Penning songs for dramas inspired by real-life events or personalities can be tricky, says Manoj Muntashir. The lyricist would know — he has, after all, written songs for Kesari (2019), Shershaah (2021) and Saina (2021). Ajay Devgn’s Maidaan, a biopic on Syed Abdul Rahim, the late coach and manager of the Indian football team who led the country to victory at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games, is the latest addition to his list. What makes the project all the more special is that it unites the lyricist with composer AR Rahman. Muntashir reveals that Rahman requested producer Boney Kapoor and director Amit R Sharma to bring him on board as the lyricist. The songwriter shares, “I always dreamt of writing for him. It was nothing less than a moment of ecstasy when Boney ji called me and said, ‘AR sir wants you to write songs for Maidaan.’” 

Manoj Muntashir and Boney Kapoor