The ongoing debate surrounding classical Bollywood melodies versus contemporary film music has gained fresh momentum. While the distinct tunes and unique identities of veteran singers are still cherished by millions, modern music frequently faces criticism for lacking diversity and originality. Acclaimed lyricist Samir has now shared his candid perspective on this evolving trend, pointing out that most current playback singers share strikingly similar voices and vocal styles, with nearly everyone attempting to emulate Arijit Singh.
An archived video clip from Samir’s podcast titled ‘Sameer Ka Safarnama’ has resurfaced and is rapidly gaining attention across social media platforms. During this engaging conversation, prominent playback singer Javed Ali was also present in the studio. Reflecting on the golden era of Hindi film music, Samir highlighted how every singer, composer, and writer from that bygone era possessed a distinct personal identity that set them apart from one another.
The Disappearing Originality in Modern Music
Praising the stalwarts of the past, Samir noted that legendary artists of that era carried their own unique flair and artistic color. According to him, those musicians, lyricists, and vocalists possessed a special characteristic that has nearly vanished from today's industry. He expressed concern that nowadays it feels as though every single person is trying to sing like Arijit Singh. Turning to Javed Ali during the chat, Samir added that when artists like him sing, it brings a refreshing uniqueness because their voice carries a distinct peace and charm, whereas most contemporary voices and track sound designs tend to blend together into a monotonous uniformity.
Expanding on his critique, the veteran lyricist pointed out that the entire methodology of creating film songs has undergone a massive transformation. In the past, he explained, crafting a song was driven by deep devotion, dedication, and genuine faith, elements that appear to be fading away today. He remarked that current filmmakers often focus merely on preparing a commercial proposal rather than nurturing genuine cinema, even though filmmaking fundamentally remains a collaborative art form as well as a deeply personal experience.
Recalling the Recording Days of Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar
Sharing fond memories from his extensive career, Samir provided examples of how legendary artists used to record tracks in earlier times. He recalled that artists would sit together in the studio, discuss the nuances of songs extensively, and collaborate on fresh creative experiments. He specifically remembered the recording days of legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. According to Samir, these two icons used to enjoy their time immensely during recording sessions, converse playfully about the lyrics, and experiment with melodies collectively.
Critiquing today's fast-paced recording culture, Samir pointed out that the entire workflow has become mechanical. Nowadays, a singer is typically called into the studio, records their designated portion in isolation, and immediately leaves the premises. This lack of camaraderie and collective brainstorming has drawn fresh attention to the vast cultural gap dividing classic film music from its modern counterpart.
