Rich to Shah Rukh, Grand to Kajol

Shah Rukh Khan calls it 'rich', Kajol 'grand' but the 29-year-old filmmaker who makes them dance to his tunes calls the music of Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham 'haunting'.

Launching the film's music in New Delhi, Karan Johar says, "I wanted music that had all kinds of tunes -- pop, romantic, bhangra -- but one sound. It had to be larger than life."

The film, promoted as K3G, will hit the stands on October 16, exactly a year after the first shot was canned.

Of the seven tracks in the film, music directors Jatin-Lalit have done three, Sandesh Sandliya (Piya Basanti fame) three and guest composer Aadesh Srivastava one.

"I explained the mood to the composers. Jatin-Lalit came up with three haunting melodies. For lively pop numbers, I went to Sandesh and to Aadesh for bhangra song," he explains.

With an amazing casting coup and a blockbuster (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) behind him, Karan Johar plans to release the film on December 14.

The film boasts of three generations of actors -- Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Shah Rukh, Kajol, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor. It also has a surprise appearance by Rani Mukherjee.

"I remember the first day Amit uncle (Amitabh Bachchan) came on the sets for a song. I was so nervous, I fainted," the director reminisces.

With three different sets of actors, getting the music right was tough. "I did not want it to sound like songs from different films. Yet, it had to suit each character. I hope I have achieved that," Karan adds.

Talking about his cast, he states, "Shah Rukh and I understand each other. When I record a song, I do it for him. As for Kajol, she is completely mad -- she has a kind of mad energy, a zing that I understand.

"Hrithik's dancing needs no introduction, but I made it clear his movements had to be distinct, like in the college song Deewana Hai Dekho. I didn't want some kind of frenzied physical training exercise!

"Kareena came to me with two left feet, but went out like Vyjayanthimala!

"Amit uncle asked me once, 'why do you want me to dance? I am 60.' But I really wanted him to dance for me. Getting Jaya aunty to agree was tougher."

"This is the first time I was working with the Bachchans and Lata Mangeshkar. That in itself was a high."

This is also the first time a single from a film track has been released. "It was meant to be a teaser. Besides, it is also a way to celebrate the title track, which is the essence of the film," Karan explains.

Rani's presence in K3G was revealed accidentally in the Sony Music promo. "Surprise, surprise, Rani is no longer the surprise package," Karan jokes.

About changing trends in music, he says, "Today directors are looking at the mood of the film. Gadar was rustic and Lagaan earthy. I needed grandeur, music, sound and energy to reflect the atmosphere that is best summed in the title track K3G"

Indo-Asian News Service