Swanand Kirkire has been writing songs for many years, having penned some of our favourite songs, including Aal Izz Well, Tu Kisi Rail Si, and more. While music gave him fame and recognition, it was never his dream. On World Music Day, Kirkire remembers how the success of Bawra Mann changed things for him. He also remembers taking risk while making Navrai Majhi, which went on to become a rage.
Swanand Kirkire on his initial days
Reflecting on his early days in the industry, Swanand Kirkire said music was never meant to be his profession, as he originally aspired to become a director. However, the immense success of his song Bawra Mann changed the course of his career. “I never wanted to do music as a profession, but it gave me name and fame. I wanted to do direction. But after my first song, Bawra Mann became such a rage, I kept getting opportunities. Big banners came to me and I did work like Parineeta, Munna Bhai MBBS so there was no looking back.”
On remake culture and AI
Speaking about remake culture, Swanand believes they should be approached responsibly. He explains, “Original essence gets lost. But I am not against it because people keep experimenting with things. It should be done with proper credit and views.”
On the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry, Kirkire acknowledged that AI is disrupting the creative landscape on a daily basis. He pointed out that technology now allows filmmakers to generate songs on their own.
Swanand Kirkire on facing criticism
Recalling the challenges he faced early in his career, Swanand Kirkire said that unconventional ideas often faced scepticism. Speaking about Munna Bhai MBBS, he revealed that many people had doubted the film’s premise. “When we were making Munna Bhai, everybody said it won’t work and who wants to watch Mahatma Gandhi? But the makers encouraged us and said they would go with it. Eventually, we became a trend,” he said.
Kirkire also opened up about the initial reception to his breakthrough song Bawra Mann. He recalled, “The first review was too bad. Me and Shantanu Moitra were crying reading that review. We kept wondering, ‘What have we done?’” he shared. However, despite the criticism, the song gradually gained popularity and went on to become a timeless favourite.
Swanand on breaking norm with Navrai Majhi
Opening up about the making of English Vinglish’s Navrai Majhi, Swanand Kirkire recalled how wedding songs in Bollywood were largely expected to have a Punjabi flavour to become chartbusters. However, he, director Gauri Shinde and composer Amit Trivedi decided to take a risk by rooting the song in Marathi culture instead. “Gauri Shinde, the director, me and Amitra, we took that chance. We made a Marathi song. And it became a rage to an extent that in every wedding people dance on Navrai Majhi,” he said.
Kirkire added that the song’s success reinforced the importance of challenging conventions. “So you have to keep breaking the norms and take risks. Sometimes you might fail and sometimes you can just hit it out of the park also,” he said.
He further revealed that many people, including the film’s producers, had advised the team to play safe and opt for a Punjabi wedding track. “Nobody thought that a Marathi wedding song would be so good. Because everybody, even the producers were insisting us to play safe and curate a Punjabi wedding song so everyone can dance on it,” he recalled. However, Shinde stood firm on her vision. “But director insisted on having a Marathi song and now everybody appreciates it and talks about it,” he added.
The actor will next be seen in Sooraj Barjatya’s Yeh Prem Moh Liya co-starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sharvari.