Top 10 Contemporary Lyricists Of Bollywood

The new era has seen an advent of fresh and young talents in Bollywood who have proved their mettle in every field. Be it acting, singing, directing, or song writing, the young talents are making their presence felt everywhere. A wave of new lyricists has arrived who give a fresh spin to the songs of Bollywood and set them apart from the songs of the previous generations. These talents should be appreciated and encouraged to continue their good work. Let us look at ten such contemporary lyricists in Bollywood.

1. Prasoon Joshi

Prasoon Joshi is a well-appreciated lyricist and screenplay writer of Bollywood. Hailing from Uttarakhand, Joshi became an author at the age of 17 and wrote a few books. He also worked in the field of advertising for a long time. His Bollywood debut happened with the movie Lajja, followed by Hum Tum, Fanaa, Rang De Basanti, Black, Neerja, etc. he has won several Filmfare Awards and two National Awards.He was also awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2015. Joshi’s fame reaches beyond Bollywood and into the international market.

2. Swanand Kirkire

A lyricist, singer, and dialogue-writer, Kirkire is very popular in Bollywood. He is originally from Indore and entered show business by directing a play in New Delhi. His Bollywood career started by working as an assistant to Sudhir Mishra. Kirkire’s old song “Bawra Mann” was used by Mishra in his film Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. The song became very popular and gave Kirkire’s career a huge boost. He has written lyrics for films such as Parineeta, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Paa, Rajneeti, Vicky Donor, PK, Fitoor, etc. Most of his songs have become hits, and his work has been greatly appreciated by the film fraternity as well the audience.

3. Amitabh Bhattacharya

Originally a Bengali, Bhattacharya works as a lyricist and playback singer in Bollywood. ‘Dev.D’ was his first major break and the song ‘Emotional Attyachar’ was an instant hit with the audience.. After this break, his career got a stable foothold, and he went on to write lyrics for several big Bollywood movies. His association with music director Amit Trivedi has led to the production of excellent music. Some of the films in which Bhattacharya has worked as a lyricist are Housefull, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai, Band Baaja Baarat, Ready, Delhi Belly, Agneepath, Cocktail, Barfi!, Lootera, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Dangal, etc.

4. Neelesh Misra

Neelesh Misra is a journalist, photographer, author, and director, besides being a lyricist in Bollywood. He has worked in a few FM channels as well as an RJ and a story-teller.He is most known for his radio show ‘Yaadon Ka Idiot Box’ on 92.7 BIG FM. Born and raised in Nainital, Misra started his Bollywood career with the song “Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai” from Jism. He also wrote the popular song “Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai” from the movie Woh Lamhe. He has written songs for the movies Gangster, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, etc. He is also an author and a blogger.

5. Sayeed Quadri

Born in Jodhpur, Quadri is currently a successful lyricist of Bollywood. He has received many awards for his work in Hindi cinema. The movies for which he has composed songs are Murder, Zeher, Kalyug, Bas Ek Pal, Anwar, Life in a…Metro, The Train, Bhool Bhulaiyya, Jannat, Billu, Tum Mile, Murder 2, Jannat 2, Murder 3, Khamoshiyan, Ki and Ka, Traffic, etc. He is the lyricist of several recent hit songs.

6. Irshad Kamil

Irshad Kamil is a poet and Bollywood lyricist. Initially, he wrote songs for Hindi serials. He also wrote dialogues for plays and TV shows. His career as lyricist started with the film Chameli. The songs of this film were greatly appreciated for their melody and soulful lyrics. He went on to write songs for movies like Jab We Met, We Are Family, Love Aaj Kal, Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahaani, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, Rockstar, Aashiqui 2, Highway, Tamasha, Sultan, etc.

7. Kausar Munir

Kausar Munir is one of the very few female lyricists of Bollywood. In a male-dominated field of work, she has made her presence felt through her talent and hard work. She is a screenwriter as well. She has worked as a lyricist in several Bollywood films such as Ishaqzaade, Bullet Raja, Dhoom 3, Jai Ho, Main Tera Hero, Tevar, Dear Zindagi, etc.She has also worked as a dialogue-writer for Bollywood movies.

8. Jaideep Sahni

Jaideep Sahni is a screenplay writer and lyricist working in Bollywood. He has won many awards for his exceptional work. Brought up in New Delhi, Sahni debuted in Bollywood as a screenwriter for the film Jungle. He has also written film scripts, for example, Chak De India, Aaja Nachle and Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. He had worked as a lyricist for the films Salaam Namaste, Aaja Nachle, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Tere Bin Laden, Shuddh Desi Romance, Befikre, etc.

9. Anvita Dutt Guptan

Anvita Dutt Guptan is a contemporary writer and lyricist of Bollywood. She is majorly associated with Yash Raj Films and Dharma Productions. She worked in the field of advertising for more than ten years before being introduced to Aditya Chopra and starting her career as a screenwriter. Her career graph as a lyricist includes the films Heyy Babyy, Tashan, Dostana, Anjaana Anjaani, Tees Maar Khan, Student Of The Year, Queen, Shaandaar, etc.

10. Mayur Puri

A dialogue-writer, actor, and lyricist of Bollywood, Mayur Puri started working in Bollywood as an assistant director. He has written songs, dialogues, and screenplay for major movies such as Om Shanti Om, Happy New Year, ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, etc. He has worked chiefly as a lyricist in films like Garam Masala, Chocolate, Pyaar Ke Side Effects, Apna Sapna Money Money, Dhol, Singh Is King, Race 2, Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Kick, All Is Well, Dishoom, etc.