Because music is an integral part of the reason for Falling in Love with Bollywood, this series highlights a Bollywood music video from my YouTube Bollywood playlist and why it makes me smile.
About the Music
Song: "Baadshah O Baadshah"
Film: Baadshah (1999)
Composer: Anu Malik
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar and Sameer
Singer: Abhijeet
Performed by: Shah Rukh Khan (SRK)
About the Story of the Film So Far
Raj (Shah Rukh Khan) runs Baadshah Detective Agency in Mumbai with friends Rocky, Bhola, Chauki Lal, and chief assistant Ram Lal (Johnny Lever) – who help him with his work. This rag-tag group are immature but skilled. They are hired for a case which introduces us to Seema (Twinkle Khanna). During the case, Raj falls in love with Seema but doesn't pursue her due to the nature of the case. Later, the agency is hired to rescue a kidnapped child being held in Goa. At the airport, Raj is mistaken for a different "Baadshah", who was initially a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) agent working on "Operation Maa" but who has been repositioned to kill the Chief Minister of Goa (Gayatri Bachchan). When Raj arrives in Goa, he encounters one group that thinks he is there to kill the minister and the other group that thinks he is there to save the kidnapped child. Raj is reunited with Seema, though she is confused about who he really is.
About This Song
The official version of this video online doesn't have subtitles and stops before the end of the song. This unofficial version includes English subtitles and a bit of the introduction to the song. Based on the unofficial version, here is an english translation of the Hindi lyrics:
I'm a lover. I'm a killer, too ....
I'm part of everyone's hearts.
Stealing hearts, disturbing sleep, these are my only faults.
I don't back down on my promises.
I don't ever fear death.
The king, Oh, the king!
The king, Oh, the king!In all four directions there's only talk of me
My name alone is on everyone's lips.
My mornings are filled with color.
My evenings are drowned with pleasure.
False stories seem true.
The life of a vagabond appeals to me.
Making people sing songs, making them dance, this is my only fault.
I don't back down on my promises,
I don't ever fear death.
The king, Oh, the king!
The king, Oh, the king!Love is my weakness,
I rule over the world of desire.
My head bows only to God.
The crown and thrown bow only before me.
My style is utterly unique,
I am the king of kings.
Embroidering dreams, laughing, making other laugh.
These are my only faults.
I don't back down on my promises,
I don't ever fear death.
The king, Oh, the king!
The king, Oh, the king! (repeat ad infinitum)
Why I Love This Song
I can't help but smile when this song begins. Many lines in this song could refer directly to Shah Rukh Khan as an artist and Bollywood superstar. It reminds us of why he has been labelled the "Baadshah of Bollywood" and why he considers himself a performer who also acts. Besides having great choreography and costumes, the song just makes you want to get up and sing along!
If you like this, leave a comment and check out our other Music Monday posts.