Mumbai, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Singer Suneeta Rao has revisited the making of her iconic 1990s music video ‘Dehka Dehka’ from the album ‘Talaash’, recalling how its unconventional visual style helped her shed the “angelic Paree” image associated with her earlier work.
Sharing behind-the-scenes memories of the music video on Instagram, Suneeta wrote that the “path breaking” video was released 30 years ago and described the shoot as a demanding but defining phase of her Indipop career.
The video was filmed at unusual locations around Bengaluru, including stone quarries, factory blast furnaces and Kuteeram Resort at Nrityagram. Suneeta described the project as being almost like a “mini movie” in its scale and execution.
The production brought together several established names from the creative industry. Sunil Shetty and Arati Rao Shetty were at the helm, with Anil Mehta as director of photography, Daksha Seth and Avit Dias as choreographers, Hemant Trivedi handling costumes and Cory Walia responsible for makeup.
According to Suneeta, the four-day shoot involved rigorous rehearsals and early-morning training in Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art form of Kerala.
She recalled performing in high-heeled boots, a short bronze leather skirt and a midriff-baring blouse, including sequences filmed on top of a blast furnace and around large earthen domes.
“It was the most challenging and exciting experience of my Indipop life,” she said.
Suneeta said the visual transformation was also a deliberate attempt to challenge the image audiences had associated with her.
“I broke all barriers and shook off the image of the angelic Paree, making sure I grabbed the attention of my unsuspecting audience,” she said.
The music video also carried a strong narrative, depicting a woman trapped in an abusive relationship who eventually decides she has had enough, packs her bags and walks away. The character’s message to anyone attempting to stand in her way was summed up by the phrase, “Dil Bacha!!”
Musically, Suneeta said the song also represented a departure from familiar territory. She and Ranjit incorporated the Kanjira, a South Indian percussion instrument, with Rajasthani chants and distorted rock guitar to create an unconventional sound.
She described the experiment as a “cheeky and bold step” into unfamiliar musical territory and said it was a risk she was eager to take.
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