Lyricist Kaushal Kishore. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
A relatively newer trend behind hit songs is to follow them up with a sequel. Lyricist Kaushal Kishore – who worked with singer-composer Vishal Mishra for “Aaj Bhi” in 2021 and recently released “Aaj Bhi 2” in September – says he’s “not a big fan of sequels” but says this one was needed. “Some songs leave a story open-ended that as a writer, you want to complete it,” Kishore says.
It also helps that Kishore and Mishra had a friendship that went back before “Aaj Bhi” itself. Kishore says that beyond the musician and lyricist equation, there’s something deeper – a brotherhood. “In a day, we often spend 16-17 hours together and even our families are connected. That connection somewhere reflects in our work as well. We can never look at it as just work as our understanding works so well. I feel blessed that I have such a bond with Vishal bhai,” the lyricist adds.
In addition to pop songs like “Aao Naa” and “Galti,” Kishore and Mishra’s team-ups have led to other film hits like “Zindagi Tere Naam” from Yodha earlier this year and “Keemti” from Mission Raniganj in 2023. With singer-composer Madhur Sharma and producer Swapnil Tare, Kishore also wrote lyrics and composed “Tu Baarish,” which released in August. It marked his first collaboration with Sharma. “I hope to collaborate with Madhur more in the future,” he says.
Songs of longing in love are not uncommon in the Indian pop space at the moment and Kishore’s pen seems to steer in that direction, but he’s also writing songs that stir feelings of nationhood, like for Yodha and Mission Raniganj. Of course, Kishore points out that when you love your country, “writing becomes easier” along the lines of nationalistic fervor. “There is so much about our country and it can be talked about beautifully in so many different ways. No matter how much you write about it, it would be less and I will keep on writing about my country,” Kishore says.
Another important lyrical area is spiritual and religious songs, including one coming up for Diwali festivities. More than the devotion, Kishore feels that such songs also alleviate stress when spiritual songs can heal. He adds, “On Diwali I am bringing ‘Sita Gatha.’ It’s Ramayana from the perspective of Goddess Sita. I am also going to release a song on Chatth Pooja, and I am sure the listeners will love them both.”
On the film music and pop music front, Kishore is writing songs for the likes of B Praak, Arijit Singh and Mishra, of course. He adds, “There are many singles and devotional projects in the pipeline. I am also trying to write Sampoorna Ramayana, and it will come out in 2025.”
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