Shabbir Ahmed: We don't make meaningful songs nowadays

A small town boy from UP came to Mumbai to make it big. But his journey was not an easy one. Lyricist Shabbir Ahmed, who made a debut in 2004 and penned down hits like 'Jumme Ki Raat', 'Aaj Ki Party', 'Teri Meri Prem Kahani', has set a benchmark for himself. And now, he is back with yet another foot-tapping album, 'Tutak Tutak Tutiya'. In an exclusive chat with BT, the lyricist expresses his concern about how lyrics today have lost their essence and much more.Excerpts...
When you found out that you have to pen down songs for a Prabhu Dheva movie, did you work on it differently?
Nahin, aisa kuch bhi nahi tha. The film had gone on floors and I wasn't sure if I was the one writing lyrics for it. Sonu Sood had called me once for a meeting and that was it. Few days later, he called me back and seemed worried. He said that there were these two songs 'Tutak Tutak Tutiya' and 'Rail Gaddi', which were ready but needed to be worked upon and didn't know how. So, I said not an issue, karna toh hai ab. We wanted the title track to be a hit among the masses of all age groups and so we were extra cautious while writing this. Sonu bhai was very passionate and involved in the music. He would come in and listen to various versions and give his inputs and changes.
You started in 2004. How has the journey been?
I have never regretted any decision that I have taken so far in my career. At times, when I have created something, the makers or the producers have not accepted it, but that's a part of my profession. People who give these suggestions give it for the betterment of the product and that's fine. For example, Himesh Reshammiya works in a different style ' he doesn't follow a routine, he wants the landing first, then a note above it, then the beginning and then again the landing note. Every composer has a different style of working and we need to adapt to it.
Tell us about your Salman Khan connect...
Salman Khan is my godfather. Just how a father guides his kid, he too has guided me. No one supports anyone in this industry, but he stood by me at a point when I needed it the most. He was, is and will always be there for me. Salman bhai is someone who will constantly gives you ideas on how to innovate and experiment. 'Teri Meri Prem Kahani' (Bodyguard) was his suggestion. He was confident that the song would be a hit and the result is for all to see. Woh mitti bhi choo le toh sona ban jaaye.
You were interested in acting first. Is that true?
Yes, as a kid I always wanted to become an actor but Mumbai aane ke baad saara bhoot utar gaya acting ka (laughs). At that time Salman said that work towards your passion and you will succeed. He encouraged me to write songs.
All your songs have a mass appeal. Will you ever write a soft melodious romantic number?
'Teri Meri Prem Kahani' was melodious. The thing is that I have always been approached for masala entertainer films and so my lyrics have to match the film's genre. Earlier filmmakers used to make romantic films, which required the lyricist to write six-seven romantic songs. But that era is lost now. It is all about loud, party and dance numbers today. When people call me, I personally request them to give me a chance to write romantic, melodious numbers.
Do you feel that songs are losing their essence today?
No, it's not so. It all depends on the composer and the producers. If you deliver a good song, it will work. Audience is smart enough to understand the difference between a good song and a bad one. When my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter listens to music, she changes a track within a minute. That's how fast they judge a song. She says, 'Dada, no this song is not good'. So, even kids are pretty smart today. It's funny how when you write something nice these days and people say mazza nai aaya, outdated hai, kuch modern karo. I don't understand what modern means to them. I mean, how many expressions do we have to explain emotions and words like love, heart, anger?
Listen to 'Tutak Tutak Tutiya' songs on Gaana.com