It has been six months already since “Akhiyaan Milavanga” from ‘Commando 3’ released. The track composed by Mannan Shaah and penned by Sahil Sultanpuri, released on 14 November 2019 by Zee Music Company, gained popularity even before the release of the action film on 29 November 2019. Presented by Reliance Entertainment and Motion Picture Capital in association with Sun Shine Pictures, this Vipul Amrutlal Shah Production, under the direction of Aditya Datt, turned out to be a surprise hit. The success eventually further made the romantic song, in the voices of Arijit Singh and Sruthy Sasidharan, more popular among lovers of Indian music. What’s more, even the international audience paid attention and started to groove on it. On this occasion, we talked to the team behind this song, to have their views on the response.
When quizzed about the amount of love this soothing romantic number has received, Mannan Shaah, the humble music composer says, “I am more than elated to the response it has received. “Akhiyaan Milavanga” is a special song for me. I knew the song would connect to the masses but never knew it would go this big to the extent that we have nearly about a thousand covers of the song from various fans. My gratitude to crores of “Akhiyaan Milavanga” listeners all over India and worldwide for showering all the love to the song.”
Picturized on Vidyut Jammwal, who features in all the three installments of the franchise which started in 2013, the reliable and fit actor adds, “The creative genius Mannan Shaah’s “Akhiyaan Milavanga” captures romance and love so well, it comes as no surprise that it caught the imagination of so many and received so much love. Ever so often a song is conceived that stands the test of time because it personified the sentiments of everyone so perfectly. That’s “Akhiyaan Milavanga”.
There is no doubt that the martial artist’s statement is apt as the melody of the tune has proved to be a clear winner, amidst all the majority of insipid numbers being churned out from Bollywood lately.
The bubbly and cute Adah Sharma, who tweeted about the song on its first day of release shares, “It’s a beautiful song and a beautiful video and I feel very lucky to be part of a classic like this. It’s those kinds of songs that will get more and more popular with time.” The song is exquisitely shot in London, the UK and the locations also played a part in its visual success, as it has a contemporary setting, against a semi-classical tune, sung in high octaves.
The lovable duet is rendered by Sruthy Sasidharan, who comes from the south of India. Her contribution enriches it with more texture, along Arijit Singh, who is known for delivering such soulful numbers. However, Sruthy has put her heart into the singing and the outcome was beyond expectations. She shares, “I’m extremely happy to be a part of “Akhiyaan Milavanga” and super elated to know that our song is well received and touched millions of people all over in the last six months. I hope “Akhiyaan Milavanga” will go as a classic down the lane and people will remember all of us associated through that song forever. My love to everyone who took “Akhiyaan Milavanga” to their hearts.”
The lyrics which Sahil Sultanpuri penned, have an original feel to it and captured the right romantic vibes. He remembers, “I’m grateful to have bagged “Akhiyaan Milavanga”. With its popularity, I was fortunate to have received so much love from the listeners. From the day of release of the song till today I’m celebrating it. I would like to thank my producer Vipul Shah Ji, my director Aditya Datt Ji and music composer Mannan Shaah for believing in me.”
It was indeed a breath of fresh air to listen to proper lyrics as the words truly beautified the composition. In an age, where Bollywood composers are turning into lyricists and thus affecting the quality of lyrics, Sahil Sultanpuri somehow showed the value of good lyrics and the importance of placing trust in the hands of a lyricist.
Director Aditya Datt, who made his directorial debut with ‘Aashiq Banaya Aapne’ in 2005 shares, “I am super excited. I want to tell you trivia about this song, it was my very first meet with Mannan, when he took me to his studio to make me hear what he has. I am not the one to say yes to a song even if I like in the first go, as I am always greedy that the music director might have something more to offer, but as soon as Mannan made me hear “Akhiyaan Milavanga”, I told him not to make me hear anything more as at that moment I wouldn’t like anything else, as “Akhiyaan Milavanga” was too beautiful to switch out from mentally. It was the song for me.”
Producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah who has directed movies like ‘Aankhen’ (2002) and ‘Namastey London’ (2007) and produced the ‘Force’ and ‘Commando’ franchise, recollects, “I am very proud of Mannan for creating this song and I am very happy with the way the song is being loved by the audiences. This song is like wine! As it will grow older, it will become more and more loved.”
The music composer could not keep his excitement when asked about all the cover versions, which some were personally sent to him and says, “The reaction we have got from the fans is phenomenal. I am genuinely touched by this love. Not only fans from India but the song has even got on to international fans. I recently got to hear such amazing covers from a fan from Russia and Oman.”
Furthermore, Sruthy Sasidharan also elaborates, “Every day at least one person would send me a cover of the song or even tag me while they are listening to it. And to be part of something this huge is every singer’s dream.” For the lyricist, he shares, “The best thing about the song is that there are so many cover singers who till today sing their cover versions of the song and tag me on it.”
Over the months, over 1000 cover versions from all over the world started pouring on social media. It appears that the international audience also lapped the track as its semi-classical base resonated with them. Well done to the entire team for this phenomenal success!
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