KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The Malaysian-Taiwanese film Sayang Sayang features an original soundtrack (OST) performed by none other than Malaysia’s legendary music icon Datuk Seri Sheila Majid.
Titled Sayang, the song is composed by Japanese-Malaysian singer-songwriter Ryota Katayama and performed by Sheila.
The song explores themes of enduring love, longing for loved ones and seeking divine guidance and strength to remain together through life’s challenges.
Speaking at the Sayang Sayang gala night held at TGV Suria KLCC yesterday, Sheila shared what inspired her to join the project and lend her voice to the film’s soundtrack.
She revealed that reading the song’s lyrics deeply moved her, leaving her touched by its message and ultimately convincing her to accept the offer.
Having known filmmaker Jin Ong, the producer of Sayang Sayang, whose previous projects include Abang Adik, Sheila said she was already familiar with his work and open to considering the project.
“When he (Jin) approached me, he offered me the opportunity to sing the OST for Sayang Sayang,” she said.
However, before agreeing to the offer, the veteran star wanted to understand the film’s storyline first.
“Once Jin shared the storyline with me, I was drawn to it because it tells a story about humanity and love, regardless of one’s social background, in a society where we are all part of a multiracial community.
“Deep down, we naturally have a sense of love for others.
“When someone treats us kindly, we automatically develop affection for them in return.
“This is a film about unity, and I hope that when audiences walk out of the cinema, they will rediscover that feeling of love and extend it toward one another in society,” she said.
Celebrated for her contributions to Malaysian pop, jazz and R&B, Sheila, often regarded as Malaysia’s Queen of Jazz, remains one of the country’s most enduring and influential entertainment icons.
Last year, she celebrated 40 years in the music industry with the Sheila Majid 40 Years in Music concert at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, which drew a crowd of approximately 9,000.
The music video for Sayang has also surpassed 10,000 views on YouTube.
Sayang Sayang follows Nancy (Jo Kukathas), an Indian woman who returns to her hometown on the East Coast with her deaf son, Ajay (Nandagopal Mohan), where she establishes a sign language school.
The story also introduces Mina (Mhia Firdaus), a deaf Malay girl from a Muslim family who has a passion for Muay Thai and San San (Sasha Tang), a deaf Chinese girl, dreams of the sea while remaining deeply connected to her family’s faith and its relationship with the ocean.
Through the lives of these three teenagers and their families, the film highlights the universal language of love and the importance of understanding and accepting one another, regardless of race, religion or background.
Directed by Tang Hsiang-Chu, Sayang Sayang has already earned five nominations at the 63rd Golden Horse Awards and will hit cinemas across Malaysia tomorrow November 5.
The project also marks Sheila’s return to recording a film soundtrack after four years with her last being Wira Hatiku, featured in the 2022 film Juang.
