'Most expensive' song in Indian film history was by Lata Mangeshkar! Its budget will blow off your mind

The standard cost of making a song in Bollywood in today's era typically ranges between Rs 10-15 lakh. However, the cost may spike to Rs 20-25 lakh or more depending on the scale of sets, popularity of the artists and the shooting locations. It won't be surprising if the cost of making a song zooms to Rs 50 lakh. However, can you speculate the price of the 'most expensive' song in Indian movie history?

The 'most expensive' love ballad of Indian cine history was by legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. It was made 64 years ago and the expenses was Rs 15 lakh.

Sounds unbelievable, isn't it!

India's 'most expensive' song was 'Jab Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya...' from 1960's iconic movie Mughal-e-Azam, starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala, in key roles.

The song was picturised on Madhubala who played the role of a courtesan Anarkali. Written by Shakeel Badayuni, the song was composed by Naushad.

This song of Mughal-e-Azam had a cost tag of Rs 15 lakh, but extrapolating the same to the current value, the price zooms to a mammoth Rs 14 crore (approx).

Whatmadethesong 'soexpensive'?

The song was filmed in a set inspired by the Sheesh Mahal of the Lahore fort, in the Mohan Studios. The set was measured 150 feet in length, 80 feet in breadth and 35 feet in height. Moreover, there were numerous small mirrors made of Belgian glass, which were crafted and designed by artisans from Firozabad. It took around two years to build the set.

Moreover, director K Asif and the music director were so serious about the song that they got it written about 105 times. After multiple edits in the lyrics, the music director approved it.

The Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar was locked for the song. However, Naushad wanted an echo effect in the song. As technology was not much advanced in those days, it was difficult to create such effects. However, Naushad found a creative solution and Lata Mangeshkar recorded the song in the bathroom.

The expenses made for the song was certainly high as the total budget of the movies in those days was not so high. Even it increased fears that the financiers may face bankruptcy.

However, the efforts of the entire team paid off and Mughal-e-Azam became a blockbuster and the song 'Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya...' still continues to spread its charm.

If adjusted for inflation, the movie remains the highest-grossing Hindi movie of all time and the song is the most expensive.