Vikram Bhatt reveals 'Ankahee' soundtrack was composed in just one week
Synopsis
One of Bollywood's most-loved soundtracks was reportedly put together in under seven days. Vikram Bhatt says composer Pritam had most of the 'Ankahee' tunes ready before they even sat down together — a creative sprint that produced a chartbuster album that still resonates two decades on.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt revealed that the 'Ankahee' soundtrack was composed in under one week .
Composer Pritam and Bhatt met only twice before the music was finalised.
Lyricist Sameer worked with Bhatt on the lyrics after Pritam had the tunes ready. 'Ankahee' , released 20 years ago , starred Aftab Shivdasani , Ameesha Patel , and Esha Deol .
Bhatt made the disclosure during promotions of his current film 'Haunted 3D' in Mumbai .
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has revealed that the celebrated soundtrack of his 2006 film 'Ankahee' came together remarkably fast — with composer Pritam delivering the music in under a week after just two meetings. The disclosure came during promotions of Bhatt's recently released horror film 'Haunted 3D' in Mumbai.
How the Music Came Together
Bhatt said he and Pritam met only twice before the soundtrack was finalised. According to the director, most of the tunes were already worked out by the composer beforehand. The lyrics were then developed in collaboration with lyricist Sameer.
'So Pritam and I just met twice, actually. He had most of the songs ready. These were tunes he had worked on. When Sameer and I sat down and we worked the lyrics up. But the music was ready like in a week. Very fast,' Bhatt said.
He added, 'The journey of creating music for 'Ankahee' is not something that stands as a memorable struggle. Let's just say it was good music that came easy.'
About 'Ankahee' and Its Legacy
'Ankahee' starred Aftab Shivdasani, Ameesha Patel, and Esha Deol and was widely praised for its chartbuster soundtrack upon release 20 years ago. The film's music, helmed by Pritam, became one of the more memorable Bollywood scores of its era, making Bhatt's revelation about its swift creation all the more striking.
Bhatt on the Filmmaker-Audience Bond
During the same interaction, Bhatt reflected on what drives a filmmaker to tell a story, comparing the relationship between a director and the audience to that of a child and a mother.
'There has to be something that excites me. There has to be something that you're dying to tell. You know, even as a kid, when you have something amazing, you keep saying, 'mom, listen to me',' he said.
He elaborated: 'Every filmmaker is that child who's telling the audience, listen to me, I got this great one for you. And when you feel that excitement, you should make the film.'
Current Focus: 'Haunted 3D'
Bhatt is currently riding a wave of positive audience response for 'Haunted 3D', his latest directorial venture. The film's promotional circuit has given him the platform to revisit his earlier work, including the behind-the-scenes story of 'Ankahee''s surprisingly swift musical journey. Whether the ease of that creative process can be replicated on future projects remains to be seen.
Point of View
A practice common among prolific composers. The real story here is not speed but readiness: the best creative collaborations often happen when one party arrives fully prepared. For an industry that mythologises struggle, this is a quietly radical admission.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly was the 'Ankahee' soundtrack composed?
According to director Vikram Bhatt, composer Pritam delivered the 'Ankahee' soundtrack in under one week. Bhatt said the two met only twice before the music was ready, with Pritam having most of the tunes prepared in advance.
Who composed the music for 'Ankahee'?
The music for 'Ankahee' was composed by Pritam. Lyricist Sameer worked with Vikram Bhatt on the lyrics after Pritam had the core tunes ready.
Who starred in 'Ankahee'?
'Ankahee', released 20 years ago, starred Aftab Shivdasani, Ameesha Patel, and Esha Deol. The film was praised for its chartbuster soundtrack.
Why did Vikram Bhatt speak about 'Ankahee' now?
Bhatt discussed 'Ankahee' during the promotional tour of his latest film 'Haunted 3D' in Mumbai, where he reflected on past projects and the creative process behind the film's music.
What did Vikram Bhatt say about a filmmaker's relationship with the audience?
Bhatt compared a filmmaker to a child eager to share something exciting with a parent, saying every director is essentially telling the audience 'listen to me, I got this great one for you' — and that this excitement should drive the decision to make a film.
