muskaaneN jhuuThii haiN

muskaaneN jhuuThii haiN (Hindi: मुस्कानें झूठी हैं, Urdu: مُسکانیں جھوٹھی ہیں) "Smiles are fake", is a song from the 2012 Hindi crime thriller Talaash.

In the movie, Surjan Singh, a police inspector (played by the Indian actor Aamir Khan) investigates the death of a famous actor.

During the course of his investigation, he meets a mysterious escort called Rosie (played by the Indian actress Kareena Kapoor) who becomes his informant and provides him with leads on the case. Meanwhile, Surjan becomes increasingly aloof to the despair of his wife Roshni (played by Rani Mukerji).

The song summarizes well the plot of the movie.

With a double bass melody setting an ambiance of jazz noir, a ghostly Rosie is shown singing in a bar wearing 1940's-1950's dress, make-up, and hairstyle. Meanwhile, Surjan makes his rounds around the city's brothels.

Later parts of the video clip depict more movie characters and scenes, and Surjan himself being approached by Rosie, and later following her. His wife Roshni looks worried and emaciated as he distances himself even more and neglects his marriage.

The lyrics are a poetic, generic description of the world of prostitution, but they also give some hints about the plot's denouement.

The phrase rangiinii hai chaaii literally means "colorfulness is pervasive", but it is customarily used as a euphemism for "licentiousness, erotic ambiance". Hence the chorus' verses:

rangiinii hai chaaii licentiousness is pervasive

phir bhii hai tanhaaii nevertheless, there is loneliness

These lyrics were written by the Indian poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar.

The actual singer is the Indian actress, musician, and playback singer Suman Sridhar.

The music for this and all other songs in the movie were composed by the Indian singer, composer, and producer Ram Sampath.