I can’t do poor work, aim to give my best with every song: Swanand Kirkire

Celebrated Bollywood lyricist Swanand Kirkire says it is hard to live up to people’s expectations. He adds that he aims to give his 100% to each song.

I cannot do poor work,” says Swanand Kirkire one of Bollywood’s most celebrated lyricists. The writer, who has penned tracks such as ‘Piyu bole’ (Parineeta; 2005) and ‘Bande mein tha dum’ (Lage Raho Munna Bhai; 2006), admits that it is “hard” to live up to people’s expectations and deliver each time. “I aim to give my 100% to every song that I write. People comment on your work. They are very vocal. If they don’t like something, they say it. But since they love you so much, they get hurt [if you don’t deliver],” he says.

Swanand Kirkire is a lyricist and a playback singer. He has written lyrics for songs such as ‘Bande mein tha dum,’ from Lage Raho Munna Bhai and ‘Piyu bole,’ from Paineeta. (HT Photo)

Watch: Bande Mein Tha Dum from Lage Raho Munna Bhai

Swanand adds that he is fond of reading, and that worldly knowledge helps him draw inspiration for his writing. “Worldly knowledge is essential when you are sharing something with people. You need other people’s input and you need to understand what is going on in the world. You have to follow the trends and see how people are working and writing.”

Swanand has also explored acting with films such as Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003) and Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007). The writer says that he enjoys both writing and acting equally. “Acting is a good break from writing. The recognition that you receive from acting is also of a completely different kind. People know you by your face, which isn’t the case when you are a lyricist,” he says.