Bollywood’s Holi playlist traces back to the 1950s, when songs like ‘Daro Re Rang Daro Re Rasiya’ from Jogun and Mother India’s stirring ‘Holi Aayi Re Kanhaai’ blended festivity with melody. Sung by legends Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum, and Lata Mangeshkar, they laid the foundation. Yet, the 1959 film Navrang delivered the ultimate showstopper: ‘Arey Ja Re Hat Natkhat,’ whose behind-the-scenes tale is as captivating as its tune.
Under V. Shantaram’s direction, the song demanded the extraordinary—actress Sandhya locking steps with an elephant in tight indoor confines. Technical hurdles abounded, but Sandhya’s commitment shone. She invested weeks in companionship, offering food from her hands, fresh water, and gentle conversations to build a profound animal-human alliance.
The shoot unfolded without a hitch. Sandhya, playing both romantic leads, infused the lyrics with playful duality through exquisite classical dance. Her synchronization with the elephant’s trunk and strides created visual poetry, backed by Asha Bhosle and Mahendra Kapoor’s voices. Navrang’s sequence remains Holi’s pinnacle, a symbol of bold creativity that turns challenges into cherished traditions.