Lalit Pandit Reflects on the Timeless Classic 'Pehla Nasha'

The Birth of a Classic

Lalit Pandit, part of the renowned Jatin-Lalit music duo, reminisces about their most celebrated track, 'Pehla Nasha.' He states, 'Throughout my career as a composer, I have never crafted another song like 'Pehla Nasha.' It became a defining moment for me, and I realized I could never replicate it.'

How 'Pehla Nasha' Came to Be

'Pehla Nasha' was conceived in 1991 when Jatin and I were just starting out. Our debut soundtrack, 'Yara Dildaara,' had not yet been released. We were thrilled to be invited for a music session with Mansoor Khan, the director of 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,' who was working on a new film, 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.' We were well-prepared, thanks to our sister Sulakshna, who provided us with an 8-track recorder, a cutting-edge tool for that time.'

Impressing the Director

Mansoor Khan was impressed with our preparation. 'He appreciated our compositions. After the success of Anand-Milind's music for 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak,' it must have been a tough choice for him to consider new composers. Initially, he listened to our songs out of courtesy to a mutual friend, but after several meetings, he chose us over Anand-Milind.'

The Evolution of 'Pehla Nasha'

'Mansoor wanted a standout romantic song for the film. Although we had other romantic tracks, when we played 'Pehla Nasha' live, he found it merely acceptable. I understood why he didn't connect with it immediately. I went back and re-recorded the entire song over two days. When we returned to Mansoor, he expressed doubts about the song's tempo. Before he could elaborate, I put headphones on him and played it on a Walkman. As a knowledgeable musician, he instantly recognized its potential. He then took us to his father, producer Nasir Husain, who also appreciated it. That was the moment we felt confident about securing the project 'Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.'

Crafting the Composition

'Creating 'Pehla Nasha' was not a quick process; it involved significant thought. For instance, the recurring piano interlude was crafted piece by piece. It was India's first slow-rock song. I remember visiting Nasir Husain's office near Mehboob Studios daily, knowing that composing for him was a pivotal opportunity for us. We collaborated closely with Mansoor, his sister Nusrat, and Aamir, who also loved the song.'

Challenges and Triumphs

'Aamir was fond of 'Pehla Nasha.' The first track of the album, 'Yahan ke hum sikandar,' was programmed quickly, which upset our arranger Babloo Chakraborty, leading him to refuse to work with us again. At that time, we faced difficulties finding an arranger as many were reluctant to collaborate with us. However, Mansoor decided to proceed with the song without an arranger, which ultimately benefited 'Pehla Nasha.' Later, Babloo softened his stance, and when he heard the song, he initially criticized it but later admitted that his children loved it.'

A Memorable Recording Session

'The highlight of recording 'Pehla Nasha' was when the violinists applauded after the string arrangement. I was moved to tears, realizing we had created something special. Our reputation grew within the film industry, and the recording's subtlety was unparalleled. When Panchamda (RD Burman) heard 'Pehla Nasha' at Nasir Husain's home, he praised it, which was a significant endorsement for us. From that moment, he began mentoring us, and I cherish these experiences that have shaped my career.'