In an interview with lyricist Gulzar, R.D. Burman revealed that he had adapted the tune of the whistle in the theme of the film "The Bridge On The River Kwai" (1957) for the mukhda of this song. The same tune was used in the title song of the film "Paltan" (2018).[1][2]
S.D. Burman had offered the tune of this song to Guru Dutt for the film "Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966). Not liking the tune, Guru Dutt had declined it and gone ahead with O.P. Nayyar instead.[3][MR4]