Founded by brothers Kumar and Ramesh Taurani, Tips Music began as a modest music store in 1975 and evolved into one of India’s leading music labels by the 1980s. The duo, who have also ventured into film production, recently discussed their three most significant acquisitions, all of which prominently feature renowned filmmaker Subhash Ghai.
In a conversation on the Game Changers podcast, Kumar highlighted the label’s most valuable albums, stating, “In retrospect, the standout titles are Yaadein, Taal, and perhaps Pardes.” The film Pardes, released in 1997 and featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Mahima Chaudhry, showcased music by the duo Nadeem-Shravan and lyrics penned by Anand Bakshi. It included iconic tracks such as “Do Dil Mil Rahe Hain” by Kumar Sanu, “Meri Mehbooba” by Sanu and Alka Yagnik, “Yeh Dil Deewana” by Sonu Nigam, and “I Love My India” by Kavitha Krishnamurthy and Hariharan.
Following Pardes, Taal was released two years later and starred Aishwarya Rai, Akshaye Khanna, and Anil Kapoor. Composed by AR Rahman, the album features timeless songs like “Taal Se Taal” sung by Yagnik and Udit Narayan, “Ishq Bina” by Anuradha Sriram and Sonu Nigam, “Nahin Saamne Tu” by Hariharan, “Kahin Aag Lage Lag Jaaye” by Asha Bhosle, and “Ramta Jogi” by Sukhwinder Singh and Yagnik, among others.
In addition to Subhash Ghai, the legendary lyricist Anand Bakshi also ties these three albums together, as he wrote the lyrics for Yaadein. Despite the film’s lackluster box office performance in 2001, the romantic drama featuring Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor included memorable compositions from Anu Malik, such as “Jab Dil Mile,” “Eli Re Eli,” and the title track “Yaadein Yaad Aati Hai,” which have remained popular over the years.
Kumar Taurani reflected on the enduring partnership with Subhash Ghai, attributing their successful collaborations to a foundation of mutual respect and consistency. “Subhash Ghai held us in high regard. Our relationship was positive. He’s a charming yet formidable figure. Over time, I’ve noticed that when our astrological compatibility aligns with a director or producer, both their films and the music tend to succeed. Continuity is key, and whenever that has faltered, the films have not performed well,” he noted.
Addressing the fact that Yaadein struggled at the box office, Kumar remarked, “While there are rare exceptions, in general, banners that maintain a collaborative relationship with us tend to thrive. Our track record shows that 80% to 90% of the films we promoted had strong openings due to our marketing efforts.”
He recalled his experience with the late filmmaker Kuku Kohli, with whom they worked on several projects, starting with Kohli’s 1991 action romance Phool Aur Kaante, which marked Ajay Devgn’s debut. “However, there was one project that we felt uncertain about, and it involved a significant financial demand from him; that film did not succeed. Many films experience such outcomes. I believe that a harmonious relationship between the label and the producer is essential,” Kumar added.
For more updates from the film industry, subscribe to Screen Digital on YouTube.
