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If I ever meet Javed Akhtar in person I will make it a point to thank him for writing the lyrics of two songs in particular. One of those songs is “Yahi Hota Pyaar” from Namastey London.

Context of this song is as beautiful as the song itself. Its about being in love with someone who in turn loves someone else. The protagonist questions his love and talks to his heart asking if what he feels is love.

Namastey London is one of the few bollywood movies that I have watched multiple times. Its music and included poetry by Javed Akhtar is so brilliant that every time I listen to the soundtrack I want to watch the movie again. The concept of the movie is something very close to my heart, its about being in love and giving the one you love the absolute freedom to love whom they want and yet do justice to the feelings in your heart. Its one of the few movies that despite its visible flaws explains a very complicated way of thinking, something that is almost absent in recent movies.

There are two verses in the song that are so brilliant that they make me extremely emotional when I listen to the song. They are:

Woh mera rasta bhi hai, aur woh hi manzil
Woh mera sagar bhi hai, aur woh hi saahil

and

Ummeed tune aye mein dil koyi nahi hai
Tere zidd mein aye dil sadd afreen hai
Kyun yeh junoon hai, kya zustju hai
Aakhir tujhe kyun, yeh aarzoo hai

The former talks about what the one you love should mean to you. Its deeply philosophical and maybe thats why I love it that much. The latter talks about the persistence of the heart. The poet in the these lines says he bows down to the persistence of his heart, not because of its arrogance but because of the sacrifices it chooses to make and yet not quit.

Included below is the poetry by Javed Akhtar which can be heard in the Mehfil Mix of the album. They add a wonderful dimension to the song hence I have included them along:

Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Album: Namastey London
Music: Himesh Reshammiya
Vocals: Himesh Reshammiya, Sunidhi Chauhan, Javed Akhtar(poetry)

Nind ke baadalon ke pichhe hain
Muskuraata huwa koyi chehara
Chehare par bikhari ek reshami latt
Sarsaraata huwa koyi aanchal
Aur do aankhein hairaan haira si

Behind the veil of the cloud of sleep
Is a smiling face
A silken tress scattered on her face
A flowing blessing
And two eyes filled with amazement

Tera banega woh jo, tera nahi hai
Aye dil bata kyun tujko, itna yakin hai
Mere dil-e-beqkaar, Haan dil-e-beqkaar
Yahi hota pyaar hai kya
Mere dil-e-beqkaar

Yours will be the one, who is not yours
Oh my heart, why are you so certain?
Oh my impatient heart, my impatient heart
Is this what they call love?
Oh my impatient heart.

Nind ke baadalon ke pichhe hain
Ek mulaakaat, Ek haseen lamha
Jheel ka thehara thehara sa paani
Ped par chehchahaati ek chidiyaan
Baagh mein khilate nanhe nanhe phool
Khubsurat labon ki narm si baat

Behind the veil of the cloud of sleep
Is a meeting, a beautiful moment
The still waters of the lake
Calls of a bird on a tree
Tiny buds growing in the garden
And the soft voice on beautiful lips

Khwaabon mein koyi kyun hai yuun rehta
Aye dil tu kyun mujhe hain yeh kehta
Woh mera rasta bhi hai, aur woh hi manzil
Woh mera sagar bhi hai, aur woh hi saahil
Kaisi bata yeh betaabiyaan hain
Hum chalte chalte aye kahaan hain
Dil-e-beqkaar
Yahi hota pyaar hai kya
Mere dil-e-beqkaar

Why does someone reside in my dreams
Oh my heart, what are you telling me
You are my road, and my destination
You are my ocean, and my harbor
How can I understand this turmoil
How did I end up here
My impatient heart,
Is this what they call love?
Oh my impatient heart…

Nind ke baadalon ke pichhe hain
Dopaher ek pili pili si
Lohe ki thandak ke lehje mein
Tuta aaina, udate kuchh kaagaj
Kirchon kirchon bikhrata ek manzar
Palkon pe jhil-milaata ek aansu
Ghehara sannata, shor karata huwa
Nind ke baadalon ke pichhe hain

Behind the veil of the cloud of sleep
A dusk, pink in color
On the cold breast of Iron,
A shattered mirror, some scattered papers
A squealing destination
A tear simmering in the eyes
A Deep silence, screaming to me
Behind the veil of the cloud of sleep

Sunta hoon mein teri yeh dastaan
Simmte ki ek din to yeh dooriyaan
Ummeed tune aye mein dil koyi nahi hai
Tere zidd mein aye dil sadd afreen hai
Kyun yeh junoon hai, kya zustju hai
Aakhir tujhe kyun, yeh aarzoo hai
Dil-e-beqkaar
Yahi hota pyaar hai kya
Mere dil-e-beqkaar

I listen to your story (and think)
One day this distance between us will disappear
You have not lost hope yet, my heart
I bow down to your persistence
Why is this madness? Why is this effort
Why do you have this desire
My impatient heart
Is this what they call love?
Oh my impatient heart…

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