EXCLUSIVE: Meet Sayeed Quadri, the man who played major role in Emraan Hashmi’s musical success: “The kind of songs I write, Emraan does COMPLETE justice to them”; reflects on Awarapan’s box-office failure: “Many people regretted, ‘Yeh kya film thi. Humne miss kar di’”

Emraan Hashmi’s films are remembered as much for their unforgettable music as for their stories, and lyricist Sayeed Quadri has played a significant role in shaping that musical legacy. Their association began with Murder (2004), followed by Zeher (2005), Kalyug (2005), Gangster (2006), The Train (2007), Awarapan (2007), Jannat (2008), Raaz - The Mystery Continues (2009), Tum Mile (2009), Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (2011), Murder 2 (2011), Jannat 2 (2012), Rush (2012) and Hamari Adhuri Kahani (2015). The upcoming Awarapan 2 will mark Sayeed Quadri’s 15th film featuring Emraan Hashmi. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, the celebrated lyricist spoke about his enduring association with the actor, the cult following of Awarapan, its much-awaited sequel and a lot more.

What feedback have you received for the Awarapan 2 trailer and songs? People have been waiting for the second part for a long time, not just the film but also its songs. This was because Awarapan logon ke dilon aur zehen mein utri hui film thi. The response has been great, by God’s grace. I hope this film achieves a lot of success.

You have written the original song ‘Ve Junoon’ as well the recreated versions of ‘Toh Phir Aao’ and ‘Tera Mera Rishta’. How did you react when you learned that Awarapan 2 is being made? Yeh film mere ragon mein basti hai. People could relate to the baichini, kashmakash and khaalipan inside the character, Shivam Pandit. The character questions his existence and where he should go next. Even I have been through that struggle. Hence, Awarapan was a film close to my heart and working on its songs was relatively easy. And when I was approached for Awarapan 2, I was on cloud nine! Meri jo adhoori pyaas thi, woh ek baar phir poori hone jaa rahi thi. And look at the result. People are loving the trailer and the songs.

I remember that before Awarapan’s release, ‘Tera Mera Rishta’ appeared to be a romantic number. However, when we watched the film, we were pleasantly surprised to discover that it was actually Shivam’s song of devotion to God… One can have mohabbat with humans and also with God. Mohabbat ek aisi cheez hai jo aapko oopar waale se bhi jodti hai, aur insaano se bhi jodti hai. Now, it depends on the listener how he/she interprets the song. Aap use jis jagah jodna chahe, jod le!

The rishta that you share with Emraan Hashmi is also quite purana. Your songs have played a big role in his success… The kind of songs I write, Emraan does complete justice to them through his performances on screen. You must have felt that too, right? When a good composition and meaningful lyrics are picturised effectively, and the artist performs them to the best of his ability, toh gaana apne aap zinda ho jaata hai. It is perhaps a happy coincidence that all our songs went on to become hits. Emraan delivered wonderful performances in those films. Dil se kaam kiya usne.

Despite being such a well-made film, Awarapan’s first part flopped. Was that disheartening? Everyone in the team – the director, the actor, music director etc – worked very hard. But I guess it takes a while for some viewers to process a film. That’s what happened with Awarapan. Dheere dheere logon ko uss film se mohabbat hone lagi. Not just the film but even its subject, music and the characters. Many people did have that regret, ‘Yeh kya film thi. Humne miss kar di’. That’s why, when the second part was announced, it led to excitement. People began waiting eagerly for it.

Sometimes, whether a film succeeds or fails has little to do with the film itself. It happens that a movie doesn’t succeed despite being well-made. Lekin iss baar aap dekhiye kaise toot ke pyaar mil raha hai logon ka!

Also Read: Mithoon and Sayeed Quadri to compose music for Awarapan 2, including reimagined versions of ‘Toh Phir Aao’ and ‘Tera Mera Rishta’