There is only one song in this Doosra Kinara and I wrote it. The reason it is written by me is not that the Director (again me!!) was a fan of my shairi, but my friends were convinced that I can write it.
I must give credit for pushing me into writting this Ghazal to Apurva Shrivatsva (Music Director) and Sandhya Bhagat (Production Manger). They had heard some of my ghazals from college days, and said that there is no one who knows the story better than me and I should write it. I wanted Nida Fazli, Gulzaar or Javed Akhtar to compose it. I thought that the mood, the nostalgia that scene demanded can only be captured by greats like them. I am a big fan of Gulzaar and thought that if I can have his song in my debut film, it would be unbelievable start to my directorial venture. The situation had that “ Dil Dhundta hai” feel to it.
I remember driving home that October night after promising Apurva ji and Sandhay ji that I will try writing whatever it comes out to be. The distance from Duluth to Norcross, my apartment is hardly 15 miles but I kept on driving on near empty roads. Driving alone in the middle of the night somehow helps my creativity. I drove and drove and more. I knew what had to be said in the ghazal but somehow it was not happening. Frustrated I went home and went to bed.
Next morning was Saturday and as usual I woke up earlier then the usual time. The creek outside was covered with mist and fog. I just lay there on my bed watching the nature and then, right then I felt I could write. I reached to my writing pad and wrote the entire ghazal in one go. It took me 15 minutes to write it. I could not believe it. It just descended without an effort as if wanting to get out. I think may be there were some thoughts in my heart, that were trapped all these years, and were waiting for an opportunity to pour out.
Har Roz Ek Naye Roop main Dekha hai tujhe
Zindagi, bol tere kitne maani likhoon?
This word “Zindagi” is just a 7-letter word but it encompasses so much that we many times cannot even understand let alone explain. Zindagi can be anything one wants it to be. For some it can be a Green Dollar for others the freedom from daily bombings and secterian killings. Rain can be Zindagi to a draught stricken farmer; a decent warm meal can be zindagi yet to someone. For some it can be a child, a parent, and a spouse and yet for others it can be a smile – an honest genuine caring smile. I like this word Zindagi and feel that it can be used as a powerful metaphor for many things in life. That was the first word I wrote in my ghazal and it went like
“ Zindagi umr bhar yuhi tujh se wafa ki hai
Bas yehi, haan ek ye hi hum ne Khtaa ki hai.
Na karenge ab koi ummed tujh se hum
Khush rahe tu, khush rahe ye dua ki hai.
I recited it to Apurva ji the next evening and he composed the music in an hour or so. I had tears in my eyes when he finished composing it. I hugged him and said “ Aap ne to mujhe Geetkaar bana diya” to which he replied “ Aur aap ne mujhe Sanget kaar!!!!”
Hue tum dost jis ke …
Whom we managed to rope in to sing this Ghazal is another story dreams are made up of. Wait - do not go away!!!
