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By IndiaFM News Bureau
 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. The poet talks about his
journey so far to IndiaFM.
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.
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