From Traffic Jam to Melody: The Remarkable Story Behind 'O Rangrez'

Discover the unique tale of how Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed the iconic song 'O Rangrez' from 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' while stuck in Mumbai traffic.

Bhaag Milkha BhaagO RangrezShankarehsaanloyMumbai TrafficFarhan AkhtarReal Estate MumbaiAug 29, 2025

From Traffic Jam to Melody: The Remarkable Story Behind 'O Rangrez'
Real Estate Mumbai:Whenever we like a song, we often wonder how the idea came about, how the song was composed, and what inspired it. Every song has its own unique story, and one such story is about the composition of an iconic track from 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'. The song, 'O Rangrez', sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Javed Bashir and composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, was picturised on the film’s lead actors, Sonam Kapoor and Farhan Akhtar.

Recently, renowned musician Shankar Mahadevan shared how they composed this song. Speaking to Mashable India, he revealed that the song was created in Mumbai traffic. Yes, you read that right. “Ehsaan and I were both in separate cars, stuck in traffic on Hill Road,” Shankar recalled. “We ended up composing the entire song while sitting in parallel lanes. I was stuck near Holy Family Hospital, right behind the police post, and he was in the opposite lane. We kept sending each other voice messages and built the whole track during that jam. The idea actually came to life right there, in the middle of a traffic standstill.”

That’s how Shankar and Ehsaan composed this memorable song, which has won millions of hearts.

For the unversed, 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is an acclaimed biographical drama based on the life of legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh. The film was released in 2013 and stars Farhan Akhtar in the titular role, supported by a talented ensemble cast including Kousi Orfahli, Pawan Malhotra, Sonam Kapoor, and Divya Dutta. The movie chronicles Milkha Singh’s emotional and physical journey, capturing the key moments that shaped him into one of India’s most celebrated athletes.

Directed by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and written by lyricist-screenwriter Prasoon Joshi, the film received widespread praise from both audiences and critics. Produced on a budget of Rs 30 crore, it went on to gross Rs 168 crore worldwide, according to industry tracker Sacnilk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the song 'O Rangrez' from?

The song 'O Rangrez' is from the 2013 biographical drama film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'.

Who composed 'O Rangrez'?

The song 'O Rangrez' was composed by the music trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

Where was 'O Rangrez' composed?

The song 'O Rangrez' was composed in Mumbai traffic on Hill Road, with Shankar and Ehsaan stuck in separate cars.

Who are the lead actors in 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag'?

The lead actors in 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' are Farhan Akhtar and Sonam Kapoor.

What is the film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' about?

The film 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' is a biographical drama based on the life of legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh, chronicling his emotional and physical journey.

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