‘It’s overwhelming to be praised by Akshay Kumar’
Swanand Kirkire is a man of many talents. He stepped into Bollywood as a lyricist and playback singer with the 2003 film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. And, he has been seen as an actor in many films — Chameli (2003) and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) being a few.
His latest film, Chumbak, has been making waves at film festivals, and what has piqued interest in it is the fact that Akshay Kumar has presented the film. Swanand says, “It’s a slice of life story, about two people — one, a 14-year-old kid, the other, a 45-year-old ‘kid’ (laughs). The former has a dream, and he is not able to fulfil it. A friend suggests that he should con people, and he, thus, starts a Nigerian lottery scam. Nobody, except this man, falls prey. He believes that he’s going to get the lottery, and sticks to them like a chumbak (magnet)!”
Swanand is ecstatic after being praised by Akshay. “The film was completed last year, and then we showed it at MAMI film festival. We were looking for the right opportunity and a person who will associate himself with it. We showed it to Akshay, and he loved it. Him praising me, and saying all these good things is overwhelming. I had to pinch myself!”
He adds, “I had written his film Pad Man, and we just interacted during the script readings and I went to the shoot once. Not more than that. He was surprised that I was acting, since I am more of a writer, lyricist and singer.”