The great success enjoyed by Laxmikant Pyarelal (L-P), was second only to that of Shanker-Jaikishen. L-P began their careers as assistants to another famous duo, Kalyanji-Anandji, in the early 60s. After serving their apprenticeship, L-P made an immediate impact with their very first film Parasmani in 1963. So keen were they to make a good first impression, it is said that they even paid Lata Mangeshkar out of their own pocket to sing for them!

A year later Laxmikant-Pyarelal were the toast of Bollywood with their smash-hit score for Dosti. Dosti earned them their first Filmfare trophy. By the 70s, L-P had displaced Shanker-Jaikishen in the RK camp and also at the top of the tree as the most in-demand composers. Though competition was tough from R.D. Burman and Kalyanji-Anandji, L-P were always one step ahead and consistently produced good music till the early 90s.