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Popular singer Jyotica Tangri recently shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about her collaboration with the iconic filmmaker Imtiaz Ali for the song “O Meri Laila” from the film Laila Majnu.
Taking to her social media, Jyotica posted a video of her performing the song, accompanied by a heartfelt caption that revealed the intense journey behind its creation.
“I literally screamed my heart out to get this song approved in my voice!” Tangri wrote. She explained how Joi Barua, the composer, initially called her for a dubbing session and informed her that “O Meri Laila” was originally intended to be a male solo track. However, Imtiaz Ali felt that the character of Laila needed a voice, despite the challenge posed by the song’s high scale, which was difficult for most female singers to match.
After several attempts with other singers, Jyotica’s name was recommended. Upon hearing the song, she instantly fell in love with it but recognized the difficulties ahead. The complex composition and the need to retain the song’s expressive vocal texture were daunting.
Faced with these challenges, she decided to take a bold approach. “I asked Joi, ‘Can I scream and sing?'” she recalled. Barua’s encouraging response allowed her to fully embrace the character’s intensity. Pouring her heart and soul into the performance, she sang with all the air in her lungs, resulting in the powerful rendition that ultimately became “O Meri Laila.”
Jyotica’s story highlights the passion and perseverance that drive artists to push their boundaries and create something extraordinary. Her collaboration with Imtiaz Ali and Joi Barua stands as a testament to the magic that can happen when creative minds come together and take risks.
