When Mohammed Rafi sang only 4 lines without fees, Amitabh Bachchan’s death scene made the entire nation cry.

New Delhi. There are some songs and some moments in the history of Hindi film music, which remain alive in the hearts of people despite the passage of time. The voice of legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi is also one such legacy, which has connected generations with emotions. Rafi Sahab sang thousands of songs in his career, but in a film he created such magic by singing just four lines that that scene and that song still brings tears to people’s eyes.

This story is related to the superhit film ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ released in 1978. This film of director Prakash Mehra had created new records of success at the box office. Stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Rekha and Rakhi starred in the film. Along with the story, dialogue, music and acting, its emotional climax also remained in the hearts of the audience forever.

The film’s music was composed by renowned music composer duo Kalyanji-Anandji, while lyricist Anjaan wrote the lyrics. Most of the popular songs of the film were recorded in the voice of Kishore Kumar. Songs like ‘O Sathi Re’, ‘Rote Hue Aate Hain Sab’ and the title track were among the superhit songs of that era. However, for the final and most emotional scene of the film, the composers wanted something different.

It is said that when the scene of Sikandar’s death in the climax of the film was shot, composer Anandji felt that no one could convey the pain, separation and emotional depth required in this scene better than Mohammed Rafi’s voice. It only required four lines, but those four lines were going to change the tone of the entire scene.

The musicians also faced a challenge. Kishore Kumar had sung almost all the songs of the film and hence he found it a bit uncomfortable to request Mohammed Rafi for just four lines. Eventually Anandji contacted Rafi Saheb and expressed his views. It is said that Rafi first asked that when Kishore Kumar was singing the songs of the entire film, then why this part was not sung by him also. Then Anandji explained to him that the pain and intimacy required for this scene was possible only in his voice.

Rafi Saheb gladly accepted this request. The four lines to which he gave his voice were “Zindagi to bewafa hai, ek din thukrayegi, maut mehbooba hai apne saath lekar jaayegi…”. These lines took the climax of the film to a different height. The audience not only appreciated Amitabh Bachchan’s acting, but Rafi’s pain-filled voice also made that scene immortal.

According to popular stories in film circles, Mohammed Rafi did not take any remuneration for these four lines. Despite his busy schedule, he made this recording and with his sensitive singing brought such life to the scene that it became one of the most emotional moments of Hindi cinema.

Even today, decades later, when this scene or this song from ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikandar’ is heard, the emotions of the audience rise in the same way. It is not just a song, but is considered a living example of Mohammad Rafi’s art, sensitivity and his dedication towards music.