Veteran Lyricist Gulzar Defies Bureaucrats to Preserve '90s Jungle Book Anthem

In 2025, renowned lyricist Gulzar's commitment to authenticity shone through as he defended the use of the 'chaddi' word in the 'Jungle Book' theme song, according to composer Vishal Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj, who was called in to compose the track after another composer dropped out, recalled how the beloved "Jungle jungle baat chali hai" almost saw its playful 'chaddi' word changed. However, the veteran lyricist refused to budge, keeping the song's innocence and imagery intact.

Bhardwaj, who takes immense pride in having composed the most songs with Gulzar, both for films and non-filmy projects, revealed that NFDC bureaucrats felt the word 'chaddi' sounded "odd". But Gulzar, then 60 years old, was unyielding, stating, "This oddness is in your mind. This is the child's image. If the song goes on air, it will stay exactly like this. Otherwise, don't air it." With no other option, the song finally went on air as Gulzar had envisioned.

The ace filmmaker, celebrated for his critically acclaimed and commercially successful works, as well as children's films, also rued the fact that India still produces very few films genuinely crafted for children and their perspective. "We never work for children's entertainment. They all have to depend either on Hollywood, or animation from outside or crass from the Bollywood, which has nothing for children," he noted.