Archive · 7 Aug 2026
'Dil Chahta Hai' gave us credibility, identity: Shankar Mahadevan
There is a movie called 'Dil Chahta Hai' that came out in 2001 and was an instant hit.
People loved its songs too, and they became chartbusters.
The music was made by three friends known as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
The movie's director, Farhan Akhtar, was only 24 years old when he asked them to compose the songs.
They wrote the music at a friend's bungalow in a place called Khandala.
They finished writing all the songs in about three and a half days.
One song, 'Jaane Kyon', was written by Javed Akhtar in about five minutes while sitting on a swing.
Another song was inspired by Celtic music heard from a band called Afro Celt while travelling in a car in heavy rain.
Now, 25 years later, the songs are still remembered, and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy say the film gave them credibility and a strong identity.
'Dil Chahta Hai', released on August 10, 2001, was an instant hit and its songs became chartbusters.
Farhan Akhtar was only 24 when he approached Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to compose the music for his debut film.
Shankar Mahadevan called the film a milestone and a 'starting point' that gave the trio immense credibility, a strong identity, and respect in the music industry.
The trio composed all the songs in about three and a half days at Ritesh Sidhwani's bungalow in Khandala, and later recorded them for over a month.
Javed Akhtar wrote 'Jaane Kyon' in about five minutes on a swing, while 'Woh Ladki Hai Kahan' was inspired by Afro Celt band's Celtic music heard in a car during heavy rain en route to Khandala.
- Who
- Shankar Mahadevan of the composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, with filmmaker Farhan Akhtar and lyricist Javed Akhtar behind 'Dil Chahta Hai'.
- What
- A retrospective on composing the music for 'Dil Chahta Hai', the film the trio credits with giving them credibility, identity and respect in the music industry.
- When
- The film was released on August 10, 2001; the virtual interview was published on August 7, 25 years later.
- Where
- The songs were composed at Ritesh Sidhwani's bungalow in Khandala; the interview was conducted virtually with PTI, datelined New Delhi.
- Why
- The film remains remembered 25 years later, and Mahadevan says it was a milestone and starting point for Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's careers.
- Film
- Dil Chahta Hai
- Release date
- August 10, 2001
- Music composers
- Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (Shankar Mahadevan, Ehsaan Noorani, Loy Mendonsa)
- Director
- Farhan Akhtar (debut film; he was 24 when he approached the composers)
- Lyricist
- Javed Akhtar
- Lead cast
- Aamir Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni, Dimple Kapadia
- Composition session
- All songs composed in about three and a half days at Ritesh Sidhwani's bungalow in Khandala; recorded for over a month
- Notable tracks
- Dil Chahta Hai, Tanhayee, Woh Ladki Hai Kahan, Jaane Kyon Log Pyar