Talktime | Irshad kamil
The lyricist who has penned songs for movies like Jab Harry Met Sejal, Tiger Zinda Hai and laila Majnu tells Shalini Saksena that he doesn’t write double-meaning songs & always gives priority to thoughts over words when it comes topenning lyrics
Tell us about your journey.
I have been in the industry for 14 years and each year has been great as I have worked with brilliant and wonderful musicians and directors.
Why don’t we hear the kind of lyrics penned in the 60sIJ
Simply because we are living in 2017 and not 1960. After every 15-20 years, the society changes and evolves and in accordance with that the lyrics change. Also, language is like a flowing river, which changes according the thoughts. The movies are a reflection of the society which also shows in the lyrics.
Why do some songs have bad lyricsIJ
It’s a very tricky question. And I don’t know how to answer this.
Is there pressures to come up with certain words in the songIJ
I don’t write according to words but thoughts. I believe, thoughts are more important than words. Whether it is the romantic or sufiyana space, if we don’t have thoughts to express, what will we put into wordsIJ
How much freedom are the lyricists given todayIJ
It is not about today, tomorrow or yesterday, the freedom has always been given by the story and script. Irrespective of you being a lyricist or a music director, you have to justify the character which is of prime importance.
What kind of songs would you writeIJ
I will writeghazal or nazm if given a choice as movie songs are situational. When you write for yourself, you are not dependent on situations. like I have penned a book of poems namedEk Mahina Nazmo Ka. I also have a collaboration with digital platform like Qyuki Media to reach out to youth who are inclined towards poetry. I see status updates which are poetry influenced, which shows their taste is refined. Through Qyuki I produce quality work with music and poetry being the centrepoint.
Do you keep the listeners or the script in mindIJ
Absolutely the script and character first, but I also consider how audience will like it. Eventually, the movie director/producer is making the film for the audience, as no one wants to make a film that the public can not understand or enjoy.
What are the new projects in pipelineIJ
The immediate one is Jab Harry Met Sejal which releases this week. Then I have Tiger Zinda Hai, laila Majnu and a couple more which I can’t talk about right now.
What inspires you when you write a songIJ Does it depend on the brief you are givenIJ
I consider the entire script in totality and based on that I write my songs. The songs are my interpretation of the script.
Do you think the lyricists should put their foot down if the demand comes to double meaning songsIJ
Absolutely. lyricist should do that. I have left many movies, because I felt the songs and the words were inappropriate. Also, because movies are directly or indirectly related to society, songs have an effect on it. So we should produce quality music and lyrics.