The iconic song “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from Dil Se…, featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora, remains a favorite among music lovers even years after its release. Recently, singer Sapna Awasthi, who lent her voice to the track, shared how she landed the song in an interview with Bollywood Thikana. She also spoke about the significant role Shah Rukh Khan played in her career.
Sapna Awasthi Reflects on Her Big Break with “Chaiyya Chaiyya”
In the interview, Sapna expressed her gratitude to A.R. Rahman and Gulzar for giving her the opportunity to sing such a massive hit. She was particularly thankful to Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora for helping make the song a memorable success. She recounted how, when she first received the call from Rahman’s manager, she thought it was a prank. Nevertheless, she decided to visit the studio, and that decision turned her dream into reality.
Sapna revealed that there were no special instructions when she recorded the track, and she had no idea it would feature SRK and Malaika. The song was recorded in just half an hour, and she was told that it would be retained only if Rahman and Gulzar approved of it.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Role in Sapna Awasthi’s Career
In the interview, Sapna spoke fondly of Shah Rukh Khan, crediting him for being a lucky charm for her career. She mentioned that after recording for SRK in Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam (the song “Sab Kuch Bhula Diya”), her career flourished. “Singing his songs is what has kept our life going,” she said, highlighting the support of music composers like Nadeem and Rahman, who created songs suited to her voice.
About Sapna Awasthi
Sapna Awasthi is renowned in the Bollywood music industry for several hit tracks such as “Banno Teri Ankhiyan Soorme” (Dushmani), “Pardesi Pardesi” (Raja Hindustani), and of course, “Chaiyya Chaiyya” (Dil Se…). She began her career in music with a television show by Gulzar and credits composer Sameer Sen for her breakthrough in Bollywood. Although her debut Bollywood song was “Banno Teri Ankhiyan Soorme,” it was “Mere Saanware Sanwariya” from Ekka Raja Rani that first gained her recognition in the industry.
