Manoj Muntashir reveals Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor were behind union of musician duo Shankar–Jaikishan

Mumbai, May 9, 2026

The upcoming episode of Indian Idol will see lyricist and poet Manoj Muntashir taking viewers on a nostalgic journey, diving deep into the golden era of Indian cinema.

Manoj was seen sharing a heartfelt anecdote about how the legendary music duo Shankar–Jaikishan first met.

Recalling the beautiful coincidence that brought the iconic duo together, Manoj shared, “I tell you how Shankarji and Jaikishanji met by chance. Shankarji came from Hyderabad and started visiting a film producer’s place to ask for work. That producer kept visiting him for weeks and months. One day Shankarji noticed that a boy (Jaikishanji) was sitting in the corner of the sofa. He asked, ‘Why are you here?’ The boy said that he had also come to find something. When Shankarji asked what he was doing, he said, ‘I play harmonium.’”

(I’ll tell you how Shankarji and Jaikishanji met by chance. Shankarji had come from Hyderabad and used to make frequent rounds to a film producer’s office looking for work. That producer kept making him wait for weeks and even months. One day, Shankarji noticed a young man (Jaikishanji) sitting quietly in a corner of the sofa. He asked him, ‘Why have you come here?’ The young man replied that he too had come looking for work. When Shankarji asked what he did, he said, ‘I play the harmonium.’

He further added, “That was the time when Shankarji was playing the tabla in Prithvi Theatre. Shankarji immediately took Jaikishanji to Prithviraj Kapoor and said, ‘Papaji, he is a good boy, help him.’ Both of them got relief together. There he met Raj Kapoor sahab, who was making his second film. The music of his first film Aag was given by Ram Ganguly, and Shankarji-Jaikishanji were also his assistants for a few days. Then Raj Kapoor sahab gave him a chance to give music for his second film. This pair was literally created in Prithvi Theatre. And then we saw such a game of time that when the pair started in Prithvi Theatre, long queues started forming outside the theaters to listen to their songs.”

(This was around the same time when Shankarji used to play the tabla at Prithvi Theatre. Shankarji immediately took Jaikishanji to Prithviraj Kapoor and said, ‘Papaji, he’s a good boy, please give him some work.’ Both of them ended up getting work together.

It was there that they met Raj Kapoor saab, who was making his second film. The music for his first film, Aag, had been composed by Ram Ganguly, and for some time, Shankarji and Jaikishanji also worked as his assistants. Later, Raj Kapoor gave him the opportunity to compose the music for his second film.

This duo was literally formed at Prithvi Theatre. And then, see how time played its part, the partnership that began at Prithvi Theater went on to create songs so loved that people would stand in long queues outside theaters just to watch films featuring their music)

Talking about the legendary composer duo Shankar–Jaikishan, he went on to become one of the most influential names in Hindi cinema music across the 1950s, 60s, and 70s.

Their unforgettable compositions include Awara Hoon from Awaara, Pyar Hua Ikrar Hua*l from Shree 420, Yeh Mera Prem Patra from Sangam, and Baharon Phool Barsao from Suraj and many more.(Agency)