Behind the most stirring soundtracks in Indian cinema stand wordsmiths whose lines do not merely rhyme, but articulate the unvarnished emotions of the story. Raj Shekhar has emerged as one of the prominent lyricists in the Hindi film industry whose verses give a distinct voice to screen characters. Whether it is the poignant notes of ‘Pehle Bhi Main’ from ‘Animal’ or the melodious warmth of ‘Tum Ho To’ in ‘Saiyaara’, his poetry has resonated deeply with audiences across generations. Recently, his hard-hitting song ‘Tabahi’ from the Yash starrer ‘Toxic’ has reaffirmed his creative versatility. Yet, his ascent in playback writing was neither pre-planned nor conventional; he initially worked on sets as an assistant director before an unplanned writing exercise transformed his entire path.
Roots in Madhepura and the Theatrical Evolution in Delhi
Raj Shekhar was born on September 22, 1980, in the Madhepura district of Bihar. From an early age, literature captivated him, prompting him to compose short stories and poetry. In pursuit of higher education, he relocated to Delhi, where his creative inclinations found a structured platform. During his college years, he associated with the renowned theater group ‘Players’, taking on responsibilities of acting, directing, and writing various stage productions. He credited this immersion in theater with reshaping his thought process, allowing him to perceive societal structures, human relationships, and ordinary people through a nuanced artistic lens.
Stint in Television News and Moving to Mumbai
Following the completion of his academic pursuits, Raj Shekhar worked as a writer at a news channel for a brief period. However, the urge to explore narrative storytelling led him to Mumbai. In 2010, filmmaker Aanand L. Rai offered him an opportunity to join the crew of ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ as an assistant director. By his own admission, Raj Shekhar struggled with the logistical and managerial demands of the role, frequently receiving reprimands on set for coordination oversights. Nevertheless, this difficult production environment set the stage for an unexpected turning point in his life.
The Dummy Lyrics Breakthrough for Tanu Weds Manu
During the production of ‘Tanu Weds Manu’, the makers were actively searching for a lyricist to pen the film's soundtrack. In the interim, Raj Shekhar was asked to supply temporary dummy lyrics so the musical compositions could be aligned. On that very day, he drafted the foundational verses for songs like ‘Manu Bhaiya’ and ‘Rangrez’. When the rough drafts were presented to Aanand L. Rai, the director was so impressed with the natural cadence and emotional fit that he decided to retain them for the final recording. Consequently, the crew member struggling with logistical duties was officially installed as the film's credited lyricist, a transition he frequently recounts as becoming an accidental lyricist.
Navigating Industry Lean Patches with TV Dialogue Writing
The soundtrack of ‘Tanu Weds Manu’ earned widespread admiration, with tracks such as ‘Rangrez’, ‘Yun Hi’, and ‘Manu Bhaiya’ establishing his reputation among music listeners. In spite of positive public reception and regular radio airplay, obtaining steady work proved far more daunting than anticipated. A few signed projects stalled during pre-production, while other completed projects failed to secure a theatrical release. Confronting severe financial constraints, he sustained his household by writing dramatic scripts and dialogues for episodic television shows, notably the crime docudrama series ‘Savdhaan India’.
Creative Process and the Pan-Indian Collaboration of Toxic
Raj Shekhar approaches songwriting with methodical preparation, maintaining detailed notes after reading a script to identify avenues where lyrics can amplify a character's emotional arc. This reflective method is evident in notable works like ‘Kitne Dafe’, ‘Jaane De’, ‘Ghani Bawri’, ‘Udta Teeter’, and ‘Tumhe Dillagi’. In 2026, he reached another career milestone with the song ‘Tabahi’ in the feature film ‘Toxic’. Describing the project as a unique creative endeavor, he worked across multiple regional industries: the film was rooted in Kannada cinema, helmed by Malayalam filmmaker Geetu Mohandas, led by Kannada star Yash, and scored by composer Vishal Mishra, offering him a collaborative multilingual environment.
