Archive · 5 Oct 2026
How Tips Music Won Subhash Ghai After Saudagar Rejection
Tips Music wanted to work with filmmaker Subhash Ghai, but he had already promised another company the music for Saudagar.
The Taurani brothers sent him a very large cake to show their appreciation.
Ghai was pleased and said he would work with Tips on a later film.
For Khalnayak, Ghai chose Laxmikant-Pyarelal after talks with Nadeem-Shravan did not go smoothly.
Ramesh Taurani said he agreed to pay Laxmikant ₹1 crore, though he told his brother Kumar the price was ₹81 lakh.
The song “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” became a hit soon after it was released.
Years later, Ramesh suggested Nadeem-Shravan for Ghai’s film Pardes.
He said he spoke to Nadeem so Ghai would not have to negotiate the duo’s fee directly.
The brothers recalled these stories in an interview with Komal Nahta.
Ramesh Taurani said Subhash Ghai had already committed Saudagar’s music rights to HMV when Tips Music approached him.
After Saudagar’s cassette release, Tips sent Ghai a 6-foot-3-inch cake delivered in a tempo; Ghai reportedly promised to work with the label on his next film.
For Khalnayak, Ghai first considered Nadeem-Shravan but hired Laxmikant-Pyarelal after negotiations over fees stalled.
Ramesh said he agreed to pay Laxmikant ₹1 crore, then told his brother Kumar the deal was ₹81 lakh; he later said the success of “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” justified paying ₹10 lakh more.
Ramesh later recommended Nadeem-Shravan for Pardes and said he arranged for the duo to discuss their fee with him rather than Ghai.
- Who
- Tips Music co-founders Ramesh and Kumar Taurani, and filmmaker Subhash Ghai.
- What
- Ramesh Taurani recounted how Tips Music built a working relationship with Ghai and influenced music decisions for his films.
- When
- The events span the releases of Saudagar (1991), Khalnayak (1993) and Pardes (1997); the recollections were shared in a recent interview.
- Where
- The interview was with Komal Nahta; the article does not specify where it took place.
- Why
- Tips Music sought Ghai’s film-music business, and Ramesh Taurani later recommended Nadeem-Shravan for Pardes.
Ramesh Taurani’s account
Other perspectives
Account of the negotiations
Ramesh Taurani’s account
Ramesh Taurani described the cake, composer discussions and payment arrangements in an interview.
Other perspectives
The article provides no independent account from Subhash Ghai, Kumar Taurani or the composers to confirm or dispute those details.
- Label
- Tips Music, co-founded by Kumar Taurani and Ramesh Taurani
- Saudagar
- Ghai had committed the film’s music rights to HMV before Tips approached him.
- Cake
- Tips sent Ghai a 6-foot-3-inch cake, which was delivered in a tempo.
- Khalnayak composers
- Laxmikant-Pyarelal were hired after Ghai’s discussions with Nadeem-Shravan stalled over fees.
- Reported fee
- Ramesh said he agreed to pay Laxmikant ₹1 crore, but told Kumar the deal was ₹81 lakh.
- Song
- Ramesh said “Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai” became a superhit on its release day.
- Pardes
- Ramesh recommended Nadeem-Shravan and said he asked Nadeem to avoid discussing the fee with Ghai.