Vishal Bhardwaj
Vishal Bhardwaj
Vishal Bhardwaj
Vishal Bhardwaj

Even though Vishal Bhardwaj is exhausted with the post-production work of his upcoming film, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, he couldn’t resist taking some time out to get a little creative with his statutory warning. Though the final print of the film was supposed to be handed over to him on Tuesday, Vishal stopped everything because he wanted to add one final song to his film.

Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj and SRGMP contestants
Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj and SRGMP contestants

The filmmaker, who was apparently very impressed with the singers of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, called them to the studio to record an anti-smoking song, which he immediately sent for further post-production work. The song, titled Khatra Hai, has been composed by Vishal himself, and has been penned by his favourite, Gulzar. According to laws, filmmakers have to display an anti-smoking message before their film, and this song is Vishal’s way of displaying the statutory warning.

Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj and SRGMP contestantsVishal Bhardwaj
Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj and SRGMP contestantsVishal Bhardwaj

This is not the first time Vishal has recorded a song on a societal issue – he previously composed Fatak (from Kaminey), which was about AIDS.

Pix: Yogen Shah for MissMalini.