The Gujarati film industry is enjoying a golden phase, marked by powerful storytelling and music that transcends regional boundaries. Among the standout successes of recent times is the superhit film "Lalo", whose emotionally rich soundtrack has played a key role in its popularity. Leading the musical impact of the film is the much-loved song “Maade Mane Lai Ja” brought to life by the evocative voice of acclaimed playback singer Yashita Sharma. The song has not only become a favourite among Gujarati audiences but is now poised to reach an even wider listener base as Lalo gears up for its Hindi release, with Maade Mane Lai Ja recreated in Hindi and once again sung by Yashita Sharma.
A Song That Found Its Perfect Voice
Yashita Sharma shares that Maade Mane Lai Ja came to her through an inquiry from her management company. The makers of Lalo were particularly keen on her voice, with her iconic Bollywood track “Chandaniyaan” from the film “2 States” serving as a reference point. The emotional softness and depth that defined that song aligned perfectly with the soul of Lalo. What instantly convinced her was the composition itself. “I genuinely loved the melody and the lyrics,” Yashita says. Adding to the excitement was the fact that the song marked her first duet with one of her closest friends, singer Ashish Kulkarni. “There was simply no way I could say no to it.”
A Film That Deserves Wider Recognition
Expressing her happiness about being part of a Gujarati film that is receiving such widespread appreciation, Yashita strongly believes that Gujarati music is steadily finding acceptance across the country. “I think Gujarati music will only grow more popular in other parts of India,” she says, adding that Lalo truly deserves the recognition it is earning. When director Mr. Ankit Sakhiya narrated the story of the film to her, Yashita immediately sensed his emotional connection with the project. “He was so passionate about the story, and I tried to bring that same passion into the song,” she explains. According to her, all the emotions listeners hear in Maade Mane Lai Ja stem directly from the director’s vision. “The director transfers those emotions to the artist.”
A Rare and Enriching Recording Experience
One of the most memorable aspects of recording Maade Mane Lai Ja was the active presence of director Ankit Sakhiya in the studio. In an era where recordings are usually left entirely to music directors, his involvement stood out. “Nowadays, it’s very rare to see a director sitting in the studio during a song recording,” Gallan Goodiyaan from the film “Dil Dhadkne Do” singer notes “Ankit bhai was there throughout, and I could clearly feel how much Lalo meant to him.”
Waiting for the Magic to Unfold
Like most playback singers, Yashita Sharma received a brief from the director about the emotional context of the song before recording. “The story sounded extremely interesting, almost too good to be true,” she recalls. She patiently waited to experience the final product once the film was completed and when she finally watched Lalo and saw Maade Mane Lai Ja unfold on screen, the impact was deeply emotional. “That’s when it really hit me,” she says. “The way the song was shot and executed was absolutely beautiful.” She admits that singers usually don’t allow themselves to get emotional while recording. “You can’t let emotions overpower you in the studio, you have to control them and deliver just the right amount,” she explains. It was only after seeing the song in the film that she truly felt its emotional depth. Despite the challenges Yashita faced at the time; constant travel, poor health, and a severe cold, she delivered the song with complete sincerity. “I remember going into the studio with a heavy cold and taking medicines right before the recording,” she shares. Yet, none of it came in the way of her performance.
From Gujarati to Hindi: A Song Ready to Create Magic Again
Now, as “Lalo” prepares for its Hindi release, “Maade Mane Lai Ja” has been recreated in Hindi and once again, Yashita Sharma has given her voice to the Hindi version as well. She is confident that the song will create the same emotional magic in Hindi that it did in Gujarati. “I’m very sure this song will find the same place in listeners’ hearts,” she says. Yashita believes that the Hindi version, too, will remain on audiences’ favourite song lists for a long time, proving that genuine emotions and strong melodies surpass language barriers.
Today, Maade Mane Lai Ja sung by Yashita Sharma, stands not just as a viral song, but as a testament to the power of heartfelt music, passionate filmmaking, and a voice that definitely knows how to touch the soul whether in Gujarati or Hindi!
