Lyricists should be given credit, disparity exists: Amitabh Bhattacharya

Lyricist and playback singer Amitabh Bhattacharya feels that lyricists are not being given their due in the film industry.

Emosanal attyachaar’ was a turning point in my life,” says lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya, as he reminisces about how he shot to fame with his hit track of Dev D (2009).

Amitabh Bhattacharya has written music for Aamir Khan’s upcoming film, Dangal. (Facebook)

Watch: Emosonal Attyachaar from Dec D

The writer, who collaborated with Pritam for the music of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, is part of the music composer’s next project too, which is Aamir Khan’s upcoming film. Speaking of the lyrics in Bollywood songs today, the writer says that tracks feature the “common lingo” that people speak in.

read more

Aamir was involved but didn’t interfere: Hanikarak Bapu lyricist Amitabh

Amitabh Bhattacharya: The reluctant lyricist

“I believe that is good. It is not necessary that every song has to be poetic,” he says.
Songs such as ‘Fevicol se’ (Dabangg; 2010), ‘Laila tujhe loot legi,’ (Shootout At Wadala; 2013), were under scrutiny for their vulgar lyrics. Amitabh maintains that artistes as well as audiences have a “choice”. He says, “Everyone has a personal sense of censorship. Nobody is making anyone do anything on gun point.”

Watch: Hanikarak Bapu from Dangal

More often than not, singers and composers receive more recognition than lyricists. Amitabh suggests that this needs to change. “They (lyricists) should be given due credit and their names should be mentioned properly. The disparity still exists. But such is the case with writing; it has always been a behind-the-scenes job,” he says.