Actual romance blooms in small towns

Actual romance blooms in small towns
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 11:05 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Neelesh Misra is many faces rolled in one - journalist, lyricist, novelist. But "writing songs" remains his first love, reflected in hit compositions like "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" and "Chalo Tumko Lekar Chale" in "Jism" with which he has created a niche for himself in Bollywood.

Pooja Bhatt's next release - "Holiday" - has four songs written by him, one of them being "Khwahishon Se", another soft, romantic number.

Mahesh Bhatt, who has recently churned out some controversial films on extramarital relationships and successfully launched new talent in filmdom, was instrumental in introducing this young lyricist to Bollywood.

Neelesh, a full-time correspondent of the international news agency Associated Press, told in an interview: "I have been writing songs even before I became a journalist. I wanted to be many things in life - I wanted to be a songwriter, an author, an actor and what not.

"I started writing during my college days and sent my songs to ghazal legend Jagjit Singh, but he didn't respond. After a few years I met Mahesh Bhatt and he liked my songs and that's how I got into this business," Neelesh said.

Neelesh, who also penned songs for the films "Krishna Cottage" and "Rog", is a small town boy who strongly feels that actual romance blooms in small towns.

He said: "I'm from Nainital and I think that small town sentiments are different from big cities. Like romance - the whole mathematics of romance is so beautiful in a place like Nainital - and I try to weave that in my songs."

Quite unhappy with current trends in film music, he said it is important that people should know the name of the songwriters.

He explained: "I think songwriters are not getting their due apart from the likes of Javed Akhtar and Gulzar. FM channels, radio and TV are popularising songs without mentioning the name of the songwriters.

"This was not the case earlier. In the past one could identify the lyricist by hearing the song once and that's how those songwriters became so famous.

"I really take offence that the songwriters have been driven down from the film hierarchy. There is a lot of mediocrity taking place in Mumbai."

He felt there was a dearth of good lyricists in Bollywood and outsiders were doing a better job.

"I definitely think there is a dearth of good songwriters in Bollywood. But a new trend has started in Bollywood. Outsiders are bringing about a change. I am a journalist, an outsider, living in Delhi but get calls from filmmakers in Bollywood.

"Prasun Joshi, an advertising guy, is doing a great job and is in demand."

Neelesh will next month tie the nuptial knot with NDTV news anchor Nidhi Razdan, about whom he has written a few songs.

He has also finished writing his first novel, which is a romantic comedy set in a call centre. Besides that he has two books to his credit - "End of The Line: The Story of the Killing of the Royals in Nepal" and "173 Hours In Captivity".

His new projects include Vidhu Vicky Chopra's "Fight Club" (Vicky is filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra's nephew) and Anurag Bose's "Gangster", a film about the loneliness of young people living in metropolitan cities.

Neelesh hopes to direct a film one day but would like to stick to his current job for now. "I would like to continue as a journalist. I want to be a story teller in whatever way possible."
Varun Dhawan Unveils First Poster of 'Nain Matakka' Featuring Keerthy Suresh!

Varun Dhawan's upcoming film Baby John is already creating waves in the entertainment world. The latest buzz surrounds the highly anticipated track "Nain Matakka," and the excitement reached new heights when Varun shared the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'Agni' Trailer Unveiled: A Tribute to Firefighters' Bravery and Sacrifice!

The much-anticipated trailer for Agni, directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Rahul Dholakia, was released on Thursday, offering a gripping look into the world of firefighters, their bravery, and the sacrifices they make to protect

Friday, November 22, 2024
Sara Ali Khan Shares Fun BTS Moments from Ad Shoot, Invites Fans to Let Their Spirits Soar!

Bollywood actress Sara Ali Khan recently took to Instagram to share a delightful behind-the-scenes (BTS) glimpse from her latest advertisement shoot, revealing her cheerful mood and creative spirit. In a playful and heartwarming post, Sara shared a video

Friday, November 22, 2024
Kartik Aaryan Enjoys Quality Time with 'Sea, Sand, and Sun' at IFFI Goa!

Bollywood heartthrob Kartik Aaryan, who is currently in Goa for the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and Filmazaar, took a moment to unwind and connect with nature. The actor shared a series of serene pictures on his Instagram, showcasing

Friday, November 22, 2024
Shehnaaz Gill Starts Shooting for Punjabi Film: A New Journey Begins!

Actress and social media sensation Shehnaaz Gill is all set to embark on a new chapter in her career, as she commences shooting for her upcoming Punjabi film. The actress shared her excitement with her fans on Instagram, marking this milestone

Friday, November 22, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT