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Kavita Awaasthi
Remember the songs in iconic films such as Rangeela, Bombay (both 1995), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Yuva (2004)? Besides their much-loved music, the lyrics, too, were memorable and still get us humming. Lyricist Mehboob, the genius behind those songs, is set to end his hiatus, and return to film lyrics with Heropanti 2.
The 59-year-old is glad to be returning to work with music composer AR Rahman and choreographer-director Ahmed Khan, as he started his career with them in Rangeela. “We have a rapport, a brotherhood, and I enjoy working with them. But working in the lockdown last year and this year, too, is difficult. Ahmed is in Andheri, I am in Bandra, and Rahman is in another city. Working like this is no fun, but we have to. You take life as it comes. Working from home feels like we are all behind a curtain,” he says, adding that he misses the energy of being in the same room with the director and the music composer, while working on a song.
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Talking about his life amid the pandemic, he shares, “I have been reading and writing a lot. Overall, my life hasn’t changed much. I feel this is a temporary phase as God is testing us. I am happy to see that people are being so compassionate and helping each other out. I pray that Covid-19 ends and we go back to our normal lives soon.”
His work in Hindi films reduced over the years as he took an intentional break from writing after 2003. Opening up about it, he shares, “I had multiple slipped discs and was bedridden. My wife was also unwell, and I was taking care of her, too. It was a personal decision to step back as my family needed me. Filmmakers approached me for work but it wasn’t possible. Seven years later, my wife passed away, and after 2014, I started doing some work on and off. This is a creative work and if you are mentally disturbed, you can’t deliver.”
The lyricist says he has “no complaints or regrets” about his almost three decade-long career as he got his due in the industry. “I made a name, got respect and awards, too,” he concludes.
MEHBOOB,
I saw Mithun (Chakraborty) giving bhashan and maine usko message kiya tha ki matt ja. He is my jaan. SHAKTI KAPOOR,
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