Mumbai: Acclaimed lyricist, singer, actor and composer Swanand Kirkire has shared a delightful behind-the-scenes story about "Maafi", the retro-inspired song from Rajkumar Hirani's debut streaming series Pritam and Pedro. The soulful track, which has been receiving immense love from listeners, had an unusual beginning - much of it was written by Swanand on WhatsApp while he was juggling a hectic shooting schedule in Goa. The song is sung by Shreya Ghoshal, composed by Shantanu Moitra, and pictured on Mona Singh, playing a pivotal role in the series.
Despite being occupied with filming, Swanand remained creatively immersed in the song. Between takes and long shooting hours, he would pen verses on his phone and send them directly to Rajkumar Hirani. The moment Hirani received the lyrics, he instantly approved them, and the song quickly moved into recording with Shreya Ghoshal lending her voice and Shantanu Moitra bringing the melody to life. The result is a nostalgic track that has become one of the emotional highlights of the series.
Talking about the making of "Maafi," Swanand Kirkire said "Some songs arrive after months of planning, and some simply find their own way to you. 'Maafi' was one of those rare songs. I was shooting in Goa for another project and my days were packed from morning till night. But Raju sir had shared the situation with me, and the emotion stayed with me throughout the schedule. Every time there was a small break between shots, while travelling to the location, sitting in the vanity van or waiting for the next setup, I would open WhatsApp and keep writing lines as they came to me. I wasn't sitting with a notebook or in a studio, I was literally writing the song on my phone, one thought at a time. As soon as I felt a section was ready, I would send it to Raju sir. What amazed me was how quickly he connected with it. His response came almost instantly, saying that this was exactly the emotion he was looking for. Within no time, the lyrics were locked, Shantanu Moitra had woven his beautiful melody around them, and Shreya Ghoshal elevated every word with her magical voice. Looking back, it's funny that a song written between hectic shoots and typed out on WhatsApp has now become one of my most memorable collaborations. It reminds me that inspiration doesn't wait for the perfect place or perfect time - it simply asks you to listen."
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The retro-flavoured "Maafi" adds emotional depth to Pritam and Pedro and reflects the long-standing creative partnership between Swanand Kirkire, Rajkumar Hirani and Shantanu Moitra, who have collaborated on several acclaimed projects over the years.
Pritam and Pedro marks Rajkumar Hirani's much-awaited debut in the long-format streaming space. Created and produced by the celebrated filmmaker, the series also introduces Vir Hirani in his acting debut alongside an ensemble cast featuring Arshad Warsi, Vikrant Massey, and Mona Singh.
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