Swanand Kirkire on Lyrics, Acting, NSD & Band Wale

In this richly detailed episode of 'Cyrus Says', host Cyrus engages in a candid, humorous, and deeply personal conversation with legendary Indian lyricist, singer, actor, and writer Swannand Kirkire. Kirkire traces his journey from a non-professional musical upbringing in Delhi, shaped by parents who were disciples of Pandit Kumar Gandharu, to his formative years at the National School of Drama (NSD), where he discovered his voice not through formal training but through theatre. He recounts the serendipitous moment when Sudhir Mishra first heard him sing a Bihari folk song on set, leading to a career-defining role in 'Bauraman' and a long-standing collaboration with Vinod Chopra, for whom he wrote iconic lyrics for films like 'Paranita', 'A Club We Are', '3 Idiots', and 'Laghu Romunna Bhai'. The conversation delves into his struggles with typecasting as 'Sabka Father', his breakthrough in Marathi cinema with a National Award-winning performance in 'Sandeep Moody', and his recent pivot into directing with the Amazon Prime series 'Bandwale', a coming-of-age story about a girl chasing her dreams as a YouTuber and forming a band with delusional yet passionate friends. Kirkire reflects on the emotional weight of writing for socially conscious themes like female infanticide in 'Satyame Jayate', and shares his philosophy as a multi-hyphenate artist: a storyteller first, a creator who thrives on authenticity and thick skin in a volatile industry. Despite never winning a Filmfare, he remains grounded, proud of his three National Awards, and deeply committed to his craft. The episode is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and self-awareness. Kirkire’s charm lies in his self-deprecating humor—admitting he’s terrible at design, joking about being mistaken for a father figure, and playfully comparing himself to a 'Hardik Pandya of the industry'. He celebrates the unsung heroes of Indian cinema, from NSD batchmates like Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Chitranyan Tripathi to mentors like Sudhir Mishra and Vinod Chopra. The conversation ends on a hopeful note, with Kirkire hinting at future projects, including a film with Jaya Bachchan and a Suraj Badi Aatia collaboration, while reaffirming his belief in the power of storytelling and the importance of staying true to one’s inner voice. The episode is a love letter to the messy, beautiful, and often overlooked journey of an artist who refuses to be boxed in.