- By JE Entertainment Desk
- Sun, 26 Nov 2023 11:50 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Farah Khan, known for her filmmaking prowess, has showcased remarkable talent as a dancer and choreographer as well. Among her impressive choreographic feats, the song 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from the movie 'Dil Se' stands tall as one of the most iconic songs in Hindi cinema history, featuring Malaika Arora alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Shot atop a moving train, the infectious beats combined with Sukhwinder Singh's soul-stirring vocals have enamored audiences for generations. But do you know, Malaika wasn't the first choice for this song?
Malaika Arora wasn't first choice for Chhaiya Chhaiya
Farah Khan recently shared insights into how she managed to bring Malaika Arora on board for the song. She disclosed that several actresses, including Raveena Tandon and Shilpa Shetty, turned down the opportunity to perform in this memorable song. Speaking at an event in Kolkata, Farah revealed that she first approached Shilpa and Raveena. "Every heroine had refused to do that song. So that's what I say: 'You have to be on the right time at the right place'. Nobody knew Malaika was a model. I knew her because we knew Arbaaz then she was seeing him. I didn't even know she can dance," the filmmaker added.
In an earlier interview with IANS, Farah said that everyone says that she discovered Deepika Padukone. However, it was Malaika first. "She is my first child. Two days before the shoot of the song, I called Malaika to do this song. Before her, we had approached six-seven heroines but, nothing worked out. We were in a fix about whom to choose for this song. That's when Mickey Contractor told me that Malaika is a very good dancer. I said, 'Malaika is a model', and I wondered how she would do this Indian dance in a ghagra-choli. So, I called her to Ooty two days before, and we rehearsed at night, and we shot during the day," she revealed.
"We just made her climb the train. She was trembling; literally, there was no safety, nothing. She had no makeup on, just kajal and a tattoo that Geeta (Kapur) made on her arms. And of course, Shah Rukh was there with her," Farah concluded.
Meanwhile, Shilpa Shirodkar in an interview earlier, had claimed that she lost Chaiyya Chaiyya because the makers thought she was 'too fat.' "I was considered for Chaiyya Chaiyya. But apparently, they thought I was too fat so they offered it to Malaika. I feel sad that I didn't get a chance to do this iconic number, but I guess it is all destiny."