Harshdeep Kaur celebrates 15 years of Rockstar, recalls AR Rahman's on-the-spot magic
Synopsis
Fifteen years after Rockstar released, Harshdeep Kaur has revealed that AR Rahman composed 'Katiya Karun' entirely on the spot, at 2–3 in the morning, handing her the lyrics right there in the studio — and that she had written the song's credits in her personal diary before it was even confirmed, as an act of manifestation.
Key Takeaways
Harshdeep Kaur celebrated the 15th anniversary of Rockstar (released 11 November 2011 ) with a video on Instagram .
She revealed that A.R.
Rahman composed 'Katiya Karun' on the spot, in front of her, at 2–3 AM during the recording session.
Harshdeep said she had 'manifested' being part of the film's album and had written the song's details in her personal music diary before confirmation.
A poem by Sultan Bahu inspired a key moment in the song after Rahman played a guitar riff on the piano.
The song also features additional vocals by Sapna Awasthi and lyrics by Irshad Kamil . 'Katiya Karun' continues to trend on social media, with fans still creating reels tied to the track 15 years after its release.
Singer Harshdeep Kaur marked the 15th anniversary of the iconic film Rockstar on 12 November 2026 by sharing a heartfelt video on Instagram, recounting the behind-the-scenes story of how she recorded the beloved song 'Katiya Karun' with music composer A.R. Rahman. The film, directed by Imtiaz Ali and starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri, was originally released on 11 November 2011.
The Phone Call That Changed Everything
Harshdeep revealed that she received a direct call from Rahman inviting her to his Bhawai studio to record a track for the film. Upon arriving and reading the lyrics — featuring words like 'Katya karo, tera roo, main saari raati katya karo' — she said she was immediately elated to discover she would be singing a Punjabi song for one of the most anticipated films of the year. 'Somewhere or the other, I had manifested very strongly that I wish I had a song in this movie,' she said in the video.
Composed on the Spot at 2 AM
What makes the anecdote particularly compelling is the spontaneous nature of the composition. According to Harshdeep, Rahman took the lyrics in hand and composed the melody on the spot in front of her — with the recording session stretching to 2 or 3 in the morning. At one point, Rahman played what she described as 'a very beautiful guitar riff on the piano,' which prompted her to recall a poem by Sultan Bahu that she incorporated into the song.
The Manifestation and the Music Diary
Harshdeep added a personal dimension to the story, sharing that she had written the song's details — music by A.R. Rahman, lyrics by Irshad Kamil, direction by Imtiaz Ali, singer Harshdeep Kaur — in her personal music diary even before the song was confirmed. The anecdote underscores the deep personal significance the track holds for her, beyond its commercial success.
Legacy of 'Katiya Karun'
'Katiya Karun', which also features additional vocals by Sapna Awasthi, became an instant hit upon the film's release. Harshdeep noted that the song continues to resonate with audiences across generations, with fans still making reels and weaving it into their travel journeys and milestone moments. 'I feel honoured to be a part of this epic album called Rockstar,' she said.
In her Instagram caption, Harshdeep extended gratitude to all collaborators: 'Rahman sir, thank you for trusting me with Katiya Karun. Irshad Kamil sahab, aapke lafzon ko awaaz dena mere liye bahut khaas raha. Imtiaz sir, thank you for making me a part of Rockstar.'
Fifteen years on, the Rockstar album remains one of the most celebrated soundtracks in Indian cinema, and Harshdeep's reminiscence is a reminder of the spontaneous artistry that shaped it.
Point of View
In real time, at 2 AM, in front of a young singer. What makes the story resonate beyond fandom is its detail on how 'Katiya Karun' drew from classical Sufi poetry (Sultan Bahu) through instinct rather than pre-planning. At a time when algorithmic music production dominates Bollywood, this account of spontaneous, studio-floor artistry reads almost as a counterpoint to the current era.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story behind 'Katiya Karun' from Rockstar?
'Katiya Karun' was recorded at AR Rahman's Bhawai studio during the making of the 2011 film Rockstar, with Rahman composing the melody on the spot in front of singer Harshdeep Kaur at around 2–3 in the morning. Harshdeep has revealed that a guitar riff Rahman played on the piano prompted her to draw from a poem by Sufi poet Sultan Bahu, shaping the final recording.
How did Harshdeep Kaur get the opportunity to sing 'Katiya Karun'?
Harshdeep received a direct call from AR Rahman asking her to come to his Bhawai studio to record a song for Rockstar. She has said she had 'manifested' being part of the film's album and had even written the song's credits — including Rahman's name and Imtiaz Ali's name — in her personal music diary before the opportunity was confirmed.
When was Rockstar released and who starred in it?
Rockstar was released worldwide on 11 November 2011, directed by Imtiaz Ali and starring Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri. Its music album, composed by AR Rahman with lyrics by Irshad Kamil, is widely regarded as one of the finest Bollywood soundtracks of the decade.
Who else contributed vocals to 'Katiya Karun'?
Besides Harshdeep Kaur, the song features additional vocals by Sapna Awasthi. The lyrics were written by Irshad Kamil, and the song was composed by AR Rahman.
Why does 'Katiya Karun' remain popular 15 years later?
The song continues to be widely used in social media reels and personal milestone moments, suggesting a durable emotional connection with listeners. Harshdeep has credited the song's longevity to its blend of Punjabi folk sensibility, Sufi poetic influence, and Rahman's distinctive melodic instinct — all crystallised in a single late-night studio session.
