Prasoon Joshi reveals how Sonam Kapoor's pigeon in Delhi-6 got named Masakali
Synopsis
Lyricist Prasoon Joshi revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that the pigeon in Delhi-6 was named Masakali because the song became such a phenomenon — not the other way around. It is a small but delightful inversion of how fans imagined the story, straight from the man who wrote both the lyrics and worked on the script.
Key Takeaways
Prasoon Joshi appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati and spoke to host Amitabh Bachchan about the making of 'Masakali' .
Sonam Kapoor's character in Delhi-6 had a pet pigeon that was named Masakali after the song's success, not before.
Joshi described the word 'Masakali' as having a phonetic beauty that made it feel like 'the universe revolves around it.' The song was composed by A.R.
Rahman , sung by Mohit Chauhan , and featured Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor .
Delhi-6 was directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and released in 2009 .
Acclaimed lyricist and screenwriter Prasoon Joshi shared a charming behind-the-scenes anecdote about the iconic song 'Masakali' from the 2009 film Delhi-6, revealing that the song's runaway success directly influenced how a character's pet pigeon was named in the film. Joshi made the revelation while appearing on the quiz-based reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, in conversation with host Amitabh Bachchan.
The story behind the name
Joshi recalled that Sonam Kapoor's character in Delhi-6 had a pet pigeon, and the bird was eventually named Masakali — not the other way around. Speaking to Bachchan, Joshi explained in Hindi: 'Film Delhi-6 ki baat hai, aap bhi usse jude the. Toh phir yeh kyunki script mein bhi kaam chal raha tha mera.. Toh usme jo Sonam ji ka character hai, unka ek kabootar hai. Kabootar ko uska naam hi Masakali rakh diya, is gaane ki wajah se..' — meaning that because the song had already resonated so deeply, the pigeon in the script was named after it.
Prasoon on the magic of the word
Joshi went on to reflect on the phonetic power of the word 'Masakali' itself, saying: 'Toh yeh Masakali itna atka, kai baar kya hota hai shabd ki dhwani itni sundar lagti hai, ki lagta hai ki saara sansar uske charo aur girta hua..' — translating to: the word stayed with us so strongly, and sometimes the sound of a word is so beautiful that it feels as though the entire universe is revolving around it.
About the song and the film
The song 'Masakali' was composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Prasoon Joshi and vocals by Mohit Chauhan. It featured Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor and became one of the most memorable tracks from the film. Delhi-6, directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, released in 2009 and had Amitabh Bachchan associated with the project as well.
Joshi's connection to Delhi-6
Beyond the lyrics, Joshi noted that he was also involved in the script development of Delhi-6 at the time — giving him a dual creative stake in how characters and their details, including the pigeon's name, eventually took shape. His appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati offered audiences a rare glimpse into the organic creative process behind one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated songs.
Point of View
Not the other way around. For a film released in 2009, the fact that 'Masakali' still generates this kind of nostalgic conversation in 2026 is itself a marker of its cultural staying power.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the pigeon in Delhi-6 named Masakali?
Lyricist Prasoon Joshi revealed that the pigeon in Delhi-6, which belonged to Sonam Kapoor's character, was named Masakali because the song became such a massive hit. The naming followed the song's success, not the other way around.
Who wrote the song Masakali from Delhi-6?
The lyrics of 'Masakali' were written by Prasoon Joshi, with music composed by A.R. Rahman and vocals by Mohit Chauhan. The song featured Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor.
Where did Prasoon Joshi reveal this story?
Prasoon Joshi shared the anecdote on the quiz-based reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, in conversation with host Amitabh Bachchan, who was also associated with the film Delhi-6.
What was Prasoon Joshi's role in Delhi-6?
Prasoon Joshi was the lyricist for Delhi-6 and was also involved in the script development of the film, giving him a dual creative role in its making.
When was Delhi-6 released and who directed it?
Delhi-6 was released in 2009 and was directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra. The film featured Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor in lead roles.
