This was the second film that featured Salman Khan and his stepmother, Helen. They had worked together earlier in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's debut film "Khamoshi - The Musical" (1996).[1]
Aishwarya Rai got this film only after Madhuri Dixit had declined it. Sanjay Leela Bhansali had tried to get Madhuri for his previous film, "Khamoshi - The Musical" (1996), as well but had been unsuccessful. He was finally able to get to work with Madhuri in "Devdas" (2002). Even "Devdas" might not have happened. Madhuri was getting married around that time and had asked Bhansali if he was sure he still wanted her. He had said yes![2][3][4]
This film was said to have been adapted from the Bengali novel "Na Hanyate" (1974) written by Maitreyi Devi. The book was based on the real-life events around the relationship between the author and the Romanian philosopher Mircea Eliade, who studied under her father Surendranath Dasgupta. Maitreyi Devi wrote the book to counter the Romanian language book "Maitreyi" (1933) written by Mircea Eliade. Eliade's book was translated into the very successful French version "Le Nuit Bengali" (English: "Bengal Nights"). Maitreyi Devi's version of what transpired between them was very different from what Eliade wrote in his book.[5]
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai had started dating during the making of this film. Their much-publicised affair ended in 2001 and stayed in the news for a couple more years with reports of Salman Khan pursuing the actress even after they had broken up.[6]
This was music director Ismail Darbar's debut film. He worked with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali in one more film, "Devdas" (2002). They fell out during the making of "Devdas" and never worked together again.[7]
This was the debut Hindi film of the Gujarati singer Karsan Sagathia.
Song
Chand Chhupa Baadal Mein - The tune of this song was based on the theme for the Hollywood film "Love Story" (1970), composed by Francis Lai. The theme composition was later used in the song "Where Do I Begin?" recorded by Andy Williams. This tune has been used in other Hindi film songs - "Hum Jo Mile Toh Sara Zamana Jale" ("Rani Aur Jaani", 1973), "Saamne Aa" ("Judaai", 1980) and "Dil Kyon Dhadakta Hai" ("Jaanam", 1993).[8][9][10][11]
Nimbooda - This song was based on a Rajasthani folk song composed by Ghazni Khan Manganiyar.[12]
Dholi Taaro Dhol Baaje - The tune and lyrics of the hook line of this song were reused in a song in the film "Ek Paheli Leela" (2015).[13]
Albela Sajan Aayo Ri - This was the first Hindi film song sung by the Hindustani classical musician and sarod instrumentalist Ustad Sultan Khan. The song was an adaptation of a Raag Ahir Bhairav composition by the Mughal court musician Manarang. Years later, Sanjay Leela Bhansali transformed the classical bandish into a Raag Bhoopali composition for the film "Bajirao Mastani" (2015).[14]
