MUMBAI: His opinions are as firm as his voice. Bollywood lyricist Kumaar, without mincing words, voices his views on what he believes in is correct. Penning soulful numbers like 'Ishq Bulava' from the film 'Hasee Toh Phasee' to sizzling chartbusters like 'Pink Lips', his portfolio offers a variety. Hailing from Jalandhar, Punjab, he came to Mumbai with a dream of becoming a lyricist. Initially Kumaar wrote the title sound tracks of television soaps, but then somehow managed to reach his final destination i.e. lyric writing for films.

"I never wanted to become a television serial writer. My aim was to write songs for big films. When I came to Mumbai I did not even know how to write lyrics, the only thing I had was immense passion. I was a complete 'lallu', a daft, who did not even know if lyric writing would pay me," said Kummar to Radioandmusic.com's Dhairya Ingle.

It is often said that lyricists do not get enough credit in the industry, when asked if he had similar thoughts, he retorted, "Have you even seen cameras? I am not a Shah Rukh Khan who will come in front of the camera and people would relish each and every sight of mine. If you are a lyricist you need to know that you are meant to be behind the camera."

Being a lyricist, he depends a lot on the brief of the film as he feels that helps him write better. "I also believe in jamming a lot with the composers. This is one method I often adopt for writing good songs," he explained.

Kumaar does not believe in giving speeches about the dos and don'ts of lyric writing or about usage of slang while writing a song. "I do what I believe in is right and I stay firm. If I feel a song should be made on a certain situation I make it. But I hate giving 'gyaan' about what should be written and what not," he said signing off.