"Mitwa" (transl.Friend) is a romantic Hindi-language song from the 2006 Bollywood musical romantic drama Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, directed by Karan Johar. The track is composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, while the lyrics are penned by Javed Akhtar. The song was sung by Pakistani singer Shafqat Amanat Ali and Caralisa Monteiro, who also penned the phrase "love will find a way..." in the song. The music video of the song featured the film's lead actors Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherji.[1]

"Mitwa"
Song by Shafqat Amanat Ali and Caralisa Monteiro
from the album Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Released16 June 2006 (India)
Recorded2005
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Sufi rock
Length6:23
LabelSony BMG
Composer(s)Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy
Lyricist(s)Javed Akhtar
Producer(s)Karan Johar
Music video
Mitwa on YouTube

Development

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Shankar Mahadevan had previously heard the song "Aankhon Ke Saagar" by Pakistani vocalist Shafqat Amanat Ali on the radio, and impressed by his vocals, gathered details about him from a friend at the radio station. When Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy composed Mitwa, they decided to opt for Ali instead of Mahadevan himself, since they wanted the song to sound different.[2] The song is a Sufi rock ballad, which is the first of its kind in a Karan Johar film. It depicts the growing feelings of love between Dev (Khan) and Maya (Mukerji), despite being married to different people.[3] The trio used the traditional Indian instruments Santoor and Sarod which was played by Mahadevan.[4] The song also has a remix version called "Mitwa – Revisted".[5]

Critical reception

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"Mitwa" received widespread critical and popular acclaim. Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama noted, "Mitwa is a sure shot chartbuster number. The song has a good rhythm to it and though it starts off with distinct Pakistani shade, it takes a lot from Indian classical music as it progresses further. It is a number that could easily belong to Indi/Paki pop genre. 'Mitwa Revisited' follows a little later and the remix version turns out to be highly trendy."[6] Sukanya Verma of Rediff stated, "Mitwa is uplifting and lively. The synthesis of Fuzon vocalist Shafqat Amanat Ali, Shankar Mahadevan and Caralisa's voices with Javed Akhtar's compelling lyrics results in wonderful, rousing music."[7]

Chart performance

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According to the figures from Box Office India, the album of the film sold over 1,900,000 copies in India making it the second best-selling album of the year, marginally behind Dhoom 2.[8] The song "Mitwa", received excellent feedback from critics and audience alike. The song ruled the charts in coming days.[2] It was placed in Planet Bollywood's Top 10 songs list. Bollywood Hungama, in its half-yearly music roundup, remarked, "The song that rocks most is 'Mitwa', that has so far been responsible for the good opening of KANK."[9][10]

Trivia

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Actress Vidya Balan is admittedly a fan of the song, stating "When Mitwa plays, my hands go out like Shah Rukh Khan's".[11] She insisted that the song be played prior to shooting the romantic sequences of the song "Bakhuda Tumhi Ho" between Vidya Balan and Shahid Kapoor for the romantic comedy Kismat Konnection (2008).[12]

Accloades

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Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Bollywood Movie Awards 26 May 2007 Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Won [13]
Filmfare Awards 17 February 2007 Best Music Director Nominated [14]
Best Background Score Nominated
Best Lyricist Javed Akhtar Nominated
Global Indian Film Awards 7–9 December 2006 Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Nominated [15]
Best Male Playback Singer Shafqat Amanat Ali Nominated
International Indian Film Academy Awards 7–9 June 2007 Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Nominated [16]
Screen Awards 6 January 2007 Best Music Director Nominated [17]
Best Lyricist Javed Akhtar Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shafqat Amanat Ali Nominated
Zee Cine Awards 1 April 2007 Best Music Director Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy Nominated [18]
Best Background Score Nominated
Best Lyricist Javed Akhtar Nominated
Best Male Playback Singer Shafqat Amanat Ali Nominated
Best Audiography Stephen Gomes Nominated
Best Song Recording Abhay Rumde, Shantanu Mukherjee Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "The voice behind Mitwa in KANK". Bollywood Hungama. 19 July 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Karan Johar is too demanding: Shankar Mahadevan : Star Talk". mediaticks.com. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Making of the Music Exclusive with translations | PlanetSRK - ShahRukh Khan discussion forums & community". PlanetSRK. 18 June 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Displaying a topic". Shankarehsaanloy.com. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  5. ^ "Karan Johar on KANK's Music". Sify. 14 June 2006. Archived from the original on 21 October 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna : Music Review by Joginder Tuteja". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 29 June 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Great tunes from KANK – Rediff.com movies". In.rediff.com. 21 June 2006. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Box Office India - Music sales". 22 January 2009. Archived from the original on 22 January 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Top 10 Hindi Film Songs on Planet Bollywood". Planetbollywood.com. 15 August 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  10. ^ "Best albums in the first half of 2006". Bollywood Hungama. 8 July 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2011.[dead link]
  11. ^ "HindustanTimes-Print". Hindustantimes.com. 13 January 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Mitwa therapy". The Times of India. 18 June 2008. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2011.
  13. ^ "Winners of Bollywood Movie Awards: 1999 to 2007". BollywoodAwards.com. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  14. ^ IndiaFM News Bureau (8 February 2007). "Nominations for the 52nd Filmfare Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 10 February 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  15. ^ IndiaFM News Bureau (10 December 2006). "G.I.F.A. Awards 2006: List of winners". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 20 July 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  16. ^ IndiaFM News Bureau (10 June 2007). "IIFA Awards 2007 winners". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 28 December 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  17. ^ IndiaFM News Bureau (26 December 2006). "Nominations for the 13th Annual Star-Screen Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 28 December 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  18. ^ "Winners of the Zee Cine Awards 2007". Sify. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2021.