'Albela Sajan', composed by 'Bajirao Mastani' helmer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is a recreation of a song from the filmmaker's iconic 1999 romantic-drama 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'.
"All the songs were ready before the shooting began. Ranveer heard 'Malhari' first and was shocked. He was wondering how will he dance to it, how will it be shot... Then he heard 'Albela Sajan' and was shocked all the more.
"It was a pure hardcore classical number which was opposite of 'Malhari'. He liked it a lot and was excited about the songs as there are so many variations in the album," Shashi told PTI.
The original song featured superstar Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan where the "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" actor was shown taking musical lessons and falling in love with Rai's character, Nandini.
Shashi, who also composed the music of 'Mary Kom', says the track in 'Bajirao Mastani' will be a "welcome song".
"I don't know about the exact situation but it is supposed to be a welcome song for Bajirao. Sanjay sir really liked the song and wanted to use it. He said no better song than 'Albela Sajan' as a welcome number."
While the original song was sung by Sultan Khan, Shankar Mahadevan and Kavita Krishnamurthy, the recreated version has been rendered by Shashi, along with Kunal Pandit, Prithvi Gandharva, Kanika Joshi, Rashi Raagga, Geetika Manjrekar.
"'Albela Sajan' is a traditional song. For 'Bajirao Mastani', only the lyrics of the 'mukhada' have been taken from it... The arrangements, tempo, notes and pace is new," he said.
Shashi has assisted Bhansali in "Ram Leela" and says he was not nervous to record the new song.
"I was not nervous at all. The song was created in front of me, I was involved in the creative process of it, starting from the studio work. It is a classical song which is a genre I am comfortable with," he said.
