“Teri Mitti, Tere sang Yara…”, Kaun Tujhe” & all the beautiful songs of the upcoming Bollywood, Manoj Muntasir needs no introduction.

Well. knowing him since childhood and feeling so proud that we passed out from the same school. On one hand, where he still has not forgotten his roots, and spreading the right vision of Hindutva through his Youtube channel is incredible.

Quick Interview which was done when Rustom released with Manoj Muntashir

Wigglingpen: How and when did your journey with music begin?

MANOJ MUNTASHIR: In the case of music or any kind of fine arts, beginnings are tough to track back. You don’t even know when the first seeds germinate in your heart.
Still, if I must talk about it, I guess I started writing when I was 10 years old. By the time I reached class 12th, I was a full-fledged shayar. But till then, I had not thought of writing for films. When I was doing my first year of college, something happened which decided the course of my destiny. I was traveling on a train from my Hometown Amethi to Allahabad. In the middle of the journey at Pratapgarh, the train got some technical troubles and we were forced to halt at the platform for about an hour. I started taking a stroll down the bookstalls over there. I got my hands on a collection of poetries by Sahir Ludhianvi. It had a 10 pager biographical account of his journey. Right then and there I was blown away by the stature of this man. He became my instant hero. I found it very cool to write songs for films. I decided that’s what I am gonna do for the rest of my life.

Wigglingpen : How has your journey in the industry been up till now?

MANOJ MUNTASHIR: My journey has been nothing less than a dream run. I came to Mumbai with 700 Rs in my pocket. I was from a very very small town. Didn’t even know how to survive the hardships of a city where no one knows anyone. From Amethi to Mumbai, the journey was not just a thousand miles but thousand light-years. But I happened to meet an angel called Mr. Amitabh Bachhan. He approved me to write KBC and things were never the same anymore. I did almost 50 top-line shows on TV, including KBC, Jhalak Dikhla Ja, Master Chef India, Indian Idol, Indias Got Talent, and many many more. In the blink of an eye, I became the most sought-after writer on Television. ‘Galliyan” followed later and overnight it opened the flood gates of Bollywood. I believed in the gift of words I was blessed with, so I never felt underconfident about myself. I am glad, my style of writing sold like hot cake on Television and now history is being repeated in films as well.

Wigglingpen: Your fav lyricist from the industry?

MANOJ MUNTASHIR: In order of my fascination, 1. Sahir 2. Shailendra 3. Anand Bakshi 4. Javed Akhtar 5. Gulzar

Wigglingpen: Which one singer do you wish gives a musical voice to your lyrics in the future?
MANOJ MUNTASHIR: I always wanted to write for Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, but by the time I joined this industry, he had left for his heavenly abode. However, I am happy to be recreating some of his most iconic works with Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

Wigglingpen:  Rustom creating again a history on charts like Teri galliyan .. How does it feel?
MANOJ MUNTASHIR: In fact, I had a couple of hits after Galliyan (Like Wajah Tum Ho, Zindagi Aa Raha Hoon Main, Ghajab Ka Hai Ye Din, Badtameez & Dillagi) but Tere sang Yaara touched some unimaginable heights. Every time a song hits this kind of popularity, it makes me grateful to the almighty and more answerable to my audiences who shower their love over me unconditionally. I am deeply thankful to the composer of this beautiful song Arko, and of course, Neeraj Pandey for once again putting his trust in my work after our last year’s super hit collaboration ‘Baby’.

Wigglingpen: First time being on one of the prestigious juries of the biggest reality show SAREGAMAPA how was the experience & who was your fav contestant whom you want to sing your song in the future?
MANOJ MUNTASHIR: SaReGaMaPa was an unforgettable experience.
I had written many singing reality shows in past but being a part of the prestigious. SaReGaMaPa jury felt different. I co-hosted a parent’s special episode which got me loads of appreciation. I personally like Sachin, Rupali, and Jyotica a lot. I will definitely try and make them sing for my films in the future.

Wigglingpen: Well readers are real foodies here, please tell them your fav dish?
MANOJ MUNTASHIR: I am from UP so My favorite dish is quite obvious. Yellow dal tadka with fried aloo-mutter and steamed rice. I can have it 365 days a year.

Wigglingpen: What one thing do you miss from Amethi?
MANOJ MUNTASHIR : One thing..??? I miss everything about Amethi. Especially the evenings with my friends. Jo mazaa doston ke saath nukkad pe chay peene me thaa wo fancy coffee houses me Kahan…!!! I am a hardcore Amethi-wala. My Amethi still beats inside my heart.

Wigglingpen: School teachers are always special so which teacher inspired you most or who was your favorite teacher?

MANOJ MUNTASHIR: My favorite teacher from school is Mr. Rajendra Singh, who taught me Hindi.
He had such a terrific way of teaching the language, that I couldn’t help falling in love with it.
Agar Rajendra Singh sir ne itni pyari hindi na padhayi hoti, to shayad mujhe iss zuban se ishk na hota, aur aaj main yahan na hota.

Wigglingpen: Any message to your fans?
MANOJ MUNTASHIR: Dreams are not just dreams, they are nature’s signal to you.
If you can dream of achieving something, you have already half-achieved it. Go for it and let the magic of good karma unfold on you. “Sone ke kalam se likhi hain jo, wo takdeerein tum rakh lo… mere khwaab mere hain, baaki sab jaageeerin tum rakh lo’.

Thanks a lot for taking out time from such a busy schedule for my lovely readers.

From all of your fans, my readers, and from my side would like to wish you all d best for every upcoming flick & song.

Also read: Back To school memories of 90s

© Ruchi Verma

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