Who Is Manoj Muntashir? Writer Of 'Adipurush' & 'Teri Mitti' Is No Stranger To Controversy
While controversy around 'Adipurush' continues to make headlines, here we take a moment to understand Manoj Muntashir, his journey, his work and how he is no stranger to controversy.
New Delhi: If there are two people who have been the major targets of flak after the entire 'Adipurush' controversy erupted, it is Om Raut ( director) and Manoj Muntashir( writer of the film). After the entire dialogue controversy occurred, Manoj defended his stand on 'Adipurush'. However, recently with the threats he has been receiving, the lyricist and writer asked Mumbai Police for security which he was offered.
On Tuesday, Muntashir took to Twitter ( Sunday, June 18) to vent over the negativity directed at him. He simply informed audiences that wrote some 4000 lines for 'Adipurush' and he is being judged for some five offending lines. In some interviews, he said that a lot of 'meticulous thought process' went into writing the dialogues for Bajrangbali. However, recently, he did announce on Twitter that some dialogues which have hurt people in general will be revised and shown.
While controversy around 'Adipurush' continues to make headlines, here we take a moment to understand the writer Manoj Muntashir, his journey, his work and how he is no stranger to controversy.
Manoj Muntashir background
Manoj Muntashir, birth name Manoj Shukla, was born in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. He changed his name to Muntashir, meaning 'scattered soul' in Urdu. In an interview once for a radio channel, he had shared that he chose the name 'Muntashir' randomly and also because Shukla had not 'weight' in it.
Manoj Muntashir is known for songs like 'Teri Mitti', 'Galliyan', 'Kaise Hua', 'Phir Bhi Tumko Chaahunga'. He has also written the Hindi dialogues of the Telugu blockbuster 'Baahubali: The Beginning' and 'Baahubali 2: The Conclusion'. For 'Teri Mitti', from the film 'Kesari', Muntashir faced a lot of flak and was charged with plagiarism. 'Teri Mitti' was cited to be similar to Haqeeqat's 'Kar Chale Hum Fida' which was written by the celebrated Kaifi Azmi.
Manoj Muntashir controversies
At that time too, Muntashir had addressed the 'Teri Mitti' controversy with a post on Twitter that said, "None of my creations are 100% original. File petitions against me and I will respect every decision of the court. Momin’s lines inspired one stanza of the song Teri Galiyan, Tere Sang Yara was inspired by Firakh Gorakhpuri’s couplets and my own song Teri Mitti has been translated in so many languages but I do not think my name was written anywhere," he said in a video.
In fact, Muntashir had created a row when he boycotted the Filmfare Awards in 2019 when 'Gully Boy's 'Apna Time Ayega' won the Best song and 'Teri Mitti' did not. He took to Twitter to say, "Dear Awards... Even if I try all my life.. I won’t be able to write a better line than ‘Tu Kahti Thee Tera Chaand Hoon Main Aur Chaand Humesha Rahta hai’. You failed to honour the words which made millions of Indians cry and care for their motherland. It would be a great disrespect to my art if I still continue caring for you. So here I bid you a final good bye. I officially announce- I won’t attend any award show till I breathe my last. Alvida."
At one point, he had also shared a video on social media calling Mughals as dacoits. This again sparked a controversy wherein Bollywood actor Richa Chadha called out the writer for profiting from a name he so detested.
Manoj Muntashir and the Amitabh Bachchan connection
Not many know that Manoj also wrote for TV shows like 'Kaun Banega Croreprati', 'Yatra', 'Indian Idol Junior'. But this happened when Muntashir was discovered by Amitabh Bachcan who gave him an opportunity to write scripts for the game show he hosts.
Manoj Muntashir influences
Heavily influenced by Hindi-film screenwriters and poets, shayars from the Hindavi and Urdu literary space, Muntashir has credited legendary duo Salim-Javed as his biggest influences.
Manoj Muntshir has won several best lyricist awards in his career. He is married to Neelam Shukla and they have a son.
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