Alisha Chinai Shares Behind-the-Scenes Trivia on Recording the Iconic Song ‘Kajra Re’

Singer Alisha Chinai recently shared behind-the-scenes trivia about recording the iconic song ‘Kajra Re’ from the 2005 film Bunty Aur Babli during a conversation with Komal Nahta.

Chinai recalled that she received a last-minute call from Ehsaan while relaxing at her home in Alibaug. Despite initially hesitating, she rushed to Purple Haze Studio, where composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, lyricist Gulzar, Rani Mukerji, and Abhishek Bachchan were waiting for her. Upon hearing the track, she remarked that it sounded like a qawwali, and the composers encouraged her to sing it in her own way, resulting in a modern pop qawwali.

Gulzar wrote the song's alaap on the spot in about 10 to 15 minutes after noting that something was missing following her initial recording. Chinai completed the original recording in just two hours. A week later, she was called back because Aditya Chopra wanted more of her voice in the track, prompting her to record an additional verse.

Reflecting on the track's release, Chinai expressed amazement at audiences throwing money at the screen in cinemas. She also praised Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, stating she looked like a goddess in the song and that her voice matched Rai so well it seemed as though the actress was singing it herself.