AR Rahman predicted it: Manoj Muntashir celebrates 2nd National Award

AR Rahman predicted it: Manoj Muntashir celebrates 2nd National Award

Lyricist Manoj Muntashir has called his second National Award "divine and exhilarating."

He won the Best Lyricist award for Jaate Hai Hum Jaane Do in the Ajay Devgn-starrer Maidaan (2024) at the 72nd National Film Awards.

In an interview with Hindustan Times, he shared that composer AR Rahman had predicted that these lyrics were worthy of a National Award.

Muntashir on composing the song with Rahman

Muntashir recalled the moment of creating the song, saying, "Rehman sir is a night person, and I am a day person. So, we were in Chennai and Boney (Kapoor, producer) saheb said we need to do this."

"On director Amit Sharma's narration and Rehman saheb's tune, I...came up with song in an hour."

"His first reaction was: Manoj, this is a National Award. We smiled, and I replied that his words are just an award, and see, it came true."

His reaction to the big win

Muntashir learned about his National Award win during a break of his show Krishna.

"When I reached backstage, I was flooded with calls and messages. It was truly divine."

"I'm happy and exhilarated. Just three years back, it was a different scenario after the Adipurush (2023) controversy, jub duniye ke sare pathar meri talash mein theey, par waqt badalta hai."