Veteran singer and composer Anu Malik offered a rare, heartfelt tribute to legendary singer Kumar Sanu on the reality show India's Best Dancer Season 5, calling Sanu's vocal contribution to the song 'Sambhala Hai Maine' from the film 'Naaraaz' one of the most extraordinary he had ever witnessed. The emotional exchange, aired on Sony Entertainment Television, gave viewers an intimate look at the bond between two of Hindi film music's most celebrated voices.

The Tribute That Stopped the Show

Malik, admitting that he rarely lavishes praise so openly, used the platform to speak directly about Sanu's contribution. 'Through this platform, I want to say something about Sanu. I have never praised him this much. Sanu ji took the song to a whole new level with his voice. I will remain grateful all my life to such singers, among whom Sanu is one, who have truly embraced the song with their heart,' Malik said on the show.

The composer's choice of words — '100 chand laga diye' (lit. 'added a hundred moons') — captured the scale of his admiration, drawing an emotional response from both the studio audience and Sanu himself.

Kumar Sanu's Response

Returning the affection, Kumar Sanu expressed gratitude to Malik for having chosen him to voice 'Sambhala Hai Maine' in the first place. The exchange underscored a creative partnership that had quietly shaped some of the most beloved tracks of 1990s Hindi cinema.

Malik on the Composer's Solitary Journey

Beyond the tribute, Malik offered a candid window into his own creative process. 'A composer thinks alone about how to create a song, remembering Maa Saraswati. I used to record the song and then run away. I don't know what used to happen to me — I would record, and then leave, without staying for praise. But I always praised others and went to ask them how they felt about the song,' he said.

The admission painted a picture of a composer driven more by the act of creation than by recognition — a contrast to the public persona many associate with Malik.

About India's Best Dancer Season 5

India's Best Dancer Season 5 airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 PM IST on Sony Entertainment Television. The show has become a recurring platform for Bollywood legends to revisit milestone work and share unscripted moments with audiences. Malik's appearance on the show added a layer of musical nostalgia that resonated well beyond the dance competition format.

As the show continues its current season, moments like these serve as a reminder of the collaborative artistry that defined an era of Hindi film music — and the unspoken gratitude that sometimes takes decades to find its voice.