Shaan on Kishore Kumar's 'Mere Samne Wali Khidki': Padosan trivia on Indian Idol
Synopsis
Manna Dey — one of Hindi cinema's greatest classical singers — reportedly admitted during the recording of 'Ek Chatur Naar' that Kishore Kumar's effortless genius was beyond what training alone could achieve. Singer Shaan brought this rarely heard confession to light on Indian Idol, turning a nostalgia segment into a masterclass on what separates craft from magic.
Key Takeaways
Shaan is set to appear on an upcoming episode of Indian Idol , sharing trivia about the 1968 classic Padosan .
Manna Dey reportedly objected during rehearsals that 'Ek Chatur Naar' sent the wrong message to young listeners by showing a trained classical singer losing to an untrained one.
Despite his objections, Manna Dey sang the song and later admitted that Kishore Kumar's spontaneous genius was something even rigorous classical training could not replicate.
Shaan revealed he had the opportunity to recreate 'Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein' for the film Dil Vil Pyar Vyar .
Burman's involvement as a near-guarantee of a film's musical success.
Veteran Bollywood singer Shaan is set to appear on an upcoming episode of the music reality show Indian Idol, where he will share rare behind-the-scenes trivia and personal anecdotes about the classic 1968 film Padosan and its evergreen songs. The episode promises a deep dive into the golden era of Hindi film music, with Shaan recounting stories involving legends Kishore Kumar, Manna Dey, and composer R. D. Burman.
Shaan Recalls Recreating 'Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein'
Speaking to the contestants on the show, Shaan described his personal connection to the iconic Padosan song 'Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein'. He revealed that he had the privilege of recording a fresh version of the track for the film Dil Vil Pyar Vyar, an experience he described as deeply enjoyable. He told the contestants that it was a rare opportunity and that singing the song brought him immense joy.
Manna Dey's Candid Objection During 'Ek Chatur Naar' Rehearsals
The more striking revelation centred on the song 'Ek Chatur Naar', which featured actor Mehmood and Kishore Kumar in a memorable on-screen classical music duel. Shaan recounted an anecdote that Manna Dey had shared directly — that during rehearsals, Manna Dey had expressed his displeasure to composer Pancham Da (R. D. Burman), arguing that the song's premise sent the wrong signal to young listeners.
As Shaan narrated Manna Dey's words: 'Yeh jo kar rahe ho galat kar rahe ho, Mehmood sahab aap jo kar rahe ho galat kar rahe ho, kyunki this gives a wrong message ki jo classical jaanta hai, sada hua, sikha hua classical singer end mein woh haar jaata hai aur jise kuch nahi aata woh jeet jaata hai. We are selling the wrong message to youngsters.' In the song's narrative, the classically accomplished singer ultimately loses the comic battle to the untrained but spontaneous Kishore Kumar.
Kishore Kumar's Magic — Even Manna Dey Conceded
Despite his initial objections, Manna Dey agreed to record the song. Shaan recounted that by the time the track was nearly complete, Manna Dey had a profound change of heart. As Shaan recalled his words: 'Chalo koi baat nahi, main deta hoon gaana. Lekin woh gaana almost khatam hone aaya, he himself said, I really felt ki seekh kar, samajh kar, classical ki taiyari poori sab karne ke bawajood, yeh jo kar jaate hai na Kishore Kumar, yeh hum nahi kar paate hai. Toh uss mamle mein unhone kaha ki, I really felt ki haan, main haar gaya. So that was the magic of Kishore Kumar.'
This admission from one of Hindi cinema's most accomplished classical vocalists is regarded as one of the most generous tributes ever paid to Kishore Kumar's innate genius — a quality that formal training alone could not replicate.
Shaan on Indian Idol and the Legacy of R. D. Burman
Reflecting on his time at the show, Shaan said: 'Indian Idol has always been a platform that gives wings to incredible talent, and this year is no different. Being here, bonding with SG, Vishu, and Aadi feels like coming home. The energy, emotions, and love for music that these contestants bring to the stage are truly inspiring.' He also paid tribute to R. D. Burman's genius, noting that every film Burman was associated with produced hit songs — a remark that underscored the enduring legacy of Padosan's musical score. The episode is expected to air as part of the ongoing season of Indian Idol.
Point of View
Self-taught genius. Indian film music coverage tends to lionise formal training, yet the 'Ek Chatur Naar' episode suggests that even its greatest practitioners privately acknowledged a ceiling that training cannot breach. That this story survived only through oral transmission — from Manna Dey to Shaan to a reality-TV audience — also points to how poorly India documents its own cultural history. A show like Indian Idol can do more than manufacture stars; used well, it can preserve the institutional memory of an era that is rapidly losing its last living witnesses.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What trivia did Shaan share about 'Ek Chatur Naar' on Indian Idol?
Shaan recounted an anecdote originally shared by Manna Dey, who reportedly objected during rehearsals that the song's premise sent the wrong message to young listeners. By the time recording was nearly complete, Manna Dey himself admitted that Kishore Kumar's effortless spontaneity was something even full classical training could not match.
Which Padosan song did Shaan recreate, and for which film?
Shaan recreated 'Mere Samne Wali Khidki Mein' for the film Dil Vil Pyar Vyar. He described the experience as a personal privilege and said he thoroughly enjoyed recording the track.
What did Manna Dey say about Kishore Kumar's singing style?
According to Shaan, Manna Dey admitted after nearly finishing 'Ek Chatur Naar' that despite all his classical preparation, what Kishore Kumar could do effortlessly was simply beyond the reach of formal training. Manna Dey reportedly said he genuinely felt he had lost.
Why is the Padosan episode of Indian Idol significant?
Padosan (1968) is considered one of Hindi cinema's landmark musical comedies, with songs composed by R. D. Burman and featuring Kishore Kumar and Manna Dey. Shaan's appearance offers a rare first-hand account of the creative tensions behind those songs, making it a valuable document of Indian film music history.
What did Shaan say about his experience on Indian Idol?
Shaan said that Indian Idol has always been a platform that gives wings to incredible talent and that being on the show felt like coming home. He praised the energy, emotions, and love for music that the contestants bring to the stage.
