My best works are with Anand-Milind, Nadeem-Shravan: Sameer

Aug 04

Mumbai, (IANS) After working with three generations of music directors and writing more than 6,000 songs, lyricist Sameer says working with music directors like Anand-Milind and Nadeem-Shravan was the golden era of his professional life.

"Anand-Milind and Nadeem Shravan will always be special to me. Those were the times when I enjoyed working most and produced the best of my creations," Sameer, who has been writing lyrics for 25 years now, told IANS.

Son of renowned lyricist Anjaan, Sameer started his career in 1983 with the song "Gori pareshan hai" for the film "Bekhabar" but his lyrics for songs like "Dil kho gaya" and "O Priya Priya" in "Dil" and "Nazar ke saamne" and "Dheere dheere se" for Aashiqui" made him popular.

He has penned down lyrics for recent flicks like "Race", "Mere Baap Pehle Aap" and "Mission Istanbul".

"Though my songs are getting recognition even today, but I will always cherish the memories of my initial hits like 'Dil' and 'Aashiqui' that I had written," said Sameer, who has bagged three Filmfare awards.

The lyricist changed his style with the changing times and worked with composers like Laxmikant Pyarelal and Nadeem-Shravan to Himesh Reshammiya and Pritam Chakraborty of today.

"One has to change with time and keep himself abreast with the changes happening around him. Every generation has its own style and likings and to be in the industry, one has to adopt the changes."

Director Nikhil Advani of "Salaam-e-Ishq" fame recently signed a five-film contract with him.

Sameer has also written lyrics for Gulshan Kumar's daughter Tulsi's debut album. And he hasn't taken any money in return.

"I had promised Gulshan Kumar that whenever his daughter would come up with an album, I would definitely assist her. Now by working for the album, I'm fulfilling my promise."

Samer said that he had got many offers to judge reality music shows on TV, but he refused as they didn't excite him.

"I don't find any interest in sitting there as a show piece and doing nothing. I was offered to judge various shows, but I did not accept it."

Sameer feels there is a dearth of good lyricists in India because people don't take this profession seriously.

"To be ale to write lyrics, people should be able to go into the depth of a subject and also have his own imagination, which comes with utmost dedication."

He also lamented that lyricists in India don't get enough publicity.

"No one believed Sahir Ludhianvi when he introduced himself to people because nobody knew him by face. The conditions are changing now but the process is slow. Thankfully people behind the camera are getting some exposure now."

Asked about his future projects, Sameer said he is writing for five films -Reshammiya's "Karzzz", Mahesh Bhatt's "Kajra Re", John Mathew Mathan's "A Love Story", Satish Kaushik's "Gujju Bhai" and also "Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh". All these films star Reshammiya.

Besides, he has also written for "Milenge Milenge", "Housefull", "Golmaal Returns" and two films by Vashu Bhagnani.