Himesh Reshammiya revealed the story behind his hit song Aashiq Banaya Aapne on Komal Nahta’s podcast. He got the idea after seeing a friend cry at a lounge while happy music played. He said, “It was very emotional and painful.” This mix of heartbreak and club beats became iconic.
Himesh Reshammiya has opened up about the inspiration behind one of his most recognised songs, 'Aashiq Banaya Aapne.' The singer-composer recalled an unusual real-life moment involving a friend at a lounge that helped shape the emotional idea behind the track. Himesh spoke about the song during his appearance on trade analyst Komal Nahta’s podcast, where he discussed his musical journey and some of the experiences that influenced his work.
Himesh Reshammiya recalls the moment behind Aashiq Banaya Aapne
Remembering the incident, Himesh said he was at a lounge with his friends when he noticed one of them reacting emotionally to the music. “During ‘Aashiq Banaya’, I was at a lounge with my friends. One of them was dancing, crying and drinking, all at the same time. The background music was a happy song, but he might have had a bad memory associated with someone, which made him emotional,” he recalled.
According to Himesh, watching his friend experience sadness while surrounded by a lively atmosphere gave him the emotional connection that later influenced the song. “That was the emotional connection I experienced at that moment. This was something no one had really tried before: taking a very sad song in terms of melody, one that was intense and deeply painful, and blending it with a beautiful memory,” he said.
Himesh on combining heartbreak with a club sound
Himesh explained that the concept was to create a song that carried the pain of heartbreak while still fitting into a club environment. He said the lyrics needed to remain relatable, while the production would help create the contrast. “The lyrics have to be generic, and then you create a track with the right production that will hit the clubs,” he said.
He also pointed to the song’s music video, where the central character remains emotionally disconnected despite being surrounded by people dancing. “If you watch the video, the guy is crying in pain. He is not connected to the people dancing around him in the club. He is in his own world of pain, while the music kicks in and the beats keep playing,” Himesh said. He added, “Yet, it is a very emotional and painful song.”
Himesh credits his father for the vision
Himesh also recalled the musical landscape at the time, noting that remixes of sad songs were not as common. While he stopped short of claiming that he was the first to explore the idea, he said having the concept and vision gave him an advantage. “Back then, remixes of sad songs were not very common. I am not saying I was the first to do something like that. However, having that concept and vision was the advantage I had, thanks to my dad,” he said.
Himesh’s appearance on Game Changers: The Music Series comes as the podcast returns with a season focused on singers, composers and other figures from the Indian music industry. The series, hosted by Komal Nahta, features conversations around their creative journeys, influences and experiences behind some of their work.