In this special episode of AfterHours with All About Eve podcast, host Bani Anand sits down with Swanand Kirkire, the celebrated lyricist, singer, and three-time National Award winner, for an unfiltered conversation about his journey in music, poetry, and cinema. From struggling as an aspiring artist to writing some of Bollywood’s most iconic songs, he shares the defining moments of his career—starting with Bavra Mann, the song that changed everything.
Swanand Kirkire reflects on collaborating with legends like Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani, navigating the delicate balance between writing and music.
Beyond Bollywood, he revisits his Indore theatre days, where performances took place in a bank. He also shares stories from his early drama school days, including an unforgettable moment when Nawazuddin Siddiqui played a grieving mother in an Irish play, as well as the truth behind the infamous thandai story.
The interview explores Swanand Kirkire’s deep passion for cinema—watching 400 films a year, idolising Shyam Benegal and Mani Ratnam, and how his drama school experiences shaped his artistic journey.
He reflects on his work in Satyamev Jayate, where songs like Rupaiya and O Ri Chiraiya became anthems of empowerment. Before making his mark in Bollywood, Swanand Kirkire worked as a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman in Indore to fund his dream of joining NSD, learning resilience through rejection and witnessing India’s jugaad culture firsthand. Mentors like N.K. Sharma pushed him to refine his craft, even when harsh feedback made him doubt his talent.
Swanand Kirkire also shares his admiration for Vidhu Vinod Chopra, with whom he has worked for over 25 years. Discussing 12th Fail, he praises Chopra’s ability to reinvent himself and relates to the idea that everyone experiences “zero se restart” moments. He also delves into the philosophy behind his song Aal Izz Well, revealing how we suffer more in our imagination than in reality.
Swanand Kirkire delves into the psychology of success and anxiety, highlighting how childhood conditioning shapes our fears and insecurities. He challenges the idea that parents have all the answers, stating, “They can only teach what they know.” He reflects on emotional conditioning in relationships, recalling how Jaideep Ahlawat shared that his father still isn’t comfortable hugging him—something Swanand Kirkire himself once believed was normal. Over time, he realised that true strength lies in emotional openness.
In a fun rapid-fire round, he takes on Gen-Z struggles with poetry and wit, offering poetic responses to ghosting, online trolling, and self-doubt.
(00:00) Episode begins
(2:00) Music was not Swanand Kirkire's first choice
(4:00) "Felt unworthy of music"
(5:40) The story behind Bavra Mann
(8:25) The making of Parineeta
(12:43) Where does creativity come from?
(16:45) Is art still democratic?
(17:57) On Nawazuddin Siddiqui
(20:42) The truth behind Nawazuddin's thandai story
(22:10) Why did Swanand join NSD?
(25:28) When Nawazuddin Siddiqui played a mother in a play
(27:44) Swanand on Indore
(33:36) Favourite childhood memory
(35:56) Connecting with people: Then vs Now
(38:23) Social media and Chaar Kadam
(41:03) Does Swanand forget his own lyrics?
(41:41) The impact of O Ri Chiraiya and Rupaiya
(45:26) On working with Vidhu Vinod Chopra
(47:08) Swanand Kirkire's ‘zero se restart’ moment
(52:30) The worst feedback
(54:24) Harsh criticism from N.K. Sharma
(56:35) Who pushed Swanand the most?
(57:46) The philosophy behind Aal Izz Well
(1:01:16) Becoming comfortable around parents
(1:02:33) Working on himself and self-love
(1:06:39) How does Swanand Kirkire unwind AfterHours?
(1:10:01) Game
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