As HRD minister, he played a crucial role to create a propitious time to pass the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012. A strong crusader of the rights of the creative fraternity, Kapil Sibal (present Telecom minister) took up writing for Hindi films last year, with Worldwide Records’ Bandook composed by Nikhil Kamat. Here’s the politico in a tête-à-tête with Anita Iyer
How did you end up writing lyrics for Bandook?
I just happened to reach the director and producer of the film. I wrote lyrics anyway, so he suggested that I write for the film. The lyrics of Tu jaldi bata de were partly written before the project and just re-wrote some parts.
Are you happy with the way the song turned out finally?
I was happy, as Nikhil (Kamat) did a great job and the song was shot well too. The song turned out good from both the audio and video point of views.
What was your inspiration for the song?
Well, there wasn’t any particular inspiration. It is a romantic song, and there is a bit of romance in each of us. Lyrics are a universal aspect, and present in every human being. There is a bit of the song in everyone.
Being a poet, what inspires you to write?
I have always been fond of English poetry, and have published two books. But as you know, it doesn’t have a mass market as Hindi poetry. Hindi lyrics have a market of 1.2 billion people in our country; so, the transformation was mainly because I wanted to reach out. The lyrics are simple, dealing with everyday life. Most of my lyrics are focused in that direction. Lyrics connect with our emotional side – more universal the lyrics, more acceptable they will be.
How important, do you believe, are lyrics in films?
They are very important, and this is the USP of Bollywood. The emotions depicted through lyrics have more of an impact than the story-line of the film itself. The story line is enhanced through lyrics, so there is a symbiotic relationship between the two. And this makes watching the film an entertaining proposition.
After Bandook, will we see you penning lyrics for more films?
I have already completed writing 10 to 12 songs to be part of different films. These films are in different stages of production. Some are composed by Pritam, Anu Malik, Shantanu Moita and Nikhil Kamat.
You stood by the composers and lyricists for getting the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2012 passed. Being a lyricist yourself, do you see this move is in the right direction?
When the Act was passed, I was not a lyricist. That happened much later. I always felt for the artistes and creators. We need to stand by them, as they lay the foundation of the society. Lyrics and music sell the films. You must protect the IP created by them, and that is the heart of amendments to the Copyright Act. Earlier, producers bought all the rights, with no share in profits for the creators, but that inherent Copyright cannot be parted away with now.
With rules in place, will the industry start functioning in accordance to the Act?
Only time will tell that. But the industry should realise that the only way ahead is to working in accordance to it.
