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Welcome to Cyrus Says!
In this episode, Cyrus is joined by Swanand Kirkire - writer, lyricist, singer, actor, National Award winner, and basically one of those people who seem to be good at everything.
They talk about his journey from Indore to NSD to Mumbai, the early struggle years, writing for film and theatre, working with people like Sudhir Mishra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani, and how singing happened almost by accident.
There’s also a lot on acting, getting typecast as the father, his new OTT show Band Wale, and the strange, funny, unpredictable route his career has taken over the years.
And yes, Swanand also sings live in the episode, which is reason enough to watch.
It’s warm, funny, slightly chaotic, and full of stories you’ll want to stay for.
If you enjoy hearing creative people talk about the long road behind the work, this one’s for you.
And to our regular listeners, welcome back home!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It feels like everyone's talking about two things right now.
Pickleball and podcasts.
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I'm Sanya Mirza and I'm bringing you a brand new podcast,
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I've had some incredible conversations with friends, fellow athletes, artists and entrepreneurs.
Each episode starts with the Game of Pickleball and once the rallies are done,
the real talk begins.
Serving it up with Sanya, watch and listen on YouTube and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
Kripayat Jandiji, the language used on the podcast may not be fit for consumption.
We warn you, tread carefully, but listen, y'all, don't be so conservative.
Sorry, sir.
Sorry, sir.
Svanand Kirkare is here, one of the leading talents of our country and I've done some research.
But I actually do research once in a while.
I spoke to Vijaykar himself, head of the Marathi industry.
What are you saying?
He's a very good actor.
Very good actor.
And he gave me this whole, that Pula, this one, the film and all this.
Yeah, yeah.
When he told me to give me a role, I didn't, honestly, I didn't know.
I thought you were the singer.
But then we studied your portfolio and your LSD boy.
I'm an LSD boy.
Talking about the OTT, we'll come to that and then obviously you're acting there.
Yeah, yeah.
Conceptualizing, but going back, in the hour, I'm a birth, yeah.
Birth, yeah.
After that, you went outdoors.
I went out, I went outdoors.
Yeah, no, no, that's the talent, yeah.
No, but that, that's not going to be our side by now.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
So I went outdoors today, to be an actor.
No, I don't know what to just be into what's singing.
She had a singing family, but her not professional singers.
My, my name, you're not trained apparently.
I'm not trained on my father and mother.
What trained what trained they were disciples of Pandit Kumar Gandhar,
but still they were not pursuing music like their,
it's their profession, hobby, because they were doing other jobs.
Those are bankers and mother used to work in, in the university and stuff.
So anyway, so Deli, Deli happened.
I became, I studied in natural school or drama, design and direction.
Design and design as in sets, sets, costumes, lights, all, all kinds of.
Why did you do that?
I am not aware of the music.
Music, music, music, music.
I was, I was, I was singing, design costumes, but I know, I'm very bad at it.
You can see, I'm very bad at it.
I just realized it's gone in both sides.
I found the shirt up to like three months,
and I thought it was a new shirt and all that.
I wore it in the car, I noticed what Amit was talking on the store bag.
I was just...
It's a big ear.
Many were designed to sense it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
That is the situation.
Fall in, fall in heroes.
No, hero, not you. You're on the way up.
No, it's you.
Why were you down?
That's why it's so big.
All around the world, there's a lot of this generation.
Oh, no God.
Let's check.
I don't think there are too many people like this in the industry.
You think, you know, quickly give me another name.
You can sing, you can write.
By the way, you can act.
So, I mean, what's left?
Design.
You can design.
You can design.
You can design.
You can design.
You can design.
Yeah.
It's a disappointment.
You went to Delhi.
Yeah.
I studied this.
But you want to study everything, no?
I thought I was acting.
But I, and NSD is primarily the theater institute.
So, actors are most important.
Most important.
20 people out of 20 people is 16 or actors.
And you live with actors and you know how it's to live with actors.
You learn acting automatically.
Because, uh, that's how I was.
But your batch, some big names came out of your batch also, right?
Yes.
Navazuddin.
Navazuddin.
Yeah.
Navazuddin.
Was he, could you tell us anything about that?
From day one.
Day one.
On that day one.
So, yeah, he, um, he always had it.
And then there is this girl called Gita Anjali.
Uh, if you see Gulak Anol, she's there in it.
And there are some other people.
Some people are working in Bengal and some.
Good batch.
But your singing talent was that anything that people know?
Is one of the...
No, no, even, even not in NSD.
So, I didn't, I, my batch had very good singing.
Darupini's time.
I was listening to Darupini's time.
I said Darupini's time.
Uh, when I sang that song, it was late.
But NSD days, no.
NSD days, I didn't know that I could.
I could, my father always thought that I have a very,
uh, voice and he used to say, don't shout.
So, that was his, uh, this thing.
Parenting style.
Yeah.
Or circa 1990.
Yeah.
Chilla Omat Gana Gau.
Uh, so, that was, we actually started growing up.
No one thought he was a singer.
Uh, no, no, not at all.
What are you saying?
Yeah.
Accidents.
Then I started singing in theatre in Delhi days,
little bit, you know, like, because my voice is big.
So, it's suitable for theatre.
So, you sing on the stage and in the last...
People can hear you.
You can hear you.
At least, you come back, sir.
You can press on that ticket.
Yeah.
The director has to say that there is no one there.
Yeah.
So, then I started singing here and there.
And, uh, but my batch had very good singers.
So, actor singers, my batch...
Uh, no.
They became famous.
Famous in the sense, yeah.
There is this girl called Nibirita Bhagav.
I'm sure.
Yeah.
Many, many, many.
So, picture of Nibirita.
Nibirita.
She is, uh, he is a band, he is a bandy.
Oh, that is.
And singing also.
And singing also.
She also does this, uh, bandish ka play.
Uh, very good, very good singer.
Then there is, there is, uh, many, many good singers.
See, this podcast is not about you.
It's not about you.
It's about you.
There is a guy called Chitranya.
Well, there is, uh, my batchmate is Chitranya Tripathi.
Who happens to be the director of National School Otrama right now.
Oh.
So, if you want to see me.
Yes.
My second wife, sir.
Yes.
I have a 25% commission.
And one song.
Not more.
No, no.
Did you develop an organization that you don't have a commission?
If a wween 50 years of grandsons you have a commission.
So just come back and do one lecture.
That's what you do.
Um, but, uh, uh, there is a request.
Reunya s your big landlord, a producer.
Huge fan.
She's gone for your shows and all that.
She gets very excited, so I feel really bad, sometimes says my pillow singer.
Think.
Shayah, the 20 point around here.
Tells him that he's my pillow cheer guy.
I mean, fellow singer and a pet from the Holy Spirit.
And I'm also a basementman.
I am also a batsman, you know, fellow singer is fellow singer, but luckily he took it in the right spirit.
He is a coffee bar, people don't mean to be rude, they just try to find a comment.
And everybody wants to sing, why not? And everybody is a good singer.
Both, I don't know.
But she has a trained, Hindustani classical train, no?
No, I don't, okay, she's feeling shy to say all this.
She's apparently trained for what it's worth.
But don't worry.
I don't like trained singers.
Then you don't have to listen to her.
Moment you finish your leave.
No, she can't sing, I will listen to her.
There's only a real pain for you, guys coming up at some public places.
Sorry, jeez, madame, jeez.
I have public places.
Listen to me, listen to me.
Listen to me.
It's not full public.
It's just a mantra.
Hey, there's a lot of people here.
There are so many lines.
My mother is a big fan.
And everybody's mother is a big fan.
That's the problem.
And father is a big fan.
They themselves are not.
How sweet.
That's so sweet.
In fact, now we should do the same thing.
She wants to hear you sing.
It's possible.
100%.
I know.
I know.
I'll sing you Shorgun.
This would cost you.
25, 30 lakhs to have a private concert.
Maybe more.
I don't even know for sure.
GST, applicable.
Applicable.
I have a source.
25, but yeah.
Pandara is the thing.
That's what the base comes.
Come, come, come.
No, no, no.
The year has changed.
It's a march to 2026.
The world is at peace everywhere.
People need music.
People need music.
You have to talk about the OTT.
I don't forget.
No, don't worry.
Yes, it's okay.
The age bake chicken, I forget everything.
Really?
No, so you are doing that.
I will tell you something.
Speak.
I'm at the airport.
And Sarah Saukardhar said.
Oh, baby, baby.
And I said bro, bro, bro.
No, no, no, no.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
I'm out.
And he was, I went and we were talking and talking and talking and I was going to go and tell him, I am a sawhokar.
I said, sorry, sorry.
Why are you?
That's because of the three names.
I have never seen such a bad guy.
I mean he is as white as like, I don't know what, but more.
Very bad, very embarrassing.
He also thinks he is a singer.
No, no, he is a great guy.
But don't let him sing.
All these people that don't know really, he is a very good comedian.
You do your comedy, don't do singing.
Your singing is like comedy.
Then you become so consistent.
So let's get to see again this whole podcast about other people.
We have discussed 20 people.
Now sawhokar has come into it.
Yeah.
So then you are going to plays in Delhi.
Yeah, before that also and after that also.
The violin energy you are doing plays.
But then you are doing plays professional theatre outside.
Yeah, I was doing professional theatre outside.
But professional theatre in Delhi is not as professional as Delhi as Bombay professional theatre.
But I did, there is a repertory company of NSD.
I did, I directed a play there.
I wrote a play there.
Oh, you already started writing on that.
Writing on that.
Yeah, I started, when I was in NSD, I learned most of the things.
You know, I learned in the sense I experimented with them.
And people liked them because nobody was writing.
So I started doing that and then I got a chance to come to Mumbai.
There was an old-time producer for Manju Singh.
Yes.
Manju Singh, two days.
Two and two.
And Dominic.
Correct.
Dominic Watson.
Yeah, yeah.
She called me.
How did they notice you?
She was in Delhi.
She came to see my play.
And she liked the play because it was about Bhagat Singh.
And she was doing a show about Bhagat Singh.
It was a coincidence.
She got me here.
So first I came here and lived in Warden Road.
Wow.
Yeah.
Completely.
Up in a house.
In a house.
In our office.
Are you living in the office?
I don't know.
How does it go?
How do you do?
Come to see a sea facing modern road.
For that fantastic place.
It was a request concert.
We were supposed to pass.
We were supposed to pass.
Yes.
We were supposed to pass.
Beautiful.
And held a buscadic city hospital.
Which Which candy club.
Yes.
Lots of young foreign boat jenders.
And also people standing in cuisines.
We got a visa.
That was a nice idea.
But still good looking people.
Good looking.
Lots of good looking.
But at this candy club.
You could have.
Yeah.
I never I got inspiring for you say I entered briskandic love again the people I'm Ram Madhwani took me for the first time
Yeah, yeah, because before that rickandical miracle was a member. I I thought I'm the whole foreign you'd be a foreigner to be a member
Ram is a foreigner
Be very capable what you say in India, right?
Ram is not a foreigner
Madhwani maybe I mean actually to Africa
Actually, I think he is from Uganda also, and I'm not sure I shouldn't but he is yeah
He doesn't have a passport
Ram they're watching you they're watching Ram
Anyway, we're talking about everybody again
That's all we know about you. Yeah, I'll feel kawa
Skated by the water and road office, but she wanted you to do what makes right us right the serial
And then I started writing the serial which was called Swaraj
it was about
Bhagat Singh and so your historical knowledge is all good or because I did a play on Bhagat Singh and I was
research, yeah, so I so I was I was only one who could
That ready to write
Then I wrote that show it went on for two years
Pisa ha chapa sir good. Pisa. So good. So yeah in beginning was very good then after the show stopped
Finished
Then the real
Then I then I from modern road straight to Korega west
Make it strong button. Make it very strong
What into it?
Actually, you're biopic here. Yeah, yeah
Then you see a lot of success after that. You'll want to go back to them. So modern road Korega is to banter
So, Korega is happened then two years of nothing. You know, he's happened. What if there's no work? Yeah, after that
There was no, but she didn't give you the next project, but she didn't have her
So she was so she used to call me whatever she was, but she think it's also quite a struggle for people people
No, yeah, I met some you had a hit show you had a show that was seen and everything is still there's no work coming
Yeah, there was no work that time
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What were you scratching back like batting lower than batting patting patting
On the camera was it excepting
Don't worry we good for the show
No, no, Peechan. I told you expose
I don't expose
Then there was no work initially
But what do I do?
All the contacts of nsd. I mean seniors
I pray that you first you have to know the city in order to get to work that's what I
What are you trying to be writer or actor?
single. I always wanted to be a director which I
So I was trying to become I wanted to assist somebody. I was trying to call Sudhir Mishra. I was not taking my calls and
If you watch the show you did not take the call
You came and told us about you
The other story about how he discovered your singing. Okay, I hate it
But it didn't tell about the initially didn't take my balls. Yeah, he used to say
So I can do it again. Yeah, probably come on
Anyway, not good at that
But I love him. So then I started writing for another
Punkach Parashar. Oh, Jalva. So after Jalva he launched the greatest Indian actor all time. Yes
And he was very big in advertising if I remember big big big in advertising and he made those
Chalbas and all then Rajkumar films he made and then suddenly
Oh, then Rajkumar was his I think film which
So I met him after Rajkumar and then we were writing a film. So I was writing a film for him and
a fun guy
Ahead of his time is a hundred percent even today said
Yeah, but 84 85 picture. Yeah, everything is like well ahead of the reservoir
Yeah, stuff and very stylish and very very very good. So I was writing a film for him and
But it didn't again
No, but through him I met Sudhir and I started as so first Sudhir I
He signed me there was a film which Vachu Bhagannani and Tutu Sharma and all of them were making
So they gave me a Sharma. You all name some of them in your life. Tutu Sharma. Tutu Sharma. So Tutu Sharma, sir and Vachu
Signed me for a film directing writing writing writing which Sudhir Mishra was supposed to direct
Even that didn't didn't happen
So then Sudhir was making this film called character male with Anil Kapoor and
Rani Mukherjyan Manishya Kvarela. So I started assisting him on that film and then my journey actually with him started and the nice assisted him on
Hazaru Koyase in which my song came in but before that how do you heard he heard you singing like all the sets on the sets on the sets
So apparently he told us he's just singing all the time and all the time and I said yeah, this guy's good nice voice
He heard it for he first he
There was a shot in the film and
He wanted to see go to a Bihari folk. I guess he got to know who you don't know room. No assistance
So asim bhajaj the camera man. Oh
Dr. MTV
He was on the spot with a ball. Yeah, I'll be the link. I'll be the link. I'll be the name of the man. I'm a lot of MTV. I'm the man. This is a waste of time
Sorry
Come for some shows and he was shooting there. So they would she would visit her
But that time none of them are very famous. Yeah, they should poke it. You know someone was famous. I would you know famous? I should treat them like an asshole
That's the bag. Asim chock and now they don't take my calls same
Asim take his calls. Yeah, I love Asim. Yeah, so he asim said he's one and can say and
Then how does he know he's a he was a friend from like okay, okay
In Delhi. So we were together. So he knew that atman sing. So he asked me to sing. So I sang a song which was a folk song
Which we have learned in theater days. So I sang that Bihari folk song. Bihari folk song
Or was Sudhirnesuna and then he said yeah, yeah, so they're not a Bihari UP. So there is so there is
UP and MP both. Oh, like if you are his father
He can take the lines from his side. Yeah, he can so he studied in Sagar MP
His father used to be the West Chancellor of Sagar in the city and then he's from Lucknow. Okay, and from Delhi
From everywhere anyway, so but he wanted a Bihari folk song. This was authentic Bihari folk song. I sang it. I sang it. Okay, la
And then this is without instrumentation without instrumentation. I just
Folk song
But we are seeing it exposed in a voice no more people have paired up with the instruments and everything in background
So then there was this then he heard that song and then he said, what do you say or then there was a Bavraman
Gana Gata
KK him heard they said, shall we take it in the film and things changed for me
They made you know
Not on Bavraman
Bavraman pay Kisi
Yeah, Sudhirnesuna. I was really paid for it. Chancilata, but
Bavraman pay it was
No, but you know, the film was over. But it was a way to produce it. It was a very difficult one
But for me, it was a lot of time. I got a song. You could notice it
And then the same day there was another gentleman who came to when I was recording Bavraman
another gentleman who ad filmmaker who came in and
Shantrumwitra asked him to come in. He heard the song. He was a white rower. I remember you remember again 90s
Then we are on 90s. I am 90s. I feel so bad. What is going to sound like you are a young KD
Shantrumwitra. I am looking very big name. Even today is a big name.
Today I do not know how to do it. I have to call Shantrumwitra.
So Shantrumwitra called and this guy was Pradeep Sarkar.
So Dada heard that he was he known.
I mean, no, in the sense he had made two or three videos.
Those two videos and completely not like the movies he made later.
Yeah, but he made some really good videos.
Pia Basantira videos. That same map.
Yeah, Pradeep, Pradeep.
He was on top of the line.
He was on top of the line.
I am in front of you. All of these good videos. Shubha Madgal singing in the range.
So he called.
So he was there. He heard the song. He said I am pitching for film work.
Parinita to Vinod Chopra and that's how I got the entry into Vinod's films.
So you're directing your sidetrack, but you're singing and writing lyrics.
Went through the roof.
And then I kept writing for that.
We know Vinod Chopra. I wrote all his films almost.
Parinita then he was making a film called Eklaviya.
Eklaviya? Eklaviya wrote the dialogues.
So Rohro.
That's all you. I wrote the dialogues.
So what kind of research you have done? He's done so much more work than you know.
No, no, no, no. That's why I'm here.
I don't know what you're going to do.
I don't know what you're going to do.
Then Eklaviya happened and three dates happened.
That's also you. That's also me. Songs.
Songs are you. Three dates, okay.
Three dates, songs are me. Then,
I think it's going to happen. Two songs are also me.
Bro, you're an institution.
No, no. I guess.
Songs. There will be all these iconic films also.
It's not like each one bigger than the next.
Yeah. So then they did good.
Typical Maharashtra.
I'm praising him so much. They did good.
To me, I'm not saying films that very well,
but yeah, it's a good one with me.
And I became...
And then I think that the job,
because how he knew you in the 90s,
whatever is the singer,
like very strongly associated with you.
And then I say something.
Some lyrics, some singing.
Everything in my friend.
We come started in something.
Yeah, yeah. We come started at the stage.
So we started doing thing called Bavras.
Yeah.
I mean, we didn't band around here.
Band around live.
Again, the rung shirt.
Rung shirt, correct.
Rung shirt. So we did that.
Vikram is a dear friend.
Yeah. No.
Never pays butter.
No, no.
I don't want to pop it.
No, I'm going to be like,
how much alcohol alcohol is bad, don't drink.
But never, never.
But neither did I.
So that's where remember it.
I don't know.
You guys are like...
Oh, you guys are pink.
You guys are...
Production, bro.
Production is just like that.
You guys are like...
You already do this food bills for alcohol.
You guys do food bills for alcohol.
I mean, the chicken, the chicken, the chicken, the chicken.
I mean, the chicken, the chicken, the chicken.
It's great about being in India.
Because do all this and everybody is happy.
Everybody is happy.
We are happy.
We are happy.
Everybody is happy.
So music career,
a little roof, writing, writing, writing, music,
all that was happy.
Acting is a kid,
directing is not satisfied.
Directing is not satisfied.
Acting is a little bit wrong.
I'll do it a little bit.
So I'm going to get out of here.
But acting is never there.
Never there.
Honestly.
Really?
Never.
Never thought, never wanted to become an actor.
But again, lashes came into my life first.
He was...
He asked me for an ad.
He asked me what to do.
Who would say it?
You know the ad, I don't think it was made by homogeneous mean.
So he made...
by fiveonia inikka...
What would happen to him?
He was changing the picture.
He was heading for Dasha's ad.
He was editing his video.
He was taking deposits from AI...
and his ads were getting evolving.
But he lives abroad or something.
No, he lives abroad.
So he's like, untreecible.
But I think he's making a film now.
I think, and I'm a shimit are you?
Shimit.
I've added it.
You know, I'm a pro.
Pro.
I'm a pro.
And how do we sell a product?
Yes.
The model doesn't know.
No, no.
Then Amit, how do you sell a product?
No, no.
Then Amit, how do you sell a product?
Amit Sharma.
I'm a pro.
I have a pro.
I have a pro.
I have a pro.
I have a pro.
I have a pro.
I have a pro.
Amit Sharma.
How do you sell a product?
So you're doing ads, which is not really acting in that sense.
No, that's not acting.
In that sense, then Mukesh got me into a film called Badrinath
Kedulaniya.
And I played Aliabad's father in that.
And their things actually started, I started getting roles.
And then I got roles.
No, no.
I got all of my fathers role.
I have every one's father.
Every.
Then I stopped doing that.
I said, no.
No, no.
Become a father.
Type cusses.
Type cusses.
And I said, no.
And I said, no.
Father of the Bollywood nation.
Yeah, whatever the Bollywood actors are.
Right, father.
He is a croole, sir.
He is the father of Irfan.
He is the father of Irfan.
He is the father of Irfan.
He is the father of Irfan.
Good joking.
No, no, no.
How?
You know, just, just that's how they think.
But they don't know.
They don't know.
I mean, I can't really really happen.
They do respect Irfan.
He is a lot older.
Yeah, yeah, a lot older than me.
But comedy.
I didn't know that.
But then I stopped doing it.
That was the breaking point.
That was the breaking point.
I don't know.
I never wanted to understand.
I didn't want to become an actor.
First place and then go to someone's father.
No, no.
No, no.
This is a struggle of Bollywood.
We don't know about it.
So that's, they'd go as a favorite child.
Alia Bhatt.
You want to work with?
Lovely.
Lovely.
No trouble.
No trouble at all.
You like rehearsal?
You like more spontaneous.
No, no, rehearsals are also good.
And she was good.
She was, she used to do a lot of rehearsals.
I loved working with her.
Then after that, I never became a father.
No, then I became, never became a father.
No, no, no, no.
I never became a father.
That 100% I didn't become a father.
Never, never, never become a father.
Because they go Bollywood, they say,
What are you doing?
I'm express.
Because of you.
He has a father.
He's also a father of the capacity.
What any of you?
Who's where?
I was one more father.
I was a father of the rest of the world.
Sonali cable play.
Before the controversy.
Much paper.
Thank God.
The work you do, father.
Your pressure is more than enough.
I mean, you know.
That girl, she's a father.
She's a lovely girl.
Lovely.
Can you get on the show?
Also, Aliabad.
Both of you.
Yes, I mean, I...
I mean...
What do you mean, father?
I mean, I mean...
I mean, I mean...
What do you mean, father?
I mean, father.
What do you mean, father?
I mean, father.
I mean, father.
I mean, father.
I mean, father.
I mean, father.
That's true.
What do you want to talk about?
What do you want to talk about?
I don't know.
I think Sudhir Mishra has talked to you.
I don't know.
And he was not talking to me.
He was talking to me.
So Sudhir, I can't do the knuckles.
You can do the knuckles.
How he told us about it?
I met him.
I saw him sing.
He used to come here.
He used to do the singing.
He used to go there.
He used to go there.
He used to go there.
He used to go there.
He used to go there.
He used to go there.
Okay, we have to take a break.
We are going to come back.
We have to talk about the new show.
No, nobody is watching it.
No.
But sir, you have prayer too.
I am a prayer too.
But everybody is watching it.
Right now, he has done so many prayers for everybody else.
See the list of names, we have mentioned.
We have to talk about the person who doesn't have a prayer.
He doesn't have a prayer.
I know it.
You don't have a prayer.
Imagine you have like 20% 50 to 80% more capacity than anybody else. Just imagine it's too much to become father
Give father father
Overrated concept figure father figure again father again father again father figure Epstein Island
Sorry, look. We're more father figures. Father managed as a Harris ATM work Sundays to provide for children
Let's take a break then we'll come back learning more. She wants for them to sing and she's making faces to me
He has to sing but I can't control him like that no boss you I'm on the father
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You
Part two not part two break a balls one of the stilling us about his life
We've got nowhere with it. I mean, he's done really well
But lots to talk about in less time. We have to try and find the time at the moon. My father figured our road exhausts
And he doesn't want to do that anymore and then then came in a film called Marathi film for Chombak
In which I was not playing a father. It was a beautiful role. I got to play
Sandeep Moody was a director who made a Marathi film and
Akshay Kumar presented that film. Oh nice. And for that I got one national award
Wow
So I've got three national awards two for lyrics and one for
Idea. Thank you. Thank you. So much
Three National awards. How many have I got?
So you know the lobby for these awards. These national awards are the one you can't really lobby
I don't know miss. I never know.
I never got one. Call up. No nobody.
Re-cyclable.
I can't believe it. So much work and they haven't given you. Yeah, but I'm I got four or five nominations.
So I never got to the award. But it's okay.
So anti Mumbai.
Shall always give the North or East. So it's political.
Political. So you did Marathi film and this big role big role and then then you get
Notice again again as elected and then I got another film called three of us
Which was one of them. They were talking about it. Yeah, so three of us was one film which
Shefali Shah and Jai Depehlawat and
Vinay Shahruen made that film. So lovely concept. Please watch that film. Yeah, beautiful.
They have married and then the old crush comes
She is like initial stages of dementia. Yeah, and she wants to go back to her little village where she grew up
And she wants to go and meet that guy and the husband takes her. So this is very complex and beautiful
And I loved working with them and with Avinash and
Like there I thought that yeah acting is a serious. I want I want to be an actor, but actually
Swanand himself is I mean you're here. I should ask you directly
You would say you're a singer first or nothing like that
Nothing like that. So you use the entertainer
Storyteller and entertainer whatever, you know, I can design costumes also if I don't know
But I'm very bad at it. You can see
This is your designs. No, this is my choice
The someone at Zara designed it
Zara Kopladya on believable. They've not slept like they are cut there
Zara Zara Zara Zara Zara Zara Zara Zara Zara Zara Zara
Ah man
Biryani
People just work here for no reason
So we have to come to the OTT, but I just want to finish this whole thing then directing happens when I don't know
Direct to Keha, right? I mean, I mean, I can't
I thought this this OTT
We have just I've just created written written with
Ankurthivari Ankurthivari
So the concept is all yours. The concept is mine and of course. Yeah, we
Why did you detect it then? No, because I was also acting in it. So you think that's a challenge. Yeah, everything you can't do
But if you're acting and directing will be fun
Then we'll be like okay action
Raj Kapoor sir did it to Manosh Kumar sir
Charlie Chaplin is other level. No, it's not impossible. Yeah, it's not impossible
But you're a genius, you know, like you have to be in love for your either you are a very close to it
I'm not that except for design there's no problem
You can win everything
So let's talk about the the new show which is called bandwale bandwale bandwale it's on Amazon Prime first the concept is yours
Give us a little idea. So basically it's a show about
a little girl
And Ratlam wants to become a youtuber
Because that's she thinks he that's where the liberation is there, you know for her like this is a true point
It's a two point. She thinks that her
Podesky auntie who is cooking
Kokri Shobana's will pass it on to him and his husband who was the first date of the article camera like his
She thinks that's the that's where her father will listen to her if she wants a little money and in that journey
Again the journey to become an influencer is another hassle. No, you can't say likes me like our cases shares
That's her adventure little adventure little town in which she meets this
brass bands
Singer from roads and and another one is a DJ
Played by Zahan Kapoor and together they form a band. No, that's the three of them three of them kind of form a band and
She becomes what she wants to become so the characters loosely based on you loosely based on
Another person
It's not musical talent obviously musical. Yeah musical. The guy new was not musical. He's a delusional guy lived with
basically
I think Jackie Schroff. He's a his style. There's a couple of us up in the middle. Yes, I think so
They I knew a person in Indore who you used to think he's a friend
So you and you you mentioned he it's really really things. It's not like he's putting on a show
And he's not putting on a show. He's really things. He thinks he thinks that they are like
He will say, yeah, I
Jackie Natchani Kaya
That's what I was going to do
No, what's the big deal? Well these are these these were the people who will take their Darzi first day
First show of a film and see the outfit to see the outfit and the evening they'll be wearing that out
So that kind of a
But totally if only they like Salman because Gansi is very easy
But they were but but Salman is great fan-following, you know like yeah, and people will like
Which is father from MP in North in North. Yeah, so that's mostly like a
The second big home city
So that's yeah his father so you were Salman of the most famous people from Indore
And Salim Khan sub Salim sub I don't think Salman I was born there. I think I think I don't know
But Salim sir is from Indore. Yes, and then there are many other people from Indore
What yeah, what mention the names you might as well. Yeah, too many names. I have a mention why is that they don't come sick on
Not kidding. It's okay
I'll leave it there. Let's before we suddenly another time. Let's get a song. Yeah, so have you done the music also?
Yeah
Few songs have sung written so from from bandwara you can sing anything was you the production is all I'll sing two little bit from
bandwara and little bit. Okay. Okay. See how happy you made the girls and
another song from my
Song from Parinita which she is requesting
Tell us how you write your lyrics and all that is there some process you follow boring question
But it's interesting to know also
Like you get a thought
We write it with the directors, you know mostly like okay like you they tell you the story the situation and then the situation
Then the tune comes in most of the time in
In this cinema basically the tune comes first. Okay, so who gives you the tune?
Composer
So can you give me options?
Hey, yeah, that's how you write lyrics
They mostly talking like how do they talk the producers and other
When they make decisions how do they tell the artist? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, we're
Peppini
The strange words they are peppini
Genzy will not understand
Genzy is a very
Zapatastica is important things over Genzy there. He is deciding for Genzy. But yeah nobody is Genzy
But Genzy will not understand and Genzy and I have told my niece
She didn't understand she's a Genzy, you know
So you failed. Yeah, but they're in need. So I mean yeah
They're in need. So anyway, but that's that's how you survive and sail and
Reach to the I think you have to have a thick skin. No in this business. Yeah, she has a creator
You haven't listened to all kinds of there's a lot of praise also a lot of love
But it's also some guy sing all kinds of stupid. No, you in the studio. What happens nobody knows
In like when you are making a song nobody knows what is happening. So like drafts and drafts and drafts of drafts and and most of the times you know like the the problem is that
A lot depends on musical Hindi cinema like so if the song is good it pushes the film
It pushes the film so they are very careful about making those songs and then
But when we're working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra or Raju Rani, that's not a problem
Very famous one in Kpop.
Kpop.
Kpop.
Next building.
Next building.
Okay, let's get back to Bandwale.
Who else is in the show?
Chalini Pandey, the actor, myself, Zahan Kapoor.
And Ashish with the Arte.
And you're playing an important role.
I'm playing the delusional lead.
Yeah.
So you're based on real people from one guy?
Real people.
I'm a real people.
One or two people.
Who have the sort of self-belief that they are friends with great stars?
Yeah, they are part of their lives.
And the stars are real for them.
Yeah.
Like, that's the end of it.
Amitabh Bachchan, sir.
Someone writes the dialogue of Amitabh Bachchan,
so they don't even believe in him.
Yeah.
Then what does he say?
That's what he says.
At least mentally.
Not to be rude.
But they're not well mentally.
Most of the countries.
The ocean.
Sir.
I'm a man.
It was near the top of the...
And now finally.
Yeah.
So we are.
We love our heroes and we think they're real.
Otherwise, we'll watch films.
Yeah.
True.
Fair enough.
So what happens after this?
What's the next project?
When is the directing going to happen?
Yeah.
It's always the director.
It's the concept.
The concept.
Writing.
Singing.
And lead.
So the direction is passed.
I'm almost there.
So what's the project?
I'm writing.
Yeah.
I'll write.
I'll make it.
I'll make it.
So that is no problem.
Yeah.
There are people here.
There are only producers and directors.
The producers and the producers are directors.
Great.
How do you want to be paid?
No.
I'll go.
I'll put in my company.
No.
Because war is going on.
That's the problem.
How do I manage locations like this?
Yeah.
Just shooting also.
Correct.
You want to go to Iran.
Select two.
I'll go.
I'll go.
I'll go.
Don't worry.
Let's hope that people appreciate it.
No.
You can't go to the US also now.
Yeah.
That's true.
They keep going.
We'll be off the list of many countries by the time the show is over.
So you have a story, but in mind.
I have.
Or is there a point where once you're like a creator,
you don't want somebody else's story.
Because everything is from your head.
Yeah.
You want to make your own.
Yeah.
Because you have that advantage in India that you can.
But if you give it to me,
you'll see more of the movie directors.
There's a story.
You can write your story and the story.
So that's a great thing.
Even if you don't make your films.
It's like you write in people in the picture.
But still, you have a story.
I have to.
I have to.
I have to.
I have to.
But you will act in them also.
You never.
Yeah.
So then it falls on the actor.
So then I have to.
So do you have an mind?
But like big star or not.
You're not a new name, I want to work with a new name.
You need boys to get up.
Yeah.
Up the bus.
Up the bus.
You need to get up.
You come to the right place.
Yeah, you come to the right place.
So tell us something.
Tell us some interesting incidents that you've had around these
Bollywood icons that you were doing.
I mean, nothing.
It's so beautiful.
If you don't have a switch, it's not a controversy.
It's a switch story.
How Viduma Chopra is quite eccentric.
All kinds of stories come out of that.
I can't remember anything of it.
I don't like that.
But what's the issue?
It's a larger than life.
Viduma Chopra, a larger than life.
Raju Hirani.
Very easy going.
Yeah, very easy.
Yeah.
Whatever comes to mind, don't force it.
It's okay.
Abhil.
No, no.
You're right.
You're right.
Of course.
Of course.
Of course.
Creativity is very important.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I really can't think of anything else.
Have you ever shouted at Swaland?
Never.
Never.
Never.
Never.
Wave...?
No-1...
Even, we know it didn't...
I've read it once.
One time I read it first.
What I said, but after that...
Something was happening.
I was writing that story made for the song.
I went to the Malaysian kidnapped dancers toGet lost in the thing
in the process of their son-in-law's show.
They throw the video back at people Most really to richer person.
I don't want to write a song because I don't want to write a song.
You are a liar.
That's what happened.
But that was more like tariff.
Tariff.
He just used bad language to tell you why you sing this.
Yeah, but he uses that.
Bad language is tariff only.
Yeah, so that's fine.
That's fine.
Yeah.
I won't even sorry for someone's angry.
No, with me never.
No.
I get angry.
You get angry?
Bad temper?
Bad temper.
Who have you shouted at?
Most juniors.
That kind of anger.
Small guys.
That kind of anger.
Okay.
She wants to know how you made the song.
Yeah, but it's...
Amir was making the show called Sathmiya Jaita.
And Ram Sampat.
Sampat and Sonak called me and Amir.
Basically they wanted me to write a song for the first episode
which was on female pit aside.
And it was a very grim and very sad topic.
Usually what happens, you know that atchaik,
you have to write something like that.
Yeah.
You should write something like that.
But Sathijit Bhatkal and Swati,
to creators of Sathmiya Jaita,
they had made a fire long documentary film.
All their research was there.
And I went to see that film me and Sonai and we watched it.
And I came out and I was crying.
You know, because you really don't...
You know things are bad,
but you really don't know how bad they're exposed to action.
Yeah, actually.
And so when I came home,
and then only thing which was playing on my head was...
Like I come from Indore and Marathi family,
then Indore and all that.
The girls they call it Chimani.
Chidia.
Yeah.
Ghar ki Chidia othi.
Vangan ki Chidia othi.
Angan se urjati.
It's a imagery othi.
Look.
That only kept playing and then I wrote the song.
Ram had sent me the tune.
And I wrote that song.
I mean, not the right reaction.
It's a sad song and a sad topic.
Yeah.
Why do you bring this up?
You're having such a good time now.
I know both feelings are different.
I'm putting it into the eyes and feeling his pain also.
Yeah.
I mean, I know both pain are that way.
I don't tell you personal issues.
I have a lot of pain.
But before we end,
some happy song.
Oh.
English is okay.
No, I don't know.
I don't know.
Rappish.
Yeah.
My hand is in English.
I'm a Hindi medium guy.
I know English.
If I do like this,
I'll sit with you.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I don't know.
I'm a bit one happy.
Let's end with a happy song.
I'll be like, upbeat.
Oh.
Swara and Kirikiri are in concert.
Here on sari says,
please ladies and gentlemen, sing along.
Sing along.
Sing along.
And sweet enough to do this.
But the rates are very high.
If you want to come to the private concert.
And if you want to call me corporate gigs and weddings.
Weddings also.
Weddings,
there will be 15-20.
15-20.
20-20.
What is it?
Ambition.
In the beginning,
15-1.0.20.
20-20.
If you ask me,
I'll get 15.
That's the way it is.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
No, sir.
Already there.
So, you have to be seen as a director.
He is not telling us about the project.
He will get him back when he finally does that.
That's always left.
Everything else you don't accept.
Design and directing.
Design is a pro-entiment.
Last design.
Design in the end.
See, sir.
At that point.
Straight line, I guess.
Just quickly, anything coming out now?
New.
I am working on a Suraaj.
Film.
Suraaj.
And this is the first film.
Also a film with Vikas Bhel,
with Jaya Bachchanji and
Guamami Khan.
It's written.
No, only acted.
Okay.
So, these two films are coming out.
Another film called Bhakrakra.
Get three films out.
Coming out now?
No, I don't know when they will come out.
When they come out, we will hopefully get you back.
I hope.
Where is the house?
No, the bathroom.
I think come out.
Come out.
Come now.
Where do you live?
I live in town, but it's not that far from the bathroom.
Now with the whistle.
I have started voting with the government.
I am so happy.
I can't complain here.
I can't complain.
Of course, I know you cannot.
Yeah.
First of all, Bombay has been great.
But Swanand Kirkari, please check him out.
Check out the OTT show.
Bandwale.
Bandwale.
Which is conceptualized written.
Starring.
He is the lead of the thing based on people he grew up with.
So, it's very interesting.
And there's lots more coming.
Movies, etc.
We will find out a little later.
Thank you so much.
Thank you so much.
I know you are very busy.
Lovely.
Huge interviews.
Thank you.
Okay.
Catch us with any of the podcasting apps.
Please, we beg you.
We need you.
Check out this moment from her episode with the one and only.
Karan Johar.
You had both of us actually have been raised by two parents.
And there was usually one bad cop and good cop.
And in my case as well, my father was the good cop.
He's the good cop.
And my mother was the bad cop.
And she was the one who was disciplining.
And we both are at a stage in our lives where we are single parenting.
Me to a large extent.
And you almost fully, right?
And you do have your mom who helps you.
But tell us a little bit about that.
Because yours was actually by choice.
I think it was something I've always wanted.
I feel like I'm inherently a parent, even when I wasn't.
I've always had, you know, feelings of paternal instincts towards the kids I worked with
in the movies or the kids I've mentored as a director.
Like Alia Varun.
Alia Varun.
And all of them.
And like, I just felt I always wanted but I somehow knew that it was a decision I had to make.
It was a decision I had to take along with my mom.
And when I said it to her, when I felt I was fully emotionally equipped to be a parent,
I asked her.
And to my share and utter joy, she was like, I can't wait.
And I feel like it's daunting for me because I'm an only child and a single parent.
And it's a double whammy because my mom's not been keeping really good health in the last year.
She had a stroke last December and from then on she's not been able to do what she was doing
as a co-parent.
She's also 83 years old.
So it is not easy.
You know that.
And I have twins.
So I have double the issues.
I'm the only dad on two WhatsApp mom's group.
Yeah.
I'm the one who has to schedule their lives, give the time and balance it by running a company
and be there for my mom.
It's all, it's overall overwhelming.
But that joy of just having that love, being the proud recipient of the love,
when they come and give you that hug.
That hug.
And it doesn't matter to them.
And I'm sad to say this, but it's, I never want them to be unwell.
I always have to be happy.
But the moment they hug you when they have a tear in their eye and you feel like,
because now kids have stopped hugging the way they used to and they were three and four.
Now you have to beg for that love.
Yeah.
Because I want an eye and there's nothing doing because I am like my dad.
My dad was tactile, wanted the hugs and kisses and I desired the question.
And you want it.
I want to be hugged and they meet me.
But when they need you and they are feeling vulnerable and they give you that hug,
that's to be heaven.
Yeah.
That moment of that child in your arms and you hold them tight and just hug them with your core.
I feel like, I don't know what heaven feels like, but that to me is my heaven.
Yeah.
No, same.
And for me as well, I think the whole single parenting, yes, it is hard,
but also because we are working and we do so many different things.
But you know, have you seen the flip sides?
It's actually liberating because you are not at crossroads with anybody else.
Like everybody else has it.
Because you are not.
Yeah.
Yeah, I know.
I know.
Well, I know.
That's why I don't have that flip side.
Your well cross border is well.
So, I mean, you have a situation which is even more daunting and overwhelming.
Yeah.
But at my end, I feel actually I am blessed.
Of course.
Because I feel, you know, when my twins were being born and when they were born,
I had a hundred people give me pieces of advice on parenting twins or reading books,
hearing podcasts.
I did nothing.
I was like, we are blessed with what we call a superpower.
It's called instinct.
Your instinct is a parent kicks in and your instinct is different from every other situation.
Exactly.
And there is no right or wrong way.
It is your way.
And over parent.
There's something called over parenting.
Yeah.
I am not an over parenting, but I do find it challenging to leave him.
Like now, when I'm here, you know, because I live in Dubai and here.
You know, and I feel the same way when I have to travel.
Yeah.
That's the biggest challenge for me, like to stay away, right?
Like for a period of one week, then I have to like obviously just like your mom comes in,
my mom and what a blessing.
Like right now, she's with him because I'm, you know, working for this one week and I'm here
and I won't see him.
And that for me is the hardest part.
Anything else I'm fine with.
But you know, sometimes that end will also make him more independent.
Yeah.
I always see the plus in everything.
Instead of worrying about the minuses, I feel there are big pluses in every extreme search situation.
Like the big plus here is that your son and my twins will be very, very independent and they'll be strong and they'll be resilient.
Yeah.
And that's something that I would wish for all of them.
Like we say, inshallah.
We really, really hope for that to happen.
Last couple of questions, both of us have been in the public eye or spotlight if you say for many years now.
And I was very young.
I was like 15, 16, you were as well.
And it's hard.
I mean, single parenting, all of this stuff.
But also having romantic relationships is hard.
Yeah.
How do you feel?
Do you feel that?
How have you made peace with the fact that you are today your single, you know?
To your single.
Or we think your single.
I am single.
My status is single.
Your official status, public status is single.
No, my real status.
Your real status single.
So have you made a peace with that?
You know, you're okay with it.
There is a line in another song which I don't get in every single single.
There is a line in every single single.
There is a line in every single single.
I'm okay now.
There was a point of time I really wanted the love.
I wanted the relationship.
Yeah.
I remember talking about this with you.
I wanted a relationship.
And I went through all kinds of dynamics.
A broken heart.
One sided love.
I even made a film on it.
That was cathartic but beautiful for me.
It helped me heal.
I waited.
I realized that is somebody going to love me for who I am.
Or what I bring to the table.
Then you come on with doubt.
Everyone says, oh, put yourself out there.
I'm still looking for that there.
I don't know where that is.
There is a somewhere.
You know abroad.
They say like you know abroad.
I don't know.
You know.
You know what?
I'm abroad.
I live here.
I have a mom and two kids.
I have to live here.
So I've gone through those beats.
And I don't get lonely.
It's not.
It's a reality.
When you get the loneliness is in your highs.
Not in your lows.
Actually.
Because in your lows you have your mom.
You have your close friends.
Family.
I have two cousin sisters.
I'm very close to her.
I have my best friends.
I have my family.
My friends.
My kids just to hug.
In your highs, what do you do?
You celebrate a victory.
I remember I got a call saying you won the national award.
And I put the phone down.
And for one, I kept thinking, what should I do tonight?
Who's house do I go to?
Who do I sit with?
Who's hand do I hold?
Who do I feel?
I feel a little bit.
I should pack my back today and feel a little happy.
It's those moments.
You know, when I went to receive the national award,
they asked me, who's your plus one?
And I had no one.
I had no one.
Apura was winning it.
Who's my partner at work and my best friend.
And he was bringing his wife.
Everybody was discussing this power of women.
With their partners.
You know, or whoever.
My mom is not physically capable of coming.
And my kids are too young.
And I was like, how?
It just felt that reality with it.
And many a night, you sit at home when you're eating alone.
Eating alone is the other thing that makes you feel a bit lonely.
And you're watching.
I'm saying, yeah, because I'm relating to a lot of what you're saying.
And at any time, I don't even go to the dining tables,
because that makes me feel worse.
So I eat in my room.
Like, I know they say, you shouldn't lie down and eat.
And you should sit and eat.
But I sit up like this.
They have a table.
They put my food on it.
And I eat.
And I always bought something.
So I can actually dilute the emptiness of the moment.
Of the loneliness of that being.
Because I've come to realise that I'm okay today.
I've dealt with it.
But yes, the love of a partner.
The sharing the nothings of your day or the highs of your life with
is very different from what you get from a parent, a sibling or a child.
Of course.
That love.
And it's not the intimacy or the sex.
It's just the partnership that you form of people.
It's almost a friendship and the companionship, right?
That's what you're talking about.
We are meant, actually, to be a unit of two.
Yeah.
You know, real true love comes from a partner that you have.
You know, whether it was the beginning and origin of man and woman.
Or man and man or woman and woman.
And whatever the dynamic today is.
But if we are meant to be a unit of two and then we go and create a family.
Yeah.
But this real unit is of two.
We were never meant to fly solo.
No matter what we created in pairs.
Yes.
What is said?
Yes.
And we are.
But now we're up next to each other.
But maybe.
Maybe not yet.
And they say never say never.
And if that happens, my arms are wide open like Shah Rukhans.
You know.
I'm willing to welcome.
You know, I've told the best love stories.
I sold love, but unfortunately I didn't buy it myself.
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Cyrus Says



