“This is absolute rubbish!”: Shah Rukh Khan Was Furious Over Devdas' Background Score, Reveals Composer

The 2002 classic Devdas, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit, and Aishwarya Rai, remains etched in the memories of audiences for its grand storytelling, soulful music, and lavish visuals. But behind its majestic presentation was a creative journey filled with pressure and intense expectations—especially when it came to its background score. Monty Sharma, the composer behind the film’s background music, recently opened up about the behind-the-scenes drama while working with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

In a recent interview, Monty Sharma recalled how demanding and unpredictable Bhansali could be. While he gave his music team creative freedom, he also exerted tremendous pressure, which sometimes became overwhelming. Having worked with Bhansali on notable films like Black and Saawariya, Sharma said the Devdas experience was particularly intense. He even postponed his wedding five times due to the film’s schedule.

Sharma recounted one particularly difficult moment when he received a call from Bhansali saying that Shah Rukh Khan had harshly criticised the background score, calling it “the most rubbish background.” Stunned by the reaction, Sharma questioned how Bhansali could agree with the comment despite having approved the work earlier. When he rushed to the studio to investigate, he discovered the issue wasn’t the music itself but rather a flaw in the sound mixing.

The composer also offered insights into Bhansali’s working style, describing him as “temperamental” and someone whose intensity affects the entire crew—even when he isn't shouting directly. Sharma recalled telling Bhansali not to meddle in areas like sound mixing, saying, “This is not your cup of tea.” Eventually, the entire soundtrack had to be redone to meet the director’s exacting standards. Sharma’s comments align with what many actors, including Ranbir Kapoor in his early career, have noted about Bhansali’s strict and passionate nature on set.