Irshad Kamil Discusses His Enriching Songwriting Path And Inspirations

Irshad Kamil, a prominent figure in Bollywood's music scene, is known for his poetic lyrics that often determine a film's success. Recently, he appeared on Pankaj Dubey's show Small Towns Big Stories to discuss his journey, creative process, and the essence of his work.

Kamil's background in Hindi literature and the timeless verses of Punjabi poets like Baba Farid, Kabir, and Gurdial Singh heavily influence his work. "I try to embed literature into everything I write," he says. Growing up in Malerkotla, a town rich in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu languages, provided him with a diverse linguistic environment that shaped his unique writing style.

Kamil's writing process is spontaneous and almost childlike. He describes it as, "My work is like that of a small child; it just appears and sits on the sheet." His approach is immersive—he becomes the characters he's writing for. Whether it's Ved from Tamasha or Jordan from Rockstar, he steps into their shoes to imagine their emotions and situations before composing the lyrics.

Staying true to the words is crucial for Kamil. "You have to express the words in the composition," he insists. An example is his collaboration with A.R. Rahman for Chamkila's songs, where Rahman wouldn't let him leave until he delivered the lyrics. Another instance is Tum Se Hi from Jab We Met; Kamil was so moved by the composition that he disappeared for three days before finalising the song.

The lyricist also shared an interesting story about his name. He felt 'Irshad' was too short and wanted something longer. After searching through a dictionary, his mother chose 'Kamil,' meaning 'complete,' thus he became Irshad Kamil. Despite his success, he remains grounded and still sees himself as an unconfident guy from a small town, making him relatable to today's youth.

Kamil's aspirations extend beyond songwriting; he wants to explore other forms of writing and even filmmaking. His work aims to bring the simplicity of small-town life into bustling cities.

Irshad Kamil's journey from Malerkotla to Bollywood highlights how diverse cultural influences can shape one's creative output. His ability to immerse himself in characters' emotions makes his lyrics resonate deeply with audiences.