My Style Is Legendary ("Ghagra", Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani) #musicmonday

In the 2013 coming-of-age dramedy Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (YJHD) we are introduced to the character Kabir "Bunny" Thapar (Ranbir Kapoor) as he sings and dances with Mohini (Madhuri Dixit) in the song "Ghagra". 

The traditional Indian "ghagra" is a long embroidered and pleated skirt. It is generally paired with a "choli" which is a short-sleeved, midriff-baring top with a low neck that is worn most often during the hot summer months. Not every woman can wear this combination well, but Madhuri Dixit pulls if off with style.

Farah Khan choreographed the item number and used as the backdrop the courtyard of an old haveli together with a brothel. While Madhuri was dressed in designer Manish Malhotra ghagras, Ranbir Kapoor wore plain trousers and shirts.

The song opens with an announcement of Mohini's entrance followed by some taunting and teasing between Mohini and Bunny which carries over into the song:

Announcer: 
Gentlemen, Connoisseurs, Benevolent Ones!
Hold on to your seats!
We are about to present Agra's most celebrated possession ...
The queen of beauty, grace, and sensuality ...
Mohini!

Mohini:
These eyes are like jewels, these lips are like a river from paradise
In my embrace, bid your senses goodbye!

Bunny:
Get out while you can, my friends or weep tomorrow morning!

Mohini:
How many truly know the value of grace, desire, and passion?

Bunny:
Okay, tell me this, can I get a discount for all three at once?

Mohini:
Young man, don't take beauty so lightly.
Less beauty get the better of you.
You're mischievous and good-looking, but you are only a boy.
When will you learn the difference between boys and men?

Mohini:
O Guy!
Where have You come from?
You have a lovely face
But You have a foolish mind too

Bunny:
Yes, You got burnt
You got burnt by what I said
Yes, it irritated You
My carelessness irritated You
O lady! What is so special about you?
Just tell me that ...

Mohini:
My ghagra is the breaking news on TV
From Baghdad to Delhi via Agra

Bunny:
Your ghagra
Your ghagra via Agra
Your ghagra
Your ghagra via Agra
Ghagra Ghagra... (Kuch Kuch)
Ghagra Ghagra... (Kuch Kuch)

Mohini: I'm the wind...
Bunny: ...Then fly away
Mohini: I'm the cloud...
Bunny: ... Then turn around
Mohini: I'm the flower-bud...
Bunny: ... Where from?
Mohini: My style...
Bunny: ... Take it away

Mohini: You are shameless, You are a destitute! This waist...
Bunny: ... Hide it
Mohini: My gaze...
Bunny: ... Turn it away
Mohini: My address...
Bunny: ... I'll ask
Mohini: My age...
Bunny: ... You know
Mohini: Look, You are stuck to such indifference

Bunny: 
Yes You've set
You've set like the evening sets
Yes, it irritated You
My carelessness irritated You
O lady! What kind are You?
Just tell me that ...
Your ghagra is nonsense without any reason
Even if it's from Baghdad or Delhi via Agra

Mohini: 
My ghagra is the breaking news on TV
From Baghdad to Delhi via Agra
Oh my! My ghagra
Ohho...
Oh my! My ghagra
My ghagra
What's this about, brother?

Mohini: I'm an intoxication...
Bunny: ... Then get low
Mohini: I'm a fault... 
Bunny: ... Then mend Your ways
Mohini: I'm a perfume... 
Bunny: ... I'll smell it
Mohini: I'm a song...
Bunny: ... I'll sing it

Mohini: You are behaving as if You are someone important. I'm fun... 
Bunny: ... I want it
Mohini: I'm a punishment... 
Bunny: ... I'll go through it
Mohini: I'm a wish... 
Bunny: ... I'll ask for it
Mohini: I'm a gamble... 
Bunny: ... I'll play
Mohini: You are hopeless still there is some hope left, Yes it's passed by, It's passed by like a difficulty passes by

Bunny:
Yes, it irritated You
My carelessness irritated You
O lady! What kind are You?
Just tell me that
Your ghagra is like the flying rumours
Even if it's from Baghdad or Delhi via Agra

Mohini:
My ghagra is the breaking news on TV
From Baghdad to Delhi via Agra

Bunny:
Your ghagra
Your ghagra via Agra
Your ghagra
Your ghagra via Agra
Ghagra Ghagra... (Kuch Kuch)
Ghagra Ghagra... (Kuch Kuch)

Besides being a fun performance - one that has already be listed as one of the Top Item Songs of 2013 - the music is entertaining and the variety of ghagras are eye-appealing.

Perhaps the most entertaining tale about this item number was that Ranbir Kapoor "bribed" director Ayan Mukerji to let him kiss the actress on her cheek - and that kiss took four takes.

Kapoor admitted he had a bit of a crush on Madhuri Dixit and was delighted to be able to perform in this item number alongside the legendary performer. At a YJHD promotional event he was reported to have said, "She [Madhuri] was my first love and my heart broke when she got married. I was happy when I got the opportunity to dance with her and see her."

Below is a playlist with the "Making of" video as well as the full video of the "Ghagra" item number featuring music written by Pritam, lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya, sung by Vishal Dadlani and Rekha Bhardwaj, choreographed by Farah Khan and picturized on Ranbir Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit-Nene.

 

If you liked this, please check out our other Music Monday posts.