by Subhash K Jha

"This is my answer to all those who think I don't have it in me to write great poetry," lyricist Sameer has ample reason to be happy. He has beaten some of the biggest names in the business of word- wizardry.

"I was in Hyderbad writing something for Sonia Gandhiji for a Congress event when Sanjayji's assistant called. When I met him Sanjayji was so nice. He told me that after thinking about it for one month he decided he only wanted me to write the lyrics.

He told me he had been listening to only two contemporary Hindi songs Tumse milna baatein karna (Tere Liye) and Mohabbatin lutaoonga (Indian Idol). The simplicity and the honesty with which he approached me bowled me over. I never even knew I was being considered.

I had written one song for Sanjay Bhansaliji in Devdas—the Ras Leela song because his lyricist in Devdas(Nusrat Badr) probably couldn't get the right feel into the lyric. I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd actually get to do a whole movie with Sanjayji. I heard so many reputed lyricists were being considered."

Sameer throws some light on the quality of music being attempted in Saawariya. "It's a very innocent very pure love story. No one can even imagine what sort of music Sanjayji is attempting in Saawariya.

Only he can do what he's doing with the music in this film. Only he has the conviction to go completely by what he believes in without bothering with the commercial potential."

Sameer has already written eight songs for Saawariya. "We've already recorded all the songs. I can't wait for this score to be out. It will silence my critics who still wonder how I write so many lyrics, why I write so much and why I've survived for so long."

Sanjay Bhansali On Sameer

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has worked with Majrooh Sultanpuri in Khamoshi: The Music, Mehboob in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Nusrat Badr in Devdas and Prasoon Joshi in the theme song of Black.

"Each one has given me the quality of poetry that I wanted. It has been a satisfying experience to move musically through the beautifil words that these poets have created.

Now Sameer in Saawariya has given me the simple innocent words that my protagonists needed to express love. It couldn't have been abstract poetry. It had to be a very basic and very heartfelt. Sameer has given me that."