Shankar and Jaikishan first met when both were waiting for a director outside his office seeking some musical assignment. They developed an instant bond due to similar musical interests and ambitions.
In their meeting Shankar disclosed about a requirement of harmonium player at Prithivi theatre. Jaikishan expressed his interest, and Shankar recommended his name back at Theatre. Both then became colleagues, and collaborated for music assignments at Prithivi theatre.
When showman Raj Kapoor, eldest son of Prithviraj Kapoor (owner of Prithvi Theatre), made his first movie Aag, Shankar Jaikishan assisted Ram Ganguly, who was heading the music division of Theatre and was the obvious choice as music composer of the film.
Shankar Jaikishan with their long time associates and lyricists Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri