Javed Akhtar's Seven-Year Struggle to Create the Iconic Song 'Breathless'
In a stunning revelation, veteran screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar has disclosed the arduous journey behind one of Hindi music's most celebrated masterpieces: Shankar Mahadevan's 'Breathless'. The song, now hailed as a groundbreaking achievement, faced widespread rejection from the industry's top composers and music labels for an astonishing seven years before finally coming to life.
Conceptualization and Initial Rejections
According to recent reports, Javed Akhtar conceptualized 'Breathless' long before its eventual release. He approached numerous renowned classical singers and composers with his innovative idea, only to be met with consistent refusal. "Even the biggest classical singers and composers said we cannot make a song like this," Akhtar revealed. When they expressed inability to mold the concept into a song, he would request the tunes, insisting, "I would do the rest."
Despite his persistence, the response was uniformly dismissive. "Everyone would just give me a smile, calling it an interesting idea, but no one dared to get on board," he added. Akhtar emphasized that he will not disclose the names of those who rejected the project, as it would be "embarrassing" for them.
The Turning Point: Meeting Shankar Mahadevan
After seven long years of unwavering determination, Akhtar's fortunes changed when he met singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan. "And when I say seven, I mean seven, not five, not six," Akhtar stressed, highlighting the exact duration of his struggle. Mahadevan's agreement to take on the project was the breakthrough Akhtar desperately needed.
Reflecting on what might have been, Akhtar wondered, "What if I had not met the singer-composer?" He admitted, "I would still be sitting with ‘Breathless’ unmade." The lyricist confessed that he had nearly accepted that there was something fundamentally wrong with the song, given the universal rejection. "The details about this row are very embarrassing," he said, recalling how skeptics questioned, "Who will sing it? No one can sing it. How will the song get popular?"
Further Hurdles with Music Labels and Marketing
Even after securing Mahadevan's involvement, the challenges persisted. The music label lacked faith in the song's potential, and the marketing team was reluctant to release the track or its accompanying music video. "There was an argument over it," Akhtar disclosed, illustrating the ongoing resistance.
He criticized the marketing department's approach, stating, "These are a bunch of people who do not understand anything about music. If they did, they would not be in marketing; they would be making music." Akhtar concluded with a pointed observation: "What the marketing department believes in is one thing: nothing should be done for the first time. The second time, no harm."
This behind-the-scenes account underscores the immense perseverance and vision required to bring a revolutionary artistic concept to fruition, ultimately resulting in a timeless classic that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
