When Farhan Akhtar was shooting the title track of his debut feature Dil Chahta Hai (2001), he chose to put the song in the background. Music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy tried to unsuccessfully persuade Akhtar to make at least one of the three male leads lip-synch Javed Akhtar’s lyrics. Popular cinema has benefitted tremendously from Akhtar’s vision. Dil Chahta Hai, sung by Shankar Mahadevan and Clinton Cerejo, is intricately woven into the plot to echo the thoughts of the characters. The theme is summarised by Akhtar’s words, “Dil chahta hai kabhi na beete chamkeele din” (The heart wishes that these shiny days never end). Should everything that the heart desires be verbalised?
Dil Chahta Hai (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack). Kaisi Hai Ye Rut - Srinivas. Dil Chahta Hai (Reprise) - Shankar Mahadevan.