Kuhasaa (1978) | Salil Chowdhury

Film Information

Language: Hindi

Lyrics: Yogesh

Kuhasaa (1978) is one of the most mysterious entries in the Salil Chowdhury filmography. It appears the film was either not completed or completed but never released — yet a commercial record with all three songs was released.

The song “Hogaye kiun hogaye” (KU3) remains one of the most intriguing compositions of Salil’s later Hindi period, sung by Nutan Sahay — a singer whose identity remains uncertain. Many listeners believe her voice resembles Sabita Chowdhury, leading to speculation that Nutan Sahay may have been a pseudonym.

Even more unusual: the melody of “Jaane raaz ye kyaa hai” (KU2) also appears in the Hindi dub of the Malayalam film Madanolsavam. Salil frequently reused melodies across languages, creating fascinating cross-links between his Bengali, Malayalam and Hindi works.

Songs

Nr	Song	Singer	Hnd	Mal	Tam	Tel	Kan	Bng	Oth
KU1	Mitwaa re aare-aa-aare	Sabita Chowdhury	✔	-	-	-	-	-	-
KU2	Jaane raaz ye kyaa hai	Yesudas	✔	DD1	MS4	-	-	-	OS44
KU3	Hogaye kiun hogaye	Nutan Sahay	✔	-	-	-	-	KB2	-

Notes & Background

Kuhasaa remains one of the strangest and least understood Salil Chowdhury projects — a film that apparently vanished, but whose soundtrack survived.

The melody of “Jaane raaz ye kyaa hai” resurfaced in another Hindi-dub soundtrack of a Malayalam film, making it one of Salil’s most cross-linked compositions across languages.

“Hogaye kiun hogaye” is widely regarded as the standout track and is often compared to Sabita Chowdhury’s vocal style — adding to the mystery surrounding Nutan Sahay.

Overall, this album represents Salil’s late-70s melodic brilliance, filled with complex cross-language influences.