'Lakdi Ki Kathi' at 40+: Shekhar Kapur on its enduring magic
Synopsis
A sleeping baby waking up to dance to 'Lakdi Ki Kathi' prompted Shekhar Kapur to admit he had no idea he was creating a multigenerational anthem when he made 'Masoom' in 1983. Forty-plus years on, the song still lives — and Kapur is now building its sequel with AR Rahman co-producing and composing.
Key Takeaways
Shekhar Kapur said on X that he had 'no idea' 'Lakdi Ki Kathi' would become popular across generations when it was made for 'Masoom' in 1983 .
The song was picturised on child actors Urmila Matondkar , Aradhana , and Jugal Hansraj in their screen debuts. 'Masoom' is based on Erich Segal's 1980 novel 'Man, Woman and Child' .
Kapur is in production on 'Masoom — The Next Generation' , starring Naseeruddin Shah , Shabana Azmi , and Manoj Bajpayee .
Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman is scoring the sequel and is also co-producing the film.
Acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has revealed that when he was making the beloved children's song 'Lakdi Ki Kathi' for his 1983 film 'Masoom', neither he nor his team had any inkling the track would captivate audiences across multiple generations. The admission came after Kapur re-shared a viral clip on X (formerly Twitter) showing a sleeping baby stirring awake and breaking into a dance the moment the song played on television.
What Shekhar Kapur Said
Reacting to the video on his X account, Kapur wrote: 'Awww .. that is so cute .. when we did the song we had no idea we were creating something that was going to be popular for so many generations!!' The post quickly drew attention, underscoring how deeply the song remains embedded in Indian childhood.
The Song and Its Original Cast
Picturised on child actors Urmila Matondkar, Aradhana, and Jugal Hansraj — all making their screen debuts — the song was voiced by Gauri Bapat, Gurpreet Kaur, and Vanita Mishra. The film itself starred Shabana Azmi, Naseeruddin Shah, Saeed Jaffrey, Tanuja, and Supriya Pathak in lead roles.
About 'Masoom' and Its Source
'Masoom' is an adaptation of the 1980 novel 'Man, Woman and Child' by Erich Segal. The story follows Devendra Kumar, whose family is upended when he learns he has an illegitimate son from a past relationship. When the boy, Rahul, is brought home, his wife Indu struggles to accept the child. The novel was also adapted into the Malayalam film 'Olangal' and an American film of the same name.
What's Next: 'Masoom — The Next Generation'
Kapur is currently in production on 'Masoom — The Next Generation', a sequel to the original. The film features Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen, and Kaveri Kapur in its core cast. Oscar-winning composer A R Rahman is scoring the music and is also co-producing the film. Kapur shared on X that he had witnessed Rahman in a 'state of ecstasy' while composing, with Sohaila Kapur handling the lyrics for the songs.
With the sequel in the works and the original's songs still sparking joy in living rooms four decades on, 'Masoom' appears set to extend its generational reach well into the future.
Point of View
Rhythm, and zero condescension toward young listeners. Kapur's surprise at its longevity is genuine, but it also points to a blind spot in how Bollywood evaluates its own work: the song was never marketed as a classic; it simply became one. The more interesting question now is whether 'Masoom — The Next Generation' can carry that emotional weight forward, or whether nostalgia will be both its biggest asset and its hardest obstacle to clear.
NationPress
26 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shekhar Kapur say about 'Lakdi Ki Kathi'?
Shekhar Kapur said on X that when he made 'Lakdi Ki Kathi' for 'Masoom' in 1983, he had no idea it would remain popular across so many generations. His comment came in response to a viral video of a baby waking from sleep to dance to the song.
Who originally performed in the 'Lakdi Ki Kathi' song?
The song was picturised on child actors Urmila Matondkar, Aradhana, and Jugal Hansraj, all making their screen debuts. It was sung by Gauri Bapat, Gurpreet Kaur, and Vanita Mishra.
What is 'Masoom — The Next Generation'?
It is the sequel to Shekhar Kapur's 1983 film 'Masoom', currently in production. The cast includes Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Nithya Menen, and Kaveri Kapur, with AR Rahman composing the music and co-producing.
What is 'Masoom' based on?
'Masoom' is adapted from Erich Segal's 1980 novel 'Man, Woman and Child'. The same novel was also adapted into the Malayalam film 'Olangal' and an American film of the same name.
What is AR Rahman's role in the 'Masoom' sequel?
AR Rahman is composing the music for 'Masoom — The Next Generation' and is also co-producing the film. Shekhar Kapur shared on X that he witnessed Rahman composing in a 'state of ecstasy', with Sohaila Kapur writing the lyrics.
