The trailer for the upcoming film Dhurandhar has reintroduced a legendary piece of Indian cinema music to a new audience: the iconic qawwali, “Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai.” This 65-year-old composition, a cornerstone of Bollywood’s musical heritage, is not only a favorite of superstar Shah Rukh Khan but also carries a compelling story about its creation and contested origins.

Composition and Praise

The song was originally composed by the distinguished music director Roshan, who is the grandfather of actor Hrithik Roshan, for the 1960 film Barsaat Ki Raat. Written by the poet Sahir Ludhianvi, the epic 13-minute track featured the vocals of music legends including Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, and Manna Dey.

The song’s artistic genius and lasting impact are widely recognized:

• Shah Rukh Khan cited “Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai” as his favorite song by Roshan during the Netflix series The Roshans, highlighting how well he knows the entire qawwali.
• Singer Sonu Nigam called the piece a unique masterpiece, stating, “To this day, there is no qawwali like this,” emphasizing the composer’s skill in blending the song’s ingredients.
• Roshan’s late wife, Ira Nagrath, recalled her husband’s immense confidence in the 15-minute track, despite her concerns about its length. He reportedly predicted it would be the composition for which he would be forever remembered.

The Question of Inspiration

Despite its acclaim, the article details an allegation that “Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai” was not entirely original.

The song is reportedly “inspired” by a popular Pakistani qawwali titled “Na Tu Butkade Ki Talab Mujhe,” which was created by Ustad Mubarak Ali Khan and Ustad Fateh Ali Khan—the father of the world-renowned qawwali maestro, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

The film’s producer, R Chandra, initially approached music director Khayyam to create a qawwali based on the Pakistani tune. However, Khayyam reportedly declined the project due to his unwillingness to engage in plagiarism. Roshan subsequently took on the film, and “Yeh Ishq Ishq Hai” became the result.

Decades later, the song’s timeless quality continues to resonate, proving the musical and emotional power that transcended any controversy regarding its source of inspiration.