How a giant tempo cake and a clever deal won music rights for Subhash Ghai films

Tips Music co-founders Kumar and Ramesh Taurani once sent a 6-foot-3-inch cake in a tempo to filmmaker Subhash Ghai after missing out on the music rights to his 1991 movie Saudagar. The cake carried a message that urged Ghai to do business with Tips in the future. Pleased by the gesture, the filmmaker called his distributors to his house that night and promised to work with the label on his next project.

Khalnayak Deal

When Ramesh Taurani approached Ghai for the music rights of Khalnayak, the director initially planned to hire composer duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal after negotiations with Nadeem-Shravan failed over money. Ghai paid Laxmikant a token amount of five lakh rupees and agreed to pay double his usual rate. Later, Ramesh settled the final music cost at one crore rupees, though he initially lied to his brother Kumar about the price to keep the deal within budget. The song 'Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai' became a massive hit immediately upon release.

Pardes And Nadeem-Shravan

Years later, when Ghai needed advice for his film Pardes, Ramesh Taurani recommended Nadeem-Shravan again. Ghai hesitated because of his past experience with their fee negotiations. Ramesh guaranteed that Nadeem would accept whatever payment Ghai offered without discussing money. Nadeem agreed to the terms, trusting Ramesh to handle the payment fairly.

Context

Music labels and film producers often build long-term business partnerships through personal relationships and creative promotions in the entertainment industry. Composers like Nadeem-Shravan and Laxmikant-Pyarelal shaped the sound of major Bollywood films during the 1990s through hit soundtracks.