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Samjhawan
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| "Samjhawan" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal | |
| from the album Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania | |
| Released | 12 June 2014 |
| Recorded | YRF Studio, Mumbai |
| Genre | Filmi, Punjabi Folk |
| Length | 4:29 |
| Label | Sony Music India |
| Songwriters | Ahmad Anees and Kumaar |
| Producer |
|
| Music video | |
| "Samjhawan" on YouTube | |
"Samjhawan" (transl. Explain) (alias "Main Tenu Samjhawan Ki") is a romantic song from the 2014 Hindi film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. Re-created by Sharib−Toshi, the song is sung by Arijit Singh[1] and Shreya Ghoshal, with lyrics by Ahmad Anees and Kumaar.[2] The song was originally composed by Sahir Ali Bagga and sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for the Punjabi film Virsa.[3] An unplugged version of this song sung by Alia Bhatt, was released on 2 July 2014.[4]
Development
[edit]Producer Karan Johar bought rights to the original hit song "Main Tenu Samjhawan", which was sung by Pakistani singers Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Farah Anwar in the Punjabi film Virsa.[5] Music for the song was re-created by Sharib−Toshi and produced by Stewart Eduri at YRF Studio, with Vijay Kumar and Deepesh as recording engineers.[6]
Release and chart performance
[edit]"Samjhawan" was released online on Gaana on 12 June 2014 as a single,[7] and as part of the film soundtrack on 16 June 2014.[8] The song stayed on top of the Indian charts for many weeks.[9] It retained the number one position on Indian iTunes charts for a few weeks, followed by the "unplugged" version,[10] and topped many radio charts.[11]
Critical reception
[edit]The song received a mixed response from critics and was highly compared with the original song. Surabhi Redkar of Koimoi commented, "While this Arijit Singh track will blow your mind away, the original song "Main Tenu Samjhawan" by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is unforgettable and leaves you with the question, why revise such a beautiful number. With the vocals of Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, the sanctity of the song is not lost, yet all those who enjoy classics will agree the original track sounds better."[12] Rajiv Vijayakar of Bollywood Hungama remarked, ""Samjhawan" is the true killer on the score—a soulful expression of a besotted lover, with lyrics that strike straight at the heart and a deep melody exquisitely rendered by Arijit Singh—arguably the finest singing discovery of the times—and Shreya Ghoshal, the last great singer to come into cinema as of today."[13] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare wrote, "Instead of Rahat and Farah Anwar, the singers here are Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal. Their mellifluous voices give a different twist to the original. The song is sure to get like a million downloads in days to come."[14] Sheetal Tiwari of Bollyspice commented, "While they (Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal) both do a good job rendering the number, Rahat is sorely missed."[15] Srishti Dixit of Bollywoodlife.com stated, "This soulful track by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal touches the listeners' hearts but not quite like how Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's original version did. The words are the same, the melody is intact but this time even Arijit Singh fails to create magic."[16] Rafat of Glamsham remarked, "Super singer, Arijit Singh has been chosen to do a Rahat but he simply fails to create the same magic. Even 'surili' Shreya's presence does not lift the song to that level."[17]
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Refs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | BIG Star Entertainment Awards | Most Entertaining Singer (Male) | Arijit Singh | Nominated | [18] |
| Most Entertaining Singer (Female) | Shreya Ghoshal | ||||
| 2015 | Star Guild Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | [19] | ||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Arijit Singh | ||||
| Best Lyricist | Kumaar | ||||
| 21st Annual Life OK Screen Awards | Best Male Playback Singer | Arijit Singh | [1] | ||
| Lyricist | Kumaar | ||||
| Global Indian Music Academy Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Alia Bhatt | [20] | ||
| Best Duet | Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh | Won | |||
| 7th Mirchi Music Awards | Male Vocalist of the Year | Arijit Singh | [21] | ||
| Female Vocalist of the Year | Shreya Ghoshal | Nominated | [22] | ||
| Song Representing Sufi Tradition | Sharib−Toshi | ||||
| IIFA Awards | Best Female Playback Singer | Shreya Ghoshal | Nominated | [23] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "21st Annual Life OK Screen Awards nominations". The Indian Express (newspaper). 7 January 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Samjhawan song details". iTunes. 19 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ "Virsa music review". indiaglitz. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Samjhawan (Unplugged) song details". iTunes. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Varun Dhawan-Alia Bhatt romance gets a Pakistani spin". The Times of India. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Samjhawan Song Development Details". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Samjhawan Single Release". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania album release". Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Varun Dhawan-Alia Bhatt's Samjhawan is wowing listeners". The Times of India. 2 July 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "Both renditions of Samjhawan are neck and neck on Indian iTunes chart". Radio and music.com. 17 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "The latest number from Humpty, Samjhawan, a rework of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan romantic number". Dailybhaskar. 13 July 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ Redkar, Surabhi (17 July 2014). "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Music Review". Koimoi. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ Vijayakar, Rajiv (8 July 2014). "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ Sharma, Devesh (19 July 2014). "Music Review: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania". Filmfare (magazine). Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ Tiwari, Sheetal (21 July 2014). "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Music Review". BollySpice. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ Dixit, Srishti (19 June 2014). "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania music review: Varun Dhawan-Alia Bhatt starrer's melodies lack novelty". Bollywood.com. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ Rafat, Rafat (7 July 2014). "Music Review : Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania". Glamsham. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
- ^ "BIG STAR Entertainment Awards 2014 Nominations". Pinkvilla. 10 December 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
- ^ That Girl Daily (7 January 2015). "Star Guild Awards 2015 nominations". PinkVilla. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ "Film Music Nominees: GiMA 2015". GiMA. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ Bella Jaisinghani (27 February 2015). "From Sufi to pop, Mirchi night had it all". The Times of India (newspaper). Retrieved 11 May 2019.
- ^ "Nominations – 7th Mirchi Music Awards". Mirchi Music Awards. 13 February 2015. Archived from the original on 13 February 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- ^ "IIFA 2015 NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED 2 STATES LEADS THE NOMINATIONS WITH 9 NODS FOLLOWED BY HAIDER WITH 8 - IIFA". iifa.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2015.
Samjhawan
View on GrokipediaBackground and development
Origins in Virsa
"Main Tenu Samjhawan Ki," the original version of the song later known as "Samjhawan," was composed by Jawad Ahmed for the 2010 Pakistani Punjabi film Virsa, directed by Pankaj Batra.[3][4] The track forms part of the film's soundtrack, which explores themes of cultural heritage and family bonds across the India-Pakistan border, with the song serving as a poignant emotional anchor in a narrative centered on personal loss and reconciliation. Ahmed's composition draws from Punjabi folk traditions, featuring soulful melodies and instrumentation that evoke rural authenticity, including subtle string arrangements and rhythmic elements reminiscent of traditional Sufi influences.[3] The lyrics, penned by Ahmad Anees, articulate a deep romantic longing and an emotional plea for understanding in the face of separation, with the narrator grappling with how to convey the intensity of their love and despair without the beloved.[5] Sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as the primary vocalist, with supporting vocals by Farah Anwar, the rendition captures a raw vulnerability through Khan's signature qawwali-infused delivery, blending high-pitched emotive runs with tender restraint.[6] This duet structure heightens the song's intimacy, alternating between male and female perspectives to underscore mutual yearning.[3] Released on May 3, 2010, under the Times Music label as part of the Virsa soundtrack album, the song quickly garnered appreciation within the Punjabi music scene for its heartfelt lyrics and evocative melody.[3] It received positive early feedback for revitalizing folk sensibilities in contemporary cinema, contributing to the album's warm reception among regional audiences, though specific chart positions on 2010 Punjabi lists remain undocumented in major publications.Adaptation for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania
The remake of "Samjhawan" for the 2014 Bollywood film Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania was initiated by producer Karan Johar and debutant director Shashank Khaitan during the project's early stages, aiming to incorporate a popular Punjabi track into the film's romantic storyline. The original song, "Main Tenu Samjhawan Ki" from the 2010 Punjabi film Virsa, had gained widespread appeal in India despite its cross-border origins. Licensing rights for the remake were secured from the original creators of the Virsa version, including singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, to adapt the composition for a Hindi audience. Composers Sharib and Toshi were brought on board to handle the remix, with the duo tasked by Khaitan to rework the track while preserving its emotional core. This collaboration ensured the song's legal adaptation aligned with the film's commercial Bollywood framework. Conceptualized during pre-production in early 2014, the adaptation emerged from development meetings where Khaitan advocated for remaking the song over composing entirely new originals, citing its established fan base and melodic suitability for a youthful romance. In the narrative, "Samjhawan" serves as a pivotal romantic track, underscoring the central love story between characters played by Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, and enhancing the film's emotional climax. Toshi later reflected on the director's insistence, noting, “even though I told him we could give him original songs, he insisted we rework Rahat saab’s love song.”Composition and production
Music and arrangement
"Samjhawan," the Hindi adaptation from Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, fuses filmi pop with Punjabi folk influences, creating a romantic ballad that maintains cultural roots while embracing Bollywood orchestration. The track operates at a moderate tempo of 107 beats per minute (BPM), contributing to its introspective and emotive pace.[7][8] In contrast to the original Punjabi version from Virsa, which featured a predominantly acoustic folk arrangement emphasizing simplicity and raw emotion, the Hindi rendition by Sharib-Toshi introduces a richer, more layered structure with enhanced orchestral elements, including percussion and strings, to amplify the song's dramatic intensity. This evolution transforms the folk essence into a cinematic soundscape suitable for the film's narrative.[9][10] Key instrumentation includes acoustic guitar by Tushaar Singh, percussion by Sunil Bari, and melodica (pianica) by Aditya Dev, blending traditional Indian elements with subtle melodic accents. The song's duration is 4:29, allowing space for its building crescendo.[9][11] The production was overseen by Stewart Eduri at YRF Studios in Mumbai, with recording engineers Vijay Kumar and Deepesh ensuring a polished mix that highlights the duet vocals of Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal.[9][12]Lyrics and recording
The Hindi version of "Samjhawan" features lyrics adapted by Kumaar from the original Punjabi lyrics penned by Ahmad Anees for the 2010 film Virsa.[13] Kumaar's adaptation retains the song's Punjabi essence while incorporating Hindi phrasing to suit the romantic narrative of Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania.[14] At its core, the lyrics revolve around a lover's heartfelt plea for understanding and reconciliation, emphasizing the emotional turmoil of separation and the irreplaceable intensity of romantic longing.[15] Lines such as "Main tenu samjhawan ki? Na tere bina lagda jee" translate to a desperate query on how to convey the pain of life without the beloved, underscoring themes of devotion and emotional vulnerability.[16] The vocals for the main version were recorded in early 2014 at studios in Mumbai, with Arijit Singh completing his emotive verses in just 16 minutes and Shreya Ghoshal delivering her melodic chorus in 17-18 minutes during separate sessions.[1] This efficient duet process highlighted their vocal synergy, where Singh's raw, introspective delivery in the verses builds tension, complemented by Ghoshal's soaring, harmonious lines that amplify the song's romantic climax.[1] An unplugged version was recorded separately by Alia Bhatt, taking approximately 25 minutes across multiple takes, specifically tailored as an acoustic rendition for promotional purposes ahead of the film's release.[1] Bhatt's version strips back the orchestration to focus on her soft, intimate vocals, aligning with the song's plea for emotional closeness.[17]Release and promotion
Single release and versions
"Samjhawan," the duet version featuring Shreya Ghoshal and Arijit Singh, was released as a single on June 12, 2014, by Sony Music India, marking its digital debut on platforms including Gaana.[18] The track, with a duration of 4:29, was made available for streaming and download shortly before the full soundtrack's launch.[19] The song was subsequently included in the Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania original motion picture soundtrack, which Sony Music India released on June 19, 2014, encompassing six tracks composed by Sharib-Toshi and Sachin-Jigar.[20] This album version appeared in both digital formats on services like iTunes and as a physical CD distributed by Sony Music.[21] An unplugged rendition performed solely by Alia Bhatt, running 3:36, was issued as a separate single on July 2, 2014, also under Sony Music India, available digitally on platforms such as iTunes.[22] This acoustic take, stripped down from the original's orchestration, served as a promotional variant tied to the film's impending theatrical release.[23]Marketing and media appearances
The song "Samjhawan" was prominently featured in the promotional campaign for Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, with its official music video debuting on YouTube on June 12, 2014, ahead of the film's theatrical release.[18] This early release by Sony Music Entertainment India helped build anticipation, as the video showcased the romantic chemistry between leads Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt, set against the song's emotional melody. An unplugged version sung by Alia Bhatt followed on July 4, 2014, further amplifying the track's visibility through targeted social media teasers on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, where snippets and behind-the-scenes clips were shared to engage fans.[24] Live performances played a key role in the song's marketing, with singers Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal delivering renditions during 2014 film promotions and events. Shreya Ghoshal performed "Samjhawan" at her live concert in Atlanta in 2014, captivating international audiences with the duet's heartfelt vocals.[25] Similarly, Arijit Singh showcased the track at a concert in Rajkot on November 11, 2014, highlighting its Punjabi roots and Bollywood adaptation to enthusiastic crowds.[26] These appearances, often tied to award shows and promotional tours, extended the song's reach beyond the film, while Alia Bhatt's live rendition of the unplugged version at a Mumbai event on July 3, 2014, added a celebrity endorsement layer to the buzz.[27] Sony Music orchestrated extensive TV and radio airplay campaigns to promote "Samjhawan" in the lead-up to the film's July 11, 2014, release, leveraging the label's distribution network for widespread broadcast rotation across Indian channels and stations. The track's digital push included lyric videos and audio releases on platforms like Apple Music and Spotify starting June 15, 2014, ensuring heavy rotation in music programming.[28] Tie-ins with film merchandise integrated "Samjhawan" into consumer products, such as the exclusive Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania collection launched on Jabong.com on June 30, 2014, featuring apparel and accessories inspired by the movie's romantic themes and song visuals. Social media teasers, including short clips from the music video and unplugged sessions, were disseminated via official handles to drive user-generated content and shares, enhancing viral engagement. For international promotion, Sony Music focused on a limited rollout targeting diaspora markets through YouTube, where the official video quickly amassed millions of views from global audiences within weeks of its June 2014 launch. This digital strategy was complemented by live performances in overseas locations, such as Shreya Ghoshal's 2014 Atlanta concert, which resonated with South Asian communities abroad.[25] A cover version at the South Asian Expo 2014 further amplified its presence in North American diaspora events.[29]Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Samjhawan" achieved notable success on various music charts following its release, particularly in India where it dominated digital and radio platforms. The original version by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal reached number one on the iTunes India chart and maintained the top position for several weeks.[30] It also performed strongly on radio airplay, securing the number two spot on Radio Mirchi's year-end Top 20 songs of 2014.[31] Internationally, the track resonated with South Asian audiences, peaking at number 2 on the UK Official Asian Music Chart, where it spent at least six weeks in the top 10 by mid-August 2014.[32] Within the Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania soundtrack, "Samjhawan" outperformed other tracks like "Nazar Na Lag Jaye," establishing itself as the album's lead single in terms of chart longevity and popularity.| Chart | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| iTunes India | 1 | Several weeks | radioandmusic.com |
| Radio Mirchi Top 20 (Year-End 2014) | 2 | N/A | indiaforums.com |
| UK Official Asian Music Chart | 2 | At least 6 | officialcharts.com |
