RD Burman's Witty Response to Accusations of Copying His Father's Music
In a fascinating revelation, Ashim Samanta, son of legendary director Shakti Samanta, recently shared a memorable anecdote about working with music composer RD Burman. The story highlights how RD Burman, often called Pancham Da, handled criticism that he was copying his father SD Burman's iconic compositions.
The Accusation During Amar Prem Recording
Ashim Samanta recounted this incident during an interview with Radio Nasha on their YouTube channel. He described attending song recordings for classic films like Kati Patang and Amar Prem. During the recording of the beloved song 'Yeh Sham Mastani' for Amar Prem, an interesting moment unfolded.
RD Burman had composed the song in Shakti Samanta's sitting room. After performing it for the director and his son, Shakti Samanta remarked, 'Pancham ji, kuch suna suna lag raha hai' (I feel like I have heard this before). He specifically asked if it was originally a Bengali song.
The Blase Response That Silenced Critics
RD Burman immediately recognized the similarity to one of his father's earlier compositions. Without hesitation, he responded with a phrase that would become legendary in Bollywood circles: 'Baap ka maal hai' (It's my dad's work).
Ashim Samanta further explained that RD Burman used instruments from another SD Burman song for the interlude of the same album. When questioned about this additional borrowing, the composer gave the same casual response. Ashim noted that he too was working on his father's projects, making them both users of 'baap ka maal.'
Legacy of a Musical Dynasty
This story offers a glimpse into RD Burman's attitude toward his father's towering legacy. Rather than being defensive about comparisons, he embraced the connection with humor and confidence. The Burman father-son duo dominated Bollywood music for decades, with RD establishing himself as a top composer despite working in his father's shadow.
Amar Prem, directed by Shakti Samanta and starring Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore, remains a classic of Indian cinema. The film's music, particularly 'Yeh Sham Mastani,' continues to enchant audiences generations later. This anecdote adds another layer to our understanding of how creative genius navigates family legacy in the competitive world of film music.
