Who could have thought that over a hundred years after Bankimchandra Chattopadhyay wrote ‘Vande Mataram’, someone would write a song eulogising Mahatma Gandhi with the opening line “Bande mein tha dum, Vande Mataram”?
Swanand Kirkire may have debuted in Bollywood with the evocative lyrics of Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, but it was his ode to the Mahatma for the movie Lage Raho Munnabhai that earned him a National Award in 2007. An alumni of the National School of Drama, Swanand came to Mumbai to realise his dream of directing films. That dream is still far from being fulfilled, but in the meantime, Bollywood has found a lyricist and singer who refuses to blindly follow trends.
Having made a mark with movies like Parineeta, Laga Chunari Mein Daag and Khoya Khoya Chand, Swanand has two releases lined up – 3 Idiots and Paa. We spoke to the refreshingly different lyricist about writing for movies with diverse subjects, the inspiration behind his words, and working with Ilaiyaraaja.
You always aspired to direct films. What led to you becoming a lyricist and singer?
I graduated from Indore and then moved to Delhi to join the National School of Drama. There, I specialised in design and direction. Later, I did theater for a couple of years and alongside penned down many songs. Then I came to Mumbai to start my career as a director. Initially, I started off with writing for television, but my heart was always into directing films, so I started assisting Sudhirji (Sudhir Mishra). While working with him, Sudhirji liked one of my songs, ‘Bawra Mann’, and he used it in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. Composer Shantanu Moitra made me sing the song. I became a singer and lyricist by chance. Later came Parineeta, Lage Raho Munnabhai, Eklavya, Laga Chunari Mein Daag, Khoya Khoya Chand, and now 3 Idiots and Paa.
You have been writing lyrics for films that span across diverse genres, like 3 Idiots and Paa. What do you have to say about the songs in these two films? Paa definitely is a serious film, but I would like to differ when one says 3 Idiots is only a comedy film. It is a satire on the contemporary set up of our system and society. I would rather call it a feel-good film, as I was keeping this aspect in mind while writing songs for it.
What about Paa?
Working on Paa was a real challenge that I can’t really define; you will realise when you hear the album. This film is special to me, as I got to work with Mr Amitabh Bachchan and the legendary Ilaiyaraaja. For any lyricist, working with him is a dream come true. I am overwhelmed that I got this opportunity so early in life. Amitabhji have also sung a song, ‘Mere Paa’, in the film. When I recited the song to him, he appreciated the lyrics.
