Susheela Raman, who rose to fame with her soulful rendition of Mukesh's “Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hai“ in Mira Nair's The Namesake, has a new ace up her sleeve. The BritIndian singer-composer has lent her voice to a remix of “Mohabbat Ki Jhooti Kahani“, originally sung by Lata Mangeshkar for K Asif's 1960 epic Mughal-e-Azam.

The song is a part of Madhureeta Anand's film on female infanticide, Kajarya, which had received a standing ovation at the Dubai International Film Festival in 2013. Featuring Ridhima Sud (of Dil Dhadakne Do fame), the film is backed by Eve Ensler, the renowned playwright of The Vagina Monologues.

“I was 10 years old when I first watched Mughal-e-Azam. I was captivated with its splendour and emotional arch, and of course, Madhubala's beauty. The music was exceptional too. But it was only when I was older and in film school that I realise that it was a path-breaking film. I watched the song in colour and its use of mirrors. It's a lovely coincidence that it's a part of my film now,“ says Madhureeta.

The song's rights were acquired by the makers earlier this year. And the director asserts that Susheela with her contemporary style gives the song a new subtext. “It's an updated version,“ she says.

Shot on actress Meenu Hooda, the song portrays her character reconciling with her disappointing past, remembering everyone who has let her down and realising she needs to take control of her life. “The song has a haunting quality to it in the film. Anyone who has known heartbreak will relate to it,“ says Madhureeta.