Sanjeev Kohli On The Making Of Veer-Zaara’s Timeless Soundtrack And His Father’s Legacy

Sanjeev Kohli, son of the iconic composer Madan Mohan, opens up about how the soundtrack of Veer-Zaara came to life, and how it became a way for him to honor his father's legacy. Yash Chopra, so moved by the song Tere Liye, kept it as his ringtone until his last days, knowing the film needed something truly special musically.

As Veer-Zaara celebrates its 20th anniversary, Sanjeev reflects on how the film wasn’t just a movie to him; it was the realization of his father’s dream. Madan Mohan passed away in 1975, leaving behind a wealth of unfinished music. While his genius was recognized, the big films and accolades always seemed out of reach.

Then in 2003, Yash Chopra shared that his next film needed old-world melodies—something far removed from the Western influences that were taking over Bollywood music at the time. After working with various composers, Yash Chopra turned to Sanjeev, who had old tunes from his father that hadn’t been heard in years.

Sanjeev spent a month sifting through old tapes, rediscovering forgotten tracks, and bringing them back to life with a small team. Once the tracks were recorded, he played them for Yash Chopra and Aditya Chopra, who instantly knew they had found what they were looking for. Within days, 10 tracks were chosen for the film, and the arrangements began.

One of the most memorable moments for Sanjeev was when Yash Chopra insisted that only Lata Mangeshkar could sing the female vocals. Despite her health challenges, Lataji found the strength to deliver a performance that became one of the film’s most unforgettable highlights.

For Sanjeev, Veer-Zaara was everything he could have dreamed of. His father’s music became the soul of one of Bollywood’s biggest films, and it finally got the recognition it deserved. It was a full-circle moment for him, seeing Madan Mohan’s legacy shine in a film that touched millions.