Farah Khan reveals AR Rahman first wrote Masakali for Om Shanti Om; Vishal‑Shekhar later took over

In a recent episode of her YouTube channel, Bollywood choreographer‑director Farah Khan revealed an intriguing backstory about the hit song “Masakali.” She disclosed that the track was originally written by music maestro A.R. Rahman for the 2007 blockbuster Om Shanti Om, before the film’s music team was switched to the duo Vishal‑Shekhar. According to Khan, she had approached Rahman first for the film’s score, and he composed “Masakali” as his initial contribution. When the project did not materialise with Rahman, Khan turned to Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar–Kumar, who ultimately became the official composers for the movie.

During a casual conversation at Vishal Dadlani’s farmhouse, Farah recounted the decision‑making process. She told Vishal that if Rahman was unavailable, the pair would be her backup plan. Vishal, amused, suggested that both of them could serve as assistants on the project. “The first song Rahman made for Om Shanti Om was Masakali,” Khan said. “I didn’t know where to place it, but I loved the song and the word.” Vishal later joked that even if they had not been brought on board, the music of Om Shanti Om would still have been great, but he credited the duo’s involvement for giving the soundtrack its epic, masala feel.

Interestingly, the same song found a new home in Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s 2009 film Delhi‑6, starring Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor. The track’s journey from a 1970s‑era musical concept to a modern blockbuster underscores the fluidity of Bollywood’s creative collaborations.

Farah Khan’s own film, Om Shanti Om, was directed by her and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. It starred Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone (in her Hindi debut), Arjun Rampal, and Shreyas Talpade, with Kirron Kher in a supporting role. The story follows a junior film artist named Om who aspires to stardom, falls in love with actress Shanti, and tragically dies in a staged accident. He is reborn decades later as a successful actor, seeking justice for past wrongs.

Senior Content Producer Santanu Das, who has covered Indian cinema and international film festivals, notes that the collaboration between Farah, Rahman, and Vishal‑Shekhar highlights the dynamic nature of Bollywood’s music production. The exchange of ideas and the willingness to adapt—whether to AI or to a changing industry—remain central to the genre’s enduring appeal.