Shekhar Kapur Recalls Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s Emotional Request During ‘Bandit Queen’ Scoring
A moving memory of music, grief, and genius shared by the filmmaker on Instagram
Mumbai | June 27, 2025 — Celebrated filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has shared a deeply emotional and rare behind-the-scenes moment with legendary qawwali maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, offering fans and cinephiles a glimpse into the soul-stirring collaboration that shaped the soundtrack of his critically acclaimed film Bandit Queen (1994).
In a heartfelt Instagram post, the Masoom and Mr. India director revisited an unforgettable day in the recording studio, just after the death of another music icon, R.D. Burman, who had composed the score for Kapur’s debut film.
“There were tears in Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s voice,” wrote Kapur, reflecting on the moment.
A Strange and Powerful Request
Kapur, in his recollection, described a hauntingly intimate exchange with Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan during the background scoring for the Bandit Queen sequence depicting the aftermath of the Behmai Massacre—a pivotal and emotionally heavy scene in the film.
Quoting the maestro’s words, Kapur wrote:
“Shekhar ji… you look at your film and I will look into your eyes. And I will sing.”
This unconventional request, he said, wasn’t mere poetry or drama—it was a deeply spiritual act, driven by grief, empathy, and the search for a connection that went beyond the ordinary realm of music.
A Scene of Grief: The Behmai Massacre
The sequence in question is among the most intense scenes in Bandit Queen, depicting rows of funeral pyres and the wailing voices of grieving women by the riverbank. It follows the chilling massacre at Behmai, where 20 upper-caste men were gunned down by Phoolan Devi’s gang in retaliation for her gang rape.
As Kapur described, the setting and emotions demanded more than just background music—it needed spiritual depth.
“We turned the mikes on and I found Khan Sahib looking—no, staring—into my eyes,” Kapur shared. “As if he could find my soul, and look deep into it.”
He added that Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, aware of Kapur’s close bond with the late R.D. Burman, seemed to channel that shared grief into a performance that transcended artistic expression.
‘His Eyes and His Voice Arrested Me’
Kapur described the moment as almost otherworldly, saying he was transported into a “far deeper realm” by the maestro’s gaze and voice. He compared the experience to entering a sacred space where “life and death merged into one.”
“For Khan Sahib was taking me closer to God,” Kapur wrote, “and into the space where life and death merged into one.”
This rare moment of vulnerability between a filmmaker and a composer, set against the backdrop of loss and spiritual searching, is one of the many reasons why the Bandit Queen soundtrack remains etched in the minds of audiences even decades later.
“That’s Why I Make Films”
Kapur concluded his post with a poetic reflection on the nature of art and creativity:
“That’s what it was like working with Nusrat Ali Khan… and that’s why I make films. To find the space between life and death. For in that space exists creativity.”
He encouraged fans and new viewers alike to revisit the film:
“If you ever see Bandit Queen again… look for the scene of the aftermath of the Behmai Massacre… that music will transport you too.”
Remembering Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, often referred to as the Shahenshah of Qawwali, passed away on August 16, 1997, at the age of 48 due to a cardiac arrest. Widely regarded as one of the greatest voices in the world, his fusion of traditional Sufi music with contemporary sounds influenced generations of musicians across the globe.
From collaborations with Peter Gabriel and Eddie Vedder to Hollywood soundtracks like Dead Man Walking, his reach was universal. His work on Bandit Queen is remembered as one of his most emotionally resonant contributions to Indian cinema.
Why This Moment Matters
- This story offers a rare behind-the-scenes account of how grief, empathy, and spirituality shaped a powerful cinematic moment.
- It sheds light on Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s working style—emotional, immersive, and deeply human.
- It reveals the artistic connection between Kapur’s direction and Khan’s voice, two visionaries working in harmony to bring truth to screen.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s contribution to Bandit Queen was not just technical—it was deeply personal and spiritual.
- The musical moment tied closely to the grief Kapur felt after the loss of R.D. Burman.
- The story shows how art and music transcend ordinary boundaries in the face of emotion and loss.
- Viewers are encouraged to rewatch the Behmai Massacre scene to fully experience the depth of Khan’s composition.