Mumbai, September 16, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Veteran lyricist Javed Akhtar remembered late music composer Jai Kishan on his 55th death anniversary, recalling his brief association with the celebrated musician and how their few meetings left a lasting impression on him.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Akhtar said Jai Kishan was originally slated to compose the music for the 1972 Hema Malini-starrer ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, but died in 1971 at the age of 41 before the project could take shape.
“On 12th September 1971 music director Jai Kishan had passed away at the age of 41. I had a very short association with him. Originally he was to give music for Sita aur Gita,” Akhtar wrote.
“I had narrated the script to him but then death took him away. Our few meetings have left a deep impression on me. He was a very nice man,” he added.
Directed by Ramesh Sippy, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ featured Hema Malini in a dual role as identical twins separated at birth and raised with contrasting personalities. The story follows the sisters as they meet as adults and eventually exchange places.
The film also starred Sanjeev Kumar and Dharmendra, along with Manorama, Roopesh Kumar, Satyen Kappu, Honey Irani and Pratima Devi.
Jai Kishan was one half of the celebrated composer duo Shankar–Jaikishan, alongside Shankar Singh Raghuvanshi. The duo worked together from 1949 until Jaikishan’s death in 1971 and became one of the most influential music partnerships in Hindi cinema.
Shankar–Jaikishan collaborated with legendary singers including Mukesh, Mohammed Rafi, Manna Dey, Kishore Kumar, Talat Mahmood, Lata Mangeshkar, Suman Kalyanpur, Asha Bhosle and Sharda. They also worked extensively with lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri, creating numerous enduring songs.
The duo composed music for several notable films, including ‘Mera Naam Joker’, ‘Dharti’, ‘Pagla Kahin Ka’, ‘Tum Haseen Main Jawaan’, ‘Pehchan’ and ‘Andaz’.
Jaikishan died on September 12, 1971, due to liver cirrhosis.
Following his death, Shankar continued composing under the Shankar–Jaikishan name. After a period of setbacks, he later found success with Manoj Kumar-starrers ‘Be-Imaan’ and ‘Sanyasi’.
Akhtar’s recollection offered a glimpse into an early, lesser-known connection between the lyricist and Jaikishan, whose career with Shankar helped shape the sound of Hindi film music for decades.
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