A 6.28-Minute Song, Seven Days of Shooting, and 13 Bollywood Stars: How Mohammed Rafi’s ‘John Jani Janardan’ Created History

Long before cameo appearances became a trend in Hindi cinema, one song set a benchmark that remains unmatched even decades later. The iconic track ‘John Jani Janardan’ from the 1981 film Naseeb not only redefined musical grandeur but also brought together an unprecedented number of Bollywood stars in a single frame.

Sung by legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi, the 6.28-minute-long song required seven full days of shooting, an extraordinary effort at a time when most songs were completed within a day or two. The scale, coordination, and energy demanded by the song made it a landmark moment in the history of Indian cinema.

Directed by showman Manmohan Desai, Naseeb starred Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Reena Roy, Rishi Kapoor, and Kader Khan in lead roles. However, what truly set ‘John Jani Janardan’ apart was the presence of several Bollywood legends in special cameo appearances—many of whom were at the peak of their careers.

The song featured Dharmendra, Raj Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Shammi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore, Randhir Kapoor, Prem Chopra, Bindu, Rakesh Roshan, among others, along with numerous supporting and junior artists. Altogether, over a dozen stars shared screen space, creating a spectacle that had never been attempted before on such a scale.

Composed by the legendary duo Laxmikant–Pyarelal and penned by lyricist Anand Bakshi, the song became an instant hit. Mohammed Rafi’s powerful and celebratory vocals added soul to the star-studded extravaganza, ensuring the track’s timeless appeal.

The success of ‘John Jani Janardan’ went on to influence future generations of filmmakers. Its legacy can be clearly seen in songs like ‘Deewangi Deewangi’ from Shah Rukh Khan’s Om Shanti Om (2007), which also featured a galaxy of Bollywood stars in cameo roles.

More than four decades later, ‘John Jani Janardan’ continues to be celebrated—not just as a song, but as a rare moment when the entire Hindi film industry came together in rhythm, spectacle, and celebration. It remains a shining example of Bollywood’s golden era, captured forever in a single unforgettable frame.