Key Points

Pritam reflects on how he overlooked Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyric-writing talent despite their close working relationship. He recalls mentoring several assistants into lyricists but was surprised by Bhattacharya’s success. The duo later collaborated on hits like Dev.D and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai. Pritam also shares excitement about Anurag Basu’s upcoming project, comparing it to his enthusiasm for Life in a Metro.

Key Points: Pritam Reveals He Overlooked Amitabh Bhattacharya’s Lyricist Talent

  • Pritam admits he didn’t recognize Bhattacharya’s lyricist skills initially
  • Worked together on Dev.D and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai
  • Pritam mentored multiple assistants into lyricists
  • Excited about Anurag Basu’s new project idea
2 min read

Pritam: I made everyone lyricist, couldn't believe my eyes missed the lyricist in Amitabh Bhattacharya

Music composer Pritam shares how he missed Amitabh Bhattacharya’s lyricist potential despite working closely, now praising his Dev.D and Metro work.

Pritam: I made everyone lyricist, couldn't believe my eyes missed the lyricist in Amitabh Bhattacharya
"“How did Amitabh Bhattacharya get out of my sight?” – Pritam"

Mumbai, Aug 11

Music composer Pritam, whose recently released album ‘Metro... In Dino’, has shared that he was pleasantly surprised when he got to know that Amitabh Bhattacharya has written the lyrics for ‘Dev.D’.

Amitabh was Pritam's assistant for a long time but Pritam never saw this side of him when the two worked together.

Pritam spoke with IANS following the success of the ‘Metro... In Dino’ album, and said, “Amitabh was one of my first assistants. He came to me for work but I was quite new to the industry, and was trying to make my way in. I thought he sings, he never used to write. I used to make everyone a lyric writer”.

He told IANS, “Amitabh Verma, he was an editor at my studio. I made him a lyric writer. Mayur Puri was Sanjay Gadhvi's assistant. I made him a lyric writer by asking to write him a scratch. I was like, ‘How did Amitabh Bhattacharya get out of my sight?’ Ashish Pandit came to sing. I asked him to write a scratch for the presentation”.

“As Hindi is not my first language, I don't write the scratches. I write anything, the director is coming. When I got to know he wrote for ‘Dev.D’, I said, ‘This is our Pimpu, he wrote this!’. I think the first song he wrote for me was ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai’. After that, we have been like, now I have formed an equation. Now I trust him a lot with lyrics”, he added.

Prior to this, Pritam had shared that he is really kicked up about a new idea from the director. He said that Anurag has shared a new idea with him, and he is as excited for the yet-to-be-titled project as he was for ‘Life in a Metro’.

Pritam earlier told IANS, “He has two or three ideas like new ideas. There’s one idea, I can’t talk much about it but I can tell I have the same excitement for that idea like I had at the time of ‘Life in a Metro’, that’s a new animal idea”.

“I don't know when Anurag is going to make it, but I'm super duper excited about that idea. A brand new animal. I hope he makes it fast”, he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
As a music student, this inspires me so much! Talent can come from anywhere - even your own assistant. Pritam sir's journey shows the importance of giving chances to newcomers.
R
Rahul R
While I appreciate Pritam's work, I feel he's taking too much credit here. Amitabh Bhattacharya's genius is his own - he didn't need to be "made" a lyricist by anyone. The man wrote for Dev.D after all!
P
Priyanka N
"This is our Pimpu" 😂 Love how Bollywood has these nicknames for everyone! The industry relationships are so heartwarming. Can't wait for Pritam-Anurag's new project!
K
Kevin U
Interesting to see how language plays a role - Pritam admitting Hindi isn't his first language explains why he relies on others for lyrics. The collaborative nature of Bollywood music is fascinating!
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Nisha Z
Metro...In Dino's music is stuck in my head! But I do miss the old Pritam-Amitabh combo. Hope they collaborate more often. Their work in Barfi! was magical ❤️

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