Swanand Kirkire is an acclaimed Indian movie lyricist who primarily works for the Hindi film industry. Apart from being a lyricist, he also works as a dialogue writer, assistant director, writer and playback singer for both Hindi film as well as television industry. As a lyricist, he has been the winner of two National Film Awards. He has also worked for Marathi and Bengali film industries.

Early Life of Swanand Kirkire
Swanand Kirkire was born in the year 1970 at Rambagh in Indore city of Madhya Pradesh to a Marathi speaking family. His father Chintamani and mother Neelambari are classical vocalists. He was brought up in the same town and never had a formal training in singing. After completing his graduation in commerce he moved to Delhi. In the year 1996 he did his graduation from National School of Drama and got himself involved in theatres.

Career of Swanand Kirkire
Swanand Kirkire began his career with direction in Delhi when he wrote and directed a play based on freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. During the theatre days Swanand came to know that a television serial producer, Manju Singh, was searching for a writer for a serial called Swaraj which was also based on Bhagat Singh. Thus he reached Mumbai and started working for the serial. Later, after the serial ended, Swanand met filmmaker Pankaj Parashar who introduced him to the acclaimed director Sudhir Mishra. Swanand Kirkire began assisting him in his movie Calcutta Mail and his venture continued in the Bollywood flicks Chameli and Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi.

During his theatre days Swanand had authored the song `Bawra mann dekhne chala ek sapna`. When Sudhir Mishra heard the song, he decided to use it in his movie Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi and the music director Shantanu Moitra recorded it in Swanand`s voice. Although the movie got delayed its music was released and the song went on to become a huge hit. Owing to the popularity of the song, the music company re-released in during the release of the film. Swanand Kirkire has penned the lyrics for a number of enchanting melodies from films like Parineeta, Khoya Khoya Chaand, Laaga Chunari Mein Daag, 3 Idiots, Raajneeti, Barfi!, English Vinglish, Inkaar, Vicky Donor, Kai Po Che! and many more. He has also voiced several songs in films like Sehar, Gulaal, Eklavya: The Royal Guard, Lootera etc. He also worked as a lyricist as well as playback singer for the Indian television talk show Satyamev Jayate. In addition to these he also made appearances as an actor in a few films and worked as a dialogue writer and associate director.

Achievements of Swanand Kirkire
Swanand Kirkire won two National Film Awards for best lyrics in the year 2006 and 2010 for the songs `Bande Me Tha Dum` from Lage Raho Munnabhai and `Behti Hawa Sa Tha Wo` from 3 Idiots. In the year 2013 he also won Screen Awards for Best Lyricist for the song `Maanjha` from Kai Po Che.

Filmography of Swanand Kirkire as Lyricist