Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s latest love song from Dilwale is winning hearts but lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya says the superstar was initially sceptical about the word gerua, which means ochre or orange.
The video for the song Gerua features Khan and Kajol romancing each other against the backdrop of scenic visuals of Iceland.
“Initially, Shah Rukh was sceptical about the word gerua. It is not a commonly used word in film songs so he [asked], ‘Will it work? Will it be accepted? How will the audience react to it?’ He liked the word and said it’s nice to hear but just that it is [not common],” Bhattacharya said.
The lyricist previously worked with Khan in Chennai Express and said it was a “wonderful” experience writing for him and Kajol.
“This was the first time I was writing for a Shah Rukh-Kajol song. They have a cult following. They have done so many memorable songs like Suraj Hua Madham, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhania. It was a very wonderful experience.”
Bhattacharya, whose recent projects include Shaandaar and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, was not nervous while writing the song.
“Honestly, while we were making the song, we were not consciously wanting it to be a blockbuster. After the song was recorded and shot, we saw a basic rough cut. Then we realised that this is a grand song with great chemistry of Shah Rukh-Kajol.”
The song’s melody happened spontaneously and the team was ready with the first draft of Gerua within an hour. Bhattacharya came up with the title almost instantly after music composer Pritam gave him the tune.
“I had been wanting to use the word for a long time in one of my songs. I think when you use a word which is slightly uncommon, it elicits an interest in the listener’s mind,” he said.
The song has been compared to other Khan-Kajol song, which Bhattacharya says was bound to happen.
“Shah Rukh and Kajol have a cult following so comparisons are bound to happen. But every song has its own space and mood. As an artist you just have to do your best and hope the audience likes your work.”
