Farah Khan, a filmmaker and choreographer, recently made a visit to singer Shaan`s home, where they discussed their early days in the entertainment industry. Long before Shaan became one of India`s most popular playback singers, and Farah became a famed choreographer and director, they met briefly on the sets of Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), a film that would become a watershed moment in Farah`s career.
Farah Khan recalls her journey with Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Farah joined the production as an assistant director, but she was quickly asked to help with choreography and even stand in for background dancers who didn`t show up. Despite her contributions, she admitted that she was never compensated for her work. Farah recalled her experience with Shaan, saying, “The first movie Shaan ever did was Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar.”
Shaan agreed to Farah with a smile, “Yes, I was there with a saxophone!” Farah replied, “And I was a junior dancer there.”
Shaan`s sons were taken aback by her revelation, but she clarified: “I was actually an assistant director before becoming the choreographer. Every time a dancer failed to show up, I would step in. There`s even a scene where Deepak Tijori kisses my cheek—the female who was supposed to do it declined, so they sent me in instead.”
Shaan then related his personal experience: “After filming for four days, I was only visible in a fleeting shot in the song. It was more of a mashup of three distinct songs.”
Farah Khan wasn`t paid for Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
Farah laughed and said, “I guess that was a Jatin song, and I was the choreographer. “The producers were so broke that they simply pushed Jatin into the song as well!”
The two then performed an impromptu dance to Jatin`s film song “Deewane Hum Pyaar Ke”. The nostalgia grew stronger when Shaan revealed how much he was paid back then. “I received Rs 150 per day for four days, while others got Rs 75,” he told me.
Farah, apparently astonished, replied, “You were paid? I never got paid! But, honestly, what that film did for me was more valuable than any money.”
