The Making of "Tere Liye" (VEER-ZAARA 2004)
20 May 2011


Tere Liye, the theme song of Veer-Zaara, became the song of the year 2004.

For the film Mausam (1975) which Madanji was composing in 1974, he came up with many alternative tunes for the sad and happy versions of the popular song, Dil Dhoondta Hai. One of these unused alternative tunes for the sad version, which was so haunting, was immediately selected to be the theme song of Veer-Zaara.

Madanji's mukhda and antra, as sung by him, to the lyrics of Dil Dhoondta Hai, were used, and new lyrics were written to the original meter as per the situational requirements of Veer-Zaara. The interludes used, including the alaap, were from other unused tunes of Madanji. Instruments used were modern, but his traditional sitar, strings and emotional nuances were predominant while the piano theme which became very popular was based on Madanji's melody.

The song was recorded in the voices of Lataji and Roopkumar Rathod.

Lataji, who was already 75 years old by then, was ever so emotional during recording sessions. In fact some days recordings would be cancelled as she would break down in the studio seeing Madanji's portrait, hearing his haunting original tune in his voice repeatedly, and reliving the memorable days of their having created so much magic together.

The Tere Liye melody was a major part of the background score and an instrumental version with piano, sitar, santoor and flute was also done for a special album of Veer-Zaara instrumentals.

Also Check:

  • The Making of the Music of VEER-ZAARA (2004)
  • "A Dream Fulfilled..." – Son Sanjeev Kohli on VEER-ZAARA's Music






  • View the Video of the Making of "Tere Liye" (VEER-ZAARA)