JOIN USRomance achieved new heights when he penned the words Nazar ke saamne and Ghunghat ki aad mein to be weaved into immortal melodies for the films Ashiqui and Hum Hain Rahi Pyaar Ke, years back.
Though times have changed, yet when lyricist Sameer gets down to work, muscular Salman Khan looks adorable singing Tore naina bade dagabaaz re in Dabangg 2. The poet, however, rues that “Romance to reh hi nahi gaya hai. There is so much of practicality within today’s career-conscious generation, that there is hardly any time left for romance. Love kya hota hai yeh aaj kal ke bachchon ko pata hi nahi hai!”
Leave alone ‘love’ , even the ‘philosophy of life’ that was depicted in old Bollywood numbers seems to be missing according to Sameer. “Philosophy is what we learn from life and is transformed in the form of songs. But today, everything is available on internet so there is hardly anything left to be learnt from real-life experiences,” he says comparing the contemporary time with the bygone days when he joined the film industry in the early ’80s against the wishes of his family, including his father Anjaan - who was also a lyricist.
“At that time, I had to fight my seniors who were already established in the industry. There isn’t much difference, since I have to fight my juniors today,” says the optimistic artiste who believes in taking up challenges to prove himself among the new generation of lyricists. “The struggle is still on and it should always continue, but the fact remains that those who are experienced will be better. Jitna purana utna behtar! Just like old wine. The challenge is to present myself in a new bottle. I have accepted such challenges and proved myself,” he says pointing that it wasn’t an easy task for him to write the song “Chaar baj gaye lekin party” for F.A.L.T.U.
“Creation kabhi nayi ya purani nahi hoti,” he theorises as one listens to him recite ‘108 weekly Samuhik Sunderkand’ in the Capital recently and wonders about the source of inspiration that has encouraged him to keep writing. “I derive my inspiration from everything – from the story to the character – but all these are on demand and supply,” he avers while confessing, “There was a time when I did 120 films at a time but now the times have changed. Yet, while doing five to 10 films in a year I don’t think that quantity affects quality. Infact, I work the other way round. If you don’t let me work for a year, I won’t be able to work as much as I do now!”
Though his planner for the year is full with thriller and action-comedy movies like The Xpose and the Salman Khan-starrer Kick, yet he predicts that the coming decade in the industry will “see a rise in romantic films. Ashiqui 2 has left an indelible mark like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, in the late 80s. It is also the perfect time for Nadeem-Shravan to come back. I desire to work with them again,” he signs off on that wishful note.