Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 6, 2015)

It looks like poet-writer Javed Akhtar has decided to put his ideological differences with the BJP and Narendra Modi behind him to work hand-in-hand with the present regime in cleaning out the mess through the PM’s Swachh Bharat andolan. The man who convinced Akhtar to let bygones be bygones is singer-turned-parliamentarian Babul Supriyo, the Minister of State for Urban Development.

Baabul not only invited Akhtar to write a Swachch Bharat anthem, he also convinced the lyricist’s close musician-friends Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy to compose the song.

Mukesh Bhatt has been assigned the task of producing the song. Says Baabul, “We haven’t had a song like Mile Sur Mera Tumhara for decades. I remember as a child that song was taught to us in school. Generations have grown up hearing and singing that song. For a very long time we’ve felt the need for another anthem song that binds the whole nation together. I felt Javed saab was the best person to write a new song that would connect with the youngsters of the nation while retaining a core of poetic quality.” The song will be sung by all the major classical and popular singers of today. including Baabul. So what kind of a song would Akhtar write to inspire and motivate new India? “All I can tell you is that it won’t be anything like Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. We already have that,” quips Akhtar.