25 Years of Major Saab: ‘Sona Sona’ was originally meant for Lal Badshah; Vashu Bhagnani came to Amitabh Bachchan’s rescue; helped designed the film’s attractive hoardings in the quickest time possible

The action entertainer Major Saab recently completed 25 years. Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Sonali Bendre, it was released on June 26, 1998, and was one of the few hits of Big B before he changed gears with Mohabbatein (2000). The film is remembered not just for its performances and plot but also for the chartbuster song ‘Sona Sona’. As Major Saab celebrates its 25th anniversary, we bring to you two fascinating trivia from this Tinnu Anand directorial.

According to Komal Nahta's Film Information Magazine's June 27, 1998 issue, ‘Sona Sona’, sung by Sudesh Bhosle, Sonu Nigam and Jaspinder Narula, was originally meant for Amitabh Bachchan’s 1999 release Lal Baadshah. Music director Aadesh Shrivastava composed the dance number for K C Bokadia’s film. However, the producer-director realized that there was no situation for ‘Sona Sona’ in Lal Baadshah. By then, Amitabh Bachchan had heard it and loved it a lot. This is when K C Bokadia decided to part with the rights to the songs. ‘Sona Sona’, thus, became a part of Major Saab, which was produced by Big B’s AB Corp Ltd (ABCL).

That’s not all. Producer Vashu Bhagnani also had a heartfelt contribution to Major Saab. As per Film Information Magazine's June 13, 1998 issue, the publicity materials of Major Saab were not ready as late as three weeks before the scheduled date of release. This was a matter of concern at a time when social media was non-existent. Hence, makers had to rely on hoardings to get the public aware as well as excited about their product. The situation was so grave that ABCL even contemplated postponing Major Saab’s release.

This is when Vashu Bhagnani, producer of Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1999), also starring Amitabh Bachchan, came to the rescue. He took charge of getting the posters prepared in the shortest time possible. At the same time, he also ensured that the quality of the publicity materials was not compromised.

Finally, on June 11, two appealing back-lit hoardings, designed by Himanshu and Rahul Nanda, were put up at two strategic locations in Mumbai – at the junction of Linking Road and S V Road, Bandra and outside Mela restaurant, Worli. The hoardings caught a lot of attention and hence, got thumbs up from the public. And the same goes for the large-hearted producer, Vashu Bhagnani.

Bade Miyan Chote Miyan was released nearly four months after Major Saab’s release, on October 16, 1998. Also starring Govinda, this David Dhawan-directorial was a hit at the box office, just like Major Saab.

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