KBC16: DYK Manoj Kumar suggested to add this song in Don

Veteran actor Manoj Kumar passed away in Mumbai in the early hours of Friday, April 4, due to heart-related issues. He was 87. Known for his iconic patriotic roles, Manoj Kumar starred in several landmark films such as Purab Paschim, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Clerk, and Kranti. Following his demise, Bollywood stars including Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Farhan Akhtar, Kareena Kapoor, and Sunny Deol shared heartfelt tributes, remembering the legendary actor and his contribution to Indian cinema. Manoj Kumar's contribution has been tremendous in the Indian film industry. Not many know that popular song, 'Khaike Paan Banaras Waala' was added in Don on Manoj Kumar's suggestion.

During one of the episodes of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, megastar Amitabh Bachchan revealed this unknown fact about the late legendary actor.

Amitabh Bachchan revealed that it was Manoj Kumar who suggested adding the song Khaike Paan Banaras Waala in Don. He mentioned that since the fake Don chewed paan, a song could be built around it.

Recalling the incident Big B had shared, "Khaike Paan Banaras Waala, naach naach ke haal bura kar diya tha humara. Aapko maalum hai, uss film mein pehle ye gaana tha he nahi. Joh humare director hain, Chandra Barot woh Manoj Kumar ji ke assitant the aur ye unki pehli picture thi direction ki. Toh kyunki Manoj Kumar ji senior the toh salah lene ke liye unhone unko picture dikhayi. Toh Manoj Kumar ji ne kaha, ye second half men ek gaana hona chahiye. Toh ye sab baithe salah kiya kya karna chahiye, tab jaake ye gaana bana. Dusra character joh tha na nakli don paan khata tha, toh unhone kaha paan ke upar kuch bana do. Tab ye gaana bana."

(Khaike Paan Banaras Waala" completely drained us while shooting—we danced so much! You know, originally, this song wasn’t even a part of the film. Our director Chandra Barot, who was making his directorial debut, had earlier worked as an assistant to Manoj Kumar ji. Because Manoj Kumar ji was so experienced, Chandra Barot showed him the film to get his opinion. Manoj ji suggested that there should be a song in the second half. So, the team sat together to brainstorm what could be done. That’s when the idea came up. Since the duplicate Don character chewed paan, someone suggested creating a song around that—and that’s how this iconic number was born.)

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