Yoon Shabnami- A song for my love

Yoon Shabnami is a song sung by Parthiv Gohil,  from the film Saawariya directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The music is composed by Monty Sharma. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor. It’s also their debut film. Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Zohra Sehgal come in as special appearances.

When i heard the name Saawariya as the film’s title, it made we wonder what exactly does it mean, but then eventually got to know that it means ‘my love’. This meaning was evident throughout the film when i saw it.  Saawariya is inspired from Russian writer Fyodor Dostoevsky‘s short story ‘White Nights’. Like the story, the place is also an imaginary world, a world of dreams. In an interview in 2007, Rani Mukherjee stated that the world created in Saawariya is what she dreamt one night. Thus, in the film, this world is referred to as world of dreams.

The story of Saawariya is about a boy Raj(Ranbir Kapoor), a free-spirited artist, falls in love with Sakina(Sonam Kapoor), who rejects his advances. When he tries to confess his feelings, Sakina tells him that she loves Imaan(Salman Khan), who has promised to return to her. The rest of the story is about Raj and Sakina’s journey and the state of their relationship.

I don’t know how much i love this  movie. I think this is SLB’s most underrated and under-appreciated films. This film had everything from outstanding visuals, gorgeous cinematography, breath-taking costumes, fabulous production design,amazing choreography, memorable music and fine performances specially from Ranbir,Salman and Rani. Sonam too left a mark in the film. It had everything in place and perhaps this is is the only film where there is no melodrama and dialogue baazi(unlike most of SLB’s films) but still it leaves you mesmerized by the honest story telling and free-flow of screenplay.

Talking about the music which is the most favourite aspect of the film is applaud worthy. From Jab se tere naina to Mashallah.. all are my favourites. But my most favourite song is ‘Yoon shabnami’. Everytime i listem to it , it brings a smile on my face. The lyrics of this song are brilliantly written, and i feel the song is for those who are madly,completely and passionately in love with someone. It is also a festivity song as it celebrates Eid festival. The music and choreography is so good that it made me realize that there is so much dirth for good music in our films. It has an old world charm to it, be it in lyrics or even the cinematography. 

The song begins by Raj singing a song for Sakina, and Sakina is waiting for Eid ka Chaand (the moon on Eid). She watching the blue skies. For Sakina, it’s not just Eid but also the time of return of her lover Imaan(Salman Khan). Although Raj know this fact about Sakina, still he wants to sing for Sakina. He truly loves her and dedicates this song to her. For him, Sakina is his chaand. While everyone is waiting for the moon and looking at the sky , Raj is only looking at Sakina who is behind the balcony’s curtains of her house. Here the curtain also symbolizes of the wall between Raj and Sakina. Raj is waiting for her to remove curtain and come forward. For him, this is Eid celebration.

Here Raj is complementing Sakina’s beauty and comapres het to the Moon. He says that the moon itself has realized Sakina’s beauty and has hidden itself.

The lyrics (by Sameer) signify the same:

Yoon Shabnami Phele Nahi Thi Chandani
Chand Woh Bharman Gaya
Tujhko Dekha To Sharama Gaya
Woh Churane Laga Hai Nazar
Yoon Shabnami ….Phele Nahi Thi Chandini

Ho.. Yoon Shabnami Phele Nahi Thi Chandini
Chand Woh Bharman Gaya
Tujhko Dekha To Sharama Gaya
Woh Churane Laga Hai Nazar
Yoon Shabnami. 

Finally, after a point, the moon comes out in the sky and there is celebration all around. Sakina too removes the curtain only to make Raj beam with excitement and happiness.

Dekho Chand Aaya
Chand Nazar Aaya…

Aaya Aaya Aaaya
Chand Aaya Sharma…
Tu Bhi Aaja
Saawariya…

Eventually Raj comes up to Sakina’s place with the shawl and sees her celebrating and dancing. He is absolutely awe struck to see this side of the shy, introvert Sakina. This makes him delighted too.

Later, we see Raj, trying to meet Sakina among all the women there, and is waiting for Sakina behind the pillars. Finally Sakina notices him and requests him not to come in front of everyone as this is the only place for women. Raj gifts Sakina the Shawl and then they have conversation with the help of the lyrics of the song. Their banter  is adorable. You can also see Raj’s flirtatiousness and cheerful nature towards Sakina, but deep inside is pure love for her. It’s evident in the lyrics and also the way Parthiv Gohil has sung the song.

Dheere Dheere Aake Hawa Gungunake
Har Khabar De Tumhari
Kaisa Yeh Nasha Hai
Nazar Mein Ghula Hai
Har Ghadi Hai Khumhari

Nashe Mein Kadam Mere
Udhar Kabhi Idhar
Gumsum Nazar Jaye Kidhar
Kho Gaye Tujhe Mein Hum Iskadar

The lighting here is remarkable too. The whole song is shot in blue,green and white but Raj and Sakina are wearing red colored (the color of love) clothes. Specially Raj, who brings a red shawl for Sakina as an Eid present , also wanting her to accept his love. It’s a beautiful sequence in the song and is nicely blended by it’s lyrics.

After this Raj and Sakina play around (like they do throughout the film). We see Raj and Sakina running around the fountains, Buddha Statue etc. , the camera beautifully captures all their emotions.

This is an unforgettable song. It’s one of my all time favourites. I wish people acknowledged this song like the other songs of the film. The images, music, choreography and colors never get out of my head. What a gem! I hope SLB continues to make more such songs as only he can do full justice to all cinematic and film-making aspects in the films.

Anila Velidimalla