Throwback: When Anil Kapoor requested Javed Akhtar to create a male version of ‘Ek Do Teen’ in 'Tezaab'

The iconic song 'Ek Do Teen', led by Madhuri Dixit and choreographed by Saroj Khan, became a cultural milestone in 1988. The track originally existed only as a female version, but during Anil Kapoor’s appearance on The Kapil Sharma Show while promoting Thar, he revealed that he personally requested

Javed Akhtar

to create a male version as well.

How he reacted when he first heard the song

Anil recalled the moment he heard Ek Do Teen for the first time. He instantly sensed its power and hit potential. The actor described the song as catchy and unforgettable — something he knew would become a chartbuster.He shared, “I heard the song and realised that it’s a great song, I knew it would be a superhit. I told Laxmi ji, ‘Yaar, yeh gaana toh main bhi gaaunga.’”

How he convinced Javed Akhtar to add a male version

Anil revealed that the male version of Ek Do Teen was never part of the original script.

He had to push hard to make it happen. Laxmikant ji initially told him that the track was strictly a female-led number and questioned how a male voice could be incorporated.Anil said, “He said that it’s a female song, how will a male sing it? I said I don’t care, Javed sahab ko phone karo. I told him, ‘Yeh gaana main bhi gaaunga, you have to write it.’ Even he kept thinking how will this be possible. I told him that he is such a huge artiste, a brilliant writer, he can do anything.

So, vo gaana script mein tha nahi, maine zabardasti daala tha.”

A look back at 'Tezaab'

'Tezaab' was a major commercial success, running in theatres for over 50 weeks. The film tells the story of Mahesh, who becomes the gangster ‘Munna’ after his parents are killed. He fights for his love, Mohini, whose father is an alcoholic. The film also starred

Anupam Kher

,

Chunky Pandey

, Mandakini and others.