"Remixes are on their way to their graveyard"

Courtesy: IndiaFM

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

He comes from a reputed and well-educated family with a political background. But the poet in him made him leave everything behind and enter the world of entertainment. We are talking about Praveen Bharadwaj who has written lyrics for many of Mahesh Bhatt and Mahesh Manjrekar's films.

What inspired you to become a lyricist?
I like to write poetry and knew that I could pen lyrics for films. I had the potential and inspiration both. So in 2000 I moved to Mumbai to become a lyricist.

Was there lots of struggle or you had some mentor to help you?
I did not have to struggle at all, not in the classical sense of struggle. I had met Jackie Shroff through a common friend. Through him I got my first song 'Kem chhe' in his production Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hai. Within 20 days of landing in Bombay, my first song was recorded and within two months of recording, this film was also released. This song became a big hit. I knew that I will not have to look back.

Which was your second film?
Immediately I was signed again for Jackie Shroff's next home production Sandhya. Then Mahesh Manjrekar signed me for his films Pitaah, Ehsaas, Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye, Pyar Kiya Nahi Jaata, Hathyaar and Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav.

Most of the times lyricists team up with one particular composer. Who is your favourite?
Most of my films had music by Anand Raj Anand. But instead of teaming with one composer I prefer to blend with the best. One should be able to showcase talent with every creative person. I have worked with many composers like Anu Malik, Anand Milind, Jatin-Lalit, Nikhil-Vinay, Daboo Malik, Pritam and of course Anand Raj Anand. Besides them I have worked with many more music directors for private albums too. But Anand Raj Anand has fetched me Feroz Khan's Jaansheen where I wrote the song Dil Diwana...and Mukesh Bhatt's Gunaah where I had written 'Humne Tumko Dil Ye De Diya.

Which are the other makers that you have worked with?
I have written hit songs for producers and directors like Mahesh Bhatt, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ram Gopal Varma, Vikram Bhatt, Vivek Agnihotri, Vipul Shah, Deepak Tijori, Anurag Basu, Gaurang Doshi, Tinu Anand and Amol Shetge for films like Chocolate, Aankhen, Zameer, Ek Hindustani, Naam Gum Jayega, Pitaah, Hathyar, Gunah, Ehsaas, Saaya, Bhoot, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Saathiyon, Ishq Diwana, Jaanasheen, Ishque Ishque and many more. In Aankhein I wrote two songs 'Kuchh Kasame hai Jawaa' and 'Chhalka Chhalka'. I had a hit streak in all these years with songs like Khoye Khoye Din from 'Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam' and 'Thoda Sa Pyar Hua Hai' from 'Maine Dil Tujhko Diya'. In last six years I have written songs for over 70 films.

Do you need to work on the words according to the situation or it comes naturally?
My talent is a gift of God. I have written every kind of song. Most of the time my songs not only have good words but also a lot of sense in them. They have poetic value and new thoughts. As in my songs in Gunaah where the Mukhda says, Humne Tumko Dil Ye De Diya, Ye Bhi na Poochha Kaun Ho Tum. Words just flow out once I pick up the pen in my hands.

Have you studied Hindi literature to understand the nuances of poetry?
I have not read Hindi or Urdu extensively but tend to draw from life's experience. My entire family is very well educated and have strong literary inclination. I think that every human being has a poet hidden within them and must have written a few lines of poetry at some times of their life. Everyday we experience love, betrayal, sadness and joy but only few of us dive within to come out with poetic expression.

Do you prefer to pen songs for films only? And is there scope for lyricist in music albums since remixes are the fashion of the day? Remixes are on their way to their graveyard. Today original music is once again on the high. Last year I have given hit albums. In this short time, I have made a mark in the field of private albums and I have about 25 original albums with me. Then I am also instrumental in the use of traditional instruments instead of techno music. Today, when everybody is creating a private album through Remix and techno music, I have the honour to give hit original albums. Bewafaai with Aagam Kumar Nigam was a hit that used Tabla with Dholak. When I wrote poetry for Pankaj Udhas' album 'Hasrat', he commented that the words were as poetic as the words of his earlier albums. My another album Tera Mera Pyar was very modern. It was first released abroad under the label of Replay Music and later it was successfully launched by Sony and BMG. All were huge success and in all three, the music directors were young NRI's. Now, I'm doing two more albums with them. My other albums are for different music companies like T-Series and Sony BMG.

Why are you so intent on doing private album when others are stressing for films for glamour and better mileage?
It's extremely important for me to do albums to prove my worth. Private albums run on their merit alone and not because of the attached value of a super star.

Who is your idol from Hindi films?
I was never over exposed to the old Hindi music, so I never had the excess baggage of icons and idols. I had the privilege to interact with late Anand Bakshi saab and I saw the great artiste in him. When he passed away some work of T-Series album Kuch Dil Ne Kaha was incomplete. It was my privilege to complete those songs. I did not take any credit because it was my Shradhdhanjali to the great lyricist.

I got another chance to be in the shadow of great icons when O Saathiya song by Ananad Bakshi Ji in Anurag Basu's Saaya needed a sad version in the film. I wrote the song. Although it was not used in the film, still I felt so honoured.

Which are your forthcoming works?
My forthcoming films include Nehle Pe Dehla, Khafaa, Kaheen Aag Na Lag jaye, Dekho Mil Gaye, Pyar Karo Bindaas, Hum Bewafa Hargiz Na The, and Vash.

I have new albums like Bewafai II, Tera Mera Pyar II, Deewana Hoon, Musafir, Tumse Milke and Jaaniya. Others are untitled. Producers have liked my work. Raj Kumar Barjatya had complimented me on my work and found it very mature. I know I have still to go a long way but I will reach my destination.