Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 22 : As 'Border 2' prepares to hit theatres, music composer Anu Malik reflected on the journey and legacy of the original song 'Sandese Aate Hai', describing its reimagination as a moment of "strange happiness".
Nearly three decades after the song first featured in JP Dutta's 'Border' (1997), Malik said it has transcended cinema and become part of India's cherished memory. "This song is 28 or 29 years old, almost 30 now. This song is in every Indian's DNA," he told ANI.
Anu Malik served as the music composer for 'Border' (1997)
Recalling the birth of 'Sandese Aate Hai', Malik revealed that the idea came from filmmaker JP Dutta's vision of creating a song that would last forever. "JP sir told me, 'Anu ji, I want a song that should go on forever,'" he recalled.
The breakthrough came when lyricist Javed Akhtar joined the process.
"The door was closed. Only JP sir and Javed sir were present, and I started composing. The rest is history," Malik shared.
He also shared memories of the recording process at the then-newly opened Sahara Studio, where the song was recorded at dawn with singers Sonu Nigam and Roop Kumar Rathod.
"They asked me to record separately, but I did not agree. I wanted to record both of them together. A lot of hard work went into it. The whole hall was filled with the chorus and the musicians. Today, when the song is coming again in the world, there is a strange happiness," he added.
According to Malik, the emotion of 'Sandese Aate Hai' lies in JP Dutta's deep understanding of the armed forces. "JP sir had told me the whole story about the soldiers and their sacrifice. His study was so strong about the army, navy, and air force. I got the inspiration, and Javed sir wrote an amazing song. He has written such a song that might not be written again," Anu Malik continued.
Originally composed by Anu Malik, with lyrics from Javed Akhtar and sung by Sonu Nigam and Roop Kumar Rathod, 'Sandese Aate Hai' has been reimagined in the upcoming sequel as 'Ghar Kab Aaoge'.
As the 'Ghar Kab Aaoge' is reimagined for 'Border 2', Malik acknowledged the challenge of creating something so iconic. "It was a challenge for me. It was the biggest challenge. Making a new song is not an easy task. I made the song and worked hard," he said, offering his blessings to the new creative team.
"The song is being recreated today, and it will be done tomorrow as well. 'Border' is incomplete without Sunny Deol and 'Sandese Aate Hai'. The people who have recreated the song, I would like to congratulate and wish them all the best. The recreated version should receive the same amount of love from the people. I want to wish Nidhi Dutta and JP sir all the best, and also the music composer and the lyricists, who are recreating it. I want people to embrace it wholeheartedly," he said.
Border 2, starring Sunny Deol, Ahan Shetty, Varun Dhawan, and Diljit Dosanjh, will open in theatres on January 23.