Prasoon Joshi on what influence his lyrics

For lyricist Prasoon Joshi, understanding the script of a film is most important before he begins to pen down the lyrics of its songs. Joshi, who wrote the songs of the upcoming film, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the music of which is by Son records, says...

For lyricist Prasoon Joshi, understanding the script of a film is most important before he begins to pen down the lyrics of its songs. Joshi, who wrote the songs of the upcoming film, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the music of which is by Son records, says: “Since I wrote both the screenplay and the dialogues for the film, I knew from the very start as to what I wanted to write in my songs.”

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Ask him for a bit more, the 41-year-old adds: “Song, Mera Yaar, plays the role of a commentator of the situation between the two lovers (played by Farhan Akthar and Sonam Kapoor in the film). The script and dialogues tell us facts about the two, but the song narrates their love story.”

Joshi, who has to his credit the lyrics for Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par and Delhi 6, admits that a lot of his lyrics for Bhaag Milkha Bhaag were inspired from the personality of India’s legend in athletics, Milkha Singh. “He believes in destiny but does not worry too much about it. And that’s what influenced my lyrics. The song, Zinda, is based on Milkha’s mantra of giving everything to achieve something in life,” says Joshi.

The lyricist has from time to time worked with composer trio Shankar Ehsaan Loy and maestro AR Rahman. Ask him about their working ways and he says: “More people, more ideas. That’s the case with Shankar Ehsaan Loy, who prefer to work during the day. While with Rahman, I get a feeling of being in a surreal world because we sometimes end up working till three in the morning.”

More on Prasoon Joshi
He began writing lyrics in 1999 with the film, Bhopal Express, and went on to pen songs for many blockbuster films. Joshi received a National Award for Best Lyrics in 2007 for Taare Zameen Par. A versatile writer and poet, he has also contributed to the ad world, and has many jingles to his credit.