The lyrics of Yeh Sham Mastani are protected by copyright. Please use a licensed platform to read or sing along.
About the Song
Yeh Sham Mastani is a jewel from the golden era of Bollywood, picturised on Rajesh Khanna in the 1971 film Kati Patang. The song captures the intoxicating quality of a beautiful evening — the twilight hour that loosens inhibitions, draws lovers close, and fills the heart with longing. Kishore Kumar's playful yet yearning vocal style is a perfect match for R.D. Burman's swinging, evocative melody.
The song remains a staple of Bollywood retro nights and is instantly recognised by audiences across generations. Its breezy, carefree energy contrasts beautifully with the film's tragic romantic narrative.
Song Credits
Song Meaning & Theme
The word mastani means intoxicated, enchanted, or under a spell — and the evening itself is personified as the agent of this enchantment. Lines like "Dur rahati hai tu, mere paas aati nahi, hothon pe tere kabhi pyaas aati nahin" speak of a love that remains tantalizingly out of reach — desired but elusive. Anand Bakshi captures a mood of sweet torment: the beauty of the evening makes the narrator's longing more acute, not less.
About the Artist
The combination of Kishore Kumar, R.D. Burman and Rajesh Khanna was one of Hindi cinema's most iconic creative trios of the 1970s. Their collaborations — from Aane Wala Pal to Yeh Sham Mastani — defined the romantic aesthetic of the era. R.D. Burman's jazz and Western-influenced arrangements gave these songs a breezy modernity that still sounds fresh, while Kishore Kumar's voice carried the emotion with effortless charm.
Why This Song Endures
- The Kishore Kumar–R.D. Burman–Rajesh Khanna combination was 1970s Bollywood at its peak
- The 'intoxicated evening' metaphor is sensory, evocative and universally relatable
- Anand Bakshi's lyrics balance playfulness with genuine longing
- A perennial favourite at Bollywood retro events, pub nights and nostalgia concerts
- Frequently covered by acoustic artists and jazz musicians — its chord structure invites reinvention
More Song Lyrics
Looking to Perform This Song?
JBX Band performs retro Bollywood classics including R.D. Burman hits at themed events and private parties across Mumbai. Browse our complete setlist or contact us to book JBX Band.