Lyricist Prashant Pandey Praises Aamir Khan’s Vision on ‘O Sajni Re’

Lyricist Prashant Pandey, celebrated for the award-winning song “O Sajni Re” from the film Laapataa Ladies, recently reflected on the creative collaboration with its producers, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao, and composer Ram Sampath. He emphasized how their clarity of vision greatly contributed to the song’s success, marking a significant moment in his career.

Pandey shared insights into the development process of “O Sajni Re,” stating, “The process began with Ram Sampath, who gave me the initial brief for ‘O Sajni Re.’ I wrote the first draft instinctively, and it resonated immediately.” He credited Kiran Rao and Ram Sampath for establishing a straightforward and authentic narrative style, stating that the film embodied a “simple, village-rooted language—honest, direct, and uncomplicated, without heavy metaphors.”

For the song “Beda Paar,” Aamir Khan specifically requested a playful and hopeful tone suitable for a wedding scene. Pandey noted, “Working with such clarity and trust on my first film was a huge learning experience, and writing simply became the biggest lesson.”

As the song gained popularity, Pandey realized its emotional impact extended beyond the film itself. He remarked, “I realised the song had truly connected with audiences when it began travelling beyond the film. That’s quite an overwhelming response, which made me feel I had written something honest, while always remembering that the song exists to serve the story first.”

The success of “O Sajni Re” has transformed Pandey’s professional landscape. He noted, “After Laapataa Ladies, the response from the industry has been very encouraging. I have connected with several filmmakers and composers and have been working on regular briefs.” This includes co-writing “Humsafar” from Saiyaara, contributing to the series Gutar Gu, and working on multiple singles. He is also currently writing for an independent film titled Ghar and engaging in partnerships with TVF.

Pandey expressed gratitude for the opportunities that have arisen since his debut. He stated, “The love I received for my debut song feels like a beautiful, unexpected blessing, especially for a debut song that went on to receive recognition across top-notch platforms.”

Discussing his personal connection to Laapataa Ladies, Pandey mentioned his roots in Suwasra, Madhya Pradesh, where the film was shot. He explained, “Writing for the film felt very personal to me. The language, rhythms, and everyday life felt instinctive.” He composed the songs during the COVID-19 pandemic while residing in his hometown, surrounded by familiar landscapes and people.

Despite his experiences living in metropolitan areas, Pandey maintains a strong connection to his small-town sensibility, which he believes has significantly influenced his work.

The film Laapataa Ladies features prominent actors including Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Ravi Kishan, and Chhaya Kadam. Directed by Kiran Rao and produced by Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, and Jyoti Deshpande, the film’s music has received critical acclaim, further establishing Prashant Pandey’s reputation as a talented lyricist.