'Aamir Khan was aware of DK Bose'

Songwriter and lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya on the DK Bose controversy and how some really good work goes unnoticed in Bollywood...

For someone who came with the ambition of becoming a singer in Bollywood, song writer and lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya minces no words when he openly admits that it is the order of the day when he is asked to pen lyrics that are edgy , ‘controversial’ and ‘work’ with the masses.
The man who wrote lyrics for Dev D, Udaan, No one killed Jessica, Anjaana Anjaani, Band Baaja Baraat, I am, Once upon a time in Mumbai, Ready and Delhi Belly opens up about the brash and perky lyrics in Bollywood today...
What is the kind of brief you receive from a filmmaker while writing songs?
Filmmakers want songs that get masses hooked to them. So if we do sensitive, romantic lyrics, what is easily lapped up by the masses are songs like Character dheela (Ready), DK Bose (Delhi Belly) or Mutton (Luv ka the End). They want edgy, loud, perky songs in a colloquial language.

Your songs Saali re, Mutton, Character Dheela and now DK Bose reflect objectionable lyrics.
The songs are used for situations that require them to be like that. It all depends on perception. Filmmakers come to us saying, ‘Kuch emotional atyachaar jaisa likho.’ Why are ‘Saali re’, ‘DK Bose’ and ‘Character dheela’ such hits and not a single song of Udaan got nominated in popular awards categories? Don’t you sometimes feel good work is going unnoticed?

There was some controversy around DK Bose with filmmaker Anubhav Sinha commenting on the irresponsible way the lyrics have been handled.
I can’t comment on Anubhav’s view. But Aamir Khan was aware of the song. He was present on the sets when the song was conceptualized.
Lyricists need to promote themselves. Do you agree?
A song writer’s job is very low profile. If a Character Dheela gets famous, people would remember Salman Khan, the film and at the most the composer. No one remembers the lyricist. But that’s how it is so we can’t change anything. I want to do a range of songs like I have done before and would definitely want to write for AR Rahman one day.

About the Author

Tanvi Trivedi

It is important to enjoy what you do and I feel writing is a beautiful way of expression. India thrives on Bollywood and Entertainment and Tanvi likes to write on - TV, Music and Films. She also contributes to topical trends, lifestyle and relationship stories. And when she is not on the Entertainment beat, she loves to spend time meeting different people, travel, watching plays, films and reading autobiographies.

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