Viju Shah on ‘Chhal’: A Look Back at Music and Collaboration

Composer Viju Shah looks back on his work on the film ‘Chhal’, a project that marked a significant early collaboration with Hansal Mehta. He reflects on the unique experience of working with a team that included producer Nitin Patil, director Hansal Mehta, lyricist Amitabh Varma, recording and mixing engineer Tanay Gajjar, and singer K.K. The music in ‘Chhal’, despite not being a musical, was well-integrated into the film. Shah recalls K.K.’s enthusiasm for the title track and the contributions of Asha Bhosleji, Alka Yagnik, Sadhana Sargam, and Shaan. The background score was another area where Shah found creative satisfaction. He also remembers ‘Chhal’ as the debut for actors Kay Kay Menon and Prashant Narayan. A notable anecdote involves Asha Bhosleji and her dedication during the recording of ‘Dil Jhanjhanale Jaane Jaana’. Due to a lift malfunction, she climbed four floors to complete the dubbing, showcasing her unwavering commitment to her craft.