Manoj Muntashir on Sania: With Parineeti Chopra’s expressions, the 'lori' has come alive

A still from the film

From finding a suitable training academy for her, to cheering her on from the sidelines, mother Usha Rani Nehwal played a significant role in the success of former World No 1 badminton champion Saina Nehwal. Saina, the Amole Gupte-directed biopic, focuses as much on the mother-daughter bond as it does on the sports icon's journey. So much so that the makers have created the song, Chal wahin chalein, inspired by a lullaby that Usha would sing to the young Saina. It features Parineeti Chopra and her on-screen mother, played by Meghna Malik.

Nehwal with mother Usha Rani

"Usha Rani, who was a badminton player, discovered that Saina had a knack for the sport. When she would put her daughter to sleep, she used to sing a lori to encourage her. Inspired by that, we have made the motivational song, Chal wahin chalein. It takes us through their hard times as well as good times," says Manoj Muntashir, who has penned the song. The number has been sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Amaal Mallik, with the latter doubling up as the composer.

Manoj Muntashir

The lyricist believes the song is along the lines of Kishore Kumar's classic Aa chal ke tujhe from Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964). "Like the soothing song, our number talks about a beautiful world, and encourages us to reach for it. With Parineeti's expressions, the lori has come alive." Producer Bhushan Kumar adds, "The song beautifully captures Saina's ups and downs, and how her family always supported her."