LYRICS BY SAMEER: THE STORIES BEHIND THE ICONIC SONGS

by Shuja Ali, Sameer

  • Category Non-Fiction
  • Format Paperback
  • Imprint Rupa
  • Price 295
  1. ISBN: 978-93-6156-393-5
  2. Pages: 244 pages
  3. Date: 5th May 2024

ABOUT THIS BOOK

A first-hand account of Sameer’s biggest blockbuster hit songs and the interesting stories behind them
Did you know that Shravan of Nadeem–Shravan virtually refused to let the debuting hero of Phool Aur Kaante, Ajay Devgan, enter the recording studio as he felt he wasn’t ‘hero material’ until Sameer intervened and convinced him that Devgan was a dark horse? Or that Aditya Chopra had rejected the immensely popular signature tune of the Dhoom title track and series, and had it not been for Sameer, the song would never have been recorded?
This and several other interesting anecdotes make up this book which consists of 50 of Sameer’s greatest hits including ‘Chintata’ (Rowdy Rathore), ‘4 Baj Gaye’ (F.A.L.T.U), ‘Balma’ (Khiladi 786), ‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (Title), ‘Crazy Kia Re’ (Dhoom 2), ‘Say Shava Shava’ (K3G), ‘Jab Se Tere Naina’ (Saawariya), ‘Aashiq Banaya Aapne’ (Title) and many more. From clashes between composers and directors to last-minute changes that shaped the final song, readers will get an exclusive look at the creative process behind Sameer’s biggest hits.
As Sameer recounts the stories behind his iconic compositions, readers will be transported back to a time of colourful costumes, catchy melodies, and larger-than-life performances that defined an entire generation. This is the Bollywood you’ve always loved!

AUTHOR OF THE BOOK

Sameer Anjaan, born Shitala Pandey on 24 February 1958 in Varanasi, is a Guinness World
Record-holding Bollywood lyricist, with over 640 films and 4,500 songs to his name. The son of
renowned poet and lyricist Anjaan, Sameer has garnered multiple accolades, including three Filmfare Awards and the prestigious Shaheed Bhagat Singh Award. With a career spanning over three decades, he continues to shape the landscape of Indian cinema with his poetic expressions.
Shuja Ali, also known as Ali Saeed Rizvi, hailing from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, is an accomplished screenwriter and director with a rich portfolio in Indian cinema and international television. Known for directing films like Kuch Log and Baat Bann Gayi, and the acclaimed sports web-series Kumite 1 Warrior Hunt, Shuja’s influence spans across India to countries like Singapore, the UAE, Afghanistan and Canada, marking him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.