Amitabh sings his first pure raga based song

The indomitable energy of Amitabh Bachchan is something on which folk tales can be made. Before rushing off to Gujarat to promote tourism, Big B quietly pulled off a new singing coup by rendering flawlessly a pure classical song. This is the first pure raga-based song for the self-proclaimed amateur singer, who has crooned everything from love ballads to folk songs to children's ditties.

The song 'dhara gagan chahe' was composed by Aadesh Shrivastava in raga Basant, a complex intricate and high-pitched tune that Aadesh thought might be tough on the 67-year old actor. "But he just sailed through it, after just a couple of rehearsals. This is his first pure raga-based song and I was apprehensive of what he would say. But he just took it up."

After many hours of exhausting recording, Big B still had the energy to rush home and return for a photo-shoot. He apparently told the composer, "Let me get into my coolest togs before we do the photo-shoot".

Says Aadesh, "His energy level is inspiring. I must admit I made the raga mass-friendly for Amitji just as I've done for Ranbir's song 'more piya mose' in Raajneeti. But still raga Basant isn't easy for even seasoned classical vocalists". Apparently Ranbir Kapoor has begged off hastily when it was suggested that he sing 'more piya mose' in Raajneeti although the raga-driven composition had been toned down to the extent of being easy on the lips.

Finally Aadesh had to sing the Ranbir track himself.