Kumar and Ramesh Taurani Recall How Tips Music Won Over Subhash Ghai

In a recent episode of Komal Nahta's podcast Game Changers: The Music Series, Kumar and Ramesh Taurani discussed their early journey with filmmaker Subhash Ghai and the music rights for the 1991 blockbuster Saudagar and subsequent film Khal Nayak.

Ramesh Taurani recalled that although Ghai initially committed the music of Saudagar to HMV, Tips Music sent the filmmaker a 6-foot-3-inch cake featuring the message, “Saudagar, Saudagar, TIPS ke saath sauda kar,” after the cassette was released. The gesture impressed Ghai, who later invited distributors to his home and praised Ramesh Taurani.

The relationship led to negotiations for Khal Nayak. According to Ramesh, Ghai initially considered composers Nadeem-Shravan before turning to Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Discussions involving internal pricing between Ramesh and Kumar Taurani followed regarding the music rights and payments, alongside the success of the song “Choli Ke Peeche” and subsequent media reports.

Subhash Ghai also recently brought together Aamir Khan, Hema Malini, Rana Daggubati, and Imtiaz Ali for the Celebrate Cinema Festival 2026.