Shankar Mahadevan creates new version of Dil Chahta Hai to help marginalised artists

Shankar Mahadevan has created a new version of the Dil Chahta Hai title track to raise funds for marginalised artists affected by the lockdown. The song has been recreated with the Berklee Indian Ensemble, featuring 112 artists from 21 countries. 

The video opens with a message by Aamir Khan, one of the three leads of Dil Chahta Hai (2001). 

“Amongst all the films I’ve done, the song Dil Chahta Hai is certainly one of my favourites. It’s beautifully composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and the lyrics by Javed (Akhtar) saab are just exquisite. I am happy to know the Berklee School of Music has done a recording of this song and that all the funds collected from this recording are going towards supporting the musicians and singers during these very tough times,” Aamir says. 

Farhan Akhtar, director of Dil Chahta Hai, also makes an appearance in the song. Other Indian artists featured in the video include Jonita Gandhi, Zakir Hussain, Salim Merchant, Ameen Rahman, Neeti Mohan, Benny Dayal, and Shalmali Kholgade. The initiative is presented by Berklee India Exchange (BIX) and T-Series.