15 Bollywood Lyricists & Dialogue Writers Who Didn’t Get Their Due Credit
When our heart is broken, or we're overjoyed, or sometimes looking for motivation, the very first thing that hits in the mind, is a Song. And since we are Indians, the first thing that hits the mind is a Bollywood song.
To handle our heart, we listen to Jag Soona Soona Lage by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, to have a partying mood, we have Badtameez Dil by Benny Dayal, and who can forget the all-time motivation anthem, Kar Har Maidan Fateh by Sukhwinder Singh.
The one thing that is common in all these Hindi songs is that they are amazingly picturized, brilliantly performed, and remarkably composed. That's how a blockbuster Bollywood song looks like.
Having talked so far, we are missing mentioning someone. Someone who is the foremost credit seeker of any Bollywood song. Someone who can be called as the parent of any song or even movie. They're the Writers, the Lyricists.
Bollywood lyricists and writers consume their lives to develop thoughts, to design an image in their brains, and to pen down such a phenomenal craft, which is projected in front of us in the blockbuster Bollywood songs.
But, we fail to appreciate them. We fail to give them their credit. Certainly, we fail to respect them, and that's what leads to a popular online campaign active these days: #creditdedoyaar.
Bollywood Lyricists, Dialogue Writers:
Firstly, let's know who are artists associated with this campaign, Credit DeDo Yaar :
1. Swanand Kirkire
A lyricist, a singer, a writer, an actor, and the list goes on when we talk about Swanand Kirkire. Starting from writing short plays, and then giving some mesmerizing songs collection, his work is commendable.
He has aced all the domains of the Hindi film industry (Bollywood). The song Bawara Mann Raah Taake will shake your heart, and then, All Izz Well will calm you down. Always by some or other way, Swanand Kirkire has tickled our hearts.
2. Amitabh Bhattacharya
Another famous Bollywood lyricist is Amitabh Bhattacharya. After several years of struggle, his exceptional work in the Hindi film industry finally made him the national award-winning lyricist.
Amitabh Bhattacharya’s songs have handled us in our break-ups. Remember the line ‘Mehfil Mein Teri Hum Na Rahe Toh’ from the popular Hindi song Channa Mereya (ADHM)? And then, songs written by him have rejuvenated us, for a new relationship. ‘Badtameez Dil Maane Na’ (YJHD) has always become our companion while looking for love.
3. Varun Grover
An IITian turned lyricist, writer, and stand-up comedian, Varun Grover is the third on our list of people who think that Bollywood lyricists and writers don’t get their due credit.
For Varun Grover, working profiles have changed, but, everywhere he has won our hearts. Varun’s exceptional work is seen in songs Moh Moh Ke Dhaage and Mann Kasturi, and these Hindi songs will always touch our hearts. Another song written by Varun Grover, Bhoos Ke Dher Me Rayi Ka Dana, will always convey a strong political satire.
4. Manoj Muntashir
Manoj Muntashir, another famous name in the Bollywood industry adopted the name Muntashir as his surname when he heard a dialogue on the radio with the word Muntashir in it. He was so impressed by the word that instantly, he changed Manoj Shukla to Manoj Muntashir.
In his words, "I am the only Muntashir, who has ever existed in the world of poetry ". We might get a Muntashir in the future, but there'll be only one Manoj Muntashir known for his lyrics in the Bollywood songs.
Manoj Muntashir’s lyrics in the song Teri Mitti will dive you into the love for your motherland, while the words he wrote in Kaun Tujhe Yun Pyaar Karega will let you express your love for your partner. There are many other ravishing songs that will always portray his presence.
5. Sameer Anjaan
Starting a career as a Bank Officer, and then in 2016, becoming The Guinness World Record Holder, for the most number of songs, Sameer Anjaan one of those all-time sensations of Bollywood. He is a successful and celebrated Bollywood lyricist, yet his words go uncredited.
The special thing with every song written by Sameer, there has been an emotional connection. Be it the forever melodious song Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, or the heart touching Main Yahan Tu Wahan from Baghban, Sameer’s lyrics have forever trended.
6. Neelesh Misra
"Welcome to The Neelesh Misra Show." We all have heard this line at least once in our life.
Starting from Journalism, Neelesh Misra went on to becoming a soothing communicator in our life. Neelesh Misra brought to us dazzling stories, but didn't stop there. He then came up with writing songs and became a popular Bollywood lyricist.
There are many hit songs of Neelesh Misra, but, Kuch to Bata Zindagi of Bajrangi Bhaijan will remain right on the top, as it has an inevitable potential to question your ongoing Life anytime, anywhere.
7. Mayur Puri
In his early days, Mayur Puri used to write for local theatres, televisions, and then, he did exceptional dialogue writing in Bollywood. He has been continuously passionate about his work, but sadly, he too has never been credited for it.
"Ek Chutki Sindoor Ki Keemat Tum Kya Jaano Ramesh Babu" is a famous Bollywood dialogue penned by Mayur Puri only. Be it writing the giggling Chicken Song of Bajrangi Bhaijan, or the heartwarming song Bezubaan from ABCD, he has always excelled in his craft.
8. Shailendra Singh Sodhi
Popularly and formally called as Shelle, Shaliendra Singh Sodhi is another Bollywood lyricist who feels his words are never credited. Carrying ahead the legacy of his father Himmat Singh Sodhi, Shelle (Shaliendra Singh Sodhi) is not just the name that seems swaggy, but that's how his work is.
Be it Chitta Ve from Udta Punjab or Pappi Le Loon from Veere Di wedding, he has always come out, like one of the coolest men with words out there. There are very few lyricists in Bollywood who are capable of sewing words like him.
9. Anvita Dutt
After giving a certain amount of time to the advertising world, Anvita Dutt turned to the Bollywood industry. She came up as a dialogue writer, and moved on to being a screenplay writer, a story writer, a lyricist, and even, a Director.
If there is any dilemma about Anvita’s direction, you can watch the very recently released movie Bulbul (2020), which is a masterpiece. Bringing Radha from the courtyard to the dance floor, or explaining that Ishq Wala Love, Anvita Dutt has always given us some mesmerizing lyrics in Hindi songs.
10. Kausar Munir
From beginning her career with writing an Indian daily soap, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin, to penning down the all-time favorite Qawali song, Bhar Do Jholi Meri Ya Mohammad, Kausar Munir is one of the most loved lyricists in Bollywood industry.
Having been fond of poetry since childhood, Kausar Munir developed the skills for writing. Once the Dhoom series fame Director Vijay Krishna Acharya (Victor) offered her a chance to write lyrics.
Kausar Munir grabbed it brilliantly and showed her exceptional skills by writing some enchanting pieces of words in the songs Falak Tak Chal Sath Mere (Tashan). Then, she made a firm path for her to become a Bollywood lyricist.
Today, Kausar Munir is known for giving lyrics in adoring songs like Manna Ke Hum Yaar Nahin, Suno Na Sangemarmar, and many more.
11. Raj Shekhar
The man who unusually came out as a professional writer, Raj Shekhar is also never credited for the exceptional work he did in the Bollywood industry.
Starting his career as an Assistant Director to Anand L Rai, Raj Shekhar later emerged as a lyrics writer, on the recommendation of a friend from the Tanu Weds Manu team. That's how his writing journey began, and further led lyricist Raj Shekhar penning down some very beautiful Hindi songs.
Raj Shekhar’s lyrics in songs like Mat Ja Re from Tanu Weds Manu Returns or Udta Teeter from 2019 released Saand Ki Aankh, and even lot more, every song gives us a touchy feeling.
12. Abhiruchi Chand
Have you seen Sanju? You might've not realized, that apart from acting, songs, and direction, one more thing that connected us with the entire movie was its dialogues, and they were penned by Abhiruchi Chand.
Moreover, Abhiruchi Chand is a fine Bollywood lyricist too. She is the one who gave us the Hindi song Buddhu Sa Mann from Kapoor and Sons, which lightens our mood any time and the tenderly connecting Hindi song Theher Ja from October, which completely belongs to a different genre.
Abhiruchi Chand’s writing skills bring us a variety of songs, but the sad part again here is, she is also not credited for her work.
13. Kumaar
Raakesh Kumar, or popularly known as, Kumaar, is an Indian Lyricist, who was backed up completely by his family for his decision to be a part of the Hindi Film Industry. Yet, he sighs when people do not credit him for the work he did.
It was by writing the song Ishq Tera Tadpave that he acquired a place as a lyricist in the Hindi film industry. And it later proved a perfect place for him. Kumaar has penned various blockbuster Hindi songs like, Maa Da Ladla, Sooraj Dooba Hain, Baby Doll, and many more.
14. Hussain Haidry
Hussain Haidry is a young boy from Indore, who once was a Chartered Accountant, and later, headed finance of a HealthCare company. It was his passion for poetry that encouraged him to leave everything, and move to Mumbai.
Hussain Haidry’s spoken word poem, Hindustani Musalmaan, gave him immense attention and led his way to writing songs for web series, like, TVF Tripling, Yeh Meri Family, Chacha Vidhayak Hai Humare, and songs of movies like, Qarib Qarib Single and Mukkebaaz.
They all prove his passion for music, yet he is one of the many Bollywood lyricists who are not given credits for their work.
15. Puneet Sharma
From writing just for fun to making a career in it, Puneet Sharma has become a motivation for many individuals trying out to be a lyricist in Bollywood.
In initial days, Puneet Sharma worked for radio. He then suddenly moved to Mumbai, where he had done theatres and wrote songs. His entire life has been full of struggling adventures and it is saddening that he doesn’t get credit for his works.
Puneet Sharma’s hard work led him to gaining fame and writing successful songs of movies like Sanju, Bareilly Ki Barfi, Gulabo Sitabo, and many more.
Challenges Faced by Lyricists
Do you know what obstacles lyricists in Bollywood go through?
1. Without knowing the entire movie, lyricists in Bollywood have to come up with a song.
Yes, that's how it is. Only a broader picture is provided in most cases, and just by that, the song has to be written.
2. Ending with a specific hook-up line.
Your words could be anything, your rhythm could be anything, but the song should end with a word or sentence that the Movie Director or the Music Composer wishes.
3. Adjusting with the meter.
Yes, there is a meter, which provides the details of recurring patterns or repetitions coming in the song. So to make a song accepted, it needs to fulfill the constraints of the meter.
Let's know a Fact About Making of Bollywood Songs
What is created first? The song’s lyrics or its music? In most of the cases, it is the music of the song. To the lyricists in Bollywood, the music is given and within the stipulated time, a song fitting that music has to be written. You see how difficult the work of a lyricist/writer is?
Support for the campaign CreditDeDoYaar
It all started when Radio Mirchi came up with the saying, Mirchi Credit De Har Baar. It was so catchy that popular Bollywood names including A.R.Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal, Salim Merchant, and Sonu Nigam came up to support this campaign. Many news channels also joined the movement. And most importantly, there has been huge support from the audience.
Being a miniature writer, a big fan, and avid learner, there is a huge respect for all of these Bollywood lyricists and writers in my heart. These are the thoughts of a Hindi music lover, which are put up as a word of expression on the behalf of all the Music Lovers, for showing the support to our melodious music writing fraternity.
I have a gentle request to all of you - Let's come up together, and change the system!
There is an immense amount of hard work that all Bollywood lyricists and writers put in and always come up with something new on the table. If you appreciate them, it's just like awarding them for their work, which they deserve. This certainly will refresh, cheer, and push them, to write more and more melodious songs for us.
Whenever you listen to a song, check out who's the very first creator of that song. And if you see any missing credit, then please tweet, comment, or complain to get them their credit. Do take a step, because CreditTohBantaHaiYaar!
Read More: Bollywood Monsoon Songs | Bollywood Travel Songs
Explore: Feeding Trends Events