Anil Kapoor on 'Ek Do Teen': 'I was not supposed to be in the song'
Synopsis
Anil Kapoor wasn't supposed to be in 'Ek Do Teen' at all — it was written as a solo number for Madhuri Dixit. Kapoor heard the composition, sensed a hit, and personally lobbied composer Laxmikant and lyricist Javed Akhtar until they rewrote the song to include him. The rest, as they say, is Bollywood history.
Key Takeaways
Anil Kapoor revealed on 'The Kapil Sharma Show' that he was not originally part of 'Ek Do Teen' from 'Tezaab' (1988) .
The song was initially conceived as a solo number for Madhuri Dixit .
Kapoor persuaded composer Laxmikant and lyricist Javed Akhtar to rework the track to include him. 'Tezaab' , released on 11 November 1988 , became the highest-grossing Hindi film of that year with a golden jubilee run.
Kapoor's upcoming projects include YRF spy thriller 'Alpha' and Shah Rukh Khan's action film 'King' .
Veteran actor Anil Kapoor has revealed that he was never originally meant to feature in 'Ek Do Teen', the iconic track from the 1988 blockbuster 'Tezaab' — and that it took his own persistence to change that. The disclosure, made during an appearance on 'The Kapil Sharma Show', offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated songs came together.
How Anil Kapoor Forced His Way Into the Song
According to Kapoor, the track was originally conceived as a solo number for the film's leading lady, Madhuri Dixit. After hearing the composition, Kapoor was certain it would be a massive hit and approached composer Laxmikant with a direct request: 'I will also be a part of this song.'
When Laxmikant pointed out that it was a girl's number, Kapoor's response was blunt: 'I don't care.' He then reached out to celebrated lyricist Javed Akhtar and asked him to rework the lyrics to accommodate his presence. 'The song was not a part of the script, but I made it happen,' Kapoor said, summing up the episode.
The Legacy of 'Tezaab' and Its Soundtrack
Directed and produced by N. Chandra, 'Tezaab' released on 11 November 1988 and went on to become the highest-grossing Hindi film of that year, completing a golden jubilee run in cinema halls across the country. The film starred Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in the lead roles, supported by Anupam Kher, Chunky Panday, Kiran Kumar, and Suresh Oberoi.
The soundtrack, composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, remains one of the most celebrated of its era. Beyond 'Ek Do Teen', the album produced chartbusters such as 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan' and 'Keh Do Ke Tum'. Notably, 'Ek Do Teen' became one of the defining dance numbers of Madhuri Dixit's career and continues to resonate with audiences decades later.
What Anil Kapoor Is Working on Next
Kapoor has a strong slate of upcoming projects. He is set to appear in the spy thriller 'Alpha', directed by Shiv Rawail and starring Alia Bhatt, Bobby Deol, and Sharvari. The film is billed as the first female-led entry in the YRF Spy Universe.
He is also part of Shah Rukh Khan's upcoming action entertainer 'King', helmed by director Siddharth Anand. The film features an ensemble cast including Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Jackie Shroff, and Arshad Warsi in key roles.
Point of View
Arguably launching Madhuri Dixit into superstardom while cementing his own leading-man status. What the story also surfaces is how fluid the creative process was on landmark films of that era — a song could be rewritten at an actor's insistence, with no script mandate required. That informality produced some of Hindi cinema's most enduring music, and it's a dynamic that the more corporate, IP-driven Bollywood of today has largely moved away from.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Anil Kapoor not originally in 'Ek Do Teen'?
'Ek Do Teen' was initially conceived as a solo number for Madhuri Dixit and was not written into the script for Anil Kapoor. After hearing the composition, Kapoor lobbied composer Laxmikant and lyricist Javed Akhtar to rework the song so he could be included.
How did Anil Kapoor get included in 'Ek Do Teen'?
Kapoor directly approached composer Laxmikant and insisted on being part of the song, reportedly saying 'I don't care' when told it was a girl's track. He then contacted lyricist Javed Akhtar and requested changes to the lyrics to accommodate his presence in the number.
What was the box-office performance of 'Tezaab' (1988)?
'Tezaab', released on 11 November 1988, became the highest-grossing Hindi film of that year and completed a golden jubilee run in cinema halls. It was directed and produced by N. Chandra and starred Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in the lead roles.
Who composed the music for 'Tezaab'?
The soundtrack of 'Tezaab' was composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal. The album included chartbusters such as 'Ek Do Teen', 'So Gaya Yeh Jahan', and 'Keh Do Ke Tum'.
What are Anil Kapoor's upcoming films?
Anil Kapoor is set to appear in 'Alpha', the first female-led film in the YRF Spy Universe directed by Shiv Rawail and starring Alia Bhatt, Bobby Deol, and Sharvari. He is also part of Shah Rukh Khan's action film 'King', directed by Siddharth Anand, which features an ensemble cast including Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, and Deepika Padukone.
