"Touching hearts through poetry is more important than getting awards," says lyricist Irshad Kamil, who's won his first popular award for the song Aaj Din Chadya Tere Rang Warga from the film Love Aaj Kal
"Touching hearts through poetry is more important than getting awards," says lyricist Irshad Kamil, who's won his first popular award for the song Aaj Din Chadya Tere Rang Warga from the film Love Aaj Kal. Irshad has also penned some of the recent hits like Tum Se Hi (Jab We Met), Bhaage Re Mann (Chameli), Tera Hoone Laga Hoon (Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani). CS chats with him: 
The winner takes it all
Personally, I feel that in every field whether it's sports, arts or education, there are people who win awards, and others who win hearts. I want to fit in the second category. And if I still manage to win some awards, I will be a happy man. As far as Aaj Din Chadya is concerned, Imtiaz (Ali) wanted me to pen a heartfelt song. He told me, "Irshad write something that's straight from your heart, and don't put any brain to it." The song happened when Pritam, Imtiaz and I were jamming together. The best compliment I received was from Arunaji, the wife of late Punjabi poet Shiv Kumar Batalvi, who told me that the song was almost pious in its feeling. That made my day.
From journo to writer
Right from my childhood I knew that I wanted to be a writer. And that I would come to Mumbai to earn my bread and butter. But I didn't want to come here as a struggler. I was working as a journalist for a leading daily in Chandigarh, and there I met director Lekh Tandon. He needed the urgent services of a writer and requested me to come to Mumbai and help him out. I came here and stayed on to write for quite a few TV shows like Kahan Se Kahan Tak and Drishtaant. In fact, I want to continue writing for television as that's where my roots lie.
Lyrical dilemma
Unfortunately, there are many producers and directors who generalise their knowledge of poetry. They think that the audience's knowledge is as limited as theirs. If that was the case, then there wouldn't have been scores of fans of Gulzar and Javed Akhtar. We wouldn't have heard old songs again and again. Using some stereotypical lyrics like pyaar, diwana, iqraar, ishq repeatedly in a song takes away the life and essence. People should realise that good poetry will always find appreciation. And good poetry doesn't mean using difficult vocabulary, simple words can also translate into good poetry.
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