On Becoming Bollywood's Accidental Lyricist | Swanand Kirkire | The Music Podcast

We’re thrilled to welcome Swanand Kirkire, the acclaimed lyricist, playback singer, writer, and actor known for his outstanding contributions to Hindi cinema and theatre. With National Awards for his lyrics in ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ and ‘3 Idiots’, and a third for his acting in the Marathi film ‘Chumbak’, his work includes hits like ‘Baawra Mann’, ‘Monta Re’, and ‘Tu Kisi Rail Si Guzarti Hai’. A graduate of the National School of Drama, Swanand Ji continues to blend poetic depth with everyday language, making his work both relatable and timeless. Don’t miss this incredible podcast with the iconic personality—it's a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and learn from the best! _ EPISODE DESCRIPTION: In this much-anticipated episode of *The Music Podcast*, we get an up-close look at the journey of Swanand Kirkire, one of India’s most celebrated lyricists. Known for his impactful work in films like ‘3 Idiots’, ‘Kai Po Che’, ‘Fitoor’, and ‘Khoya Khoya Chand’, Swanand shares invaluable insights into his creative process and career. From his early days at the National School of Drama, where mentors like Piyush Mishra helped shape his outlook, to his collaborations with Amitabh Bhattacharya, Shantanu Moitra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and A.R. Rahman, Swanand reflects on the relationships and experiences that made him the “accidental, underrated lyricist.” He speaks openly about his passion for fair credit in the industry, the importance of his National Awards, and his unexpected superstitions as an artist. Get to know the writing techniques behind his work, how he brings characters to life through lyrics, and the unique challenges he’s faced. Join us for a fascinating conversation with Swanand Kirkire, filled with stories and lessons from his iconic journey in Indian cinema. Don’t miss it! Show some love! Hit the Like, Share, and Subscribe buttons for The Music Podcast! Your thoughts matter, drop them in the comments. Share your Wishlist for upcoming guests or the questions you'd like your favourite guests to answer. Connect with us at [email protected]. Your feedback makes our podcast journey even more exciting! Join The Music podcast Community now. _ EPISODE CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Precap + Disclaimer 01:32 - Guest Intro. 03:00 - Who is the real Swanand Kirkire? 11:06 - His time at NSD 20:19 - He's an Accidental lyricist 23:36 - His Writing Process 26:26 - Writing with Mother 29:35 - "Go with the Flow" 34:10 - Most Memorable Collaborations! 36:02 - Handling Rejections 37:10 - The Rejected Antara from 'Pihu Bole' 38:58 - Hilarious Memories! 01:01:15 - Difference between script & lyric writing process 01:02:57 - Working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra, 12th Fail and others 01:07:13 - Special Poem! 01:14:51 - Fight for Credits! 01:19:09 - #AskTheGuest

01:35:02 - Creative Freedom in Marathi Industry 01:36:54 - Music's Impact on society & other views 01:41:42 - 'Bavra Mann' story 01:44:22 - Student-Techer Relationship EXPLAINED 01:46:12 - Business Opportunities with SK 01:52:16 - "I want to make Films" 01:53:52 - One-Man Show as a Lyricist 01:54:47 - New Skills to acquire! 01:55:34 - Using Social Media 01:56:15 - Using AI in Music 01:57:48 - Struggles after Success 02:01:28 - His Legacy 02:02:27 - Thank You! 02:02:39 - Behind-the-scenes -- Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: The Music Podcast YT Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@_TheMusicPodcast_ _ Host - Tarsame Mittal Guest – Swanand Kirkire Audio Credits: Dialogue Editor, Mix and Master by Nikhil Bhagwat Producer - Vinita Sabberwal Business Head - Dimple Mehta THE CREW – CONTENT TEAM - Abhineet Mandal, Janice Fernandes, Fahiyan Hussain Head of Production – Sahil Choubey Post Production - Srinivas Rao, Ashutosh Surendra Kharunkar, Piyush Rajpoot Content Researcher – Princy Surana