The latest use of the song Mohe Aayee Na Jag Se Laaj — a song written by Qateel Shifai years ago and made popular much later by Pankaj Udhas in his album Jashn — is in the Hrithik Roshan-Vaani Kapoor starrer War. This is the fourth time the song is being used in Bollywood.
For this version, the filmmakers have brought on composers Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. The song, picturised on Hrithik and Vaani, is being billed as a party anthem and features the famous lyrics Mohe aayee na jag se laaj… main itna zor se naachi yaar…ke ghungroo toot gaye.
The song was first used in Sultan Ahmed’s film Dharam Kaanta in 1982. Composed by music director Naushad, it was picturised on Sulakshana Pandit and sung by Asha Bhosle. The lyrics were credited to Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Then again in the 1988 film Param Dharam, the song was composed by Bappi Lahiri and had Salma Agha giving the vocals. A year later, the combination of Asha Bhosle and Divya Rana sang the song in the film Ek Hi Maqsad, and was composed by Pankaj Udhas.
And finally last year, the Pooja Bhatt produced film Cabaret had Kaustav Narayan Niyogi composing the song, which was picturised on Richa Chadha. Bhatt was gracious enough to credit Qateel Shifai for the lyrics of the song, which was sung by Neeti Mohan in the film.
“However, it was actually Pankaj Udhas who made this popular by singing it at his shows and in his albums,” says a music critic. Interestingly, even Runa Laila used to sing that song in her shows.
— Sanskriti Media
