Lyricist Sameer Anjaan, also a Guinness record holder for penning the highest number of songs in the Hindi film industry, attended the Kalinga Literary Festival on its second day Sunday. Monalisa Patsani of Orissa POST spoke with the writer on subjects dear to him. Excerpts from the chat:
How many songs have you written in your 33-year career?
In Hindi alone I have written 650 songs for films and 3,524 more otherwise. That has fetched me the record. But in addition to that I have written about 1,070 original Bhojpuri songs and worked on 40 album songs such as ‘Tera Chehra’ that Adnan Sami sang. Some of my songs are yet to be published.
You started your career in the Bhojpuri film industry in 1984. Are you still
active there?
No I am not. It has been 20 years now and Hindi films are keeping me occupied.
You have written songs such as ‘Nazar ke Samne Jigar ke Pass’ in the 90s and now ‘Char Baj Gaye Hain Lekin Party Abi Baki Hai’. How did you adapt?
Demands change with time. If older people want to remain in the race they have to adapt to changes. We have to update ourselves and come out of old shells to accept changes the new generation wants. It is always better to stay connected with youngsters and to give them what they want. I try to get into the shoes of youngsters, I talk to them, try and understand their lifestyle and tastes. I was charged with mixing languages in one song. But that is what youngsters do.
Today technology can make even someone not trained in music a singer. Is it true?
Technology has definitely taken hold of music. But people love technology. We cannot judge whether it is right or wrong. So one cannot blame the writer, director or anyone else for that. People have to decide what they actually want.
Do your songs reflect the lost love of your life?
Yes. A creative person reflects upon his experiences. If one is not in love, how can he write a love song? Without feelings, these would be fake. My songs will always reflect my love for her. Maybe that is why people love my songs.
What is your take on the trend that singers such as Honey Singh have brought into music?
Nothing is permanent. This, too, won’t last long. People will get bored if repetitive songs are served to them.
Do you stick with scripts or are you free of such constraints?
Poets and lyricists work very differently; a poet writes what he feels, while a lyricist writes based on what he is told. I write as the directors tell me. I read scripts, try to understand the sequence and write according to demands of the script.
What are your upcoming projects?
I am working on several movies. A song ‘Irada’ with Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi on screen is one. I have also written a lullaby, my first. Movies ‘Julie 2’ and ‘Saat Kadam’, besides a film of Sajid Nadiadwala are also in the pipeline. I am also doing some private albums; one is with Himesh Reshammiya.
About your journey to and life in Mumbai . . .
It took me nine years to get my first film ‘Dil’. In those nine years, I was frustrated and even broke down over my failure. But I feel it was necessary to take me ahead. The struggle helps one understand the value of success. If you get everything served on a platter, that value will be lost.
