DIL DHOONDTA HAI IN PUNE ON 18 MAY 2025 – A MUCH-APPRECIATED EVENT
26 May 2025
MITRA FOUNDATION hosted the DIL DHOONDTA HAI – MADAN MOHAN show in Pune for the fifth time. Dhananjay and Rajeshree Gokhale left no stone unturned to make it a memorable event.
This was the 18th event presented by Madanji’s son, Sanjeev Kohli since it was first held in 2015. As in all these events, this too was anchored by Rajeshree Gokhale.
The event on 18 MAY 2025, was dedicated to Sangeeta, the only daughter of Madanji, who passed away suddenly in February this year. Her family attended the event from various cities to join in the tribute to her and her legendary father.
The packed audience in the Shakuntala Shetty Auditorium expressed their appreciation for Madanji’s music and the presentation by their warm applause and staying for the entire three and half hour duration.
Some reactions below from those who attended
Once more! Once more! Encore! That is the only response possible when we hear the unbelievably melodious Madan Mohan songs. This master of mood music, be it the soul-searing “aaj socha to ansu bhar aaye" or the jolly-n-naughty “zaroorat hai", has to his credit songs that enrich our aural abilities. Like a comet that dazzles the firmament was his brief career of hardly twenty five years, and the posthumous “Veer Zara". The star dust, however, continues to glow and enchant even in his centenary year, and across generations. Honestly, his intensely lyrical songs granted a soul to the silver screen.
Adored alike by the greats such as Naushad, Begum Akhtar, Lata Mangeshkar, and the ordinary Hindi film music buffs, he added to the three-minutes long film music the gravitas of a classical mehfil. Extremely difficult to sing or to play on the musical instrument, his songs, melody incarnate, are manna to ears.
Simply superb hence it is to watch-n-listen to a tribute by his adoring son, Sanjeev Kohli. Titled ”Dil Dhoondta Hai", it is indeed a wondrous audio-visual treat. I attended its Pune version for the second time yesterday. Ever anew it appeared, entitled to countless encores.
Sanjeevji deserves the utmost gratitude of every Madan Mohan fan for the priceless visuals he shares. Divided into two parts, first we get to hear a medley of hundred Madan Mohan songs that include his entire range, ghazals to Kishore Kumar yodelling most musically.
In the most touchingly endearing second part, Sanjeevji introduces us to the man behind the musical genius who could compose a great mukhda/antra literally in a jiffy. What is most remarkable about the programme is that there is absolutely no hagiography despite the reverence. With gentle humour, Sanjeevji opens up the life of a passionate artist and a genuine and principled human being, who never, except for the National Award for “Dastak", got in his lifetime the recognition he richly deserved.
The programme, moreover, describes the long journey of the fulfilment of the adolescent dream Sanjeevji cherished to grant his father's unfulfilled wish for the celebration typically associated with the film world, be it a well-known camp, a great run of the film, et al. The ”Veer Zara" songs sound sweeter once we get to know such intimate inputs.
A dedicated work of research whereby Sanjeevji continues to add a few more tidbits of informative details in each edition of the DDH, especially in the 'Madan Mohan influence' segment, the programme literally makes us forget time which flies away on the wings of melody.
Sanjeevji's fabulous presentation is ably supported by the non-obtrusive but effective compering by Rajeshree Gokhale. Indeed, Mitra Foundation wins our thousand encores for a beautiful and sensitive tribute to the Madan Mohan music for which any number of once mores are too less!
Excerpted from a blog by PRATIMA AGNIHOTRI
Thanks a lot Sanjeev ji for a wonderful evening. है तेरे साथ मेरी वफा तू नही तो क्या... punekars confirmed yesterday that these were not just few lines of the song but these lines really mean a lot for दर्दी music lovers. Almost the entire auditorium was weeping after seeing your grand tribute to Madanji. Special thanks to Dhananjay Gokhale, Shantanu Gokhale and Mitra foundation परिवार for this beautiful event. एक once more तो जरूर बनता है इस पूरे program के लिए GHANSHYAM RANADE
A heartfelt thank you to Dhananjay and Rajeshree Gokhale and for organizing such a soulful and unforgettable evening. “Dil Dhoondta Hai” — a musical program commemorating the birth centenary of Madan Mohan — was presented yesterday in Pune by his son Sanjeev Kohli and team. What a magical experience it was! A beautifully curated, soul-stirring tribute, thoroughly enjoyed by a houseful of devoted admirers — not even the rain could dampen the spirit. The heartfelt homage to Sangeeta ji moved everyone deeply. Kudos to Mitra Foundation for hosting such a gem of an event — a true gift to us Punekars. The program was so captivating, not a single eye turned to a phone — a rare sign of just how absorbing it was. To those who missed it — you truly missed something unforgettable. GANDHI VADLAPATLA
We experience the freshness every time hence it shows the magic 🎩 that Sanjeevji weaves around the music and story of Madanji even though we have been listening to the same songs since our lifetime. Time to take a bow as he has achieved his mission JYOTI MAJITHIA
It was such an amazing experience- full of gratitude to the Universe that I could attend. Am still soaking in the music and words. What an honest & true tribute 💕 VINTI SEN
It's only once that an artist lives forever, it's only once that an artist’s name is etched on the canvas of music forever, it's only once that such lyrics exist, it's only once that such orchestration and symphony of musical instruments is possible and only once such an eternal voice sings these songs and when all this only once assimilate, we have a program called Dil Dhoondta Hai DR NITIN H. DESHPANDE [translated from original comment in Marathi]
Yesterday evening as usual was mesmerizing. Three and a half hours I just forgot everything. Some new additions were good and it shows your deep love, respect and attachment with your father which for me is more inspiring. I bow in front of your dedication and keeping Madanji alive through his music. GIRIJA RAWAL
I had listened to some of the popular older songs created by Madan Mohan ji and I’ve always liked the Veer-Zara album as well. This naturally led me to be curious about Madan Mohan ji’s other work. Dil Dhoondta Hai was, therefore, an amazing experience. Learning of his life story and his life’s work was nothing short of inspiring. Madan Ji’s unique ability to create music that resonates with different generations of listeners is truly remarkable. His artistry and musical genius is highlighted through beautifully woven stories narrated by his son, Sanjeev ji, who does a tremendous job of bringing to life all the episodes and events that made Madan Mohan Ji an unrivalled personality in the music world. SHARV APTE
The program was amazing. I got so many insights on Madan ji's life and the art he created. And it was presented smoothly, felt like we're in a theatre watching a film… Lag Jaa Gale is one of my fav songs, and his impact on the music industry has been immense. His son, Mr. Sanjeev Kohli, the way he is paying a tribute to his father's contribution, is commendable. Enjoyed it thoroughly. JANVI JADAV [a student]
Madan Mohan, a genius! Can be debated, but to my mind he was the best music composer we ever had. Immense talent, versatile who composed ghazals incomparable. The show Dil Dhoondta Hai was mesmerising and nostalgic. Took me back to an era long gone…. Madan ji means the best of lyrics, emotions, melody, expression, close to the heart and soul… Uff, I could go on and onbr.
Highly commendable of Sanjeev Kohli to create Veer Zara music after 30 years after the loss of his father… the best tribute to a great legend Madan Mohan. The Gazal ka Shehzada lives on forever in my heart. Congratulations to Shri Sanjeev Kohli and Mitra Foundation and all those associated for this outstanding and well-presented evening. I will surely come back for your next performance in Pune.
ARUNA KATARA
Amazing programme… was extremely mesmerizing MIHIR GOGATE
Enjoyed every moment of the evening. The life of Madan Mohanji and the excellent work he has done in the field of music is so well put together by Sanjeev Kohliji and was very enjoyable... shows how much Sanjeevji loved his father... wishing them many more successful shows ahead SONU DESHPANDE
मित्र फाउंडेशन द्वारा आयोजित”दिल धुंडता है" ये कार्यक्रम बहुत ही बढिया हुआ!
संजीव जी ने अपने पिता, मदन जी इनका जीवन बहुत खूबसूरतीसे हमारी आंखों के सामने खड़ा किया!
मदन जी ने कैसे आपने अंदर के कलागुणों को पहचानकर उनको विकसित किया,ये हमें बताया।
भले ही फिल्म जगत में मदन जी की गानों को प्रमाणित नहीं किया गया पर आज भी उनके गाने तुम्हारे, हमारे,इस दुनिया के हर एक इंसान के दिल में बसते है इससे बड़ा award क्या हो सकता है!
माना कि मदन जी का जीवन बहुत कठिनाइयों से भरा था लेकिन संजीव जी ने आज के युवा कलाकारों को प्रेरित करे ऐसे अनुभव बताए,ना कि सिर्फ उनकी कठिनाइयों के बारे में!
जिससे हमें ये सीखने मिलता है कि कठिनाइयां तो हर किसके जीवन में है लेकिन उनको मात करके आप अपने जीवन में बहुत आगे बढ़ सकते है!
मदन जी ने सच्चे दिल से अपनी कला की उपासना की! ये संजीव जी के बातों से समझ आता है।
मैं संजीवजी और उनके सभी साथियों को मन से धन्यवाद करती हु उन्होंने मदन जी जैसे व्यक्तिमत्व का जीवन हमारे सामने पेश किया otherwise उनका जीवन हम कभी न समझ पाते।
MITALI YARDE
Once more! Once more! Encore! That is the only response possible when we hear the unbelievably melodious Madan Mohan songs. This master of mood music, be it the soul-searing “aaj socha to ansu bhar aaye" or the jolly-n-naughty “zaroorat hai", has to his credit songs that enrich our aural abilities. Like a comet that dazzles the firmament was his brief career of hardly twenty five years, and the posthumous “Veer Zara". The star dust, however, continues to glow and enchant even in his centenary year, and across generations. Honestly, his intensely lyrical songs granted a soul to the silver screen.
A heartfelt thank you to Dhananjay and Rajeshree Gokhale and for organizing such a soulful and unforgettable evening. “Dil Dhoondta Hai” — a musical program commemorating the birth centenary of Madan Mohan — was presented yesterday in Pune by his son Sanjeev Kohli and team. What a magical experience it was! A beautifully curated, soul-stirring tribute, thoroughly enjoyed by a houseful of devoted admirers — not even the rain could dampen the spirit. The heartfelt homage to Sangeeta ji moved everyone deeply. Kudos to Mitra Foundation for hosting such a gem of an event — a true gift to us Punekars. The program was so captivating, not a single eye turned to a phone — a rare sign of just how absorbing it was. To those who missed it — you truly missed something unforgettable. 
I had listened to some of the popular older songs created by Madan Mohan ji and I’ve always liked the Veer-Zara album as well. This naturally led me to be curious about Madan Mohan ji’s other work. Dil Dhoondta Hai was, therefore, an amazing experience. Learning of his life story and his life’s work was nothing short of inspiring. Madan Ji’s unique ability to create music that resonates with different generations of listeners is truly remarkable. His artistry and musical genius is highlighted through beautifully woven stories narrated by his son, Sanjeev ji, who does a tremendous job of bringing to life all the episodes and events that made Madan Mohan Ji an unrivalled personality in the music world.
Madan Mohan, a genius! Can be debated, but to my mind he was the best music composer we ever had. Immense talent, versatile who composed ghazals incomparable. The show Dil Dhoondta Hai was mesmerising and nostalgic. Took me back to an era long gone…. Madan ji means the best of lyrics, emotions, melody, expression, close to the heart and soul… Uff, I could go on and onbr.
मित्र फाउंडेशन द्वारा आयोजित”दिल धुंडता है" ये कार्यक्रम बहुत ही बढिया हुआ!
