Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar, celebrated for his poetic and thought-provoking writing, recently shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about creating the now-iconic song “Dard-e-Disco” from the 2007 Bollywood blockbuster Om Shanti Om. The video clip of his interview on the Cyrus Says podcast has gone viral, offering fans insight into the creative process behind the hit track.
Javed Akhtar revealed that director Farah Khan had a specific vision for the song, which involved deliberately writing “meaningless” lyrics to fit the sequence. Farah’s brief to him included incorporating words like “disco, dance, dream-world” to align with the whimsical and over-the-top aesthetic of the film.
For a lyricist known for his depth and literary prowess, writing intentionally nonsensical lyrics was a unique challenge. Akhtar explained, “If you are asked to write ‘meaningless,’ it’s a challenge. Often, gibberish happens unconsciously, but the moment you are consciously trying, it paradoxically starts to make sense.”
Javed Akhtar worked to ensure the song matched the humorous and surreal tone Farah envisioned, without deviating into accidental coherence.
The song, performed by Shah Rukh Khan, became an instant cultural phenomenon. The track famously featured Shah Rukh showcasing his chiseled physique for the first time, adding to its appeal. Despite—or perhaps because of—its deliberately whimsical lyrics, “Dard-e-Disco” resonated with audiences and became a chartbuster. As part of Om Shanti Om, the song contributed to the film’s massive success, which also marked Deepika Padukone’s Bollywood debut.
