Veteran lyricist Sameer Anjaan has been in the film industry for almost four decades, and has seen it go through several changes. On the lyric writing scenario for films now, he says, “The people in the industry are talented, but they are not getting the right kind of work. Freedom of creativity khatam ho gayi hai. Ek gaane pe teen lyricist kaam karte hain.”

Anjaan is upset that the process of music-making has changed entirely, causing deterioration of the quality. “Things that were important don’t even exist anymore. Earlier, everyone — makers, composer, lyricist and singers — would sit together to decide the music for a film. The process is not disciplined anymore. Dimag se kaam ho raha hai, dil se nahin. Producers are only looking for hit songs. Since one song is recorded by 20 singers, no one likes to give their 100%,” he says, adding, “The music of Pushpa: The Rise - Part 01 (2021) was not extraordinary. But it worked, as it showcased the kind of effort that was invested by everyone working together.”

Anjaan has been keeping low as far as writing music for films goes. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have work. “Mujhe achha kaam karne ka mauka nahin mil raha. If I get a full soundtrack to work on and the music doesn’t do well, main apna pen chhor doonga. Since I don’t like to work on half or one track, I’m working on independent projects. I enjoy the independence singles give. I’m releasing independent music to tell people that I’m still around,” says the lyricist, who celebrated his 63rd birthday yesterday, by indulging in charity.

One of the few lyricists in Bollywood who has worked with three generations of musicians and filmmakers, Sameer Anjaan has entered the Guinness World Records for penning the most number of film songs. Having written 4,000 songs, Sameer reveals his survival secret in an interview. Excerpts from the chat:

From Tum paas aaye (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) to Char baj gaye (F.A.L.T.U), how will you describe your journey?
I was not expecting to come this far. But I continued to work and adapted myself to newer generations. In the last 35 years, I have worked with more than hundred music directors. This generation has newer thoughts and ideas of approaching music, but melodies have remained the same.

How did you adapt yourself to the newer generation?
It was difficult to let go of old thoughts and incorporate newer styles. But I realised that if I didn't prove myself to the newer filmmakers and composers, they would forget about me. It was important to reinvent myself and compose songs like Anarkali disco chali (Housefull 2) or Char baj gaye (F .A.L.T .U).

Some say that music and lyrics have lost its souls and don't have a recall value. Do you agree?
Writers are not to be blamed for this. The whole scenario lacks depth in thought. We don't make the kind of films we made during yesteryear. The music and lyrics for a Mother India will obviously be different from a Coolie No.1. Nowadays, writers lack versatility. Even today, people compare me with Javedji (Akhtar) and Gulzar saab. They belonged to my father's generation. With corporatisation of Bollywood, films are all about stars. Even though music is the most important part of Hindi films, creativity levels have gone down.

What inspires you to write?
I have been inspired by Anand Bakshi and Majrooh Sultanpuri. Ninety five per cent of my work has been with Nadeem Shravan, Himesh Reshammiya and Anand-Milind. So, my inspiration comes from people I work with, too. For the Char baj gaye song, I was inspired by Shah Rukh Khan's dialogue 'Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost'.

How do you keep a record of songs that you have written?
I don't collect any data or keep a record of my work. It's my friend Biswas Nerulkar who brought it to my notice that I had writ ten the highest number of songs and should enter the Guinness World Records.