The core team behind Tumbbad describes it as one of the most challenging films to bring to life—a truly unique experience in Indian cinema. Raj Shekhar, who has worked on around 25 films in his career, holds this project closest to his heart.
The film’s title track is composed by Ajay-Atul, who creates a larger-than-life experience, blending period drama with a touch of Marathi and old-world Hindi influences. On talking to Lyricist Raj Shekhar, he says, “Given the film’s themes of greed and gold, the lyrics of Tumbadd title track is crafted to evoke the metallic sound of gold itself.” Raj Shekhar’s lyrics artfully capture the inner turmoil of Vinayak, the protagonist, enhancing the emotional depth of the character and the overall landscape of the film.
While Tumbbad was critically acclaimed upon its 2018 release and gained a global audience, it didn’t receive the recognition it deserved from Indian viewers. Now, with its re-release in theatres in 2024, there is growing buzz on social media, with many even talking about the film’s potential to win an Oscar for India.
Reflecting on this renewed appreciation, Raj Shekhar comments, “Tumbbad would have won the Oscar six years ago, but…” He adds, “People say the magic of filmmaking is lost today, but they’ll rediscover that magic in this film.”
In a candid conversation with the producer of the film, Anand.L.Rai, he talks about his collaboration with lyricist Raj Shekhar on this film. He adds, “When I struggled to make Tanu weds Manu, the talent like Raj Shekhar was my pillar of strength in that journey. I derived a lot of courage from his writing to create an original world for my film, fearlessly. From Tanu weds Manu to Tumbbad…Raj has grown and attained his unique identity which I am very proud of. Writing a song in the movie Tumbbad was a challenge. Conceptually the lane was very narrow but at the same time very deep so to get it in a poetic form was near to impossible. Raj with his passion, hunger and great understanding and command of his language along with the fantastic composition of magicians Ajay-Atul described the entire Tumbbad in their 3-minute song. Hope we keep on multiplying our love with our every outing.”
The Actor and Producer Sohum Shah also appreciates Raj Shekhar for his writing skills. He says, “The music of Tumbbad shapes the film’s unique atmosphere, with composer Ajay-Atul and lyricist Raj Shekhar working in harmony to bring its mystical world to life. Raj Shekhar’s lyrics add a special, unmatched touch, making the film feel complete. The score not only captures the film’s eerie landscape but also reflects the inner turmoil of Vinayak’s character, deepening the emotional impact of his journey.”
Raj Shekhar is a highly versatile lyricist in the Indian film industry, known for his ability to craft deeply resonant and evocative lyrics for his films like Animal, Tanu Weds Manu, Uri and many more. His work has earned widespread critical acclaim across multiple projects. Collaborating with leading filmmakers, he consistently delivers lyrics that elevate songs to a magical, unforgettable level.
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