There was this verse, 'Aapki badmaashiyon ke / Ye naye andaaz hain'. Puncham [music director RD Burman] was hesitant to use it. He said, 'Lataji will not like it.' I insisted on it, saying I will make another verse if that happened."

Needless to say, Mangeshkar approved of the lyrics. Gulzar said, "I told her about RD's hesitance and she told me, 'This is the only new expression you gave me'."

Commenting on the collaboration, Shashank Shekhar, senior director for content strategy and operations at Moj, said, “Our mission is to help our creator community achieve their creative potential and garner greater success. Vishal Bhardwaj is acclaimed for his bent towards music and the rich diversity of songs he packs into his films. No doubt this association with the label VB Music will act as a huge catalyst for the budding creators to reach a larger audience and make their foray into traditional entertainment.”