'Kaun Tujhe' was originally an Arijit Singh male track, reveals Manoj Muntashir
Synopsis
One of Bollywood's most beloved romantic songs nearly sounded completely different — and almost didn't make the film at all. Lyricist Manoj Muntashir has revealed that 'Kaun Tujhe Yoon Pyaar Karega' was first written as a male number for Arijit Singh, before a character insight about MS Dhoni's reserved nature flipped it into the iconic female ballad fans know today.
Key Takeaways
'Kaun Tujhe Yoon Pyaar Karega' was originally written as a male song, with Arijit Singh set to sing it and Amaal Mallik composing.
Director Neeraj Pandey and producer Bhushan Kumar felt the male version clashed with MS Dhoni 's shy, reserved character.
The team spent 10 to 15 days trying to write an alternative before Pandey proposed flipping the song to a female perspective.
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir revealed the central lyric was inspired by a spontaneous remark to his young son.
The song, picturised on Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Patani , is now considered one of Bollywood's most enduring romantic tracks.
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir has revealed that the beloved song 'Kaun Tujhe Yoon Pyaar Karega' from the 2016 biographical film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story was originally conceived as a male number, with Arijit Singh set to lend his voice to it. Muntashir made the disclosure during his appearance on actor Rajeev Khandelwal's show 'Tum Ho Na', offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Bollywood's most cherished romantic tracks.
How the Song Was First Conceived
According to Muntashir, the song was initially written from a male perspective, with Arijit Singh attached to perform it and Amaal Mallik composing the music. The creative team was deep in script and music sittings when the track began taking shape. However, the male version soon ran into a fundamental creative problem rooted in the character it was meant to represent.
Why Dhoni's Character Changed Everything
Muntashir recalled that director Neeraj Pandey and producer Bhushan Kumar felt the male version did not align with the personality of MS Dhoni — portrayed in the film by the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput. As Muntashir explained, 'Our captain is a very reserved, very shy person. You simply cannot imagine Dhoni openly expressing his love in this manner. That is not MS Dhoni's character.' The creative team agreed the song, as written, rang false for the character.
A 10-Day Creative Impasse and Pandey's Breakthrough
The team spent roughly 10 to 15 days attempting to write an alternative song that could match the emotional weight of the original. Nothing worked. It was then that Neeraj Pandey proposed a pivotal shift: rather than having Dhoni sing for his girlfriend, why not let the girlfriend sing for him? The song was flipped to a female perspective — and the rest, as Muntashir noted, is film history. 'We are all so happy that the song was not removed from the film,' he said, reflecting the team's collective relief.
The Personal Moment That Sparked the Lyric
Muntashir also shared the intimate origin of the song's central line. His young son once remarked casually, 'Mumma loves me more,' prompting Muntashir to respond instinctively: 'Kaun tujhe yun pyaar karega jaise main karta hoon.' He immediately recognised the emotional resonance of the phrase and noted it down on his mobile phone. Khandelwal, reacting to the anecdote on air, summed it up simply: 'Aur gaana ban gaya' — and the song was born.
The Song's Legacy
Featured picturised on Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Patani, 'Kaun Tujhe Yoon Pyaar Karega' has endured as one of the most emotionally resonant romantic songs of contemporary Bollywood. The revelation adds fresh dimension to a track that already carries the weight of nostalgia, given Rajput's passing in 2020. That the song nearly did not make the film — and nearly sounded entirely different — makes its survival all the more significant.
Point of View
Reserved Dhoni singing openly about love would ring false, and he held the line even as the team spent two weeks searching for an alternative. What mainstream coverage of this story misses is the broader truth it surfaces: in Indian film music, lyricists and directors routinely make structurally significant decisions that go unacknowledged until a candid interview years later. Muntashir's account also underscores how much the song's emotional legacy is now inseparable from Sushant Singh Rajput — making the revelation that it almost wasn't in the film feel quietly poignant.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was originally supposed to sing 'Kaun Tujhe Yoon Pyaar Karega'?
Arijit Singh was originally set to sing the song as a male track, with Amaal Mallik composing it. The plan changed after the creative team felt the male version did not suit MS Dhoni's reserved character, and the song was rewritten as a female number.
Why was 'Kaun Tujhe' changed from a male to a female song?
Director Neeraj Pandey and producer Bhushan Kumar felt that having MS Dhoni's character openly sing about love did not match Dhoni's famously shy and reserved personality. Pandey then suggested the girlfriend sing for Dhoni instead, which led to the female version of the song.
Where did the lyric 'Kaun Tujhe Yoon Pyaar Karega' come from?
Lyricist Manoj Muntashir revealed the line came from a personal moment with his son, who said 'Mumma loves me more.' Muntashir instinctively replied, 'Kaun tujhe yun pyaar karega jaise main karta hoon,' immediately recognised its emotional potential, and saved it on his phone.
Who is featured in the 'Kaun Tujhe' song from MS Dhoni: The Untold Story?
The song is picturised on actors Sushant Singh Rajput and Disha Patani in the 2016 biographical film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story. It is widely regarded as one of the most romantic songs in contemporary Bollywood.
On which show did Manoj Muntashir reveal the story behind 'Kaun Tujhe'?
Manoj Muntashir made the revelations during his appearance on actor Rajeev Khandelwal's show 'Tum Ho Na,' where he discussed the creative process behind the song in detail.
