In his early career, Rafi associated with many contemporary music directors, most notably
Naushad Ali. In the late 1950s and 1960s, he worked with other composers of the era such as
O. P. Nayyar,
Shankar Jaikishan,
S.D. Burman and
Roshan.
Work with Naushad As per Naushad, Rafi came to him with a letter of recommendation from Naushad's father. Rafi's first song for Naushad Ali was "Hindustan Ke Hum Hain" ("We belong to Hindustan") for the film
Pehle Aap in 1944. The first song for the duo was the soundtrack of the movie
Anmol Ghadi (1946). Rafi's association with Naushad helped the former establish himself as one of the most prominent playback singers in Hindi cinema. He was annoyed and hired Rafi to sing all the songs of the movie
Baiju Bawra.
Work with S. D. Burman S. D. Burman used Rafi as a singing voice of
Dev Anand and
Guru Dutt. Rafi worked with Burman in 37 films, including
Pyaasa (1957),
Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959),
Kala Bazar (1960),
Nau Do Gyarah (1957),
Kala Pani (1958),
Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963),
Guide (1965),
Aradhana (1969),
Ishq Par Zor Nahin (1970) and
Abhimaan (1973).
Work with Shankar–Jaikishan Rafi's partnership with
Shankar–Jaikishan was among the most famous and successful in the Hindi film industry. He worked with them from their first film,
Barsaat (1949). Under Shankar–Jaikishan, Rafi produced some of his songs for actors like
Shammi Kapoor and
Rajendra Kumar. Out of six Filmfare awards, Rafi won three for S-J songs – "Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko", "Bahaaron Phool Barsaao" and "Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein." The song "Yahoo! Chaahe Koi Mujhe Junglee Kahe" was sung by Rafi, matched by a fast-paced orchestra and composition by Shankar Jaikishan. S-J had Rafi give playback for Kishore Kumar in the film
Sharaarat ("Ajab Hai Daastaan Teri Ye Zindagi"). Rafi sang a total of 341 numbers—216 solo—for Shankar–Jaikishan. Among the films of this combination are:
Awaara,
Boot Polish,
Basant Bahar,
Professor,
Junglee,
Asli-Naqli,
Rajkumar,
Suraj,
Sangam,
Brahmachari,
Arzoo,
An Evening in Paris,
Dil Tera Deewana,
Yakeen,
Prince,
Love in Tokyo,
Beti Bete,
Dil Ek Mandir,
Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,
Gaban and
Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai.
Work with Ravi Rafi got his first
Filmfare Award for the title song of
Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960), composed by
Ravi. He received the
National Award for the song "Baabul Ki Duaen Leti Jaa" from the film
Neel Kamal (1968), also composed by Ravi. Rafi wept during the recording of this song, which he admitted in a 1977 interview with the BBC. Ravi and Rafi produced several other songs in the films
China Town (1962),
Kaajal (1965),
Do Badan (1966) and
Ek Phool Do Maali (1969)
Work with Madan Mohan Madan Mohan was another composer whose favorite singer was Rafi. Rafi's first solo with Madan Mohan in
Aankhen (1950) was "Hum Ishk Mein Burbaad Hein Burbaad Ruhenge". He and Rafi created many songs together including "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan". He got Rafi to sing for singer-actor
Kishore Kumar – "Man Mora Baawara" for the movie
Raagini. Later, Rafi sang for Kishore Kumar in movies such as
Baaghi,
Shehzaada and
Shararat. O. P. Nayyar used Rafi and Asha Bhosle for most of his songs. The team created many songs in the early 1950s and 1960s for movies such as
Naya Daur (1957),
Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957),
Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) and
Kashmir Ki Kali (1964). Rafi sang a total of 197 numbers (56 solo) for Nayyar. The songs "Jawaaniyan yeh mast mast" and the title song "Yun to humne lakh hansee dekhe hain, tumsa nahin dekha" of the film
Tumsa Nahin Dekha were hits. They were followed by songs like "Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehera" from
Kashmir ki Kali. Rafi and OP had a falling-out during the recording for movie "Sawan ki Ghata". As disclosed by OP during one of his interviews; Rafi reported late to the recording stating that he was stuck in
Shankar Jaikishan's recording. OP then stated that from now on he too did not have the time for Rafi and cancelled the recording. They did not work together for the next 3 years.
Work with Laxmikant-Pyarelal The composer duo
Laxmikant–Pyarelal (L-P) patronized Rafi as one of their singers, right from their first song by him from the film
Parasmani (1963). Rafi and L-P won the
Filmfare Award for the song "Chaahoonga Mein Tujhe Saanjh Suvere" from
Dosti (1964). Rafi rendered the highest number of songs for this music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal, as compared to all the music directors: 388. Kalyani-Anandji and Rafi went on to work together for the music of the
Shashi Kapoor-starrer
Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968), which featured songs like "Bekhudi Mein Sanam" and "Chale The Saath Milke". In the song "Humko Tumse Ho Gaya Hai Pyaar" (
Amar Akbar Anthony), Rafi sang one song with Kishore Kumar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Mukesh, the most legendary singers in
Bollywood. This was probably the only time that all of them rendered their voices for one song.
Work with other music directors Rafi sang frequently for all music directors during his lifetime, including
C. Ramchandra, Roshan, Jaidev, Khayyam, Rajesh Roshan, Ravindra Jain, Bappi Lahiri, Sapan Jagmohan, T.V.Raju, S.Hanumantha Rao etc. He had a special and major association with
Usha Khanna,
Sonik Omi,
Chitragupta,
S.N. Tripathi,
N. Datta and
R.D. Burman. He also sang for many small time and lesser-known music directors. Many for whom he sang for free while making their compositions immortal; he selflessly believed in financially assisting producers and helping small-time projects who could not afford much. Many in the industry received regular financial help from Rafi.
Private albums Rafi sang several songs in
Chris Perry's
Konkani album Golden Hits with
Lorna Cordeiro. He recorded many private albums in various genres and languages. Rafi recorded Hindi songs in English on 7" release in 1968. He also sang 2 songs in
Mauritian Creole while on his visit to
Mauritius in the late 1960s.
Royalty issue In 1962–1963, the popular female playback singer
Lata Mangeshkar raised the issue of playback singers' share in the
royalties. Recognizing Rafi's position as the leading male playback singer, she wanted him to back her in demanding a half-share from the 5% song royalty that the film's producer conceded to select composers. Rafi refused to side with her, stating that his claim on the film producer's money ended with his being paid his agreed fee for the song. Rafi argued that the producer takes financial risk and the composer creates the song, so the singer does not have any claim over the royalty money. Lata viewed his stand as a stumbling block on the royalty issue and stated that it is because of the singer's name also that the records get sold. This difference of opinion subsequently led to differences between the two. During the recording of "Tasveer Teri Dil Mein" (
Maya, 1961), Lata argued with Rafi over a certain passage of the song. Rafi felt belittled, as music director
Salil Chowdhury sided with Lata. The situation worsened when Lata declared that she would no longer sing with Rafi. Rafi stated that he was only so keen to sing with Lata as she was with him. The music director
Jaikishan later negotiated a reconciliation between the two. In an interview given to
The Times of India on 25 September 2012, Lata claimed to have received a written apology from Rafi. However, Shahid Rafi, Mohammad Rafi's son, rebuffs the claim, calling it an act to dishonour his father's reputation. ==Early 1970s==