BAPPI LAHIRI croons for Disney's new film

Indian playback composer Bappi Lahiri has crooned a new song, titled “Shona”, for the Hindi dub of Disney's latest animated movie “Moana”.

In a bid to give a local touch to the film following the success of Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar's reprisal of “Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai!” and the Hindi version of “Bare Necessities” featuring Vishal Dadlani in the Hindi release of “Jungle Book”, Disney Studio got Lahiri to not only compose the song but also lend his voice to dialogues and sing for the character of Tamatoa, a giant crab with a fondness for shiny treasures. Lahiri has a fascination for gold.

 “It's a great pleasure to associate with 'Moana'. I am always looking forward to doing new things. This is the first time I'm dubbing for an animated character and I had lot of fun doing that. The character I play is very similar to my own personality. I am hoping that people will enjoy this avatar of mine and shower their love on me like they have always done,” said Lahiri, who is known in Bollywood as disco music king.

Disney said they wanted the Indian audience to have a connection with the film by creating an original song. “Bappida is someone who has fans across age groups and is just a perfect fit for the character and the song,” said Amrita Pandey, Vice President (Studios), Disney India.

 “Moana”, which will hit the cinema halls in India next month, stars Auli'i Cravalho as the titular heroine and Dwayne Johnson as Maui and revolves around the life-changing journey of a tenacious 16-year-old who teams up with a mighty demigod to fulfill an ancient quest.