Malaika Arora recently took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, recalling her experience shooting for the legendary song Chaiyya Chaiyya. She opened up about how she landed the iconic number, her interactions with Shah Rukh Khan, and the warmth and support she received from choreographer Farah Khan on set.
Farah Khan already knew her dancing skills
In conversation with Pinkvilla, Malaika explained that she landed the song through her close connections with choreographer Farah Khan and composer Sajid. She recalled that they were all part of the same social circle, often meeting for dinners and games. When Farah was looking for someone for the song, she approached Malaika, who happily agreed to be part of it.
She added that Farah Khan was already familiar with her dancing from social gatherings and parties. Seeing her skills, Farah simply told her to go ahead and perform for the song.
Familiarity with Shah Rukh Khan
The actress further recalled that she already knew Shah Rukh Khan socially, as he was a family friend. However, she noted that they hadn’t interacted closely or worked together at that point.Malaika also spoke highly of Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan, saying they made her feel completely comfortable on set. She described their care as if they were looking out for her like a family member, allowing her to focus on her performance without any worries.
Chaiyya Chaiyya becomes a timeless hit
Released in 1998 as part of Mani Ratnam’s Dil Se, Chaiyya Chaiyya was composed by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar and vocals by Sukhwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi. Choreographed by Farah Khan, the song became iconic for featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Malaika Arora dancing atop a moving train.
