Penning his 100th song with Aap Jaisa Koi’s Mila tujhe, lyricist Raj Shekhar opens up about his 14-year-long career and collaborations with Vishal Mishra over the years. He believes 100 is less and that it should have been 1000
Raj Shekhar
A century is a milestone worth celebrating. But the insatiable hunger of a writer is evident when we congratulate lyricist Raj Shekhar for having penned his 100th song, and he quips, “Hundred songs seem less in a 14-year career. It should have been 1000!”
The song, however, is special in more than one way. Mila Tujhe from Aap Jaisa Koi reunites him with actor R Madhavan, who featured in his maiden film album, Tanu Weds Manu (2011). “On YouTube, people commented that Mila Tujhe reminded them of their college days, when Yun hi from Tanu Weds Manu, was released. Woh padhkar laga umar ho gayi,” he laughs.
A still from Aap Jaisa Koi
With Mila tujhe, the lyricist reunites with singer and frequent collaborator Vishal Mishra. In an industry where partnerships are rarely permanent, Shekhar has found a constant companion in the singer and composer. “Despite working with each other for so many years, we don’t take one another for granted. We have huge fights about songs, yet there is immense trust between us,” he smiles. Their collaborations include Jaane de in Qarib Qarib Singlle (2017), Pehle bhi main in Animal (2023), and now, Mila tujhe.
They have teamed up again for Mohit Suri’s Saiyaara. The lyricist, who has penned the song Tum ho toh, reveals that almost nine years ago, he and Mishra had created another song for the director. “But it didn’t work out then,” recalls Shekhar, adding that Saiyaara too could’ve been a missed opportunity.
“This time, the song was recorded, but later, the situation was removed from the film. I felt history was repeating itself. Then, Mohit sir asked me to write
another song for Saiyaara. I didn’t ask him who the composer was. Later, Vishal called and asked me to meet him at the studio, where he explained the song’s situation. He said it was for Mohit sir’s film. When Mohit sir came to hear the song, we all were like, ‘Finally, it’s happening.’”
(L-R) Raj Shekhar, Irrfan Khan, and Vishal Mishra
To Irrfan, with love
Besides Qarib Qarib Singlle, the duo had created another song for late Irrfan Khan. It hasn’t seen the light of day. “It was for Tiku Weds Sheru; Irrfan saab was to do it then. We both felt it was a souvenir of Irrfan saab and didn’t part with it,” says Shekhar.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
