If the temperamental Sachin Dev Burman had lived he would have been a ripe 118 today. Sadly he left us when he was only 69. Burman Dada, as he was called by his close ones, was known to be a perfectionist and an ideologue. He brooked no nonsense from anyone.Actor Danny Denzongpa tells an interesting story about Burman Dada’s ideological rigidity. “I sang a song Mera naam aao mere paas aao for Burman Dada in the film Yeh Gulistan Hamara which was directed by the great Guru Dutt’s brother Atma Ram. That song has a very interesting history. I was supposed to play the part of a Naga rebel. But somehow they decided not to cast me and cast Sujit Kumar instead. They then offered me a small part of a servant which involved a song Mera naam aao mere paas aao which I sang with Lataji. That song became a huge hit." "Finally, though, even that role was taken away from me. The great comic actor Johnny Walker who had done three films with the same banner (Guru Dutt Films) walked into the director Atma Ram’s office asking for a role in Yeh Gulistan Hamara. Since there was no other option I was told my role was being given to Johnny Walker Saab. I opted out, but the song remained," he added. Johnny Walker ended up singing in Danny’s voice.ALSO READ: When Danny Denzongpa Played Rabindranath Tagore’s Kabuliwala Danny recalls, “When I was asked to leave the film they wanted to re-record the song in Manna Dey’s voice. But I had already rehearsed for the song with Burman Dada for many weeks. When I told him the producer-director’s plans, he rang up Atma Ram. Dada was a real Dada. He immediately summoned Mr. Atma Ram to his office with all the songs that had been recorded for Yeh Gulistaan Hamara. After 20 minutes I saw Mr Atma Ram trooping in with all the music."Further, he said, "Burman Dada threatened to take all the songs back if I didn’t sing Mera naam aao. It was very embarrassing because it looked like I had been complaining. But hats off to Burman Dada for standing up for me. Can you imagine anyone with that kind of conviction in today’s day and age? Nobody! Burman Dada was livid. ‘You will decide who will sing my song?’ he told Atma Ram.”Danny was the only actor who sang for father and son. “After Burman Dada I sang Sun sun kasam se for his son Rahul Dev Burman in the film Kala Sona, this time with Ashaji. Then again I sang for Pancham in Mahesh Bhatt’s Naya Daur. This one was a duet with Kishore Kumar Paani ke badle peekar sharaab. That too was hit. I also sang Mujhe doston tum gale se laga lo with Mohd Rafi Saab, again for Naya Daur."