If you can’t stop humming “Saanu saariyaan visar gayiyaan rahaan ve kede paasse jaaiye sajana” from Dhurandhar: The Revenge, you’re not alone. Sung by Punjabi singer, writer, poet, and actor Satinder Sartaaj, the haunting verse from “Jaiye Sajana” has struck a deep chord with the masses, turning the Sufi icon into a nationwide sensation.
But behind his viral moment is a personal story that goes back over two decades—and it involves Yami Gautam’s father, Mukesh Gautam.
The Revelation at Jahan-e-Khusrau
Sartaaj shared the heartfelt anecdote while performing at the Jahan-e-Khusrau World Sufi Music Festival against the majestic backdrop of Purana Quila in Delhi on March 29.
“When I got a call to do a song for Dhurandhar, I told Aditya Dhar that your father-in-law, Mukesh Gautam, has played a very big role in shaping my libaas (attire). He (Dhar) was very happy to hear that,” Sartaaj told fans.
The Story Behind the Look
Anyone who follows Satinder Sartaaj’s music knows his distinctive style—he usually performs in ethnic kurtas and salwar, with his turban tied in a manner that his tresses cascade down to his shoulders.
But the first time he sported this look was in 2003, to shoot a docuseries led by Mukesh Gautam.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
| Project | Docuseries episode on Baba Waris Shah |
| Director | Mukesh Gautam (Yami Gautam’s father) |
| Location | Dara Studio, Mohali |
| Sartaaj’s Role | Narrator and live singer |
“Yami Gautam’s father, Mukesh Gautam sir, was the head of a television channel in Chandigarh at that time. He was making a 30-minute episode on Baba Waris Shah, and was looking for someone who could act as a narrator and also sing live,” Sartaaj shared.
“Someone told him about me, saying there was a boy at PU. I went there and said, ‘Yes sir, I can try.’ He (Mukesh Gautam) asked what I would wear. I told him I had a salwar kameez.”
The Birth of an Iconic Look
The shoot was at Dara Studio in Mohali. When Sartaaj went inside, he noticed the black studio curtains.
“Give me that,” he said, wrapping the black curtain around his head just as he had seen Sufi poet Waris Shah in the small black-and-white photo kept in his hostel room.
“When I came out, Mukesh sir said, ‘Amazing, you look very good.'”
That moment marked the birth of the signature Sufi look that would become a defining part of Sartaaj’s musical legacy.
About Mukesh Gautam
For the uninitiated, Mukesh Gautam is a prominent personality in the Punjabi film and television industry. He won a National Award for Best Punjabi Film in 2024 for Baghi Di Dhee. He is also the father of actress Yami Gautam, who is married to Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar.
Satinder Sartaaj’s Journey
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | PhD in Sufism from Panjab University |
| Notable Songs | Sai, Ikko Mikke, Jalsa, Maasomiyat, Udaarian, Rutba, Sajjan Raazi |
| Recent Hit | “Jaiye Sajana” from Dhurandhar: The Revenge |
| Current Tour | Global concert tour across India, Australia, US, New Zealand |
Sartaaj holds a PhD in Sufism from Panjab University and is known for blending Sufi philosophy with music. He is currently on a global concert tour, performing in cities across India, Australia, the US, and New Zealand.
